Women's Strength:
Women are commonly seen as sexual objects to men, and as inferiors rather than equals. Rather than speak of the degradation that sex brings to women, Madonna strays from the norm. In her song, she claims how sex makes women feel powerful, sexy and strong. Men desire women and rather than thinking as themselves as toys, women should gain confidence and embrace their sexuality. Madonna wanted women to feel empowered by this song and realize how powerful of a gender females are. |
"You're so fine And you're mine Make me strong Yeah you make me bold Oh your love thawed out Yeah your love thawed out What was scared and cold Like a virgin Touched for the very first time" |
"I wasn't just trying to get that racy word virgin in a lyric. I was saying ... that I may not really be a virgin — I've been battered romantically and emotionally like many people — but I'm starting a new relationship and it just feels so good, it's healing all the wounds and making me feel like I've never done this before, because it's so much deeper and more profound than anything I've ever felt."
-Madonna
-Madonna
The placement of the word "like" throughout the song creates a sense of ambiguity. Madonna created the song purposely to have several different interpretations, so women of all types could relate to the song, and become inspired. For virgins, Madonna encourages them to save themselves, and wait for someone worth losing something so important to. Madonna speaks of the great pleasure and enjoyment of being "Like a Virgin", even if she isn't one. She claims that having sex with someone she has feelings for makes the experience different, and worth the wait. On the other hand, the song can also be inspiring for women who have already lost their virginity, and are waiting for the right man to have sex with. For these women, Madonna states that if they are patient, they will find a man who will make them feel like they are losing their virginity all over again. In other words, she states that women should not feel guilty nor upset about having sex with multiple, random partners, and instead should embrace their sexuality.
"I like innuendo, I like irony, I like the way things can be taken on different levels." -Madonna
Controversy
Singing about premarital sex in the 1980s is enough to start a controversy. At the time, sex was seen as a sacred act only performed by married couples, and although not all people waited until marriage to have sex, they did not speak about their sexual encounters in public. Madonna, on the other hand, strayed from the norm once again. Singing about sexual encounters was a taboo of the time, and controversy sparked about whether or not Madonna's song should be able to be publicly aired or not. The controversy about "Like a Virgin" did not stop there. Madonna's performances also sparked controversy, because of her inappropriate actions throughout the song.
Music Video
As if Madonna's lyrics in "Like a Virgin" were not controversial enough, her music video added to the song's hype. It takes place in Venice, Italy; a city full of gondolas and men singing with accordions which sets a romantic setting for the video. Her video supports her ambiguous lyrics, speaking to both current virgins and women who are no longer virgins, but still hope to find someone special. Parts of the video show Madonna in a racy outfit, representing the women who have already had sex. Madonna's message for these women is that although they might have already had their "first time", they still have time to find a "special someone". Other parts of the video show Madonna in a wedding dress, representing the virgins of the world, telling them that waiting for the "right person" will be a wonderful and memorable experience. Another interpretation involves seeing the scenes with Madonna's sexy attire as her promiscuous and sexually daring side, but seeing the scenes where she is dressed in a wedding dress as a newly-felt virgin.
In the past, Venice's citizens were punished for sexual encounters; Venice is seen as the "pure city", and having Madonna's sexual music video placed in this city is very ironic. The lion, which is seen throughout the music video, was a symbol of Saint Mark, who was present during the time where individuals were punished for committing sexual acts. When the man dressed as a lion brought Madonna to the Venitian palace, it was symbolic; promiscuity was brought into the city. Symbolically, Madonna changed this ancient, angelic city into a sexually aroused and modern city, and "conquered" the city, unlike most others who were punished in the past for their unacceptable acts.
"I like innuendo, I like irony, I like the way things can be taken on different levels." -Madonna
Controversy
Singing about premarital sex in the 1980s is enough to start a controversy. At the time, sex was seen as a sacred act only performed by married couples, and although not all people waited until marriage to have sex, they did not speak about their sexual encounters in public. Madonna, on the other hand, strayed from the norm once again. Singing about sexual encounters was a taboo of the time, and controversy sparked about whether or not Madonna's song should be able to be publicly aired or not. The controversy about "Like a Virgin" did not stop there. Madonna's performances also sparked controversy, because of her inappropriate actions throughout the song.
Music Video
As if Madonna's lyrics in "Like a Virgin" were not controversial enough, her music video added to the song's hype. It takes place in Venice, Italy; a city full of gondolas and men singing with accordions which sets a romantic setting for the video. Her video supports her ambiguous lyrics, speaking to both current virgins and women who are no longer virgins, but still hope to find someone special. Parts of the video show Madonna in a racy outfit, representing the women who have already had sex. Madonna's message for these women is that although they might have already had their "first time", they still have time to find a "special someone". Other parts of the video show Madonna in a wedding dress, representing the virgins of the world, telling them that waiting for the "right person" will be a wonderful and memorable experience. Another interpretation involves seeing the scenes with Madonna's sexy attire as her promiscuous and sexually daring side, but seeing the scenes where she is dressed in a wedding dress as a newly-felt virgin.
In the past, Venice's citizens were punished for sexual encounters; Venice is seen as the "pure city", and having Madonna's sexual music video placed in this city is very ironic. The lion, which is seen throughout the music video, was a symbol of Saint Mark, who was present during the time where individuals were punished for committing sexual acts. When the man dressed as a lion brought Madonna to the Venitian palace, it was symbolic; promiscuity was brought into the city. Symbolically, Madonna changed this ancient, angelic city into a sexually aroused and modern city, and "conquered" the city, unlike most others who were punished in the past for their unacceptable acts.
