Madonna: a retrospective
Twenty years after the release of her first album, one of the best-selling artists of all time is still going strong
COMMENTARY
Christina Ruffini

Boys love her, girls hate her and conservatives everywhere condemn her career as a smorgasbord of public indecency only to be rivaled with Monica Lewinski and that blue dress. Whether you love, hate, condemn or condone her, it is evident to everyone that Madonna knows how to get publicity. Her personal life is almost indiscernible from the ever-changing public image that has been on the cutting edge of fashion, music and media censorship for over 20 years.

Born Madonna Louise Ciccone (yes, amazingly, she does have a last name), she always had an inherent interest in the arts. In the late seventies, Madonna performed as a dancer for several small, underground pop groups and eventually began singing as well. In 1982, Madonna was signed to a solo contract with Sire records. Although her first album was respectably popular, Madonna had not yet distinguished herself from the dozens of other hungry young pop stars trying to break on to the 1980’s pop scene. Big hair, clashing colors and hot pink scrunchies were everywhere. To distinguish herself from the flashy pop stars of the time, Madonna knew she would have to make a name for herself in another way.

By her second album, Madonna had figured out that nothing sells like scandal. The title, “Like a Virgin,” says it all. Though she may have been young and inexperienced, Madonna learned quickly how to manipulate the media. Images of her romping around in a white-lace gown and stiletto heels were soon everywhere and soon spawned a onslaught of aptly named “Madonna wannabes.”

Through out the next few years, Madonna made a name for herself by producing another album and starring in several movies. But in her seventh album, “Erotica,” Madonna found the key to all her publicity woes. “Erotica,” accompanied by her first book entitled “Sex,” contained graphic lyrics and vulgar images.

The book was banned from most mainstream bookstores, and the album’s music video was put on MTV’s “won’t play” list. Madonna said she was interested in, “pushing boundaries and showing off,” and subsequently sold over two million copies.

In 2000, Madonna resurfaced with a new husband, a new baby and a new sound. Her offbeat and shockingly hip album “Music” attested to a new found staying power and showed the world that Madonna was not going anywhere. In 2002, she released “American Dream,” a controversial (as always) collection of songs that question as well as condemn American values and goals.

So what has been the key to Madonna’s success? Adaptation, scandal, sex, controversy, publicity, pornography, virginity, peroxide, boys, men, husbands, children, stories, tabloids, books, interviews, paparazzi, live shows, movie roles, platinum songs, platinum albums, new looks, new sounds and an all-consuming desire to come out on top. All have driven Madonna to become the most famous female musician in history.