True Blue (Madonna song)

"True Blue" is a song by American singer Madonna from her third studio album of the same name (1986). Written and produced by the singer and her collaborator Stephen Bray, in Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries, it was released as the album's third single on September 29, 1986. In the United States, it was published on October 9. A dance-pop song that takes influence from Motown and girl groups from the 1950s and 60s, its lyrics address Madonna's feelings for her then-husband Sean Penn.

"True Blue"
Single by Madonna
from the album True Blue
B-side"Ain't No Big Deal"
ReleasedSeptember 29, 1986
Genre
Length4:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Madonna
  • Stephen Bray
Madonna singles chronology
"Papa Don't Preach"
(1986)
"True Blue"
(1986)
"Open Your Heart"
(1986)
Music video
"True Blue" on YouTube

Critical reception towards "True Blue" was generally positive, with praise being given to its retro, girl group influence. It topped the charts in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland―where it became Madonna's third and fourth number one hit, respectively. In the United States, it reached the third position of the Billboard Hot 100 and was the singer's tenth consecutive top-ten hit.

Two music videos were shot for the song. James Foley directed the official one that aired internationally, which shows Madonna in a 1950s-inspired blue setting, joined by backup singers. In the US, Sire Records teamed up with MTV for a competition called "Madonna's 'Make my Video' Contest". Fans were called on to make their own video and submit them for the singer's approval. The winning clip was shot in sepia and depicted a teenage romance. "True Blue" was included on Madonna's Who's That Girl (1987) and Rebel Heart (2015―2016) concert tours, and has been covered by a handful of artists, including Darren Hayes.

Background

edit

In early 1985, Madonna began dating actor Sean Penn, whom she met in the set of the music video for her single "Material Girl".[1] They dated casually and married six months later, on her 27th birthday.[2][3] She also met producer Patrick Leonard while on the Virgin Tour, where he was hired as musical director.[4] Madonna's third studio album, True Blue, was announced in April 1986.[5] It takes its title after a favorite expression of Penn's, which signifies a "very pure vision of love".[6] For the project, she kept Leonard and also enlisted former boyfriend Stephen Bray, with whom she had worked on Like a Virgin (1984), her previous album.[4][7]

Composed alongside Bray, the title track was described as Madonna's "unabashed valentine" for Penn, and influenced by the "direct antecedents" of her sound: Motown, girl groups from the 1960s such as the Shirelles, and songs like "Chapel of Love" (1964) by the Dixie Cups.[8][6][9] Bray recalled that Madonna was "very much in love" when creating the track; "if she's in love she'll write love songs. If she's not in love she definitely won't be writing love songs".[10] While looking back in 2015, the singer revealed that she "didn’t know what I was talking about when I wrote [the song]".[11]

Composition and release

edit

"True Blue" and its parent album were recorded at Los Angeles' Channel Recording studios.[13] Personnel working on the song included Bray on drums and keyboard arrangement, alongside Fred Zarr; Bruce Gaitsch played guitar while background vocals were provided by Siedah Garrett and Edie Lehmann.[14] "True Blue" has been noted a "sweetly bubblegummy mix of '60s girl group sounds and '80s dance pop".[15] In its lyrics, Madonna expresses her love and devotion for Penn.[15][16] According to the sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Inc., it is set in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute.[17] The song is composed in the key of B major, and has a basic sequence of I–vi–IV–V (B–Gm–E–F) as its main chord progression. Madonna's vocal range spans a bit less than one and a half octaves, going from F3 to B4.[17]

The "verse-and-chorus" composition is similar to that of "Chapel of Love", with Garrett and Lehman accompanying the singer's convincing "girly" vocals like a choir.[18] It begins with a "pert call to attention", which then goes from "coy rejoinder" to "bossy command".[19] Madonna sings, I’ve had other guys/I've looked into their eyes/But I never knew love before/'Til you walked through my door.[3] In the "cooing" refrain, she sings in Betty Boop-like vocals, True love/You're the one I'm dreaming of/Your heart fits me like a glove/And I'm gonna be true blue/Baby, I love you.[15][20][21] The bridge plays twice, and has Madonna singing the line No-oh more sadness/I kiss it goodbye.[22]

"True Blue" began receiving airplay on American radio the week of September 13, 1986, when it was yet to be released as a single.[23] In Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries, it was released as the album's third single on September 29.[24][25][26][27][28] In the United States, a release was issued on October 9.[29] "True Blue" has not been included in any of Madonna's major compilations, but was part of The Holiday Collection ―a four track EP released exclusively in the United Kingdom in August 1991.[30]

Critical reception

edit

"An ebullient ode to then-boo Sean Penn, ['True Blue'] melds doo-wop harmonies with a quaint '80s beat. By all reasonable measures, it should be disposable pop fluff; but in Madonna's hands, it's an impossibly charming slice of puppy love — albeit a naive one".

