Following the release of her 1983 self-titled debut album, and hit singles like "Holiday", "Lucky Star" and "Borderline", Madonna became, according to author Craig Rosen, "one of the most … See more

Recording sessions took place at New York's Power Station studios in April 1984. Rodgers envisioned a "simpler set-up" and, after hearing … See more

Like a Virgin takes its name after the eponymous song. Madonna herself found the phrase "ironic and provocative [...] how can you be like a virgin? I liked the play on words". Author … See more

Reviews of Like a Virgin were mixed upon release. From Billboard, Brian Chine called it a "fine" second album, even though Madonna … See more

Madonna wanted Like a Virgin to be "stronger" than her debut, hence she chose all the songs herself. She had been penning songs and creating demos with former boyfriend and collaborator Stephen Bray since early 1984. When Madonna first met with … See more

Alexis Petridis from The Guardian described Like a Virgin as a "cocktail of post-disco dance music, with a dash of hip-hop and a surprisingly large shot of choppy, angular new wave rock". Nicole Horning, author of Pop Music: Chart-Toppers Throughout … See more

Live performances and tour
On May 16, 1984, after recording was complete, Madonna sang "Like a Virgin" and "Dress You Up" … See more