Tom Andrews revisits the life and legacy of this iconic album.  image
The iconic third studio album from the most successful female artist of all time celebrates it’s 30th birthday at the end of this month. Selling over 25 million copies worldwide it quickly became the best-selling album by a female artist in the 1980s, and spawned over five hit singles; it isn’t difficult to realise this could be one of the music industry’s finest exports.

True Blue deals with the pop icons view of love, work, and dreams as well as disappointment.  The nine-track masterpiece has become synonymous with 1980s pop culture as well as Madonna herself.  The album cover shot by photographer Herb Ritts is one of the most recognisable images of the pop icon.  Credited as the album which cemented Madonna’s future as the ‘first lady of pop’ and compared to works by Prince and Michael Jackson, True Blue solidified her position as pop royalty. It marked the beginning of Madonna’s long and ongoing reign on the pop throne. Viewing her ventures as not only a pop career but a business portfolio is what has kept us wanting more from this interesting and intriguing chameleon of character.

Fact: Madonna originally stated that the album was named Live to Tell. 

Using the album as a mark to engage an older audience who had previously been sceptical of her music, Madonna was broadening her own horizons.  She was reaching out to an audience that would either love or hate her, but luckily the risk paid off and Madonna became the pop queen that we know today.  Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that True Blue is, “one of the great dance-pop albums, a record that demonstrates Madonna’s true skills as a songwriter, record-maker, provocateur, and entertainer through its wide reach, accomplishment, and sheer sense of fun.” Reflecting the idea that Madonna has just become Madonna the superstar.  Coining the phrase, “Madonna wannabe”, and becoming a household name.

Fact: The single La Isla Bonita was originally written for Michael Jackson however after he turned it down Madonna picked up the pieces, rewrote the lyrics and voila! A #1 single.

Her career didn’t end there either, 275 million records later Madonna has just wrapped up the last remaining leg of her sold out Rebel Heart Tour which visited four continents; which caused controversy and received critical acclaim alike; whilst still hot off the heels of her #2 US Billboard album. So it’s safe to that it doesn’t seem Madonna is showing any sign of slowing down or giving up the throne; just yet.