Kenny and Mark break down the perfect second pop song on True Blue. Topics discussed: Pat Leonard, Madonna as pursuer, the texture of backing vocals, the strip club as a metaphor, and how Mark was transformed by the first listening of this song as well as the unexpected sweetness of the once-controversial video.
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S1, E25 - Papa Don't Preach
With a burst of Billy Myers strings, Kenny and Mark drop into the gleaming world of Hollywood, CA – the backdrop for Madonna’s blockbuster third album. Topics discussed: working-class music, marriage as an influence, Danny Aiello, and a breakdown of the first transformative look (and inspiring eyebrows!) in the classic video (who’s Peter Percher??).
S1, E24 - 1985
Kenny and Mark wrap up the Virgin Era with a deep dive into the first Madonna zeitgeist year – 1985. The singles, the videos, the movies, the Penthouse scandal, Live Aid, Madonna’s feminism and philanthropy, and getting hitched … what did you do in one year of your life?
S1, E22 - Into the Groove
Kenny and Mark race to the dance floor to dissect the ultimate “you can dance” Madonna song in the ultimate Madonna movie. Discussed: non-existent piano solos, pop art, Rosanna Arquette, Susan Seidelman, the importance of solitary fandom, sunglasses, First Row Video, Warren Beatty, and Mark hijacks the episode with a tribute to the legendary Laurie Metcalf
S1, E21 - Crazy for You (Vision Quest soundtrack)
Kenny and Mark dive into Madonna’s long (and sometimes whiplash-inducing) relationship with film and film soundtracks. Topics include Matthew Modine, We Are The World, random Jacksons, the importance of character back story, and a shout-out to Miami and Power 96.
Vision Quest film trailer (1985) directed by Harold Becker
S1, E20 - Like A Virgin Fade Out
Episode 3 of 3 this week! Kenny and Mark wrap up the Like a Virgin album with a discussion of Nile Rogers, Diana Ross’ Diana album, Madonna seizing control of her image and her platform, and saying farewell to the gritty New York City streets for the golden sunlight of Hollywood, California (and the Blue hues of life with Sean Penn).
S1, E19 - Stay
The 2nd of 3 episodes this week! Kenny and Mark conclude Like a Virgin with the long-forgotten final song from the album as well as Madonna’s gibberish ad libs, demo vs. finished version of songs, and gathering the band together for the finale.
S1, E18 - Pretender
The 1st of 3 episodes this week! Kenny and Mark reach the home stretch of the Like a Virgin album with a pair of album tracks, starting with the ground-laying Pretender – another character song in the Madonna oeuvre – and the conditions for staying in Madonna’s circle of trust.
S1, E13 - Like A Virgin
The title track from Madonna’s 1984 opus and belting songs in the shower, the potency of vocal melisma, riding gondolas through Venice, lion’s tongues, the many live incarnations of the song, the stages of womanhood, and how many times Mark can say “iconic” in an episode.
iconic MTV performance of Like A Virgin 1984
S1, E11 - Material Girl
Kenny and Mark plunge into 80s Consumerism with the first song from Madonna’s classic “Like a Virgin” album. What makes a song a “Madonna song”? Topics discussed include the reception of irony, Missing Persons, Marilyn Monroe, Kenny’s love of the Second Single, and how live drumming kicks off this new era. They take a deep dive into the iconic 1985 video, including Old Hollywood and the many lost film projects, Keith Carradine, Madonna’s speaking voice, collaborating with Mary Lambert, the great Robert Wuhl, double-dating with Debi Mazar, and the entrance of Sean Penn.
Material Girl Live on the Rebel Heart Tour (2016)
Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
I’m Easy by Keith Carradine from Nashville (1975)
S1, E10 - Santa Baby
Holiday Episode. Kenny and Mark swing into the holidays with a special one-off episode celebrating Madonna’s 1987 cover of the Eartha Kitt classic. Topics discussed include the Special Olympics, walking with Eartha Kitt through Times Square, Michael John LaChiusa’s The Wild Party, Madonna’s identity as a song stylist, Madonna’s commitment to charity and what makes a classic Christmas song. We will be taking a short break for holidays, returning on January 7. Follow us at @alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna and here on iTunes. See you in 2020 (!!) and thank you for your support. We’ll keep talking if you keep listening.
Notes: Legendary rock producer Jimmy Iovine produced this track and Madonna’s buddy Keith Haring did the album cover for A Very Special Christmas.
Santa Baby performed by Eartha Kitt in New Faces (1954), directed by Harry Hornor, John Beal
Eartha Kitt performing “When It Ends” from The Wild Party (2000) on Broadway
Silent Night performed by Stevie Nicks on Top of the Pops (1987)
S1, E9 - Madonna the Album - the Fadeout
Kenny and Mark wrap up 1983 in the canon with a discussion of lost tracks “Ain’t No Big Deal” and “Sidewalk Talk”, the valuable contributions and advocacy of Jellybean Benitez, hot tamales, and Madonna’s attempts to get back to the purity of this important first era of Madonna’s music.find us on instagram @ alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna.
S1, E8 - Everybody
Kenny and Mark close out Madonna’s self-titled debut with the perennial “Everybody” – Madonna’s first musical call to the dancefloor. Discussed: musical roads chosen and not taken, what constitutes a Madonna ‘hit’, and the power of the producer on a Madonna record. oh by the way, you can find us on instagram @ alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna.
Essential links to consider:
Everybody by Madonna (demo 1981)
Everybody Live on The Girlie Show Tour (1993)
Editor’s Note: Madonna did perform “Everybody” on the Promo Tour for CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR in London.
S1, E7 - Physical Attraction
Kenny and Mark lose their collective minds over “Physical Attraction”. Discussed: stretching synths, talking vocals, the power of the male gaze, bisexuality and intimacy, and Kenny’s entry point into Madonna fandom. Here’s the whole story, folks!
S1, E6 - Think of Me
Kenny and Mark analyze Madonna’s romantic philosophies in 1982, the power of journal-writing, East Village drama, saxophonist Bobby Malach, and the true nature of the Basquiat friendship on lost Madonna song “Think of Me”.
S1, E5 - Holiday
Kenny and Mark re-experience their first encounters with classic Madonna song “Holiday” and the moment you first want to get out on the floor and dance to it.
S1, E4 - I Know It
Kenny and Mark face Madonna’s baby voice vocals and why never performing a song in a live setting may be a good thing on deep cut “I Know It”.
copyright Richard Corman
S1, E3 - Burning Up
Kenny and Mark tackle “Burning Up” the third song on Madonna’s self-titled 1983 debut. Topics include punk roots, the Breakfast Club band, scratch vocals and the impact of Madonna’s breathing in her music, and the arrival of Stephen Bray.
copyright unknown (from video - Burning Up)
S1, Ep2 - Borderline
Episode Two. Kenny and Mark discuss the importance of car songs, romantic yearnings, generational innocence, the power of Madonna’s vocal ad libs, and make a case for bringing back “the fade out” in a classic 80s pop song called “Borderline.” After this week, all future episodes will be released on Tuesday.
Essential links to consider:
12 Inch Remix of Borderline by Madonna
Madonna performing Borderline on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2016)
S1, Ep 1 - Lucky Star
copyright unknown
Pilot Episode. Kenny and Mark kick-off “All I Want to Do is Talk About Madonna” by going all the way back to the very beginning: the first song on the first side of Madonna’s first album. Discussed: Madonna’s demo recordings, “Crimes of Passion”, early ambitions, Danceteria DJs, Maripol, Erica Bell, and the power of synths.
Essential links to consider: