True Blue (Madonna album)

True Blue (Madonna album) is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Madonna, released on June 30, 1986, by Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard, and Stephen Bray, and features songs that reflect Madonna's personal life, including her marriage to Sean Penn and her relationships with John Lennon and Prince. The album's sound is a mix of pop music, dance-pop, and rock music, with influences from Michael Jackson, Prince, and David Bowie. Madonna has said that she was inspired by the music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder while creating the album.

Background

The creation of the album began in December 1985, with Madonna working with Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray at Siggy Studios in New York City. Madonna has said that she was going through a period of personal growth and self-discovery during this time, and that the album reflects her experiences and emotions. The album's title, True Blue, was inspired by a 1950s phrase that Madonna's friends used to describe something that was genuine and authentic. Madonna has also said that she was influenced by the music of Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin while creating the album, and that she wanted to create an album that would appeal to a wide range of audiences, including fans of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Fleetwood Mac.

Composition

The album's composition is a mix of upbeat and slow songs, with Madonna experimenting with different sounds and styles. The album's opening track, Live to Tell, is a ballad that features Madonna's vocals and a guitar solo by Bruce Gaitsch. The song was inspired by Madonna's relationship with Sean Penn and her experiences with domestic violence. Other tracks on the album, such as Open Your Heart and La Isla Bonita, feature a more upbeat and danceable sound, with influences from Latin music and disco. Madonna has said that she was inspired by the music of Sylvester, Donna Summer, and Chic while creating these tracks, and that she wanted to create an album that would appeal to fans of Kylie Minogue, George Michael, and Whitney Houston.

Release and promotion

The album was released on June 30, 1986, and was promoted with a series of music videos and live performances. The album's first single, Live to Tell, was released in March 1986 and became a hit single, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album's second single, Open Your Heart, was released in November 1986 and also became a hit single, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Madonna promoted the album with a series of live performances, including a concert tour that featured Debbie Harry and The Bangles as opening acts. Madonna also appeared on several television shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live, to promote the album.

Reception

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many praising Madonna's vocals and the album's production. Rolling Stone magazine gave the album four out of five stars, praising Madonna's ability to create an album that was both personal and commercially appealing. The New York Times also praised the album, saying that it was Madonna's best work to date. However, some critics were less positive, with The Village Voice saying that the album was too commercial and lacked the edge of Madonna's earlier work. Despite this, the album was a commercial success, reaching the top of the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time, alongside albums by Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.

Track listing

The album's track listing is as follows: 1. Live to Tell 2. Open Your Heart 3. White Heat 4. True Blue 5. La Isla Bonita 6. Jimmy Jimmy 7. Love Makes the World Go Round 8. Where's the Party 9. Jimmy Jimmy (reprise)

Commercial performance

The album was a commercial success, reaching the top of the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 25 million copies worldwide. The album spawned several hit singles, including Live to Tell, Open Your Heart, and La Isla Bonita, which all reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album's success helped establish Madonna as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, alongside The Beatles, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder. The album's success also helped launch the careers of Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray, who went on to work with other famous musicians, including Michael Jackson, Prince, and David Bowie. Madonna's success with the album also inspired other female musicians, including Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion, to pursue careers in the music industry.