Madonna and her fans have ample cause for ‘Celebration’ this week. Because not only is the singer back in good health after her headline-grabbing hospitalization, but it also marks the 40th anniversary of her debut album.
The self-titled set launched the career of the Queen of Pop and fired up the engine of a journey that continues to ascend to higher heights to this day.
Central to its success was Madge’s breakout hit ‘Borderline.’
Arriving as a single in 1984, the track served as the second offering from the LP.
Written and produced by Reggie Lucas, ‘Borderline’ tells the tale of receiving mixed signals from a lover.
However, the release received the opposite of mixed signals from listeners who were immediately magnetized by its infectiousness.
Its popularity was boosted the more by its MTV-era music video, which served as her first collaboration with director Mary Lambert (who would go on to helm the videos for ‘Like a Virgin,’ ‘Material Girl,’ and ‘Like a Prayer.’
The potent combination of the sonic and the visual saw ‘Borderline’ become Madonna’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at #10) and earned top 10 placements in the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, and Ireland.
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In a time when careers struggle to last 4 years, here’s saluting Madonna for 4 decades of dominance.
Say what you want to about this old, ran through sluht, but she had some hits. Get it, Madonna, girl. This takes me back.
This is my all time favorite Madonna song! Remember watching this video countless times when it came out. Madonna was just starting to grow into her huge super star status at that time. 80s music is definitely up there as one of the best decades of music, along with 70s and 60s.