Review Summary: It’s the 1980s and disco is dead. Most of the dance superstars of the 70s struggled to find an audience in the new decade. However fate had created to the perfect formula to launch the career of the Queen of Pop.
Style: Pop with some rock and disco elements
Lucky Star has a rather laid back feel for being first track on the album. The shooting star sound during the pre-chorus adds personality while her voice in near pitch perfect. Like the pervious song
Borderline would be place at the end of record rather than the beginning by today’s standards. This is also the slowest and most endearing track on the album, Madonna‘s delivery is heartfelt and real. One of the more rock-ish songs,
Burning Up features some of the most unapologetic and lustful lyrics on the album.
Do you wanna see me down on my knees/ Bending over backwards now would you be please/ Unlike the others I‘d do anything/ I‘m not the same, I have no shame, I‘m on fire
The female anthem of the record
I Know It features a 1950s sounds (which was popular during the 80s) and shows that Madonna was more than the dance floor and sex. Rather than sing with anger or sadness, she choose confidence not letting her former love see her cry.
Probably the biggest highlight and most uplifting song on the record
Holiday speaks to everyone advising us to enjoy the good things in life instead of having a constant focus on work, school and the other million things we worry about.
Think of Me takes some musical cues from disco and Gloria Gaynor, who most likely served an inspiration for the track. Madonna tells her love to get his act together before she leaves him for good.
Physical Attraction is the only track where Madonna breaks out of her position of control and power slipping into the feeling of vulnerability. This song is surpassed by Burning Up in terms of sexual content, however it rivals Borderline in the emotional realm.
Everybody was made for the dance floor and like the two tracks before it, there are hints of disco in the song. It’s similar to Holiday in the fact that this song calls for people to come together and have fun. Her whispers throughout the song are very Donna Summer and reminiscent of I Love to Love You Baby.
Madonna injected a huge dose of sex (appeal), attitude, and feel good music to create a solid debut, despite her limited vocal range. Rarely did she push her voice too far creating a slightly monotone singing voice, but her delivery of the lyrics make up for it. With an album of 8 songs and 5 of them being some of her most beloved gems by fans, she was well on her way to “conquering the world”.
Recommended Tracks
Borderline
Burning Up
Holiday
Think of Me
Everybody
