Madonna - You Can Dance (1987)

As I'm fond of saying, "Ain't no Madonna like '80s Madonna" and here's further proof. Following in the footsteps of the Disco remix album from Pet Shop Boys, this is Madonna's first remix album and we're treated to over an hour of non-stop dance fun featuring tracks from her first three albums plus a new tune, Spotlight (which bears a strong resemblance to Lucky Star - not that there's anything wrong with that). Remixes provided by some of the biggest names in the business at the time. And, by design, released just in time for Christmas shopping in '87.

Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to bust out some old man dance moves for the next 70 minutes and pretend I'm 21 again. (In the privacy of my home. You're welcome.)

Press of the time:

• Robert Christgau (A-): "this time the songs don't surface, they reach out and grab you"
• Los Angeles Times (★★★): "Just about every remix in this seven-song collection is first-rate."
• Smash Hits (9 out of 10): "rather wonderful"
• Stereo Review: "a clever marketing idea that happens to work as a musical idea, too."
• Billboard: "The lady can't miss with this one"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #14
• Billboard Pop CD: #15
• CashBox Top CD: #15
• Rolling Stone: #13

Tracks: While it is designed to be played top-to-bottom and I do. For me, things really get cookin' in the middle of the CD (what was side 2 of the album) - Over And Over, Into The Groove, and Where's The Party.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. If this thing wasn't played at the parties I attended in my little college town, it certainly should have been. The timing of this release got me to thinking about Christmas '87 and I believe that was the Christmas I got a new aftermarket cassette deck for my Olds. That thing had both auto-reverse as well as a seek function and that made this guy very happy. But that really doesn't have much to do with this remix album other than coincidental timing, so never mind. As you were.

Previously revisited for the blog:
What It Feels Like For A Girl (2001)
Ray Of Light (1998)
Don't Cry For Me Argentina (1997)
Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack (1996)
The Immaculate Collection (1990)
Vogue (1990)
Express Yourself (1989)
True Blue (1986)
Like A Virgin (1984)