"You met your match when you met me I know that you will disagree, it's crazy But opposites attract, you'll see And I won't let you get away so easy
The love you save may be your own Can't fight this feeling, aren't you tired of being alone You won't admit it, but you know it's true It's not a secret how I feel when I stand next to you"
In August of 1987, Madonna crashed and burned onscreen in a little movie called Who's That Girl. And yet, somehow, the movie's soundtrack managed to come out of the whole mess smelling like a rose.
The movie was originally supposed to be called Slammer, and I can still remember the buildup all summer long. There was a certain inevitability to it: Madonna was everywhere, so naturally we were all going to see her new movie. Casting Madonna, however, wasn't quite enough to save Who's That Girl from becoming a critical and box-office disappointment.
But that soundtrack? Now we're talking.
The title track, Who's That Girl, arrived first and promptly went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was catchy, bright, and completely unavoidable that summer. Then came Causing a Commotion.
I remember that song almost feeling like it appeared out of nowhere. One minute you weren't thinking about it, and the next minute it was lodged permanently in your head. That beat, that attitude, that unmistakable Madonna energy—it was exactly the kind of song that made you want to own the soundtrack even if you had absolutely no intention of defending the movie. Because let's be honest: every soundtrack has that one song. The song that makes you think, Well, I guess I have to buy this now.
For me, Causing a Commotion was that song. It went all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the dance chart, becoming one of those quintessential late-'80s Madonna floor-fillers that still sounds ridiculously good decades later. And then there's the backstory.
The song was written during the final, increasingly turbulent period of Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn. Their relationship was already a regular fixture in the entertainment press, with stories about Penn's violent outbursts, battles with paparazzi and the general chaos surrounding the couple.
Remember, there was no internet to immediately fact-check everything we read. We had MTV, Rolling Stone, People, Entertainment Tonight and whatever magazine happened to be sitting at the supermarket checkout. So much of what we knew about celebrities came filtered through those sources.
And from that perspective, Madonna and Sean Penn's marriage seemed every bit as complicated and combustible as the title of this song suggested. Causing a Commotion may have been attached to a movie that didn't exactly set the world on fire, but the song had a life of its own.
By 1986, Madonna wasn't just ruling the charts, she was defining an entire era. In just a few short years, she had reinvented herself once again, trading the lace gloves and "Like a Virgin" look for a stronger, more mature image. Gone was the wild-haired club kid. In her place stood a toned, confident woman with a cropped hairstyle that perfectly matched the powerful message behind "Papa Don't Preach."
When the song was released, it immediately sparked controversy. The music video follows a young woman as she tells her father that she's pregnant and intends to keep the baby. Today, it might not seem quite as shocking, but forty years ago it ignited debates everywhere.
Some groups accused Madonna of glamorizing teenage pregnancy, while others claimed the song was taking an anti-abortion stance. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Ironically, Madonna's own position almost became secondary to the conversation itself. What she really accomplished was getting people to talk openly about a subject that had often been considered off-limits in mainstream pop music.
Of course, none of the controversy hurt the song's success. If anything, it fueled it. "Papa Don't Preach" became Madonna's fourth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, further cementing her status as the biggest female pop star of the decade.
Looking back, it's easy to see why the song has endured. Beyond the headlines and the debates, it's simply a well-crafted pop record with an unforgettable melody and one of Madonna's strongest vocal performances of the '80s.
Whether you remember the controversy firsthand or are discovering it for the first time, "Papa Don't Preach" remains one of the defining pop moments of 1986.
For many of us, life just seems a whole lot better when we're surrounded by sun, sand, and of course a great big ocean. Salt life is a real thing, and it has been featured in music videos almost since the very start of MTV. Some of the most memorable visuals by music artists have featured the ocean as a backdrop. Since it's the unofficial start of summer, I thought it would be fun to revisit some old MTV favorites. Each of these videos has a beach theme and really stands out in my memory (hopefully yours too). So here we go and in NO particular order...
Belinda Carlisle- "Circle In The Sand"
Sundown all around
Walking thru the summer's end
Waves crash baby, don't look back
I won't walk away again
Oh, baby, anywhere you go,
We are bound together
I begin, baby, where you end
Some things are forever!
This was released in May of 1988 with Carlisle singing as various layered beach scenes flashed behind her. This song came at a time when the former Go Go's frontwoman could do no wrong musically. She had a string of solo hits, including "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and "Mad About You" that all charted well.
The Fat Boys- "Wipe Out"
For three years straight we toured the nation
When we get through we needed a vacation
We wanted to party and get a little rest
So we packed our things and headed out west
We got our surfboards took the beach ball out
Jumped in a limousine ready to "Wipeout"
The Fat Boys were a hip-hop trio from Brooklyn that first emerged in the early 80's. Their 1987 cover of "Wipe Out" was one of the biggest songs of the summer and this video was in heavy rotation on MTV.
