Madonna: Madonna (UK import) [WARNER UK]

Why you'll love it

This UK import brings the Sire debut over from across the pond. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, went five times platinum in the US and has sold an estimated 10 million copies worldwide.

This edition

• UK import
• Original 1983 cover art

About the album

Every career starts somewhere, and Madonna's started on the dance floor at Danceteria, where resident DJ Mark Kamins played her demo of "Everybody" to a crowd that loved it. Kamins took her to Sire, label boss Seymour Stein signed her for three 12" singles, and once "Everybody" caught fire in the clubs an album got the green light.

Warner Bros. producer Reggie Lucas handled much of the record, and her then-boyfriend John "Jellybean" Benitez came in to remix and finish the rest. It's dance-pop and post-disco built on the shiny new kit of the day: LinnDrum machine, Moog bass and an Oberheim OB-X. "Holiday" was the big breakout, followed by "Lucky Star" and "Borderline," with "Burning Up" and "Physical Attraction" keeping the floor busy.

Critics now count it among the great debuts, the record that made dance music popular again and set a template Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga all learned from. Before all this she played drums in a band called Breakfast Club, which we mention purely so you'll know there's hope for the drummer in your life.

Also at Kops: more Madonna on vinyl · browse Pop

Tracklist

Listen

On Sire / Warner (cat# 92-3867-1), the 1983 album.