Billboard's Joe Lynch reviewing "True Blue" on the magazine's list of Madonna's 100 best songs.[11]

Critical feedback towards "True Blue" has been generally positive. J. Randy Taraborrelli, author of Madonna: An Intimate Biography, deemed it a light-hearted, fun track.[31] In the book Rock 'n' Roll Gold Rush, Maury Dean referred to "True Blue" as a "masterwork of simplicity interwoven with secret complexity [...] on one hand, it's just a basic Streetcorner ditty, with four basic chords. In another context, it's a counterpoint harmonic blanket, twirling with star-spangled timbre and dynamic drive".[32] Matthew Rettenmund, author of Encyclopedia Madonnica, hailed it a "sweet tune" that features the singer "at her chirpiest and most flirtatious", and "best illustrates [the album]'s ―and Madonna's― dedication to Penn".[19] AllMusic's Stewart Mason opined the singer's vocals resembled Cyndi Lauper's, albeit "with a slightly less kitschy attitude".[15] From website This is Dig! Mark Elliott referred to "True Blue" as the most "representative" of the parent album's nine songs, and an "irresistibly catchy homage" to the 1950s and 60s.[33]

For Erika Wexler from Spin, it is a "cute retro throwaway" that "exude[s] innocence and harmony. Love is as simple as the lyrics".[34] In this vein, Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani said "True Blue" was an "authentic throwback to the girl-group-era pop".[35] For the Chicago Tribune, Jan DeKnock also praised its girl group influence, and described the song as a "charming [...] perfect end-of-summer confection that will do equally well with pop and adult contemporary listeners".[36] James Croot from New Zealand website Stuff said it was the "crowning glory" of the parent album; "[a] toe-tapping 1950s-inspired ditty [...] pop-song confection perfection. Filled with hooks and eminently sing-a-longable, it can still brighten the mood of even the most trying day".[37] For Los Angeles Times' Robert Hilburn, "['True Blue'] mixes the innocence of '50s R&B, with the punch of Spector's '60s classics for a contemporary blend of 'In the Still of the Night' and 'Be My Baby'".[38] It was noted a "cross between 'Heaven Must Have Sent You' and 'Chapel of Love'" by Rolling Stone's Davitt Sigerson, while John Quayle from the Observer–Reporter said it was a "sickenly sweet throwaway".[39][40]

In more critical reviews, Matthew Jacobs from HuffPost wrote that, "taken as anything other than homage, ['True Blue']'s a silly, meandering tune. But heard as a could-be outtake from the Grease soundtrack, it's a song that's still worthy of singing into your hairbrush in the bathroom mirror".[41] While Gavin Scott, from Australian website Chart Beats, said it was the "cheesiest" single of Madonna's career after "Hanky Panky" (1990), Albumism's Justin Chadwick deemed it one of the parent album's "campy, borderline contrived moments".[22][42] Even though he named it "dated and simplistic", Terry Hearn from The Metropolist concluded that, "hearing this [song] from the woman who was singing 'Like a Virgin' could be disorienting, but what a feat it is to shock people by being so simple and pure. It represents a clever inversion of what is expected from pop music stars".[43] Rikky Rooksby deemed it "merely cute", as well as a "saccharine uptempo update" of Like a Virgin album track "Shoo-Bee-Doo", but felt it did not live up to being the album's title track.[12] A writer for The Wichita Eagle was not impressed with "True Blue", believing that it came off as "sassless and neutered" when compared to the other songs on the album.[44] Nathan Smith from the Houston Press dismissed "True Blue" as "embarrassingly cute and entirely forgettable. [...] [it] sounds influenced more by the retro cheese of Grease than any genuine human feeling".[45]

"True Blue" is Madonna's 47th best single according to Entertainment Weekly's Chuck Arnold, who applauded its "bouncy charm".[46] On The Guardian''s ranking, it came in at number 40; Jude Rogers deemed it a "well-tailored, retro-positioned pop [song] that's aged remarkably well".[47] It was named the singer's 33rd best single by both the staff of Rolling Stone, and Melissa Ruggieri from USA Today. The former said that it "found Madonna sounding blissfully smitten", while according to the latter, "[it] might be the most innocent [she] has ever sounded".[48][49] Idolator's Robbie Daw deemed it one of the singer's best songs that "radio forgot".[50]

Chart performance

edit

"True Blue" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 40 the week of October 4, 1986.[51] It was one of the year's highest-debuting singles, alongside "Say You, Say Me" and "Dancing on the Ceiling" by Lionel Richie.[52] Almost one month later, it became Madonna's tenth consecutive top-ten single, which tied her with Brenda Lee as the second female in the rock era to score this amount of consecutive top-tens.[53] "True Blue" reached the chart's third spot on November 15, and remained on that position for three consecutive weeks, and a total of 16 weeks on the chart overall.[54] The song performed well on other Billboard charts, reaching the fifth and sixth spots of the Adult Contemporary and Hot Dance Club Songs charts, respectively.[55][56] By the end of 1986, "True Blue" ranked 76th on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[57] In October 1998, the single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of 500,000 copies.[58] In Canada,"True Blue" debuted in the 84th position of RPM's Top Singles chart on the week of September 27, 1986;[59] two months later, it reached the chart's first spot.[60]

In the United Kingdom, "True Blue" debuted at the third position of the singles chart on October 4, 1986.[61] One week later, it reached the top spot and became Madonna's third number one in the country.[61][62] "True Blue" was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on October 10, 1986, and has sold over 557,000 copies as of March 2015.[63][64] The single also saw success in Ireland, where it was Madonna's fourth number one hit.[65] In Australia, the song reached the chart's top-five and was given a platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for the shipment of 70,000 copies.[24][66] Similarly, in New Zealand, "True Blue" peaked within the chart's first three spots.[26] The single was successful across Europe, reaching the top-five of most countries, and coming at number one on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.[67] It had a moderate reception in Sweden, where it barely cracked the top 20.[28]

Music videos

edit

Official

edit
 
Screenshot of the official "True Blue" video, showing Madonna driving a Thunderbird convertible with her girlfriends in the back.

The official music video for "True Blue" was directed by James Foley, with whom Madonna had worked on "Live to Tell" and "Papa Don't Preach", and aired outside of the United States.[19][68] Crew included Robert Colesberry and David Massar in production, while Michael Ballhaus was in charge of cinematography.[69] For the visual, Madonna adopted a new leaner look; she hired a personal trainer to assist her in a "relentless exercise program".[7] The video shows her on an all-blue set, which includes a 1950s-style diner and a white Thunderbird convertible.[68] She dons a Marlene Stewart-created ensemble consisting of black ankle-length tights and blue poodle skirt.[70][68] Stylist Victor Vídal came up with the Elvis Presley-like hairdo the singer wears on the video; "I told her about this vision I had of her. I wanted to bleach her hair almost white and cut it short. She thought for a moment, said yes, picked up a magazine and never looked up until I was finished", Vídal recalled.[19][68][71] Actress Debi Mazar and dancer Erika Belle appear as the singer's girlfriends.[69][72] In one scene, Madonna sits on the Thunderbird and "campily" pretends to drive it, while Mazar and Belle dance behind her.[19]

In the UK, "True Blue" premiered on October 2, 1986 on television program Top of the Pops.[73] Nine days later, it aired on the rest of Europe.[74] Upon release, the staff of British magazine Record Mirror compared the video's aesthetic to that of American television series Happy Days, and said it was as "cute as a choc bar commercial".[75] Mark Elliott noted that, following the controversy "Papa Don't Preach" and its video had caused, "True Blue" was "nothing [that would] worry the parents, which was probably something of a relief to record company executives".[33] Matthew Rettenmund gave a mixed review of the visual; he deemed it cute but pointed out the singer looked "bothered at having to do it".[19] It is one of Madonna's most underrated music videos according to VH1's Christopher Rosa.[76] Louis Virtel from The Backlot ranked it as the singer's 46th greatest video.[77] By contrast, Vulture's Justin Ravitz named it one of her five worst.[78] "True Blue" can be found on Madonna's 2009 video compilation Celebration: The Video Collection.[79]