Huey Lewis And The News- "Stuck With You"
Yes, it's true, (yes it's true) I am happy to be stuck with you
Yes, it's true, (yes it's true) I'm so happy to be stuck with you Cause I can see, (I can see) that you're happy to be stuck with me (yes it's true) I'm so happy to be stuck with you
I'm happy to be stuck with you
Happy to be stuck with you.
What guy wouldn't want to be stuck on a deserted island with Keely Shaye Smith circa 1986? Huey Lewis was probably thrilled to get to play in the sun and sand with the then-model for hours while filming "Stuck With You". The song itself spent 3 weeks at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 and the video was one of the biggest of the year. The desert island in this is actually about ten miles from Paradise Island in Nassau.
Duran Duran- "Rio"
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand
Just like that river twisting through a dusty land
And when she shines she really shows you all she can Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande
While Duran Duran was picking up momentum in the early 80's their second studio album, Rio didn't really click here in the states- until their flashy video for the title song. "Rio" eventually became a visual example of all of the excesses that the decade became synonymous for. This features the band is slick suits speeding through the Caribbean on a yacht surrounded by beautiful women. Once the video was picked up by MTV then people realized what a great song this really was.
Bon Jovi- "In And Out Of Love"
Young and wired
Set to explode in the heat you won't tire Cause baby was born with the beat
Do you guys even remember this video from 1985? I had actually forgotten it but it has to be included here because it features the original Jersey boys playing on the boardwalk and in the sands of Seaside Heights!
David Lee Roth- "California Girls"
Well, East coast girls are hip,
I really dig those styles they wear; And the Southern girls with the way they talk, They knock me out when I'm down there, The mid-west farmers daughters Real-ly make you feel alright, And the northern girls with the way they kiss They keep their boyfriends warm at night.
Not long after leaving Van Halen in 1984 David Lee Roth returned to the airwaves with 1985's Crazy From The Heat. All four songs on the EP were covers of already established hits from the past. "California Girls" was kind of a no-brainer and the video loaded with chicks in bikinis became a summer staple.
Expose`- "Seasons Change"
Seasons change feelings change
It's been so long since I found you
Yet it seems like yesterday
Seasons change people change I'll sacrifice tomorrow Just to have you here today
In 1987 Expose` took their Miami freestyle sound and delivered it to the masses, with great success. Hits like "Come Go With Me" and "Let Me Be The One" landed in Billboard's top ten and solidified their run as a great dance band but that wasn't all that they were capable of. Their ballad "Seasons Change" earned the girl group their first number-one single and just as the song was a bit of a departure, so was the video. Instead of being a flashy, fun live performance, "Seasons Change" was set in a beach house. The girls are seen packing up their summer house while singing and eventually a run on the beach is of course in order.
Chris Isaak- "Wicked Game"
What a wicked game you played to make me feel this way
what a wicked thing to do to let me dream of you what a wicked thing to say you never felt this way what a wicked thing to do to make me dream of you
Take a sultry, haunting song, a topless Helena Christensen in Isaak's arms, and film it in black and white. The result? Perfection, the kind that even 27 years after its' original release still makes you stop to watch.
Wreckx-N-Effect- "Rump Shaker"
All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom
And a poom-poom - Just shake ya rump! The year was 1992 and Teddy Riley's production and guest vocals made "Rump Shaker" a club classic for Wreckz-N-Effect. The visual of a hot chick walking in the sand playing the saxophone is probably still cemented in the minds of many men out there.
Madonna- "Cherish"
Cherish the thought
Of always having you here by my side (Oh baby I) cherish the joy You keep bringing it into my life (I'm always singing it) Cherish the strength You got the power to make me feel good (And baby I) perish the thought Of ever leaving I never would
This was the third single off of Madonna's 1989 Like A Prayer release. After two controversial songs in a row, it was nice to see Madonna take on something as simple as love. Watching her play in the surf in "Cherish" was a nice reminder that while the diva was certainly issues-oriented, she still had a fun side.
Don Henley- "Boys Of Summer"
I can see you,
Your brown skin shining in the sun.
You got that top pulled down,
And that radio on, baby.
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong,
After the boys of summer have gone
Can you believe that this song is 32 years old? Well, it is and I think that "Boys Of Summer" might be one of the most timeless videos around. The black and white imagery flashes through the different stages of a man's life, from boyhood to middle age adulthood and you can feel the major flashback unfolding in front of your eyes. This is undoubtedly one of Henley's best songs, don't you think?
