Product Description

Punk and disco were the major musical innovations of the '70s. No one utilised these sources as shrewdly as Madonna, whose 1983 self-titled debut still sounds sharp 15 years later. A CBGB-era band waif who also loved the N.Y. dance club scene, Madonna Ciccone brought the brash, self-determining ethos of punk rock to the ecstastic melodic lift of Chic-style dance music.
That other N.Y. sex symbol, Debbie Harry of Blondie, also had her biggest hits ("Heart Of Glass", "Rapture") when she flirted with disco and rap, but a winking flirtation is all it remained. Her reputation as a master of imagemaking notwithstanding, Madonna never had much use for irony. Songs like the soulful "Borderline" and the celebratory "Holiday" were heartfelt stabs at commercial pop success in which the singer never condescends to the listener. Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers produced her next album, and the rest ishistory.

Track Listing

1. Lucky Star
2. Borderline
3. Burning Up
4. I Know It
5. Holiday
6. Think Of Me
7. Physical Attraction
8. Everybody
9. Burning Up
10. Lucky Star

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3916 in Music
• Released on: 2001-05-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Madonna's first effort... A promising debut!
This was Madonna's first ever album from back in 1983 when no one knew who she was. Being the superstar today it is hard to imagine there was ever such a time! These songs made her name and image known without setting the world on fire. That was to come later... It is an album full of early 80s dance pop, with influences of old school R&B on certain tracks. I will comment on each track to give my review.

Lucky Star (8 out of 10)
This has never been one of my favourite Madonna songs but it does have a catchy beat and has that early/mid 80s sound. It is a bit simple in style and the lyrics are not the best (however it was entirely penned by Maddy herself). One of her classic singles: Although never a big hit in Britain, became Madonna's first top 5 single in the USA.

Borderline (10 out of 10)
Now this is one amazing song. The bells that introduces this song is pure magic, and it is a song that stands strong 25 years after it was recorded. She proved to the world with this song that she could also do more serious songs. With its mid-tempo beat this is as close as you come to a ballad on this album. Definitely the best song on this collection. Maximum 80s feel and 100% Madonna.

Burning Up (7 out of 10)
This was Maddy's second single in North America, however never released as a single in Britain. This song has a more rocky feel. She might have been inspired by the Go-Go's for this one. Another song Madonna wrote on her own, but the lyrics here are much stronger than on "Lucky Star". Unfortunately the song lacks in its overall appeal hence possibly why it failed to chart. Still a good song and through the years have become a fan favourite. Also the first real music video Madonna ever did was for this song.

I Know It (8 out of 10)
I personally always liked this song despite its somewhat dated feel and simplistic lyrics. Catchy, bitter sweet and innocent all at the same time. Quite different from the other songs, and stands out from the rest of the album. Unfortunately never became a single.

Holiday (9 out of 10)
Madonna's first big hit and another of her classic songs. The perfect party song with easy sing-along lyrics. Certainly the happiest and most carefree song of the album. I think no one who grew up in the 80s could have avoided hearing this on the radio. The definite feel good song of her career and one of Maddy's biggest hits ever in Britain where it reached the Top 10 on 3 different occasions.

Think Of Me (5 out of 10)
This is the song on the album I am least excited about. A bit more monotone than the other songs and offers little new despite being relatively catchy. It is one of Madonna's weaker songs in my opinion, that being said if this song was done by any other artist on their album it would possibly stand out in a positive way. The only track on this album that feels like a filler.

Physical Attraction (8 out of 10)
This was released as a double A sided single back in the summer of 1983 with "Burning Up". While B.U. got the most attention and even a music video, I think this song is the catchiest of the two, a modern beat considering we are in 1983, and the musical style is very Madonna-ish. Reminds of "Lucky Star" in the way the song is put together.

Everybody (6 out of 10)
This was Madonna's first ever single and surprisingly not a very big success reaching only #107 in the USA, failing to make the Hot 100. I am sure Madonna used this song and theme as inspiration when she wrote "Music" in 2000, as it has similar lyrics. It is quite catchy and the type of song that is made for the dancefloor. However I find the song a bit repetative and the refrain is a bit monotoneous. Still quite unbelievable hearing this song now and knowing this was released on single way back in December 1982.

