What Happened When Arjan Met Madonna
Think what you want about Madonna (and her new obsession with TikTok), but the fact that she’s still able to get people talking is a testament to her fine instinct to know exactly what button to press to generate headlines. Her recent TikTok antics are a perfect example of that. Some say it’s not worthy of her superstar status, but honestly, who cares? She’s Madonna, after all.
Madonna has never fit the mold and do what’s expected. TikTok just happens to be a perfect platform for her to quickly express herself and create a little stir once in a while. Don’t believe for a second she doesn’t know what she’s doing. Our beloved queen is fully aware of the impact she’s making, and she’s enjoying every single second of it. Does she need the headlines? No. Is she allowed to have a little fun with it? Yes.
After being active in the music industry for over 20 years, I’ve been fortunate to meet many of my idols (and sometimes call first dibs on them when they were still playing Hotel Cafe). A few months ahead of the release of Madame X, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Madonna. To say it was the most anticipated artist meeting of my life is an understatement. Madonna’s music has had a profound impact on who I am today. I’ve idolized her ever since I was a kid and her empowering lyrics helped ease my coming out. After being active in the music industry for over 20 years, I’ve been fortunate to meet many of my idols (and sometimes call first dibs on them when they were still playing Hotel Cafe).
There’s undoubtedly a risk to meeting your idol. What if they are just terrible in person? But thankfully, Madonna was everything I hoped for and more. She’s kind, funny, articulate, and passionate about her art and the causes she cares about. We laughed when she tried to pronounce my name (and ultimately succeeded), and we bonded over the continued importance of standing up for LGBTQ+ rights. I will never forget hearing her talk about how she approaches the recording process, how thoughtful she’s about her lyrics, and the message she wants to convey. She’s acutely aware of her impact— now and in the past. One of the most important things I took away from the meeting was that Madonna genuinely wants to be a force for good. I felt I did not meet a shrewd businesswoman, but instead, I found her a true creative who cared about her artistry above anything else.
The fine folks at Rhino love Madonna as much as I do and have put together an ultimate collection of hits together with Madonna to celebrate her lasting legacy. On August 19, the catalog label will be releasing Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones, a 50-track collection that includes her favorite remixes of her chart-topping dance hits. Ahead of that release, on June 24, Rhino will release Finally Enough Love, an abridged version.
The timing of this effort was inspired by Madonna’s recent Billboard chart achievement when she became the first artist to ever top the Dance Club Songs chart for the 50th time. Madonna is the first, and only recording artist with 50 number one hits on any single Billboard chart.
As a first listen to both collections, the “Into The Groove “(You Can Dance Edit)” is available this week digitally for the first time. This remix was first included in You Can Dance's original vinyl release, Madonna’s first-ever remix collection, released 35 years ago. That release has sold more than five million copies worldwide and remains the second best-selling remix album of all time.
Boasting more than 220 minutes of remixes, “Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones” flows in mostly chronological order, from 1983’s “Holiday” to 2019’s “I Don’t Search I Find,” with remixes by Shep Pettibone, William Orbit, Honey Dijon, and Avicii.
The collection also pays homage to “Everybody,” Madonna’s first single, celebrating its 40th Anniversary on October 6. Madonna redesigned the album’s chronology by picking three edits from You Can Dance, including “Into The Groove,” “Everybody,” and “Physical Attraction,” which reflects the underground club vibes that inspired her first recordings as a Sire artist.
The compilation of hits follows the exclusive vinyl release of a Super Club remix of “Causing A Commotion,” released in April for this year’s Record Store Day.
There’s a lot of great Madonna to celebrate in the next few months, and it’s exciting so many vinyl-only remixes and song edits are finally being made available on streaming services. Instead of obsessing about whatever TikTok video she put up today, let’s continue to celebrate her forever-greatness with these two releases of her terrific music catalog.
Pre-Order Madonna Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones
Pre-Order Madonna Finally Enough Love [Abridged]