Tag Archives: Vogue

Today in Madonna History: December 16, 1989

December 16, 2024 By in 1989, December Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

On December 16 1989, Billboard magazine’s dance music section reported that Madonna had written and recorded a new song with Shep Pettibone titled Vogue. The article noted that the track was set to appear on the b-side of Madonna’s next single, Keep It Together.

These plans would soon change when it was decided that Vogue had too much hit potential to be released as a b-side, and it would instead be issued as a single in its own right once Keep It Together had run its course on the charts. In Europe, where Keep It Together was not promoted as a single, it would in fact be used as the b-side to Vogue.

Vogue would go on to become the best-selling physical single of Madonna’s career.

Today in Madonna History: November 27, 1990

November 27, 2024 By in 1990, November Tags: , , , 1 Comment

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On November 27 1990, the MTV network announced it had banned Madonna’s Justify My Love video due to extremely strong displays of sexuality.

“We respect her work as an artist and think she makes great videos,” said MTV executives in a statement about the clip. “This one is not for us.”

“When I did my Vogue video…I’m wearing a see-through dress and you can clearly see my breasts,” Madonna told ABC’s Nightline in 1990. “MTV told me that they wanted me to take that out, but I said I wouldn’t and they played it anyways. So I thought that once again I was going to be able to bend the rules a little bit.”

Today in Madonna History: June 28, 1990

June 28, 2024 By in 1990, June Tags: , 1 Comment

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On June 28 1990, Madonna’s Vogue single was certified double platinum (2 million units) – the biggest-selling single by a female artist ever at the time.

Today in Madonna History: June 23, 1990

June 23, 2024 By in 1990, June Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

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On June 23 1990, Madonna’s I’m Breathless: Music from and Inspired by the Film Dick Tracy hit #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in the USA.

After the filming of Dick Tracy was complete, Madonna began work on the film’s soundtrack, with songwriter Stephen Sondheim, producer Patrick Leonard and engineer Bill Bottrell. She also worked with producer Shep Pettibone on the album’s first single, Vogue. The album was recorded within three weeks in California.

Today in Madonna History: June 14, 1990

June 14, 2024 By in 1990, June Tags: , 1 Comment

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On June 14 1990, Madonna’s Vogue was certified platinum (for shipment of one million units) in the USA.

Today in Madonna History: May 25, 2004

May 25, 2024 By in 2004, May Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On May 25 2004, Rolling Stone magazine published a review of Madonna’s Re-Invention World Tour with the headline, “Madonna Reinvents herself. Amid images of war and peace, pop star shows she can sing.”

Here’s the review by Barry Walters:

After twenty years in the limelight, Madonna is expected to cause controversy and reinvent herself for every new tour. So for the May 24th Los Angeles opening of her Re-Invention world trek, Madonna did the most unexpected thing she could: She came back as a great concert singer.

Even the most diehard Madonna fan will concede that her live performances have almost without exception been plagued by a multitude of missed notes, breathy passages, and, as of late, fake British accents. But while Mariah and Whitney have of been losing the acrobatic vocal dexterity and lung power on which their reputations rest, forty-five-year-old Madonna, whom few have ever taken seriously as a musician, has never sounded better than she did during the first of several gigs in her adopted West Coast home. Whether rocking out with classic black Les Paul in hand during a metallic rendition of her early club hit “Burning Up,” or performing “Like a Prayer” behind a screen-projected gospel choir, Madonna belted, and did not once seemed strained. In the midst of a $1 million production festooned with a walkway that jutted out from the stage and over the audience, massive moving video screens, a dozen dancers, a bagpipe player, a stunt skateboarder and a whole lot of emotionally charged anti-war imagery, the focus was nevertheless on Madonna, and how she’s matured into a truly great pop singer.

Opening with a yoga-trained twist on her famous Louis XIV-inspired MTV Video Music Awards rendition of “Vogue” and ending on a kilt-wearing finale of “Holiday” against a video backdrop of national flags that eventually morphed into one, the show was thematically simpler and more focused than her last several productions.

The barbarism of war and the necessity of love were at the heart of the entire show, and both played off each other, sometimes for ironic and decidedly uneasy effect. The original military-themed video footage of “American Life” that the singer withheld at the start of the Iraq war was finally unveiled, and then expanded upon during “Express Yourself,” where Madonna sang her anthem of unbridled, intimate communication in front of dancers dressed as soldiers and goose-stepping with twirling rifles.

By contrast, Madonna closed an extended acoustic section of the show with a straightforward and thoroughly committed rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” as images of war and poverty-ravaged children eventually gave way to footage of a Muslim boy and his Israeli counterpart smiling as they walked with their arms wrapped around each other.

The heaviness of much of the imagery was balanced by Madonna’s own presence, which seemed remarkably fun-loving and self-assured for the opening night of her most technically complex production. Only when she strapped on an acoustic or electric guitar during several songs and repeatedly glanced at her left hand to make sure it was playing the proper chords did she seem at all nervous. “How many people out there really think that I am the Material Girl?” she asked during a break in her most iconic early smash as she strummed with much deliberation.