MTV's "Make my Video" contest

edit

In the US, Sire Records teamed up with MTV for a competition called "Madonna's 'Make my Video' Contest".[68][80] Fans were called on to make and submit their own video for "True Blue, and the winner would be awarded a trip to MTV's New York studios, and granted a check for $25,000 by Madonna herself.[81][82] Over 3,000 entries were sent, ranging from "semi-professional film-school projects to amusingly amateurish camcorder clips", as noted by Yahoo!'s Lyndsay Parker.[82] In Gender Politics and MTV: Voicing the Difference, author Lisa A. Lewis wrote that although many featured Madonna wannabes and a wide range of concepts, they all focused on the song's theme of true love.[81] There were some, however, that dealt with other themes such as power: One had schoolgirls owerpowering and tying up a teacher who spoke ill of Madonna; in another, an American girl and a Russian boy grow up to become president of the United States and of the USSR, respectively.[83] MTV dedicated an entire day to air the entries ―October 30, 1986, nicknamed "Blue Thursday".[82] The three finalists all incorporated a "nostalgic" 1950s-style production design in a nod to the song and its themes.[81]

The contest was won by Venezuela-born, Miami-based college student Angel Gracia, and fellow filmmaker Cliff Guest.[82] They allegedly spent under $1,000 to make their video, which told the sepia-toned story of a teenage romance.[80][82] Gracia recalled that at the time, he wasn’t a fan of the singer's and thus "felt bad" for winning.[82] Aired as the official "True Blue" video in the United States, Gracia and Guest's entry spent weeks in high rotation on the network's Dial MTV countdown program.[82] Additionally, they signed a one-year contract as in-house video directors for Geffen Records.[84] Lewis went on to say that the contest emphasized the effect Madonna had on different kind of audiences due to its popularity.[81]

Live performances and covers

edit
 
Madonna singing an acoustic version of "True Blue" with the ukelele on 2015―2016's Rebel Heart Tour.

"True Blue" has been featured on two of Madonna's concert tours: Who's That Girl (1987) and Rebel Heart (2015―2016). On the first one, it was sung with Madonna decked out in a blue 1950s dress.[85] She was joined by her backup singers and, towards the end, was asked to dance by a male dancer.[86] Jeffrey Hornaday, known for his work on Flashdance (1983), choreographed the number.[87] Robert Hilburn highlighted the innocence displayed by Madonna on the performance.[85] Two different performances can be found on the videos Who's That Girl: Live in Japan, filmed in Tokyo, Japan, on June 22, and Ciao Italia: Live from Italy, filmed in Turin, Italy, on September 4.[88][89]

On the Rebel Heart Tour, the song was re-worked in an acoustic doo-wop style, with Madonna playing the ukelele from atop a tire stack.[90][91] The stage resembled a gas station, while the backdrop screen displayed a crescent moon.[92] To Michael Lallo from The Sydney Morning Herald, it was, "perhaps the most joyous moment of the evening".[93] The performance of the song at the March 19–20, 2016 shows in Sydney's Allphones Arena was recorded and released on the artist's fifth live album, Rebel Heart Tour (2017).[94]

A handful of artists have recorded covers of "True Blue". In 1994, the Gary Tesca Orchestra covered the song for Greatest Hits from the Superstars! (Who's That Girl).[95] Four years later, a rendition by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was included on Material Girl: RPO Plays Music of Madonna.[96] The Starsound Orchestra recorded "True Blue" for the 2001 album Plays the Hits Made Famous by Madonna.[97] In 2011, Independent record label Paper Bag Records released a track-by-track cover of True Blue, where the title track was performed by Canadian indie rock band Winter Gloves, and singer Hannah Georgas.[98] This rendition was critically appreciated, with Stereogum's Scott Lapatine placing it at number 16 of his ranking of "The 20 Best Indie Rock Madonna Covers".[99] Australian singers James Blundell and Tania Kernaghan recorded "True Blue" for the former's twelfth studio album Campfire (2017).[100] Finally, in 2023, Australian singer Darren Hayes did a mashup of "True Blue" and Savage Garden's "I Knew I Loved You" (1999) on his Do You Remember? Tour.[101]

