All I want to do is talk about Madonna

Waiting is the hardest part … Finally … At LONG Last … Season Two (1988-1993) kicks off! Kenny and Mark drops back into New York, circa 1988 - a year when Madonna starred on Broadway, sashayed with Sandra, laid into Letterman, and got photographed … a LOT! She also wrote and recorded what would become considered her first masterpiece album Like a Prayer and faced the truth about her future as Mrs....

It’s August 16th and we all know what that means - time to stop what you’re doing, get on the appropriately socially distant dance-floor and celebrate the birth of M. Mark and Kenny check in about everything from M’s guest spot on Dua Lipa’s “Levitating”, her instagram hits and misses, a new record deal and how each are coping in month five of the pandemic. There’s a lot in M’s orbit as she begins...

A little bonus for the hardcore. On September 30, 2019 Mark and Kenny sat down to debrief about the Madame X Tour which was in residence at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Here’s the entire unedited conversation. At over an hour this is our longest episode - for better and for worse. Enjoy!! Have a great rest of the summer! We’ll back in September to kick off Season Two - 1988-1993. Until then.

Mark and Kenny dive into all the Dub Versions, homemade singing bootlegs, and the glorious second side of Madonna’s first compilation album, 1987’s magnificent  You Can Dance .  Shep Pettibone arrives on the scene to re-mix Madonna’s greatest dance songs – and helps her remind her who SHE really is.

Get out your parachute pants and fasten your cordless mic pack - this is about to get wild!  Kenny and Mark return to the summer of 1987 for Madonna’s first stadium (and international) tour - the Who’s That Girl Tour!  Topics include the distance of a stadium stage, Madonna’s (already) stressful relationship with her hits, the cordless microphone hand-off, which song on the setlist Kenny...

Mark and Kenny bust out prison and unpack the comedic misfire 1987 film Who’s That Girl? as well as the four Madonna songs on what remains a spotty soundtrack. This conversation includes the acting grace of Griffin Dunne, the (unrequited?) passions of director James Foley, the ever-present children in the eponymous song video, Stephen Bray’s musical scoring, and celebrating a true “lost” Madonna c...

Kenny and Mark wrap up the True Blue album with a discussion of death and mortality, imagery as an artistic (and promotional) tool, Herb Ritts (and Kenny’s aborted career as a model), Cyndi Lauper, and the end of the sweet innocence of youth. 

Kenny and Mark examine the first Madonna message song, the sentimental decision-making of Pat Leonard, charity records, tambourines, and the challenge of writing a cliché-less lyric on the final track from True Blue .

Another deep-cut gets the kudos it deserves.  Kenny and Mark discuss quirky keyboards, the influences of Stephen Bray, classic 50s girl group shout-outs, the arrival of Compact Disc, and just exactly WHO the Jimmy is that Madonna is singing about.  We’ll hear you next time …

Kenny and Mark celebrate the ultimate yearning Madonna song.  Topics include the power of haircuts and wigs, the influence and courting of the Latin America audience, and the return of Mary Lambert for the video.  Whatever happened to Bruce Gaitsch?

The title track proves its mettle and lasting power as Kenny and Mark discuss Sean Penn continuing presence, Debi Mazar and Erica Bell, a quickie video shoot, and the “Make My Video” contest on MTV. 

Kenny and Mark search for the Party on side two of True Blue .  Madonna’s average work week, block parties in Harlem, Melanie Griffith, and creative Siedah Garrett overdubs are examined in this bid for song of the summer. follow us and stay connected on insta @alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna

How many classic songs can one side of one album have?  Kenny and Mark celebrate this legendary (and shocking first single) ballad.  Can a man REALLY tell a thousand lies?  Topics include: At Close Range , the importance of mystery, the true identity of video director Peter Percher, and Kenny’s teenage machinations to watch cable.

Jimmy Cagney gets the pop song treatment on this deep-cut track.  Topics discussed: Old School Hollywood, the prestige of living with Sean Penn, Richard Marx, and Madonna’s surprisingly long relationship with guns as a metaphor. 

Kenny and Mark break down the perfect second pop song on True Blue .  Topics discussed: Pat Leonard, Madonna as pursuer, the texture of backing vocals, the strip club as a metaphor, and how Mark was transformed by the first listening of this song as well as the unexpected sweetness of the once-controversial video.

With a burst of Billy Myers strings, Kenny and Mark drop into the gleaming world of Hollywood, CA – the backdrop for Madonna’s blockbuster third album.  Topics discussed: working-class music, marriage as an influence, Danny Aiello, and a breakdown of the first transformative look (and inspiring eyebrows!) in the classic video (who’s Peter Percher??).

Kenny and Mark wrap up the Virgin Era with a deep dive into the first Madonna zeitgeist year – 1985.  The singles, the videos, the movies, the Penthouse scandal, Live Aid, Madonna’s feminism and philanthropy, and getting hitched … what did you do in one year of your life?

Kenny and Mark bust out their graffiti headbands to discuss Madonna’s inaugural live outing, 1985’s Virgin Tour and Freddy DeMann makes his first appearance on the podcast as well as the first true Madonna impression. Please rate us and leave a review on itunes. Follow us on instagram @alliwant2todoistalkaboutmadonna

Kenny and Mark race to the dance floor to dissect the ultimate “you can dance” Madonna song in the ultimate Madonna movie.  Discussed: non-existent piano solos, pop art, Rosanna Arquette, Susan Seidelman, the importance of solitary fandom, sunglasses, First Row Video, Warren Beatty, and Mark hijacks the episode with a tribute to the legendary Laurie Metcalf

Kenny and Mark dive into Madonna’s long (and sometimes whiplash-inducing) relationship with film and film soundtracks.  Topics include Matthew Modine, We Are The World, random Jacksons, the importance of character back story, and a shout-out to Miami and Power 96.

Episode 3 of 3 this week! Kenny and Mark wrap up the Like a Virgin album with a discussion of Nile Rogers, Diana Ross’ Diana album, Madonna seizing control of her image and her platform, and saying farewell to the gritty New York City streets for the golden sunlight of Hollywood, California (and the Blue hues of life with Sean Penn).

The 2nd of 3 episodes this week! Kenny and Mark conclude Like a Virgin with the long-forgotten final song from the album as well as Madonna’s gibberish ad libs, demo vs. finished version of songs, and gathering the band together for the finale.

The 1st of 3 episodes this week! Kenny and Mark reach the home stretch of the Like a Virgin album with a pair of album tracks, starting with the ground-laying Pretender – another character song in the Madonna oeuvre – and the conditions for staying in Madonna’s circle of trust. 

Kenny indulges Mark’s devotion of this lost Madonna-penned ballad and Madonna as a casual songwriter, particularly captured on this side of the album. 

Kenny and Mark flip the record over to Side 2 with the fan favorite (and surprise single) from 1985 as well as double entendres, Nile Rogers as a boner-killer producer, and the rarity of the Guitar Solo on a Madonna song.