For the last several songs, Madonna and her dancers donned black and white kilts, an apparent nod to husband Guy Ritchie’s Scottish heritage, and black T-shirts that read “Kabbalists Do It Better,” a cheeky reference to both her religious studies and the “Italians Do It Better” T-shirt she wore during her video for “Papa Don’t Preach,” a song that was performed without the “near-naked pregnant women” described in pre-tour reports of the show. In a number dedicated for the “fans that’ve stood by me for the last twenty years,” she sang her earliest hit ballad, “Crazy For You,” earnestly and without contrivance.

Madonna’s continued relevance was impressive, but it was even more striking that she’s putting more love and genuine passion into her spectacle than ever.

Today in Madonna History: May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024 By in 2024, May Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On May 5, 2024, social media and news outlets buzzed with reports of Madonna’s historic concert the previous night. Madonna’s Celebration Tour culminated in a spectacular finale on Saturday night, electrifying Brazil’s Copacabana beach with an unprecedented show destined to carve its place in pop music history. As the sun dipped below Rio de Janeiro’s iconic skyline, an astonishing 1.6 million passionate fans gathered to experience the tour’s grand conclusion, turning the sandy beach into a vibrant wave of enthusiasm and adoration.

From die-hard enthusiasts who had staked their claim for prime viewing spots hours, even days in advance, to affluent aficionados who anchored their boats near the shore, every corner of Copacabana was abuzz with anticipation. Firefighters sprayed cooling mists to alleviate the sweltering heat, ensuring the comfort of the thronging masses as temperatures soared.

At precisely 10:40 p.m., the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, took to the stage, casting her spell over the ecstatic multitude with an electrifying performance that spanned over two hours. Amidst a cacophony of cheers, she belted out timeless classics like “Like a Prayer,” “Vogue,” and “Express Yourself,” enrapturing the audience with her timeless charisma and boundless energy.

Madonna’s poignant words resonated deeply as she basked in the ethereal beauty of Rio, declaring, “Here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, the mountains, Jesus. Magic.” Joined by Brazilian luminaries Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, as well as rising talents from local samba schools, Madonna orchestrated a mesmerizing symphony of music and spectacle, transcending boundaries of culture and geography.

As the final notes of “Live to Tell” reverberated into the night sky, accompanied by poignant imagery honoring those lost to AIDS, Madonna’s indelible legacy as the reigning Queen of Pop illuminated the hearts of her audience, serving as a beacon of inspiration for generations past, present, and future.

This historic event not only marked the culmination of Madonna’s monumental Celebration Tour but also etched a new pinnacle in her storied career. With an estimated 1.6 million attendees, surpassing all previous records, the magnitude of her influence and enduring appeal was unequivocally reaffirmed.

In terms of sales, the tour amassed an impressive $225,580,345 in revenue, with an average of $2,819,754 per show. A total of 1,127,658 tickets were sold, averaging 14,096 tickets per show. The average ticket price stood at $200.04, reflecting the demand and excitement surrounding Madonna’s performances. Additionally, all 80 shows reported sold-out crowds, further cementing Madonna’s status as a global icon.

Rio’s preparations for this monumental occasion underscored the economic and cultural significance of the event, with forecasts predicting a substantial boost to the local economy and a surge in tourism. Amidst the logistical challenges akin to New Year’s Eve festivities, stringent security measures ensured the safety of attendees, with a formidable contingent of military and police personnel deployed to maintain order.

Sponsored by Itaú Apresenta, Madonna’s free concert was a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to her legions of fans, a testament to her unwavering commitment to the artistry that has defined her illustrious career spanning four decades.

Full Set List:

Act I

  • It’s a Celebration (with Bob the Drag Queen)
  • Nothing Really Matters
  • Everybody
  • Into the Groove
  • Burning Up
  • Open Your Heart
  • Holiday

Act II

  • The Storm
  • Live to Tell
  • The Ritual (Dancers interlude)
  • Like a Prayer

Act III

  • Living for Love
  • Erotica
  • Justify My Love
  • Hung Up
  • Bad Girl

Act IV

  • Ballroom (Dancers interlude)
  • Vogue (with Anitta)
  • Human Nature (Shortened)
  • Crazy for You (Shortened)

Act V

  • The Beast Within
  • Die Another Day
  • Don’t Tell Me
  • This Little Light of Mine (Acapella snippet)
  • Express Yourself (Acoustic; extended outro)
  • La Isla Bonita
  • Music (with Pabllo Vittar)

Act VI

  • Madonna (video interlude)
  • Bedtime Story
  • Ray of Light
  • Rain

Act VII

  • Billie Jean / Like a Virgin
  • Bitch I’m Madonna
  • Celebration (shortened instrumental outro)