Category Archives: August

Today in Madonna History: August 2, 2008

August 2, 2020 By in 2008, August Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments

madonna-give-it-2-me-august-2-1 madonna-give-it-2-me-august-2-2 madonna-give-it-2-me-august-2-3 madonna-give-it-2-me-august-2-4

On August 2 2008, the second single from Madonna’s Hard Candy album, Give It 2 Me, debuted at #2 on the Hot Dance Singles Chart in the USA. The single would go on to spend 3 non-consecutive weeks at #1.

Here’s the AllMusic.com review of the single by Anthony Tognazzini:

Madonna’s Hard Candy continued the electronica-oriented, disco-centric vibe she began with Confessions on a Dance Floor, and Give It 2 Me, the album’s second single, is a case in point. Co-written and co-produced by industry heavyweight Pharrell Williams, Give It 2 Me pulses, surges, and sashays with all the pop smarts that her fans expect from Madonna.

The Give It 2 Me maxi-single contains 8 remixes of the song from artists as diverse as Paul Oakenfold, Freddie Le Grand, and Sly & Robbie (whose dancehall interpretation of the track truly takes it someplace new). The remixes highlight the song’s incessant danceability, and should have any Madonna fan, especially those of Hard Candy, gyrating with pleasure.

Today in Madonna History: August 1, 2020

August 1, 2020 By in 2020, August Tags: , , 2 Comments

On August 1 2020, Madonna paid tribute to Alan Parker (he died on July 31, 2020):

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Alan Parker. One of the greatest directors I’ve ever worked with—on the film Evita. He taught me so much, believed in me, pushed me to my limits and made an incredible film! Thank you! 📽♥️ -Madonna

Today in Madonna History: August 31, 1996

August 31, 2019 By in 1996, August Tags: , 1 Comment

take-a-bow-madonna-sheet-music

On August 31 1996, Madonna’s Take A Bow spent its 38th and final week on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Recurrent chart in the USA at #9.

Today In Madonna History: August 30, 2012

August 30, 2019 By in 2012, August Tags: , , , , , , 3 Comments

turn_up_the_radio video 550 turn up the radio remixes cover 550Turn-Up-The-Radio music video 550

On August 30 2012, Turn Up The Radio jumped to the top position on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart, earning Madonna a record-extending 43rd number-one single on the chart.

Marking a sign of the times, the single and remixes were sold exclusively to digital retailers and were sadly not given a physical release on any format (aside from scarce promotional copies), in any country. This was the first time in Madonna’s career that an international commercial single was unavailable to record shops and collectors either through domestic distribution or as an import.

We hope that Interscope realizes that there are many old-school Madonna fans who still enjoy collecting physical releases – and we’re willing to pay for them. So what will it be Interscope? Would you like to earn some extra bucks with the singles from Madonna’s next album, or are you going to leave collectors with padded pockets?

Today in Madonna History: August 29, 2004

August 29, 2019 By in 2004, August Tags: , , , 1 Comment

RIT Slane 5RIT Slane 3RIT Slane 4

On August 29 2004, Madonna played to over 62,000 fans at Ireland’s Slane Castle during the only open-air performance of The Re-Invention Tour.

A fan who attended the show shared their review with Madonna fan-site Mad-Eyes.net:

“I can’t believe I’ve finally come to Ireland. Jesus Christ, what took me so fucking long!” Yesterday evening Madonna gave her first open air concert in 11 years. And Madonna didn’t disappoint. Even though it rained and she had to cover herself with a jumper sometimes, she put on a magnificent show. During the first part of the show, she wore the golden corset again. Later, while spinning during Papa Don’t Preach, she said “I’m just trying to keep myself warm!” while wearing an “Irish Do It Better” shirt. The crowd was certainly warmed up and gave her a lot of energy. When it was raining during Nothing Fails, a crew member sat on his knees on stage, covering Madonna under an umbrella while she was playing the guitar. Madonna laughed and sang “rain, rain, go away”. Because of the open air, the catwalk was present all the time and even much lower than usual, giving Madonna the chance to skim hands of the fans. The confetti for Holiday was blown into the air. As the message “Re-Invent Yourself” appeared on screen, Madonna thanked the crowd “thank you goodnight” and added “Ireland you’re the best!” Afterwards, huge fireworks broke out over the place.

Madonna herself recalled the performance in her tour documentary I’m Going To Tell You A Secret, although her recollection of the show’s attendance appeared to be slightly hazy. Billboard magazine reported ticket sales of 62,275 for the event rather than the 80,000 people capacity of the grounds.

(Thanks to Madonnalicious & their readers for the pics and to Mad-Eyes.net!)

Today in Madonna History: August 28, 1986

August 28, 2019 By in 1986, August Tags: , , 3 Comments

madonna_goose_tom_tom

On August 28 1986, Madonna and Sean opened in David Rabe’s Goose & Tomtom at Lincoln Centre’s Mitzi Newhouse Theatre, in New York.

Here’s a snippet of an article that Dena Kleiman published about the play:

A Revival that may not revive (New York Times August 19, 1986):

Madonna and Sean Penn are quietly dashing in and out of Lincoln Center these days in connection with closely guarded rehearsals of David Rabe’s Goose and Tomtom that may never be opened to the public.

But maybe, said Mr. Rabe, who is also directing the play, he will invite a special audience to come next week to a free performance – or even two. And after that? ”I’ve reserved the right not to show it,” Mr. Rabe said.

The rehearsals, in which Harvey Keitel, Barry Miller and Lorraine Bracco are also taking part, have been described by Mr. Rabe as a ”work in progress” for a play that was previously – but in his view unsuccessfully – produced. He said he believes he has a better handle on the play now, but is still not absolutely sure.

In the play, Goose (Barry Miller) and Tomtom (Sean Penn) are a pair of jewel thieves, who, in collaboration with a sexy woman named Lorraine (Madonna), amass a collection of gems only to have them stolen by a rival gang.

”I’m in the process of trying to understand it,” said Mr. Rabe, who is currently working with the actors on the stage of the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. ”I wrote it without understanding it, and it has taken a long time to grasp.”

Today in Madonna History: August 27, 1983

August 28, 2019 By in 1983, August Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Lucky Star-Holiday US Promo 550 Lucky Star-Holiday Promo label A Lucky Star-Holiday Promo label B

On August 27 1983, Holiday/Lucky Star made its debut on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the U.S., entering at #31.

The promo-only double A-side single was serviced to clubs by Sire/Warner in order to gauge public interest before deciding which track should be promoted to radio. Although technically serving as the B-side, Holiday was given top billing for its chart entry when it proved to be the more popular selection with club DJ’s. It was subsequently issued as Madonna’s third commercial single in North America, while Lucky Star was released as her fifth single a year later.