April 30, 2024

45 RPMs 81: Madonna ~ La Isla Bonita

  ~   
     
Madonna ~ La Isla Bonita                             
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.           
 
 
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
[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
 
 
 
 
45 rpm, sides 1 & 2

        
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.

    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
 
Credits:
 
    Photography By – Herb Ritts
    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         

    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
        
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
        
        
        
        
Viewfinder links:       
         
Bruce Gaitsch           
Michael Jackson              
Patrick Leonard           
Madonna           
Herb Ritts        
     
Net links:       
         
Madonnapedia ~ La Isla Bonita (song)     
Set-Jetter ~ Madonna: La Isla Bonita     
Smooth Radio ~ The Story of... La Isla Bonita by Madonna         
Songfacts ~ La Isla Bonita     
     
YouTube links:      
        
La Isla Bonita         
        
        
        
         
         
"Spanish in another life!"
             ~ Madonna


        

Styrous® ~ Tuesday, April 30, 2024       






      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bruce Gaitsch articles/mentions

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mentions:     
Madonna ~ La Isla Bonita     
     
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
date & photographer unknown
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
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April 29, 2024

Music Notes: Magnetic Fields ~ 69 Love Songs booklet

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Styrous® ~ Monday, April 29, 2024               
        















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The Magnetic Fields ~ 69 Love Songs lyrics

 ~    
Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long

Fido, your leash is too long
You go where you don't belong
You've been digging in the rubble
Gettin' bitches in trouble
Fido, your leash is too long

Fido, your leash is too long
I don't know where I went wrong
You scare me out of my wits
When you do that Shitzhu
Fido, your leash is too long

Fido, you've gone far enough
I must have all of your love
You just run out of luck
I don't care what you fuck
Sounds lewd, but your leash is too long
 
 
 

The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side

Andy would bicycle across town in the rain to bring you candy
And John would buy the gown for you to wear to the prom
With Tom the astronomer who'd name a star for you

But I'm the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels and you wanna go for a ride

Harry is the one I think you'll marry
But it's Chris that you kissed after school
Well, I'm a fool, there's no doubt
But when the sun comes out
And only when the sun comes out

I'm the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels and you wanna go for a ride

The day is beautiful and so are you
My car is ugly but then I'm ugly, too
I know you'd never give me a second glance
But when the weather's nice
All the other guys don't stand a chance
I know Professor Blumen makes you feel like a woman
But when the wind is in your hair you laugh like a little girl
So you share secrets with Lou, but we've got secrets, too
Well, one: I only keep this heap for you

'Cause I'm the ugliest guy on the Lower East Side
But I've got wheels and you want to go for a ride
Wanna go for a ride?
Wanna go for a ride?
Wanna go for a ride?
 
 
 

Underwear

A pretty girl in her underwear
A pretty girl in her underwear
If there's anything better in this world
Who cares

[Chorus]
La mort, c'est la mort
Mais l'amour, c'est l'amour
La mort, c'est seulement la mort
Mais l'amour, c'est l'amour

A pretty boy in his underwear
A pretty boy in his underwear
If there's a better reason to jump for joy
Who cares

[Chorus]
La mort, c'est la mort
Mais l'amour, c'est l'amour
La mort, c'est seulement la mort
Mais l'amour, c'est l'amour

La mort, c'est la mort
Mais l'amour, c'est l'amour
La mort, c'est seulement la mort
Mais l'amour, c'est l'amour

Viewfinder link:     
     
69 Love Songs        
    
YouTube link:     
     
69 Love Songs             
      
     
     
    
Styrous® ~ Monday, April 29, 2024        




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Patrick Leonard articles/mentions



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mentions:     
Madonna ~ La Isla Bonita     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Patrick Leonard     
photo by Len DeLessio/Getty Images     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 

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April 26, 2024

1,000,001 CDs 22: Magnetic Fields ~ 69 love Songs


 ~   
CD front cover 
photo by Styrous®


I got an email advertising a performance at the Curran Theater here in San Francisco by a group I haven't thought about in years, the Magnetic Fields.                
 
 

 


Curran Theater - San Francisco


In celebration of the 25th anniversary of its release, the Magnetic Fields will perform 69 Love Songs—the 3-disc masterwork that marked a significant breakthrough for the American band— for the first time in over two decades. I love almost all the songs on this massive work but I have favorites, of course, a few are Underwear, The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side and Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long!  
             
The instrumentation on each song is nothing like anything you've heard before and the lyrics (link below) of the songs are mind or gender bending in various ways and utterly brilliant. And there is a sizable booklet (link below) included with the CD that contains lyrics, wild and wacky photos, images and a lot of other good stuff.              
     