Track listings and formats

edit

Credits and personnel

edit

Credits and personnel are adapted from the True Blue album liner notes.[14]

  • Madonna – lyrics, producer, vocals
  • Stephen Bray – drums, keyboard, lyrics, producer
  • Siedah Garrett – background vocals
  • Edie Lehmann – background vocals
  • Bruce Gaitsch – rhythm guitar
  • Fred Zarr – additional keyboard
  • Steve Peck – engineer
  • Shep Pettibone – remixing
  • Herb Ritts – photography
  • Jeri McManus – design/artwork

Charts

edit

Certifications and sales

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[66] Platinum 70,000^
France (SNEP)[132] Silver 300,000[126]
Japan (Oricon Charts) 5,170[133]
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Silver 557,000[64]
United States (RIAA)[58] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Sager, Jessica (March 14, 2023). "Madonna's dating history: From Sean Penn to Guy Ritchie". People. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Wallace, Carol (July 8, 1985). "Desperately seeking matrimony". People. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Hall, James (July 2, 2021). "Madonna, Sean Penn, and the toxic, tempestuous marriage that inspired True Blue". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2024.(subscription required)
  4. ^ a b Roberts, Dave (February 3, 2022). "'People have asked, can you write a hit? Answer: No. I mean obviously I can, but not because I've tried to'". Music Business Worldwide. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  5. ^ Gett, Steve (May 31, 1986). "LeBon docks, Duran Duran rocks; Tina, Phil head royal superjam" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 22. p. 20. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Holden, Stephen (July 10, 1986). "Madonna cleans up her act but her music remains 'true blue' to controversy". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2024.(subscription required)
  7. ^ a b Taraborrelli 2002, pp. 117–119
  8. ^ Morton 2002, p. 147
  9. ^ Gabriel 2023, p. 228
  10. ^ St. Michael 2004, p. 43
  11. ^ a b "The 100 greatest Madonna songs: Critics' picks". Billboard. August 15, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Rooksby 2004, p. 24
  13. ^ McKeen 2000, p. 233
  14. ^ a b Madonna (1986). True Blue (LP, Vinyl, CD). Sire Records. 925442-2.
  15. ^ a b c d Mason, Stewart. "Madonna > "True Blue" > Overview". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  16. ^ Missim, Nayer (August 15, 2018). "Madonna at 60: Queen of Pop's 60 best singles ranked". PinkNews. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Ciccone, Madonna (13 November 2007). "True Blue: Digital Sheet Music". Alfred Publishing. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  18. ^ O'Brien 2008, pp. 101–104
  19. ^ a b c d e f Rettenmund 1995, pp. 175–176
  20. ^ Sexton 1993, p. 108
  21. ^ Campbell, Chuck (July 4, 1986). "Madonna ready to reign again". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. p. 71. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Scott, Gavin (November 13, 2020). "The best of: Madonna". Australian Chart Beats. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  23. ^ "Out of the Box" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 37. September 13, 1986. p. 10. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  25. ^ a b "Madonna – True Blue" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c "Madonna – True Blue". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Madonna – True Blue" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c "Madonna – True Blue". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  29. ^ "Madonna.com > Discography > True Blue". Icon: Official Madonna website. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Madonna (1991). The Holiday Collection (UK EP single liner notes). Sire Records. W0037 CD/9362-40099-2.
  31. ^ Taraborrelli 2002, p. 53
  32. ^ Dean 2003, p. 523
  33. ^ a b Elliott, Mark (September 17, 2022). "True Blue: The story behind Madonna's insightful hit song". This is Dig!. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  34. ^ Waxler, Erika (October 1986). "Madonna – True Blue". Spin. 2 (7): 37. ISSN 0886-3032. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  35. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (March 9, 2003). "Review: Madonna, True Blue". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  36. ^ DeKnock, Jan (August 29, 1986). "'Higher Love' takes Briton Steve Wiwood to a new plateau on charts". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Croot, James (April 27, 2018). "In defence of: Madonna's True Blue". Stuff. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  38. ^ Hilburn, Robert (July 6, 1986). "Madonna is nobody's toy". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2024.(subscription required)
  39. ^ Sigerson, Davitt (17 July 1986). "Home > Music > Album reviews > True Blue". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2024.(subscription required)
  40. ^ Quayle, John (August 22, 1986). "Madonna's new album is a winner; guitarist Buchanan still the best". Observer-Reporter. p. C-3. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  41. ^ Jacobs, Matthew (March 10, 2015). "The definitive ranking of Madonna singles". HuffPost. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  42. ^ Chadwick, Justin (June 26, 2021). "Madonna's True Blue turns 35: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  43. ^ Hearn, Terry (May 5, 2015). "Rediscovering... Madonna - True Blue". The Metropolist. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  44. ^ "Madonna's True Blue leaves bad after-taste". The Wichita Eagle. November 23, 1986. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2024.(subscription required)
  45. ^ Smith, Nathan (February 1, 2012). "Causing a Commotion: The Madonna Super Bowl set list we'd like to see". Houston Press. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  46. ^ Arnold, Chuck (August 15, 2018). "Madonna's 60 best singles, ranked". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  47. ^ Jude, Rogers (August 16, 2018). "Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  48. ^ "Madonna's 50 greatest songs - 33. 'True Blue' (from True Blue, 1986)". Rolling Stone. July 27, 2016. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  49. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (August 16, 2023). "Madonna turns 65, so naturally we rank her 65 best songs". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  50. ^ Daw, Robbie (January 25, 2012). "Madonna's 10 best songs that radio forgot". Idolator. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  51. ^ "The Hot 100: Week of October 4, 1986". Billboard. October 4, 1986. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  52. ^ Grein, Paul (October 4, 1986). "Chart Beat" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 40. p. 6. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  53. ^ Grein, Paul (November 1, 1986). "Chart Beat" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 44. p. 6. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  54. ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  55. ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  56. ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  57. ^ a b "1986: The year in music and video - Top Pop Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-21. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  58. ^ a b "American single certifications – Madonna – True Blue". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  59. ^ "RPM Top Singles - September 27 1986". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. September 27, 1986. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  60. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0859." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  61. ^ a b c "Madonna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  62. ^ Griffiths, George (August 16, 2023). "65 incredible Madonna chart facts, feats and trivia". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  63. ^ a b "British single certifications – Madonna – True Blue". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  64. ^ a b Myers, Justin (March 7, 2015). "Madonna's Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 8, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  65. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – True Blue". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  66. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  67. ^ a b c "Top 3 in Europe / European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 (43): 6 and 12. November 1, 1986. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  68. ^ a b c d e Bego 2000, p. 186
  69. ^ a b Clerk 2002, p. 49
  70. ^ "Marlene Stewart: Costume Designer - Music Videos". Official Marlene Stewart Website. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  71. ^ Foley, Barbara (March 2, 1990). "Thoroughly Modern Madonna - Fashion: The world's most famous chameleon is about to slip into three new looks for the '90s. Copycats take note". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2024.(subscription required)
  72. ^ Huff, Lauren (November 27, 2023). "Debi Mazar says 'it was like old times' joining longtime pal Madonna on stage at Italy concert". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  73. ^ "TV Pop Diaries: Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999". TV Pop Diaries. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  74. ^ "TV & Video: Iggy's frolics" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 (40): 5. October 11, 1986. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  75. ^ "Madonna" (PDF). Record Mirror: 4. October 11, 1986. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  76. ^ Rosa, Christopher (August 16, 2016). "Madonna's 10 most underrated music videos". VH1. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  77. ^ Virtel, Louis (August 8, 2013). "Madonna's 55 best videos, in honor of her 55th birthday". The Backlot. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  78. ^ Ravitz, Justin (May 22, 2008). "Madonna's five worst videos of all time". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  79. ^ "'Celebration' – Track listing for CD & DVD announced". Icon: Official Madonna website. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  80. ^ a b "Flashback: Madonna awards winners of fan-made video 'True Blue'". Rolling Stone. June 30, 2016. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2024.(subscription required)
  81. ^ a b c d Lewis 1991, p. 206
  82. ^ a b c d e f g Parker, Lyndsey (October 26, 2016). "Madonna's 'Make My Video' MTV contest winner, 30 years later: Angel Gracia still feels 'True Blue'". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  83. ^ Sexton 1993, pp. 63–64
  84. ^ Goldstein, Patrick (February 22, 1987). "Geffen Records takes its videos in-house". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2024.(subscription required)
  85. ^ a b Hilburn, Robert (June 29, 1987). "Tour Opens: It's true, Madonna is really good". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2024.(subscription required)
