~
45 rpm front cover
front cover photo by Herb Ritts
On April 30, 1987, the song La Isla Bonita by Madonna,
became her 11th consecutive top five single. I don't usually write about top 40 pop songs but this is one of the very best ones there is. I absolutely love this
tune; I think it's the most musically interesting song ever recorded by her.
45 rpm front cover
photo by Herb Ritts
Isla is from her third studio album True Blue released in 1986; she came up with the title for the song and added the lyrics to the music, written by Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch, which has Latin influences. Its instrumentation features flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, maracas,
and includes four lines sung in Spanish. The lyrics talk about an
island named San Pedro, whose location has been debated. Madonna said
the song was her tribute to Latin Americans.
Isla was her eleventh top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and second Adult Contemporary
number one. It topped the charts in Canada and several countries in
Europe, including the United Kingdom―where it became Madonna's fourth
number one―France, West Germany, and Austria.
La Isla Bonita was first offered to Michael Jackson, "The King of Pop," however, Jackson turned it down for some reason.
In the music video, directed by Mary Lambert, for the song (link below), Madonna portrays two opposite characters: a young Catholic woman, and a flamenco dancer.
_(cropped).jpeg)
video still
[Intro]
¿Cómo puede ser verdad?
[Verse 1]
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
Just like I'd never gone, I knew the song
Young girl with eyes like the desert
It all seems like yesterday, not far away
[Chorus]
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
[Verse 2]
I fell in love with San Pedro
Warm wind carried on the sea, he called to me
Te dijo, "Te amo"
I prayed that the days would last, they went so fast
[Chorus]
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
¿Cómo puede ser verdad?
[Verse 1]
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
Just like I'd never gone, I knew the song
Young girl with eyes like the desert
It all seems like yesterday, not far away
[Chorus]
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
[Verse 2]
I fell in love with San Pedro
Warm wind carried on the sea, he called to me
Te dijo, "Te amo"
I prayed that the days would last, they went so fast
[Chorus]
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
[Bridge]
I want to be where the sun warms the sky
When it's time for siesta, you can watch them go by
Beautiful faces, no cares in this world
Where a girl loves a boy, and a boy loves a girl
[Pre-Chorus]
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
It all seems like yesterday, not far away
[Chorus]
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
(Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa)
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
[Outro]
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Te dijo, te amo
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Él dijo que te ama
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa (Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
La Isla Bonita
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Spanish lullaby
I want to be where the sun warms the sky
When it's time for siesta, you can watch them go by
Beautiful faces, no cares in this world
Where a girl loves a boy, and a boy loves a girl
[Pre-Chorus]
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
It all seems like yesterday, not far away
[Chorus]
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
(Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa)
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
[Outro]
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Te dijo, te amo
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Él dijo que te ama
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa (Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
La Isla Bonita
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Spanish lullaby
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A - La Isla Bonita, written by Bruce Gaitsch, Madonna, Pat Leonard* - 4:01
Side 2:
B - La Isla Bonita (Instrumental Remix), written by Bruce Gaitsch, Madonna, Pat Leonard* - 4:20
Companies, etc.
Side 1:
A - La Isla Bonita, written by Bruce Gaitsch, Madonna, Pat Leonard* - 4:01
Side 2:
B - La Isla Bonita (Instrumental Remix), written by Bruce Gaitsch, Madonna, Pat Leonard* - 4:20
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Sire Records Company
Copyright © – Sire Records Company
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sire Records Company
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Marketed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Published By – Wb Music Corp.
Published By – Bleu Disque Music Co., Inc.
Published By – Webo Girl Publishing, Inc.
Published By – Johnny Yuma Music
Published By – Edge Of Fluke Music
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Copyright © – Sire Records Company
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sire Records Company
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Marketed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Published By – Wb Music Corp.
Published By – Bleu Disque Music Co., Inc.
Published By – Webo Girl Publishing, Inc.
Published By – Johnny Yuma Music
Published By – Edge Of Fluke Music
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Credits:
Photography By – Herb Ritts
Producer [Produced By] – Madonna, Patrick Leonard
Remix – Chris Lord-Alge (tracks: B)
Producer [Produced By] – Madonna, Patrick Leonard
Remix – Chris Lord-Alge (tracks: B)
Notes:
Back cover:
From the Madonna album True Blue. Available on the Sire LP, cassette and Compact Disc (1/4/2-25442).
© 1987 Sire Records Company for the U.S. & WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.
℗ 1986 Sire Records Company for the U.S. & WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.
Made in U.S.A.
Labels A/B:
WB Music Corp./Bleu Disque Music Co., Inc./Webo Girl Publishing, Inc. Adm. by WB Music Corp. ASCAP/Johnny Yuma Music BMI/Edge Of Fluke Music ASCAP
℗ 1986 Sire Records Company
Sire Records Company • Marketed by Warner Bros. Records Inc. • 3300 Warner Blvd. Burbank, Calif. 91510 • Made in U.S.A.
Label A:
From the Madonna album TRUE BLUE on Sire Records (1-25442)
Label B:
Original version available on the Madonna album TRUE BLUE on Sire Records (1-25442)
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Back cover:
From the Madonna album True Blue. Available on the Sire LP, cassette and Compact Disc (1/4/2-25442).
© 1987 Sire Records Company for the U.S. & WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.
℗ 1986 Sire Records Company for the U.S. & WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.
Made in U.S.A.
Labels A/B:
WB Music Corp./Bleu Disque Music Co., Inc./Webo Girl Publishing, Inc. Adm. by WB Music Corp. ASCAP/Johnny Yuma Music BMI/Edge Of Fluke Music ASCAP
℗ 1986 Sire Records Company
Sire Records Company • Marketed by Warner Bros. Records Inc. • 3300 Warner Blvd. Burbank, Calif. 91510 • Made in U.S.A.
Label A:
From the Madonna album TRUE BLUE on Sire Records (1-25442)
Label B:
Original version available on the Madonna album TRUE BLUE on Sire Records (1-25442)
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Barcode (Text): 0 7599-28425-7
Barcode (Scanned): 075992842570
Rights Society: ASCAP
Rights Society: BMI
Matrix / Runout (Label side A): 7-28425-A
Matrix / Runout (Label side B): 7-28425-B
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 1): 7-28425A-SR-3 Future Disc
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 1): 7-28425B-SR-3
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 2): 7-28425A-SR-1 Future Disc I - I
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 2): 7-28425B-SR-3 I - I
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 3): SP 7-28425A-SR-1 Future Disc I - I
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 3): 7-28425B-SR-3 I - 2
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 4): 7-28425A-SR-2 I - 1 Future Disc
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 4): 7-28425B SR-1 1 - 2
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 5): 7-28425A-SR-1 FuTuRE DISC 1-1 SP
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 5): 7-28425B SR-3 1-2 SRC
Pressing Plant ID ('Specialty Records Corporation' logo in runouts): SRC
Barcode (Scanned): 075992842570
Rights Society: ASCAP
Rights Society: BMI
Matrix / Runout (Label side A): 7-28425-A
Matrix / Runout (Label side B): 7-28425-B
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 1): 7-28425A-SR-3 Future Disc
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 1): 7-28425B-SR-3
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 2): 7-28425A-SR-1 Future Disc I - I
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 2): 7-28425B-SR-3 I - I
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 3): SP 7-28425A-SR-1 Future Disc I - I
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 3): 7-28425B-SR-3 I - 2
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 4): 7-28425A-SR-2 I - 1 Future Disc
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 4): 7-28425B SR-1 1 - 2
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched - variant 5): 7-28425A-SR-1 FuTuRE DISC 1-1 SP
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched - variant 5): 7-28425B SR-3 1-2 SRC
Pressing Plant ID ('Specialty Records Corporation' logo in runouts): SRC
Madonna – La Isla Bonita
Label: Sire – 9 28425-7, Sire – 7-28425
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Latin, Synth-pop
Label: Sire – 9 28425-7, Sire – 7-28425
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Latin, Synth-pop
Viewfinder links:
American Songwriter ~ The Meaning of La Isla Bonita by Madonna
Madonnapedia ~ La Isla Bonita (song)
Repeating Islands ~ La Isla Bonita Tribute to Belize and San Pedro
Set-Jetter ~ Madonna: La Isla Bonita
Smooth Radio ~ The Story of... La Isla Bonita by Madonna "Spanish in another life!"
~ Madonna
Styrous® ~ Tuesday, April 30, 2024
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