On June 1 1985, Warner Bros. and Sire Records took out a centerfold ad in Billboard magazine to celebrate the resounding success of Madonna’s first concert trek, The Virgin Tour.
Featuring the cover image from her current hit single Angel as its backdrop, the spread cheekily alluded to Madonna’s “virgin” moniker with its caption:
“You were wonderful! We’re proud of you. Congratulations on your first tour.
– Warner Bros. and Sire Records.”
On April 20 1992, Madonna signed a $60 million, seven-year contract with Time Warner Inc. as a joint venture to form a new multi-media entertainment company: Maverick.
Madonna was made CEO of Maverick (her own record and music publishing company), which included TV, film, merchandising and book publishing divisions.
The contract re-negotiated and extended Madonna’s contract with Sire Records: a $5 million advance per album & a 20% royalty rate for her next seven albums. The future recordings would all be released by Maverick/Sire Records.
On April 10 1985, Madonna’s Angel single was released by Sire Records. Angel was the third single released from the Like a Virgin album.
Written by Steve Bray and Madonna, it was one of the first songs developed for the project and, according to Madonna, was inspired by a girl who is saved by an angel, and she falls in love with Him.
Lyrics:
Why am I standing on a cloud
Every time you’re around
And my sadness disappears
Every time you are nearBridge:
You must be an angel
I can see it in your eyes
Full of wonder and surprise
And just now I realizeChorus:
Oooh you’re an angel
Oooh you’re an angel
Oooh you’re an angel
In disguise, I can see it in your eyesWalking down a crowded avenue
Other faces seem like nothing next to you
And I can’t hear the traffic rushing by
Just the pounding of my heart and that’s why(bridge)
(chorus, repeat)You’re an angel
You’re an angel, baby
You’re an angel
You must be an angelNow I believe that dreams come true
‘Cause you came when I wished for you
This just can’t be coincidence
The only way that this makes sense is that(chorus, repeat)
You’re an angel
You’re an angel, baby
You’re an angel
You must be an angel, babyClouds just disappear