There is just a sampling of some of the best beach videos in old-school pop culture history. What are your favorites?
"All you need is your own imagination S20o use it that's what it's for (that's what it's for) Go inside, for your finest inspiration Your dreams will open the door (open up the door)
It makes no difference if you're black or white If you're a boy or a girl If the music's pumping it will give you new life You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it"
Have you ever watched Paris Is Burning? It's a documentary that focuses on the Drag Ball culture in Harlem in the 80's and even if that's generally your kind of thing, it's definitely worth watching. So much of modern day culture and our phrasology is rooted in those early competitions. Madonna first watched the documentary in the late 80's and eventually introduced it to another type of audience in early 1990, via "Vogue".
Vogueing is the popular dance style that spilled out of the underground NYC clubs and onto MTV in middle America. I mean, I know I was doing it and if you ever found yourself in a club back then you most certainly knew the choreography to the song. Madonna's song ensured that we not only knew what it meant to Vogue, but we also knew how to strike that pose.
The video itself remains one of her best (I think). Shot in stylish black and white, it honors glamorous old Hollywood while paying tribute to the queens that really inspired Madonna. Check out the classic video below.
"Only when I'm dancing can I feel this free At night I lock the doors, where no one else can see I'm tired of dancing here all by myself Tonight I wanna dance with someone else"
I thought we would kick this morning off with a great classic Madonna song. "Into the Groove" was by many considered to be her first real, bonafide hit. The track was featured on the Desperately Seeking Susan soundtrack and probably one of the best parts of the entire film. The summer of 1985 was all about Madonna and we were all heading to the theater's to catch her performance beside Rosanna Arquette. Not too long ago I happened to get my hands on a copy of the Rolling Stone issue that was devoted to Desperately Seeking Susan and everything else that Madonna had going on back then.
So much nostalgia in that one photo right there, isn't there?
"Into the Groove" became a dance anthem for an entire decade and it certainly transcended the film that featured it. The video also inspired a generation's fashion sense. Even at 14, black lace, crop tops and kitten heels were part of my wardrobe. Check out the video below. How long has it been since you've seen Desperately Seeking Susan?
"You met your match when you met me I know that you will disagree it's crazy But opposites attract you'll see And I won't let you get away so easy
The love you save may be your own Can't fight this feeling, aren't you tired of being alone You won't admit it but you know it's true It's not a secret how I feel when I stand next to you"
In August of 1987, Madonna crashed and burned onscreen in a little gem called "Who's That Girl". The film originally was supposed to be titled Slammer and I can remember there was a lot of build up all summer long because well, it was Madonna. Casting her wasn't enough to save the movie but the soundtrack? Well, that handed us a few classic dance songs that still sound pretty great.
"Who's That Girl" was the first single, dropped in advance of the movie and went to number one on Billboard's Hot 100. It was followed by one of my very favorite Madonna dance floor classics, "Causing a Commotion". I remember the song just kind of appearing out of nowhere and it was super catchy. Every soundtrack is ultimately bought because of that one song that makes you have to have it and this was that song. It topped the dance charts and went to number two on Billboard's Hot 100.
The song itself was written towards the end of Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn, a union plagued by his violent outbursts and clashes with the paparazzi. Based on what MTV and magazine articles said (no internet yet, remember?) their relationship seemed chaotic and complicated, kind of like this song. Check it out!
Madonna dominated both the airwaves and the style of 1986. She had basically reinvented herself for the second time in just a few short years and came out with a super toned body and a cropped do'. The result was a strong and powerful looking woman and that served the message of "Papa Don't Preach" quite well. The whole concept of the video is that of a young woman telling her father that she's pregnant and it was super controversial thirty years ago.
Some groups feared that she was promoting pregnancy while others insisted that the message was that she was against abortion. In the end, Madonna's actual position was almost irrelevant because she opened up dialogue on a conversation that had been taboo. Oh and the song, well it shot to number one on Billboard's charts. Check out the video below!
"You must be my Lucky Star 'Cause you shine on me wherever you are I just think of you and I start to glow And I need your light And baby you know Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] make everything all right Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] yeah."
It's funny because when I hear the name Madonna the first visual that comes to mind is the early-80's version. Something about the "Lucky Star" video has stuck with me for all of these- decades! I still associate Madonna with her dancers doing choreography to the heavy synth and drum track- and that's just fine with me. I loved those days of suddenly needing lace bows and lace gloves. Piling neon and rubber bracelets on my arms and thinking just about everything in my closet would look better if I chopped off the bottom of it and turned it into a belly shirt! I love the era of my own life that vintage Madonna conjures up for me!
