All I want to do is talk about Madonna

Madonna’s first cover (written by Miles Gregory) is dissected by Kenny and Mark in a confessional discussion about the legacy of the ballads.

Kenny and Mark fanboy over what may be the ultimate “Madonna running song”, acoustic guitars, the positive ambition in the Bray/Ciccone collaborations, proper (and improper!) climaxes, and why Mark’s mother forbid him to own Like a Virgin on cassette.

The title track from Madonna’s 1984 opus and belting songs in the shower, the potency of vocal melisma, riding gondolas through Venice, lion’s tongues, the many live incarnations of the song, the stages of womanhood, and how many times Mark can say “iconic” in an episode.

Kenny and Mark highlight this great “lost” song from Like a Virgin and discuss The Breakfast Club, the Elks Club pool, the softer power of the Third Single, and whether Madonna should write again with the estranged Stephen Bray.

Kenny and Mark plunge into 80s Consumerism with the first song from Madonna’s classic “Like a Virgin” album.  What makes a song a “Madonna song”?  Topics discussed include the reception of irony, Missing Persons, Marilyn Monroe, Kenny’s love of the Second Single, and how live drumming kicks off this new era. They take a deep dive into the iconic 1985 video, including Old Hollywood and th...

Holiday Episode.  Kenny and Mark swing into the holidays with a special one-off episode celebrating Madonna’s 1987 cover of the Eartha Kitt classic.  Topics discussed include the Special Olympics, walking with Eartha Kitt through Times Square, Michael John LaChiusa’s The Wild Party , Madonna’s identity as a song stylist, Madonna’s commitment to charity and what makes a classic Christmas...

Kenny and Mark wrap up 1983 in the canon with a discussion of lost tracks “Ain’t No Big Deal” and “Sidewalk Talk”, the valuable contributions and advocacy of Jellybean Benitez, hot tamales, and Madonna’s attempts to get back to the purity of this important first era of Madonna’s music.find us on instagram @ alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna .

Kenny and Mark close out Madonna’s self-titled debut with the perennial “Everybody” – Madonna’s first musical call to the dancefloor.  Discussed: musical roads chosen and not taken, what constitutes a Madonna ‘hit’, and the power of the producer on a Madonna record. oh by the way, you can find us on instagram @ alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna .

Kenny and Mark lose their collective minds over “Physical Attraction”.  Discussed: stretching synths, talking vocals, the power of the male gaze, bisexuality and intimacy, and Kenny’s entry point into Madonna fandom.  Here’s the whole story, folks!

Kenny and Mark analyze Madonna’s romantic philosophies in 1982, the power of journal-writing, East Village drama, saxophonist Bobby Malach, and the true nature of the Basquiat friendship on lost Madonna song “Think of Me”.

Kenny and Mark re-experience their first encounters with classic Madonna song “Holiday” and the moment you first want to get out on the floor and dance to it.

Kenny and Mark face Madonna’s baby voice vocals and why never performing a song in a live setting may be a good thing on deep cut “I Know It”.

Kenny and Mark tackle “Burning Up” the third song on Madonna’s self-titled 1983 debut.  Topics include punk roots, the Breakfast Club band, scratch vocals and the impact of Madonna’s breathing in her music, and the arrival of Stephen Bray. 

Episode Two.  Kenny and Mark discuss the importance of car songs, romantic yearnings, generational innocence, the power of Madonna’s vocal ad libs, and make a case for bringing back “the fade out” in a classic 80s pop song called “Borderline.” After this week, all future episodes will be released on Tuesday.

Pilot Episode. Kenny and Mark kick-off “All I Want to Do is Talk About Madonna” by going all the way back to the very beginning: the first song on the first side of Madonna’s first album. Discussed: Madonna’s demo recordings, “Crimes of Passion”, early ambitions, Danceteria DJs, Maripol, Erica Bell, and the power of synths.

Season One: From ‘Star’ to ‘Girl’ (1983-1987) In this provocative (naturally) and confessional (essentially) new podcast, two long-time fans have the conversation you wish you could have about the one and only Queen of Pop: Madonna. Writers Kenny Finkle and Mark Snyder start at the very beginning, to where it always begins with Madonna: the music. Each episode tackles a single track in the Madonna...