To conclude my impression of this album it is certain that this lady was years ahead of her time. She has become known as a trendsetter and that is quite apparent hearing this album. Upon release this album got mixed reviews and some reviewers predicted she would be gone from the spotlight in six months time. Looking back, how wrong were they...

Overall review: 8 out of 10 (4 stars...)

Anyone who likes 80s pop and wants to own a piece of modern pop history buy this album. It is also a great introduction to Madonna's work. She is an artist who is best appreciated hearing her albums in chronological order to really witness her transformation into the superstar she is today.

Very Good....
...But doesn't reach the standard of "True Blue", "Like a Prayer", "Ray of Light" and especially "Confessions on a Dance Floor".

1. Lucky Star. 10/10
2. Borderline. 10/10
3. Burning Up. 8/10
4. I Know It. 7/10
5. Holiday. 10/10
6. Think of Me. 9/10
7. Physical Attraction. 9/10
8. Everybody. 10/10

OVERALL GRADE: 8/10
This album is very disco and is not like most of her other albums though this is the album which made the Madonna craze!!!!!

Madonna-Madonna/The First Album (Evolution)
It's hard to believe that at one time Madonna wasn't famous!

After persuing her dreams and going to New York to become a dancer, she found herself to be interested in singing, and after much hard work (which is a complete understatement!) she created this! The album that would be as we know today the one that started her entire career that just continues to grow today. She is a global megastar. But when this was released more than 20 years ago, she was completely unknown. Well...something must have been done right, as it was this that opened the door for so many Madonna albums later to come through.

I guess good words to use for the description of this album are: poppy, dance, lush etc. The album is like a teenage crush, in that it is full of energy, passion and excitement, constant, right from the beginning to the end. It definately has the Madonna 'edge' that everyone of her albums seems to have acquired, and that everyone has grown to love. That is what I call evolution....the very beginning of something incredible that was going to happen.

The album opens with 'Lucky Star', a very poppy love song with a real 80's feel to it. You could sing this song to anyone or anything, and it would continue to have the same meaning. You could even sing it to your pet, 'you must be my lucky star', to let them know that you love them!

Second to play is 'Borderline', known today as one of the rarest live performances made by Madonna. There is no excuse for this considering it's beauty and deep meaning! The song is about a rocky relationship, with Madonna pleading to her lover to say what's wrong or on their mind, simply because she loves them and wants to have their happily ever after together.

The next song is 'Burning Up', where Madonna sings about her lustful cravings that she has for her wannabe boyfriend (or girlfriend...who knows!), and how much that she feels that she needs them with such lines as, 'Unlike the others I'd do anything, I'm not the same I have no shame...' Think of it as the fiery sexual version of Kylie Minogue's 'I Should Be So Lucky'.

'I Know It' is the next song with possibly the greatest 80's feel on the album. Madonna sings of how she expects her lover to be treating her badly, giving him a good old telling off!

The next song is one of Madonna's all time classics, often claimed to be her first true hit. 'Holiday' will never go out of fashion. It can be heard in so many places such as, well...holidays (obviously!) to get people in the mood to enjoy themselves and have a good time (or in other words, CELEBRATE!), discos, on kareoke nights, radio stations, and at many appearances that Madonna makes. She has admitted herself that 'Holiday' is one of her all-time favourite songs to perform. It is just one of those tunes that will never get old.

Following this is 'Think Of Me', whereby Madonna demands a little time, thought and respect from her lover; to either make up or move on out.

'Physical Attraction' is next, whereby we hear Madonna singing in a very promiscuous manner, simply asking for someone to love her throughout the night. Although this satisfys her needs, she has a ray of hope in that her lover will choose to stick around ie from the lyrics, 'maybe we were meant to be together'.

Finally, the album closes with 'Everybody', a pure dancefloor and party anthem. It's a great track to close the album, as it suggests that if things are coming to an end, then lets do it on a high and have a good time...so come on 'EVERYBODY'!

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A cool and poppy album. It's been in my CD collection a while now and occassionaly gets a listen.
The album only gets a medium rating from me however because it is all of the same thing, if you get me? The same style. The album isn't much of an experiment either because of this.
I would still reccommend it though, and from here on it only gets better!

My personal ratings:

Lucky Star: 2/5
Borderline: 4/5
Burning Up: 4/5
I Know It: 2/5
Holiday: 4/5
Think Of Me: 3/5
Physical Attraction: 3/5
Everybody: 3/5