"Gonna make a move that knocks you over Watch this turn one's gonna put you away But I'm doing my very best dancing Every time you're looking the other way I could move out to the left for a while I could slide to the right for a while I could get up and back Right on track But is right on track Is that gonna get you back"
I'm kind of surprised how much airplay that The Breakfast Club's "Right On Track" still gets. Or I was until I did a little bit of reading. I remember the song well because it got constant radio playback in 1987. It was that perfect dancey synth that was everywhere at the time. While it seems like this song was just another one-hit-wonder, it was created by a group that was together for 11 years. The Breakfast Club first formed back in 1979 and in its' earliest years it included Madonna in the lineup. She was dating Dan Gilroy, the lead singer at the time. His brother Ed Gilroy and Angie Smit rounded out the first lineup. Madonna eventually left and I love the fact that the group found success a few years later, without her. They were even nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 1988 which speaks to their success.
The Breakfast Club did put out several songs and had a second album that was shelved for nearly 30 years. Percolate was eventually independently released in 2016 with minimal fanfare. That may have been a bit of a disappointment for them, but they'll always have this great song that many people still seen to love. Check out the video for "Right On Track" below!
"You must be my Lucky Star 'Cause you shine on me wherever you are I just think of you and I start to glow And I need your light And baby you know Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] make everything all right Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] yeah."
It's funny because when I hear the name Madonna the first visual that comes to mind is the early-80's version. Something about the "Lucky Star" video has stuck with me for all of these- decades! I still associate Madonna with her dancers doing choreography to the heavy synth and drum track- and that's just fine with me. I loved those days of suddenly needing lace bows and lace gloves. Piling neon and rubber bracelets on my arms and thinking just about everything in my closet would look better if I chopped off the bottom of it and turned it into a belly shirt! I love the era of my own life that vintage Madonna conjures up for me!
"You must be my Lucky Star 'Cause you shine on me wherever you are I just think of you and I start to glow And I need your light And baby you know Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] make everything all right Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] yeah."
It's funny because when I hear the name Madonna the first visual that comes to mind is the early-80's version. Something about the "Lucky Star" video has stuck with me for all of these- decades! I still associate Madonna with her dancers doing choreography to the heavy synth and drum track- and that's just fine with me. I loved those days of suddenly needing lace bows and lace gloves. Piling neon and rubber bracelets on my arms and thinking just about everything in my closet would look better if I chopped off the bottom of it and turned it into a belly shirt! I love the era of my own life that vintage Madonna conjures up for me!
"Only when I'm dancing can I feel this free At night I lock the doors, where no one else can see I'm tired of dancing here all by myself Tonight I wanna dance with someone else"
I thought we would kick this morning off with a great classic Madonna song. "Into the Groove" was by many considered to be her first real, bonafide hit. The track was featured on the Desperately Seeking Susan soundtrack and probably one of the best parts of the entire film. The summer of 1985 was all about Madonna and we were all heading to the theater's to catch her performance beside Rosanna Arquette. Not too long ago I happened to get my hands on a copy of the Rolling Stone issue that was devoted to Desperately Seeking Susan and everything else that Madonna had going on back then.
So much nostalgia in that one photo right there, isn't there?
"Into the Groove" became a dance anthem for an entire decade and it certainly transcended the film that featured it. The video also inspired a generation's fashion sense. Even at 14, black lace, crop tops and kitten heels were part of my wardrobe. Check out the video below. How long has it been since you've seen Desperately Seeking Susan?
Madonna dominated both the airwaves and the style of 1986. She had basically reinvented herself for the second time in just a few short years and came out with a super toned body and a cropped do'. The result was a strong and powerful looking woman and that served the message of "Papa Don't Preach" quite well. The whole concept of the video is that of a young woman telling her father that she's pregnant and it was super controversial thirty years ago.
Some groups feared that she was promoting pregnancy while others insisted that the message was that she was against abortion. In the end, Madonna's actual position was almost irrelevant because she opened up dialogue on a conversation that had been taboo. Oh and the song, well it shot to number one on Billboard's charts. Check out the video below!
"You must be my Lucky Star 'Cause you shine on me wherever you are I just think of you and I start to glow And I need your light And baby you know Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] make everything all right Starlight, star bright first star I see tonight Starlight, [star bright] yeah."
It's funny because when I hear the name Madonna the first visual that comes to mind is the early-80's version. Something about the "Lucky Star" video has stuck with me for all of these- decades! I still associate Madonna with her dancers doing choreography to the heavy synth and drum track- and that's just fine with me. I loved those days of suddenly needing lace bows and lace gloves. Piling neon and rubber bracelets on my arms and thinking just about everything in my closet would look better if I chopped off the bottom of it and turned it into a belly shirt! I love the era of my own life that vintage Madonna conjures up for me!
