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 then-current single, Angel, as a backdrop, the spread cheekily alluded to Madonna’s “virgin” moniker with the 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 near
Bridge:
You must be an angel I can see it in your eyes Full of wonder and surprise And just now I realize
Chorus:
Oooh you’re an angel Oooh you’re an angel Oooh you’re an angel In disguise, I can see it in your eyes
Walking 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 angel
Now 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, baby
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 then-current single, Angel, as a backdrop, the spread cheekily alluded to Madonna’s “virgin” moniker with the caption:
“You were wonderful! We’re proud of you. Congratulations on your first tour. – Warner Bros. and Sire records.”
On November 12 1984, Madonna’s Like A Virgin album was released by Sire Records. The album was re-released worldwide in 1985, to include the bonus track, Into the Groove.
The original track listing for Madonna’s second album included:
Material Girl
Angel
Like A Virgin
Over & Over
Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
Dress You Up
Shoo-Bee-Doo
Pretender
Stay
The cover sleeve and album insert images were shot by Steven Meisel. The first shot in this post was used for the album cover. The rest of the photos in this post are outtakes from the same photo shoot.
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.