Mark rescues this off-beat gem from Like a Prayer while not even candy kisses and a sunny day can keep Kenny from hijacking the episode with a dreadful reminder of what a difference a decade makes. It’s not ALWAYS a holiday (or a love parade) around here, kids.
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S2, E7 - Cherish
Kenny and Mark dive into Side Two of Like a Prayer with one of the most romantic songs in the whole canon. Topics include Herb Ritts, shooting mermen in black & white, Tony Ward, the importance of reading plays to write sincere lyrics, and Mark’s dream Shakespeare casting for Madonna. Plus … a Very Special Guest joins Mark to discuss her long and quite personal relationship with the song … his sister Kate!
S2, E5- Til Death Do Us Part
Kenny and Mark deep dive into the true lost gem from side one of Like a Prayer. Topics include Sean Penn, Sean Penn, Sean Penn, and … oh yeah … Sean Penn Version.2016 as well as autobiographical songwriting, Madonna’s brand of artistic revenge, the frustrations and merits of working hard, and lots of armchair psychology over the nature of relationships, time, and the need for vulnerability. Stuff is getting REAL, kids …
S2, E4 - Love Song
The music universe explodes (implodes?) as Madonna and Prince team up in the studio at last … to create this experimental, slightly bizarre pop oddity. Topics include Minneapolis and Paisley Park, Batdance and Sign O’ The Times, Daisy Miller, Kenny’s favorite Prince duet, gender, and the long-lost Royal Tour. The first true “duet” in the Madonna canon begs the question … are there any lost Madonna/Prince tracks?
Madonna – Nothing Compares 2 U Tribute to Prince at the Billboard Music Awards (2016)
Prince – Batdance video (1989)
Prince – Take Me With U live on the Purple Rain Tour 85
Prince et al – While My Guitar Gently Weeps Tribute at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2004)
S2, E3 - Express Yourself
And the hits keep coming! Kenny and Mark dive deep into the anthemic, brash, and second track (and single) from Like a Prayer. Topics include DAVID FINCHER (welcome to MadonnaUniverse, David!), Metropolis, the return of Stephen Bray, the intriguing beauty of Cameron Alborzian, and the polarizing Shep Pettibone remixes of (yet another) classic Madonna song.
S2, E2 - Like A Prayer
Mark kicks off the conversation about Madonna’s masterpiece fourth album with a testimony to Kenny about the personal power and passion of Like a Prayer. Topics include Prince, Mary Lambert, Sean Penn, Pepsi-Cola, Niki Harris, the Andre Crouch Choir, and the narrative hiccups in the ground-breaking video of this classic Madonna song.
Madonna – Like a Prayer video (1989)
Madonna – Like a Prayer live on the Blonde Ambition Tour 90 (Japanese Laser Disk Version)
S2, E1 - Prologue - 1988
Waiting is the hardest part … Finally … At LONG Last … Season Two (1988-1993) kicks off! Kenny and Mark drops back into New York, circa 1988 - a year when Madonna starred on Broadway, sashayed with Sandra, laid into Letterman, and got photographed … a LOT! She also wrote and recorded what would become considered her first masterpiece album Like a Prayer and faced the truth about her future as Mrs. Sean Penn. There are many special surprises and treats in store for you this season so stay safe and keep listening! We missed you so much.
Surprise Bonus Episode - It's Madonna's Bday and we needed to check in
It’s August 16th and we all know what that means - time to stop what you’re doing, get on the appropriately socially distant dance-floor and celebrate the birth of M. Mark and Kenny check in about everything from M’s guest spot on Dua Lipa’s “Levitating”, her instagram hits and misses, a new record deal and how each are coping in month five of the pandemic. There’s a lot in M’s orbit as she begins her 63rd trip around the Sun.
S1, E37 - You Can Dance
Mark and Kenny dive into all the Dub Versions, homemade singing bootlegs, and the glorious second side of Madonna’s first compilation album, 1987’s magnificent You Can Dance. Shep Pettibone arrives on the scene to re-mix Madonna’s greatest dance songs – and helps her remind her who SHE really is.
s1, E36 - Who's That Girl World Tour
Get out your parachute pants and fasten your cordless mic pack - this is about to get wild! Kenny and Mark return to the summer of 1987 for Madonna’s first stadium (and international) tour - the Who’s That Girl Tour! Topics include the distance of a stadium stage, Madonna’s (already) stressful relationship with her hits, the cordless microphone hand-off, which song on the setlist Kenny always fast-forwards through, and the career highs of the legendary Shabba-Doo. Ciao Italia, indeed!!
s1, E35 - Who's that Girl soundtrack/film
Mark and Kenny bust out prison and unpack the comedic misfire 1987 film Who’s That Girl? as well as the four Madonna songs on what remains a spotty soundtrack. This conversation includes the acting grace of Griffin Dunne, the (unrequited?) passions of director James Foley, the ever-present children in the eponymous song video, Stephen Bray’s musical scoring, and celebrating a true “lost” Madonna classic. Will Kenny and Mark ever dance together in a club to a Shep Pettibone remix? Did Madonna ever vanquish her reputation as a “movie killer”? Questions to answer this summer.
Causing A Commotion (Silver Screen Mix)
Causing A Commotion (Movie House Mix)
S1, E34 True Blue The Fadeout
Kenny and Mark wrap up the True Blue album with a discussion of death and mortality, imagery as an artistic (and promotional) tool, Herb Ritts (and Kenny’s aborted career as a model), Cyndi Lauper, and the end of the sweet innocence of youth.
S1, E32 - Jimmy Jimmy
Another deep-cut gets the kudos it deserves. Kenny and Mark discuss quirky keyboards, the influences of Stephen Bray, classic 50s girl group shout-outs, the arrival of Compact Disc, and just exactly WHO the Jimmy is that Madonna is singing about. We’ll hear you next time …
S1, E31 - La Isla Bonita
Kenny and Mark celebrate the ultimate yearning Madonna song. Topics include the power of haircuts and wigs, the influence and courting of the Latin America audience, and the return of Mary Lambert for the video. Whatever happened to Bruce Gaitsch?
S1, E29 - Where's the Party
Kenny and Mark search for the Party on side two of True Blue. Madonna’s average work week, block parties in Harlem, Melanie Griffith, and creative Siedah Garrett overdubs are examined in this bid for song of the summer. follow us and stay connected on insta @alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna
S1, E28 - Live to Tell
screenshot from Live to Tell video directed by James Foley
How many classic songs can one side of one album have? Kenny and Mark celebrate this legendary (and shocking first single) ballad. Can a man REALLY tell a thousand lies? Topics include: At Close Range, the importance of mystery, the true identity of video director Peter Percher, and Kenny’s teenage machinations to watch cable.
At Close Range (1986) starring Sean Penn, directed by James Foley
s1, E26 - Open Your Heart
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.
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
