Like a Virgin

by

Madonna

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Madonna has never exactly been a critical darling, and Like A Virgin often catches the most flack from the opinionated masses. Through its two biggest singles her second album introduced both the idea of Madonna as "Boy Toy" and originating her virgin/[...] image. However, discounting this effort as a simple paean to eighties culture or debating whether or not the popular music Reagan's first term in office was truly better than disco ignores Madonna's first fully realized piece of pop masterpiece, one of only two discs that were released free of the immense baggage that her image and reputation would soon provide.

Both "Material Girl" and "Like A Virgin" were written for Madonna by outside songwriters, a practice she would forever escape starting with her next full-length effort. Take these hits for what they are - a move just as calculated as Madonna's wardrobe. In fact, a team that was also writing for Cyndi Lauper, who was Madonna's prime competition at the time, penned one of the two.

It was "Like A Virgin" that launched Madonna into the stratosphere after she performed it as a slutty wedding-day centerpiece on the MTV Music Video Awards, wisely escaping before the cake was cut only to wind up writhing around on the stage in a wedding dress and famous "boy toy" belt. However, the massive single that it often obscures is the much-less squeaky "Dress You Up," whose delivery defuses accusations that Madonna wasn't much of a singer. Here she is desperate, insisting that she will dress you in her love at the top of her lungs. You are inclined to believe her.

Also, feel free to ignore the weird dancehall bounce and edgy synthesizers of "Material Girl," which don't have much of an effect on the rest of the proceedings. That massive hit all but erased the memory of the Madonna penned single "Angel," which neatly takes all of the musical themes of her first album and moves them inexorably forward towards pop perfection with the help of Nile Rodgers hip production. Despite the overpowering array of synthesizers brought to bare on this disc, there's something very real here: chirping guitars and the subtle under-harmony to Madonna's wisely under-delivered chorus are both details that make this a classic.

Like A Virgin also offers the first two ballads of Madonna's career; the later-remixed turn on "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (a cover, which is rare for Mad), but also "Shoo Bee-Doo" -- the classy b-side to "Dress You Up." On this solo Madonna writing-credit we almost manage to lose the synthesizers entirely, and along the way pick up live piano and drums as well as the classic callback backing vocals that would go on to be a Madonna trademark on "Express Yourself" and "Vogue."

There are only three other songs on this short effort. "Over and Over" features frantic tic-tok percussion and is a perfect embodiment of pop, more-so than either of this album's infamous singles. "Pretender" is dramatically overwrought, but watching Madonna get worked into frenzy has never been boring. And album closer "Stay" sounds genuine and bounces throughout, an easy bridge from underdeveloped fare to the more adult hits from the more acclaimed True Blue.

Is there anything so horrible about this disc? If you still resent Madonna's international superstardom, then maybe yes. However, when it comes to popular music from the eighties this is one of the absolute zeniths, and it also bears the mark of an important step in Madonna's unstoppable journey towards becoming the most famous woman on the planet. And, to top it all off, it's her best and most under-appreciated disc up through the masterpiece Like A Prayer.

Really, when was the last time you listened to it?

Previously to this album, Madonna released a self titled album, which wasn't too big until this album hit the market.

This is the album which made Madonna a star and a worldwide name.

This is the album that gave her first US #1 hit out of her 12. That hit was none other than the title track "like a virgin." Almost controversial being that her name is Madonna... But it worked!

It also spawned off a hit which would give her the name which she would later regret to have and rebel against. Material Girl, which had a rockier edge to it while remaining an 80s pop anthem.

Other hits include Dress You Up, and Angel.

During this era Madonna was big but was still in heavy competition with none other with Cyndi Lauper. In that time they said Cyndi would outlast Madonna do to her better voice.

So much for that, as Madonna had become a marketing genius to be reackoned with.

This was also the era when Madonna made her big screen appearance with "Desperately Seeking Susan," which spawned off an 80s anthem and arguably her greatest dance hit, "Into the Groove." Into the Groove is famous for being the b-side to "Angel" rather than the #1 hit it was destined to be. Although it could never chart, it still managed to get massive radio airplay and is still recognized as a huge success for Madonna.

Although this album made Madonna a huge success, aside from the singles, a lot of weak songs are present. Pretender and Shoo Bee Doo just don't stand out and aren't that great.

Over and Over is catchy, but still very shallow and not too inspired. "Stay" however, is a great song with a great heavy sound and great lyrics.

All in all this album doesn't deserve more than a 3 out of 5.