Like a Virgin (song)

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"Like a Virgin" was Madonna's first number one single, topping the charts in many countries.

"Like a Virgin" is the lead-off single and title track of pop singer Madonna's 1984 album Like a Virgin. The song was the singer's first to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and is perhaps one of her most well-known songs.

[edit] About

Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, and produced by Nile Rodgers, "Like a Virgin" was released on November 6, 1984. The story of a woman whose lover had rejuvenated her, making her feel "shiny and new", the song was highly controversial at the time due to its use of the word "virgin" and other sexually suggestive lyrics. Still, the song was a major success, reaching the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of December 22, 1984, where it remained through the week of January 26, 1985 for a total of six weeks. On the Hot 100, this six-week record was not broken for seven years, until Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" in 1991; the song was also Madonna's longest chart-topper on that chart until 1995's "Take a Bow", which peaked at number one for seven weeks.

Around the world, the song was equally successful, hitting number one in Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, and Brazil, and was a top ten hit in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Austria.

Two months prior to the song's release, Madonna performed and debuted the song at the first annual MTV Video Music Awards on September 14, 1984. Her performance of the song, in which she dressed as a bride (while donning her trademark "Boy Toy" belt), rolled around on the floor, revealing her lacy underwear, and simulated intercourse with her veil, caused a great deal of controversy and, arguably, catapulted her (and the song) into superstardom.

At the twentieth MTV VMAs in 2003, pop princesses Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera took the stage singing the nineteen-year-old song, imitating Madonna's moves at the '84 VMAs. After the two rolled around the floor, Madonna ascended from the giant wedding cake singing her then-current single, "Hollywood", and famously locked lips with both Spears and Aguilera. Because MTV's cameras cut away to get Justin Timberlake's reaction to ex-girlfriend Spears's kiss, much of Madonna's kiss with Aguilera was cut out, and many were unaware that the two had even kissed. Madonna's kiss with Spears, however, drew a great deal of public controversy and media attention.

[edit] Awards & Certifications

[edit] Awards

• In 2006, VH1 ranked "Like a Virgin" as number eight on its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.
• In 2001, VH1 ranked the music video for "Like a Virgin" as number 61 on its list of the 100 Greatest Videos.
• The "Like a Virgin" video was nominated at the 1985 MTV VMAs for Best Cinematography, Best Choreography, and Best Art Direction.

[edit] Certifications

[edit] Charts

[edit] Music Video

"Like a Virgin", directed by Mary Lambert, was filmed in Venice (and partly in New York City). The video features different clips of Madonna, both dressed in black, dancing on top of a gondola (representing a "wicked" or "unvirginal" side of her), and in a white wedding dress in a room full of covered furniture, waiting for her Prince Charming (representing an "innocent" or "virginal" side of her). The video also features a panting lion in different clips.

[edit] External Links

• "Like a Virgin" music video
• "Like a Virgin" performance from the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards
• "Like a Virgin"/"Hollywood"/"Work It" performance from the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards
• "Like a Virgin" performance from 1985's The Virgin Tour
• "Like a Virgin" performance from 1987's Who's That Girl Tour
• "Like a Virgin" performance from 1990's Blond Ambition Tour
• "Like a Virgin" performance from 1993's The Girlie Show Tour
• "Like a Virgin" performance from 2006's Confessions Tour