The Farr Side: The Material Girl and her amazing career

Forty years ago, the world was introduced to Madonna. The Bay City, Michigan, native released her self-titled debut album, “Madonna,” this past week in 1983. The album marked the beginning of one of music’s biggest stars.

Madonna had already lit up the club circuit with her song, “Everybody.” That attention would lead to a record deal with Sire Records, hoping to capitalize on the singer’s danceable beat. She was a trained dancer turned singer, but that doesn’t always mean success. But, Madonna wasn’t just anyone. She was a woman with a mission.

I can remember seeing her on “American Bandstand” after the single “Holiday” was released. Dick Clark asked the new star what she would like to accomplish to which her reply was simply, “To rule the world!”

“Madonna,” the album, was simple at best. It contained just eight tracks, including “Everybody.” The album would take its time to catch on. The first single, “Burning Up,” failed to crack Billboard’s Hot 100, which isn’t all that uncommon for a new artist.

However, the next single, “Holiday,” would land in the Top 20, peaking at No. 16.

The next two singles would see Madonna moving into the Top 10. The tracks “Borderline” and “Lucky Star” would eventually reach No. 10 and No. 4, respectively.

During this time, the album would enter the album chart at No. 190 before slowly making its way to No. 8. It would ultimately stay on the album chart for an amazing 168 weeks. For those keeping score, this one spent the most weeks on the album charts of any of her albums.

Madonna is different from anyone who came onto the scene later, particularly because she was brilliant at mastering the public’s attention, whether you liked her or not.

Her image came at the right time, too. MTV loved Madonna and her videos became popular favorites and were in heavy rotation on the network. Before long, just about every girl in my school wanted to be her.

Madonna used her platform to create an ongoing image. Can you imagine how massive things would have been had the internet existed then? Mind you — she was already becoming a huge star!

I liked the album. I was particularly fond of “Borderline.” It was probably the most tame track on the record, but showed a playful side. The video was awesome. I still cringe at the sight of her with a spray paint can in her hand while being photographed amid statutes and a sports car.

“Lucky Star” was fun. I will probably get teased for this now, but I may have danced to the song in front of my mirror in the hopes of impressing at my middle school dances.

Vinyl albums have made a splash again and the singer’s catalog has received numerous attention all over again. Original copies and repressed editions have become the rage at a lot of record stores and record shows. I’ve had a blast finding them again and reliving some of those iconic moments when I first heard about her.

The “Celebration Tour” was to commemorate the legendary star’s 40 years in music.

Unfortunately, she’s had to postpone the American dates due to some life-threatening health circumstances this summer. The European leg of the tour is still set to begin in October with the North American dates to be scheduled for sometime next year. I still have my tickets.

Madonna recently took to social media to mark the album’s 40th anniversary. She danced a little bit to “Lucky Star” and gave fans an update on her recovery. The 64-year-old is on the mend and eager to get out on the road.

— David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: The Farr Side: The Material Girl and her amazing career