La Isla Bonita

Pepe, this one's for you!

On Feb. 25, 1987, "La Isla Bonita" was released as a single, the 5th and final from the "True Blue" album. It would become one of M's greatest classics.


Originally written by Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch as a lament, "La Isla Bonita" was first offered to Michael Jackson, for his "Bad" album. Jackson turned it down and Madonna, while working with Leonard on "True Blue", accepted the song and re-wrote it.

"La Isla Bonita" was Madonna's tribute to «the beauty and mystery of Latin American people» and marked the beginning of a long-term love affair with latin culture, that would last to the present date.

Everytime I hear it, I inevitably think of Pepe: it's his all-time favourite M song, for all the memories it brings from his teen days as an obsessed fan and, most of all, for reminding him of his father, who simply adores this song.

Cover

The single's cover features a shot from the bolero session by Herb Ritts. Another shot would later be used for the "You Can Dance" album.

Check out the photoshoot at Through The Looking Glass.

Critics' Response

- In a review for the "True Blue" album, "Slant Magazine" called "La Isla Bonita" «one of Madonna's greatest, most influential and timeless songs».
- The "Chicago Sun-Times" considered it the best and most memorable song on the album.

Charts

- USA: debuted at 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at 4. It became M's 11th consecutive Top 5, a feat only surpassed, at the time, by the Beatles and Elvis. It reached Nr. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart (her second, after "Live to Tell") and on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.
- UK: it reached Nr. 1, staying there for 2 weeks.
- France: M's first Nr. 1, where it spent 3 weeks.
- Eurochart Hot 100: M's fourth Nr. 1 hit from the "True Blue" album. It peaked the charts for 3 weeks.
- Nr. 1 also in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.

Two words: worldwide hit!

La Isla on stage

La Isla Bonita teams up with Holiday and Into The Groove as one of M's tour favourites.

It first came into life on stage at the height of its success, in 1987's Who's That Girl Tour, as opening act of the show's encore. A performance filled with latin flavors, with spanish guitars, ruffled dresses, boleros and a bull-fighter.

The song would then join The Girlie Show, six years later. M chose to keep the song's original arrangements and added an extra something that would be one of the show's high points: an energetic, masculine, breathtaking dance finale.


We all started suspecting that La Isla was indeed a M favourite, when it appeared on the following tour's setlist, in 2001. The Drowned World Tour featured a Latin/Gypsy section and, of course, the song was one of the high points, in a beautiful acoustic version and raw flaminco dancing.

This one is so dear to me: on June 10, in Barcelona, I was at the front row, on the right side of the stage. We were all together - me, Pedro, Cilla and Maria - and the feeling was overwhelming: M was right in front of us, smiling, singing and playing the guitar. At one point, when she was just playing, we started screaming «TE AMO! I LOVE YOU!» like mad, waving and blowing kisses at her. And she looked in our direction. And gave us that beautiful, unique smile. And said «I love you too», away from the microphone - it was just for us. We were hysterical. The moment was carved in my cells - I can still run every single image and feeling in my mind.


Five years later, jumping the Re-Invention Tour, La Isla came back with an impressive re-arrangement, brilliantly made by Stuart Price. The tropical island was now a place for joyful celebration, and set the tone for M's following performances.

The Live Aid was one of them, picking up Price's version and part of the Confessions' dance routine. But a new, fabulous twist was given, for the whole world to see: Lela Pala Tute! The song's ethnic core was now enhanced and the Latin gave place to Romanian Gypsy folk. Simply amazing.

M decided to take such a memorable performance to the next tour extravaganza. Once again, it was one of the best moments from the Sticky & Sweet Tour. A true celebration of joy, colour and energy.

Out & about in NYC

Feb. 20, 2010

Feb. 22, 2010 - Going to a photography studio.

Ethereal Girl

February 20, 1995

While at the European tour to promote Bedtime Stories, M made her first appearance ever at the Brit Awards, to perform Bedtime Story. It was 15 years ago.

It was a surprise for all of us: this time, there was no dance routine. Still, she delivered a stunning piece of stage art, with dramatic hair extensions, a Versace gown and incredible sensuality - backed up by two dancers (one of them was Luca Tomassini, from The Girlie Show) and a live band, brilliantly remaking the Junior Vasquez remix. M was now introducing us to a new dimension: the ethereal.

It is still one of my favourite live TV performances.

Sean's film screening

Feb. 20, 1986

Madonna and Sean attend the screening of "At Close Range" at the Berlin Film Festivel, in between takes for "Shanghai Surprise".

I Can't Forget

We couldn't forget: on September 2008, the demo of an unreleased song called "I Can't Forget" surfaced on the internet.... but only a few seconds of it. Finally, the full song is out there, for our listening pleasure. It is always a thrill to hear a new unreleased track from any of M's recording sessions.

"I Can't Forget" was a collaboration with David Foster, recorded for "Something to Remember", back in 1995. It's no surprise that, to pick 2 out of 3 songs, this would be out, with "You'll See" and "I Want You" as heavy-weight competitors.

Nevertheless, this demo unveils what would be a beautiful song, with proper arrangements and studio editing. And even with such a home-made type of sound (we can't forget, it's only a demo...), this track has what we want the most: Madonna's unique voice. And I just love the chorus!


After being put away from "Something To Remember"'s final setlist, "I Can't Forget" was later recorded by british group Tilt, under the title "Come Closer", for their 2006 album "Vaults". Madonna is credited as writer of the song. The song was also given to Canadian singer Angelica DiCastro, for her album "Beautiful Feeling". The song is credited to David Foster and Madonna.

Back to Winter

Feb. 16, in NYC.

Brasil Diaries XII: More Brahma

Feb. 14 - Still at the Sambodrome, M joins the Brahma VIP cabin for a quick appearance, alongside Gerard Butler. Wearing the Brahma t-shirt, M then returns to the balcony to watch some more samba.

Brasil Diaries XI: Queen of Sapucaí!

Feb. 14 - Madonna attends the Carnaval parade at the Sambodrome in Marquês de Sapucaí. Along with Lola, Mercy, Jesus, Guy and Eugene, they watch the Samba schools' parade from governor Sérgio Cabral's cabin. M then joins the crowd, but just for a few moments - everybody goes wild, forcing them to return to the cabin.

´~

Brasil Diaries: Dinner

Feb. 13 - Back in Rio, having dinner with Jesus.

Brasil Diaries IX: Visiting Angra dos Reis

Feb. 13 - M, Lola, Mercy and Jesus heading to and returning from a day at Angra dos Reis.

Hatsumomo's First Incarnation

On Feb. 13th 1999, the video for "Nothing Really Matters" had its world premiere on MTV. Hatsumomo came to life for the first time, through Johan Renck's lens.

Still don't get why such a state-of-the art video wasn't included on the Celebration DVD...

Director: Johan Renck
Producer: Nicola Doring
Director of Photography: Gosta Reiland
Editor: Max Vitali
Kimono designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier