Notes

Released in November 1984, Like a Virgin was the record that transformed Madonna from a rising pop star into a defining figure of the decade. Produced largely by Nile Rodgers, it sharpened the dance-pop sound of her debut while introducing a more polished, confident and deliberately provocative persona.

Songs such as “Like a Virgin”, “Material Girl” and “Dress You Up” fused irresistible pop with questions of desire, image, ambition and control, while the record’s visuals and performances made Madonna impossible to separate from the wider cultural conversation. Like a Virgin was not simply a commercial breakthrough; it was the moment Madonna began to demonstrate how completely she could command music, fashion, sexuality and spectacle at once.