80’s Album Review – True Blue
It’s hard to believe but it has been 18 years since Madonna released her third album True Blue. This album is often forgotten in Madonna’s catalog. True Blue was released between two of Madonna’s most controversial releases. True Blue was sandwiched between Like A Virgin and 1989’s Like A Prayer.
Madonna found much success with her late 1984 release Like A Virgin. Who can forget the image of Madonna rolling around on the stage at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards? The Like A Virgin album also featured the hit singles “Material Girl,” and “Dress You Up.”
Madonna also had a 1985 hit with the single, “Into The Groove” which was featured in her first big movie, Desperately Seeking Susan. Yes, Madonna did make a movie prior to Desperately Seeking Susan, the low-budget film A Certain Sacrifice, but it was Desperately Seeking Susan that brought Madonna even more fame.
With a blossoming movie career and enjoying the multi-platinum success of her first two albums, no one knew what to expect with the release of True Blue. Leave it to Madonna even in her early days to shake things up.
The first single released off of True Blue was “Papa Don’t Preach.” The anti-abortion song featured Madonna with a new look. Madonna who had normally worn shoulder length dirty blonde hair was now sporting short platinum blonde hair in the “Papa Don’t Preach” video.
Madonna displayed her versatility with the singles released off of the True Blue album. In the video for “Open Your Heart” Madonna is seen as a peep show dancer with jet black hair. By the videos end, she dances away with a young boy who had snuck into the club.
Although, “Live To Tell,” was a soundtrack cut, it was also on the True Blue album. Madonna is seen very conservative wearing a simple dress, played down make-up and very simple coifed blonde hair. She almost looks dated in the video.
Madonna was definitely feeling a retro-vibe in the True Blue era. The song “White Heat” borrows from an old black & white gangster movie in the songs opening. In the video for “True Blue” Madonna is seen dancing around in a 1950’s style dress. In 1987, MTV held a contest letting fans shoot their own video for the song “True Blue.” The song “Jimmy, Jimmy,” also has a 50’s or 60’s type of vibe to it.
It’s easy to forget about the True Blue album. There weren’t as many dance songs as some of Madonna’s earlier releases. The only half way club songs are “Where’s The Party,” and “Love Makes The World Go Round.” The album has a very unique sound and “Live To Tell” almost sounds out of place on the album, but it is a wonderful song.
If you are a new Madonna fan, you should definitely check out True Blue.
If you have been a Madonna fan since the early days, you should give True Blue another listen.
Source: Bellaonline.com