Madonna: ‘The Immaculate Collection’ Turns 30

30 years ago this week Madonna’s “The Immaculate Collection” was released. That means it was 30 years ago that I didn’t understand the play on words of Conception/Collection. I eventually figured it out.

The album of Madonna’s greatest hits plus two new tracks was a huge success. Music! Scandal! Intrigue! Ok, maybe more scandal than intrigue, but you get the idea.

Madonna was a rule breaker, instigator, rebel. It was only a few years prior that she lost a Pepsi contract because of her religious-themed “Like a Prayer” video. It was shocking! Shocking I tell you. No one would give up a lucrative contract (rumor is she did it on purpose) for art. Unheard of! But, that’s Madonna.

She took one look at “Like a Prayer” and said ‘hold my Coke’ while she made the “Justify My Love” video.

She shook the music industry from the inside out, gave it a big kiss, ghosted it and changed her number. Or something like that. Bottom line: she doesn’t care what anyone thinks and the result is some awesome music.

Here are some details about “The Immaculate Collection,” thanks Wikipedia:

• The two new tunes that went with the big hits were “Justify My Love” and “Rescue Me.”

• “Justify My Love” was very scandalous and so was the video (banned in places, blah blah blah).

• “Justify My Love” was Madonna’s ninth number one song, co-written by Lenny Kravitz.

• The album only (only!) reached Number Two on the Billboard charts.

• “The Immaculate Collection” has sold over 30 Million albums.

• “The Immaculate Collection” is the best-selling compilation album (solo artist).