Sunday 26 July 2015

Music Reviews - Like A Virgin (1984)


Please note, this is all my OPINION! Everybody is entitled to have OPINIONS. Please bare this in mind. :)

After my review of Madonna's first album, "Madonna" (which you can read hear) I have decided that I want to review more of her albums, hell maybe all of time. If I decide to do this, It will  be a once a mouth thing, as putting together a review is a lot of work.
Anyway, today I wanted to review "Like A Virgin". This is Madonna's second album, which was relisted on  November 12 1984. It was Certified 3× Platinum in the UK, Diamond in the US and overall, the album sold 25,000,000 copy's worldwide!

In my last review, I talked about how this album has some of her famous early songs. Overall this album really made Madonna an music legend, a fashion icon and also a brilliant performer. 


This album produced 4 singles, Like A Virgin, Material Girl, Angel and Dress You Up. As well as songs from movies she was in. Into The Groove from the Desperately Seeking Susan soundtrack. Gambler and Crazy For You, from the Vision Quest soundtrack. 

Like I just said, this album and the Like A Virgin era really cemented Madonna as an fashion icon.




This dress from the Material Girl video, inspired by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds. ICONIC. 


The wedding dress from the Like A Virgin video. ICONIC.

Lace, finger-less gloves, oversize head bows,lots of necklaces and wristbands,Crucifix earrings, shaggy hair and thick eyebrows. ICONIC.


Lots of people coped these looks during this period as well. There was even a section of Macy's in New York filled with  tour merchandise like the crucifix earrings and finger less gloves. Because of this the term"Madonna-Wannabe"was created

Madonna performing "Dress You Up" in
"The Virgn Tour"

To promote the album, The Virgin Tour, Madonna's first tour was introduced, This tour was completely live, which a full band and dancers. The tour also had trademark Madonna outfits, as well as big video screens (very impressive at the time!) This tour shows Madonna's beginnings as a performer on stage. Every tour after this has been more and more ambitious.



Madonna in "Vision Quest"
Additionally, during this period, Madonna had her first staring movie roll, in Desperately Seeking Susan a movie about a bored suburban housewife, seeking adventure to her life, accidentally gets hit on the head, wakes up with amnesia, and is mistaken for a free-spirited New York City drifter named Susan, played by Madonna. She also had a cameo in Vision Quest, as a nightclub singer, These movie role was the making of Madonna being known for being a actress as well. 



Like my last review  I'll will be reviewing the songs on theses two points.

  • Has the song stood the test of time, or is it dated? 
  • My opinion on in.
I will also give a brief overview of the song, and also rate it out of 5.

So without further ado, here is my review of "Like A Virgin"


NOTE: I will be including Into The Groove, Gambler and Crazy For You in this review, even though they are not on this album, they are from this era. They will be reviewed at the end. 


1. Material Girl




Overview


Material Girl is about a woman who craves the finer things in life and will manipulate men to get them. This is quite self explanatory. In the music video, Madonna plays a actress, who's director is trying to date her. She is given things like diamonds, which she doesn't like and they are material processions. Madonna recreates a scene from Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, staring Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe was a big influence on Madonna, fashion wise. 


Has the song stood the test of time?


Yes. This song is one of Madonna's biggest hits, and this song still gets radio airplay on some radio stations


My opinion


I really like this song, it's one of the best early songs that Madonna has done. I don't listen to this song all the time, but I do like it.


I give this song 4 stars out of 5 
    


2. Angel




Overview


Angel is about a lover, who is almost like an angel, as when they are around they get rid of your sadness and anger. The "Angel" really loves Madonna, as the lyrics say "And I can't hear the traffic rushing by/ Just the pounding of my heart and that's why/ You're an angel"


Has The song stood the test of time?


Not really. I think that this song suffers from 80's synth.


My opinion


I don't really listen to this song. It's an okay song, that I just don't listen to all the time. The song is a very sweet love song.


I give this song 3 stars out of 5    


3. Like A Virgin




Overview


Like A Virgin is about, well this song has two interpretations. Some people think that this song is about fucking and losing your virginity, to be honest I see where there coming from, "Touched for the very first time." And lets not forget the performance of this song in the Blond Ambition Tour. 


 I think that this song is about love, finding someone and fulling in love, with a person who makes you feel the very best you can, and fighting through the "wilderness" of bad men. Finding this person makes Madonna feel like a new women, hence the name "Like A Virgin"


Has it stood the test of time?


Yes! This is the biggest hit Madonna has ever had, it's up there with Vogue and Like A Prayer. It's A timeless song, which still gets radio airplay.