Stephin Merritt, the group's primary songwriter, producer, and vocalist, as well as frequent multi-instrumentalis, has written the scores for the films Pieces of April in 2003 and Showtunes in 2006.          


photo by Hiroyuki Ito

        
The select run of dates will take place in Spring of 2024, with performances in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Greater Boston and Los Angeles and will feature all the players from the 1999 triple disc, including Claudia Gonson, John Woo, Sam Davol, Shirley Simms and composer Stephin Merritt, joined now by recent members Chris Ewen and Anthony Kaczynski. The Magnetic Fields will play the album as it was originally performed in the early 2000’s: in order over 2 nights, April 28th and 29th, 2024.     






      


      
            





           

                                      
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

 





 
 
 
 
       
 
The booklet (link below) 
 


           
          
          
Tracklist:

        69 Love Songs Vol. 1 (MRG 166)   

1-1 - Absolutely Cuckoo - 1:34
1-2 - I Don't Believe In The Sun - 4:16
1-3 - All My Little Words - 2:46
1-4 - A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off - 2:41
1-5 - Reno Dakota - 1:05
1-6 - I Don't Want To Get Over You - 2:22
1-7 - Come Back From San Francisco - 2:48
1-8 - The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side - 3:43
1-9 - Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits - 2:25
1-10 - The Cactus Where Your Heart Should Be - 1:11
1-11 - I Think I Need A New Heart - 2:32
1-12 - The Book Of Love - 2:42
1-13 - Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long - 2:33
1-14 - How Fucking Romantic - 0:58
1-15 - The One You Really Love - 2:53
1-16 - Punk Love - 0:58
1.17 - Parades Go By - 2:56
1-18 - Boa Constrictor - 0:58
1-19 - A Pretty Girl Is Like... - 1:50
1-20 - My Sentimental Melody - 3:07
1-21 - Nothing Matters When We're Dancing - 2:27
1-22 - Sweet-Lovin' Man - 4:59
1-23 - The Things We Did And Didn't Do - 2:11

        69 Love Songs Vol. 2 (MRG 167)   

2-1 - Roses - 0:27
2-2 - Love Is Like Jazz - 2:56
2-3 - When My Boy Walks Down The Street - 2:38
2-4 - Time Enough For Rocking When We're Old - 2:03
2-5 - Very Funny - 1:26
2-6 - Grand Canyon - 2:28
2-7 - No One Will Ever Love You - 3:14
2-8 - If You Don't Cry - 3:07
2-9 - You're My Only Home - 2:17
2-10 - (Crazy For You But) Not That Crazy - 2:18
2-11 - My Only Friend - 2:01
2-12 - Promises Of Eternity - 3:46
2-13 - World Love - 3:07
2-14 - Washington, D.C. - 1:53
2-15 - Long-Forgotten Fairytale - 3:37
2-16 - Kiss Me Like You Mean It - 2:01
2-17 - Papa Was A Rodeo - 5:01
2-18 - Epitaph For My Heart - 2:50
2-19 - Asleep And Dreaming - 1:53
2-20 - The Sun Goes Down And The World Goes Dancing - 2:46
2-21 - The Way You Say Good-Night - 2:44
2-22 - Abigail, Belle Of Kilronan - 2:00
2-23 - I Shatter - 3:09

        69 Love Songs Vol. 3 (MRG 168)   

3-1 - Underwear - 2:49
3-2 - It's A Crime - 3:54
3-3 - Busby Berkeley Dreams - 3:36
3-4 - I'm Sorry I Love You - 3:06
3-5 - Acoustic Guitar - 2:37
3-6 - The Death Of Ferdinand De Saussure - 3:11
3-7 - Love In The Shadows - 2:54
3-8 - Bitter Tears - 2:51
3-9 - Wi' Nae Wee Bairn Ye'll Me Beget - 1:55
3-10 - Yeah! Oh, Yeah! - 2:19
3-11 - Experimental Music Love - 0:29
3-12 - Meaningless - 2:08
3-13 - Love Is Like A Bottle Of Gin - 1:46
3-14 - Queen Of The Savages - 2:12
3-15 - Blue You - 3:03
3-16 - I Can't Touch You Anymore - 3:05
3-17 - Two Kinds Of People - 1:10
3-18 - How To Say Goodbye - 2:48
3-19 - The Night You Can't Remember - 2:17
3-20 - For We Are The King Of The Boudoir - 1:14
3-21 - Strange Eyes - 2:01
3-22 - Xylophone Track - 2:47
3-23 - Zebra - 2:15
 
Notes:

The CD box set is a slipcase containing three discs in jewel cases (the versions of each volume that are available individually) and a bound interview booklet.

Made In Canada

Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Barcode: 036172946921

The Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs
Label:    Merge Records – MRG 169
Format:    3 x CD
Box Set, Album
Country: Canada
Released: Sep 7, 1999
Genre:    Electronic, Rock
Style:    Synth-pop, Indie Rock              
 
 
          
Viewfinder links:        
         
69 Love Songs booklet        
69 Love Songs lyrics        
Stephin Merritt               
      
Net links:                 
Curran Theater ~ Magnetic Fields ~ 69 love Songs       
      
YouTube links:        
         
69 Love Songs (complete set)        
         
         
         
        
         
Styrous® ~ Friday, April 26, 2024     
    



















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