Holiday

I don't think any 80s music blog would be complete without Madonna.  In fact, we could probably find entire blogs dedicated to her work.  As an artist, she certainly helped define the music of the decade and sold over 300 million records.  Amazing.  I couldn't begin to name all of her Top 40 hits. but her debut album was definitely my favorite.  She came on the scene as basically an unknown singer/dancer and developed into a legend.  I remember seeing her on the MTV Video Music Awards after her first album had been out for a while.  She basically shocked the world with her performance of "Like a Virgin" for it's concept, lyrics, and performance.  She continued to push the envelope and make people just a little bit too uncomfortable throughout her career, especially due to her use of religious symbols.  We anxiously awaited her Pepsi commercial and the new song to be released simultaneously ("Like a Prayer").  Much to our dismay, there was a huge controversy, and the commercial was pulled from the air.  Oh well.  Madonna persevered and had an illustrious career.  She kept things new and fresh, constantly changing her image.  Pretty crafty, I must say.  Some people think she was a marketing pro in that respect, but I do believe she was innovative, creative, bold, and truly an artist.  I ran out and bought every new album - from the blue vinyl "True Blue" to the incense-scented "Immaculate Collection."

I believe "Holiday" was the first song released from her self-titled debut album in the United States.  I didn't realize there was a video at all, and this one is certainly barebones.  However, it does give us a perfect image of Madonna as a brand new artist on the musical landscape in 1983.  She had a very unique look - kind of a contemporary, fashionable dancer.  There was no one else like her, and her style made people take notice.  Her simple colors (lots of black in the beginning), pairings of skirts and leggings, cut-off shirts, and massive amounts of bracelets helped create a very unique image.  Didn't take long for her to make an impression on the masses.  I remember begging for those black rubber bracelets.  Had to have them--tons of them!  I wanted some fingerless gloves, too, and managed to find a hankerchief to tie around my hair as a headband.  All the girls in my 5th grade class simply loved this song.  I remember dancing and dancing to the 45 RPM until it was completely destroyed from "skips" that were made from the needle jumping as we did.  Thank goodness for digital technology today!

So, "Holiday" is a simple song that you can still enjoy without the video for sure.  Basically, the concept is taking some time for a holiday, a celebration.  The beat is catchy and obviously "danceable."  I remember the synthesized keyboards but had forgotten about the excellent cowbell part until now.  Madonna's voice was also strong, clear, and melodic.  I think it has changed and developed immensely over the years, but I prefer her early recordings like this one.  Something very refreshing about her early songs - fun, simple, and upbeat.  Hope you enjoy "Holiday."