Additionally, throughout the video we see glimpses of Madonna in wedding dresses, representing her innocence and purity. But, later we see Madonna with a "lover", where we see the innocent side disappear and her sexually curious side come out. Her lover has a lion's mask on, representing a rough, almost "beast-like" sexual relationship. The assumption could be made that Madonna "turned her lover into a beast". |
Her music video was not just a bunch of meaningless clips with showy images. Instead, Madonna's video had much depth to it. Madonna used symbols, such as the lion, Venice, and a wedding dress, to tackle the change from purity to promiscuity. Her music video was subtle, and her message remained ambiguous unless viewers analyzed the entire video. Her video caused controversy, because she included religious aspects, including the "pure city" and Saint Mark, and her actions were insulting. Portraying Venice in a way which now represented eroticism was offensive to religious individuals. The controversy including "Like a Virgin" did not end there.
Blonde Ambition Tour
During her 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour, Madonna performed "Like A Virgin" on top of a bed. Rather than wearing a wedding dress, she was wearing a gold jumpsuit. Her performance simulated a sexual encounter; she began singing slowly, with slow movements, and as the song progressed, her singing and actions began speeding up. Towards the end of the song, Madonna began imitating masturbation on the bed, singing loudly as the music became louder as well. Madonna's promiscuous actions were highly inappropriate for a public concert, and again, caused much controversy around this song. Viewers were outraged that this professional was acting in such an inappropriate and sexual manner on tour.
During her 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour, Madonna performed "Like A Virgin" on top of a bed. Rather than wearing a wedding dress, she was wearing a gold jumpsuit. Her performance simulated a sexual encounter; she began singing slowly, with slow movements, and as the song progressed, her singing and actions began speeding up. Towards the end of the song, Madonna began imitating masturbation on the bed, singing loudly as the music became louder as well. Madonna's promiscuous actions were highly inappropriate for a public concert, and again, caused much controversy around this song. Viewers were outraged that this professional was acting in such an inappropriate and sexual manner on tour.
MTV Music Video Awards
During the first MTV Music Video Awards, Madonna performed her song "Like A Virgin" in a more provocative way than ever before. Madonna was seen in a wedding dress on stage. The wedding dress links her song about virginity to the idea that a couple should be abstinent until marriage. The wedding dress seems like a fitting outfit choice, but ironically, paired with a "Boy Toy" belt. Madonna continues to show her ambiguity on this issue by representing both abstinence with the wedding dress and promiscuity with the belt. Additionally, Madonna rolled around, and humped the floor, still in the wedding dress. Her sexual movements were inappropriate for an aired award show and caused uproar around the country. Some view Madonna's inappropriate acts as a statement against abstinence, which is insulting to many people who believe in this custom. This controversial act caused this performance to be one of Madonna's most memorable, and solidified the promiscuous reputation she has.
Recently, Jay Leno interviewed Madonna and brought up the topic of her first MTV performance. Madonna claimed that she lost her shoe and decided to roll around on the floor to retrieve it. So, Madonna claims that she spontaneously rolled around on the floor. Not so believable considering Madonna's controversial road to fame. Madonna seems to have humped the floor more than once during the performance. While losing her shoe might have been an accident, her sexual reenactments were not. Madonna earned her fame through her controversial songs and performances and embraces her uniqueness. After all, there's no such thing in bad publicity, right?
Madonna stated that after her performance, her manager was embarrassed and astonished by her racy performance and claimed that Madonna would not earn any more fame in the country. Looking back, Freddy DeMann was wrong. People enjoy Madonna's suggestive music and she rose to be the "Queen of Pop" because of her promiscuous lyrics and performances.
During the first MTV Music Video Awards, Madonna performed her song "Like A Virgin" in a more provocative way than ever before. Madonna was seen in a wedding dress on stage. The wedding dress links her song about virginity to the idea that a couple should be abstinent until marriage. The wedding dress seems like a fitting outfit choice, but ironically, paired with a "Boy Toy" belt. Madonna continues to show her ambiguity on this issue by representing both abstinence with the wedding dress and promiscuity with the belt. Additionally, Madonna rolled around, and humped the floor, still in the wedding dress. Her sexual movements were inappropriate for an aired award show and caused uproar around the country. Some view Madonna's inappropriate acts as a statement against abstinence, which is insulting to many people who believe in this custom. This controversial act caused this performance to be one of Madonna's most memorable, and solidified the promiscuous reputation she has.
Recently, Jay Leno interviewed Madonna and brought up the topic of her first MTV performance. Madonna claimed that she lost her shoe and decided to roll around on the floor to retrieve it. So, Madonna claims that she spontaneously rolled around on the floor. Not so believable considering Madonna's controversial road to fame. Madonna seems to have humped the floor more than once during the performance. While losing her shoe might have been an accident, her sexual reenactments were not. Madonna earned her fame through her controversial songs and performances and embraces her uniqueness. After all, there's no such thing in bad publicity, right?
Madonna stated that after her performance, her manager was embarrassed and astonished by her racy performance and claimed that Madonna would not earn any more fame in the country. Looking back, Freddy DeMann was wrong. People enjoy Madonna's suggestive music and she rose to be the "Queen of Pop" because of her promiscuous lyrics and performances.