Today in Madonna History: December 27, 2003

December 27, 2017 By in 2003, December Tags: , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

On December 27 2003, Nothing Fails peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales chart.

Unfortunately this chart position owed more to the disappearing physical singles market in the U.S. at the time than it did to the song’s overall popularity. Despite the remixes being relatively well-received (the maxi-single included club mixes of Nobody Knows Me), with no accompanying music video and a complete lack of radio support Nothing Fails failed to crack the Hot 100 singles chart. This marked the first time in Billboard’s history that a single topped the Singles Sales chart in the U.S. without making an appearance on the Hot 100.

In more reassuring chart news, Billboard announced in the same issue that Madonna was being crowned Top Dance Singles Sales Artist for 2003. Madonna had previously achieved this honour in 1985 and 1987, and held the runner-up position in 2000 and 2001.

Today in Madonna History: December 26, 2009

December 26, 2017 By in 2009, December Tags: , , , 1 Comment

On December 26 2009, Revolver, the second and final single from Madonna’s career-spanning greatest hits collection, Celebration, peaked at #130 on the UK Singles chart. The second single received minimal promotion from Warner Bros. No music video was released. Only digital releases supported the single until CD and vinyl releases came out between the end of January to March (depending on country). By the time physical releases were put out, interest in the single had faded at radio and in general.

Today in Madonna History: December 25, 1996

December 25, 2017 By in 1996, December Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

evita-xmas-day-1 evita-xmas-day-2 evita-xmas-day-3 evita-xmas-day-4 evita-xmas-day-5 evita-xmas-day-6 evita-xmas-day-7

On December 25 1996, EVITA was given a limited released in New York and Los Angeles.

Wide release for the film followed on January 10, 1997.

Critic Zach Conner commented:

“It’s a relief to say that EVITA is pretty damn fine, well-cast, and handsomely visualized. Madonna once again confounds our expectations. She plays Evita with a poignant weariness and has more than just a bit of star quality. Love or hate Madonna-Eva, she is a magnet for all eyes.”

Newsweek ’​s David Ansen wrote:

“It’s gorgeous. It’s epic. It’s spectacular. But two hours later, it also proves to be emotionally impenetrable.”

Today in Madonna History: December 24, 2009

December 24, 2017 By in 2009, December Tags: , , , 1 Comment

On December 24 2009, Catch The Bouquet, the 12th and final book in Madonna’s The English Roses series was released.

Here’s a synopsis of the book by Amazon:

The English Roses’ number-one teacher, Miss Fluffernutter, is getting married—to Binah’s father! The Roses couldn’t be happier for their beloved teacher, or for Binah, whose own mother died when she was just a baby. And Binah is thrilled at the idea of having a stepmother like Miss F—that is, until she realizes that a new woman in her father’s life means less time for Binah. Binah misses her father terribly. And it doesn’t help that Charlotte is driving everyone nuts trying to plan the perfect wedding. Can the English Roses save this walk down the aisle from going totally awry?

Today in Madonna History: December 23, 1989

December 23, 2017 By in 1989, December Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

On December 23 1989, RPM Magazine published Canada’s Top Singles of 1989. The listing included the following Madonna singles:

  • #1 – Like A Prayer
  • #8 – Express Yourself
  • #9 – Cherish

Today in Madonna History: December 22, 2009

December 22, 2017 By in 2009, December Tags: , , 2 Comments

On December 22 2009, Madonna’s hits collection Celebration was released on vinyl in the U.S. by Warner Bros. Records following a one-week delay from its original street date.

The deluxe vinyl package featured four 120g black vinyl discs pressed at Record Industry (Netherlands) in a 2-pocket Stoughton gatefold jacket with expanded pockets (2 discs in each pocket) and included all of the 36 songs originally available on the 2-CD edition of the album. A vinyl edition for the European market also appeared in record shops on January 8th, 2010.

Although Warner made no indication of either pressing being a limited edition release, the sets disappeared from store shelves once their initial shipments had sold and were promptly deleted from circulation by Warner on both continents without explanation. Sealed copies of the sets now command more than $400 USD in the collectors market.

Today in Madonna History: December 21, 1996

December 21, 2017 By in 1996, December Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

On December 21 1996, Madonna’s You Must Love Me (the lead single from EVITA) spent its final week on Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay Chart in the USA. The hit single spent a total of 9 weeks on the chart.

Peter Keough of the Boston Phoenix had this to say about the song:

“You Must Love Me is an aching farewell that dispels the illusion of a romance-of-convenience to reveal the inescapable love and tragedy beneath”.