My opinion


I like the song, however I like the Moroccan style version from the Blond Ambition Tour.



 Nether the lest, this is a great song, that I listen to a lot.


I give this song 5 stars out of 5      


4. Over And Over




Overview


Over And Over is about, basically getting constantly criticized by somebody, who always makes you feel down about yourself, but you keep on getting up, and not caring.


Has it stood the test of time?


No way, just listen to the opening and you'll see why.


My opinion


I don't listen to this song a lot, I'm not keen on it, to me it just sounds really dated. I do like the message of the song, I just don't like the instruments used.


I give this song 2 stars out of 5   


5. Love Don't Live Here Anymore




Overview


Love Don't Live Here Anymore is about a lover who has left somebody. The song talks about the emptiness in the persons live, as her lover has gone away. It's also talking about the heartbreak of a relationship breaking up and the loneliness from it.


Has it stood the test of time?


No, sadly. If you get rid of the synth, or tone it down a bit, It would have stood the test of time.


My opinion


In the past, I never listened to this song. But recently I have been listening to this song a lot more, and have been liking it more. I think maybe because I find it relatable to events that have happened in my life (</3). This is a fantastic love song, a lot better then Angel. This has to be one of the most vocally strong Madonna songs that I have ever heard. 


I give this song 4 stars out of 5     


6. Dress You Up




Overview


Dress You Up is about an fashionable young man, who has lots of luxurious items in life, The man, however wants Madonna in the song, as she is a luxury that he wants.


Has it stood the test of time?


No, but it is a really good 80's song.


My opinion


I like this song, ever since I seen on The Virgin Tour recording I fell in love with it.

This song is one of really good, feel-good songs. It's one of those songs that you just want to dance to - a great party song. I listen to this song a lot as well.

I give this song 4 stars out of 5     


7. Shoo-Bee-Doo




Overview


Shoo-Bee-Doo is about, well to be honest. I don't know. I have (shamefully) never listened to this song. I think it's about fulling in love with someone?


Has it stood the test of time?


No. The whole "Shoo Bee Doo" thing makes it sound dated.


My opinion


I never listened to this. I thought it would be crap because It has a stupid name. And I was right.


I give this song 2 stars out of 5   


8. Pretender




Overview


Pretender is about a guy who pretends to be in love with you. But in reality, he is just wants a one night stand with you.


Has it stood the test of time?


No. It's horribly dated.


My opinion


While I like the lyrics and the message of the song. the instruments used ruins the song for me.


I give this song 3 stars out of 5  


9. Stay




Overview


Stay is about a lover who makes your life so much better, Madonna wants the person to stay in her life.


Has it stood the test of time?


Not really, the synth is okay in this song, it's the drums that date it for me.


My opinion


It's a okay song. That's all I have to say about it to be honest. It's okay


3 stars out of 5    


Now onto the songs from the Desperately Seeking Susan Soundtrack and the Vision Quest Soundtrack.

Note: DDS Soundtrack and VQ Soundtrack is not on Spotify, So I will be using the Celebration versions. Additionally Gambler isn't on Spotify, so I will be using a YouTube Video.

10. Into The Groove



Overview

Into The Groove is about getting into the groove and dancing. Very self-explanatory.


Has it stood the test of time?


This song was another really big hit for Madonna, yes!


My opinion


I love this song, it really fits into the movie as well, this is a song I listen to alot


I give this 5 stars out of 5      


11. Crazy For You




Overview


Crazy For You is about being so crazily in love with someone. Self explanatory.


Has it stood the test of time?


Another big hit = Yes.


My opinion


This is one of my all time favorite Madonna songs, I love this song so much, shame that it hasn't been performed live since the Re-Invention Tour


I give this 5 stars      


12. Gambler

Overview

Gambler is about being a Gambler? I don't even know.


Has it stood the test of time?


No, the drums and synth and just too much.


My Opinion 


I'm not really keen on this song, I like The Virgin Tour version of it through


I give this 3 stars out of 5    


Overall rating


My overall rating of this album is 4 stars     


The sound and style of Like A Virgin is a lot better then Madonna's first album. And this album really made Madonna into the star she is today, this album did a lot for her




  • She became a fashion icon
  • She became a noteworthy singer and performer
  • She also had a career in acting wide open for her.


With her next album True Blue, it's just going to get a lot better for her success wise. With hits such as True Blue, Open Your Heart and Papa Don't Preach




Wow, This is a longggg review. I have been writing this since I posted that update. It's now 9:44PM. Just wow. Anyway I hope you enjoyed!


Byeeee!

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