Like a Virgin

When Like a Virgin was released in 1984, the music world was still processing the impact of Madonna's debut album. However, this new song, which would give its title to her second record, came with a sonic and lyrical proposal that clearly set it apart. Composed by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, the piece was built on a foundation of constant synthesizers, accompanied by a bass line that gave it an unmistakable pulse. Madonna's voice soared in a high register, while the lyrics, intentionally ambiguous, left room for multiple interpretations, playing with innuendo and double entendres. The production was handled by Nile Rodgers, who called upon his former Chic bandmates, Bernard Edwards and Tony Thompson, to contribute to the recording sessions that took place at New York's Power Station studio.

The story behind the composition of Like a Virgin is as interesting as the song itself. Billy Steinberg, one of the writers, recounted that the idea came to him while driving through his father's vineyards in the Coachella Valley, at a time in his life when he was closing a difficult chapter and starting a new relationship. He himself admitted that the song was not initially intended for a female voice, but rather as a way to express the feeling of healing and newness he was experiencing. Upon presenting the lyrics to Tom Kelly, they both decided it would be a ballad, but debated how to integrate the word "virgin" in a way that reflected that sense of rediscovery and the healing of past wounds. After recording a demo, the song reached the ears of Michael Ostin, an executive at Warner Bros. Records, who, upon meeting with Madonna the next day, felt it was perfect for her. The artist's response was immediate and enthusiastic, confirming that this piece was destined to be hers. The music video, directed by Mary Lambert, complemented the song's atmosphere, showing Madonna in a gondola through Venice and in a castle, with an aesthetic that evoked vitality and cultural references. This track became Madonna's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed the charts in Australia and Canada, solidifying her path to stardom.