  86. ^ Voller 1999, p. 29
  87. ^ Parish & Pitts 2003, p. 526
  88. ^ Madonna (1987). Who's That Girl: Live in Japan (VHS). Warner Home Video.
  89. ^ Madonna (1988). Ciao Italia: Live from Italy (VHS). Warner Home Video.
  90. ^ Masley, Ed (October 23, 2015). "Review: Madonna still the best Madonna show in town". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  91. ^ Bream, Jon (October 9, 2015). "Madonna more playful than provocative in Xcel show". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  92. ^ Katz, Leslie (October 20, 2015). "Madonna takes control in San Jose". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  93. ^ Lallo, Michael (March 13, 2016). "Madonna review: Rebel Heart tour proves Material Girl does it better than anyone". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  94. ^ Madonna (2017). Rebel Heart Tour (2× CD, DVD, Blu-ray). Eagle Records.
  95. ^ "Greatest Hits from the Superstars! (Who's That Girl) - The Gary Tesca Orchestra". Apple Music. January 1, 1994. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  96. ^ Hill, Melinda (October 20, 1998). "Royal Philharmonic Orchestra > Material Girl: RPO Plays Music of Madonna > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  97. ^ "Starsound Orchestra > Plays the Hits Made Famous by Madonna > Overview". AllMusic. February 13, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  98. ^ "True Blue". Paper Bag Records. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  99. ^ Lapatine, Scott (March 27, 2012). "The 20 best indie rock Madonna covers". Stereogum. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  100. ^ "Chatting by the Campfire". Tasmanian Times. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  101. ^ Veevers, Brandon (March 28, 2023). "Live Review: Darren Hayes – 28th March 2023 – London Palladium, London, UK". Renowned for Sound. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  102. ^ Madonna (1986). True Blue (European seven-inch single liner notes). Sire Records. W 8550.
  103. ^ a b Madonna (1986). True Blue (US seven-inch single liner notes). Sire Records. 7-28591.
  104. ^ Madonna (1986). True Blue (UK twelve-inch single liner notes). Sire Records. W 8550 T.
  105. ^ Madonna (1992). CD Super Club Mix (Australian CD Single liner notes). Sire Records. 7599-25533-2.
  106. ^ Madonna (1992). CD Super Club Mix (Japanese CD Single liner notes). Sire Records. WPCP-3439.
  107. ^ "Madonna – True Blue" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  108. ^ "Top World Charts" (PDF). Pelo (in Spanish) (282): 6. 1986. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  109. ^ "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 (42): 4. October 25, 1986. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  110. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Sisältää hitin: 1 January 1960 – 30.6.2021" (PDF) (in Finnish). Musiikkiarkisto. pp. 156–157. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  111. ^ "Madonna – True Blue" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  112. ^ "Madonna chart history". RÚV (in Icelandic). March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  113. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Madonna" and "True Blue" in the "Titolo" field.
  114. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Madonna" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  115. ^ "Madonna – True Blue" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  116. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  117. ^ "Madonna – True Blue". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  118. ^ "SA Charts 1969 - 1989: Acts M". Rock.Co.Za. Archived from the original on January 18, 2004. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  119. ^ "Madonna Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  120. ^ "CASH BOX TOP 100 SINGLES: Week ending November 15, 1986". Cash Box. November 15, 1986. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  121. ^ "National Top Singles for 100 1986". Kent Music Report. December 29, 1986. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2024 – via Imgur.com.
  122. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  123. ^ "Mais Tocadas Nos Últimos 12 Meses" (in Portuguese). Globo. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  124. ^ "Top 100 singles of '86". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 27, 1986. Archived from the original on November 24, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  125. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 (51/52). December 27, 1986. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  126. ^ a b "Top - 1986" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  127. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  128. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - 1986" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  129. ^ "End of year charts - 1986". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  130. ^ "Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Music Week: 24. January 24, 1987. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  131. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  132. ^ "French single certifications – Madonna – True Blue" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved December 14, 2014. Select MADONNA and click OK. 
  133. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Charts. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.

Bibliography

edit

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy