Gambler
Released: 12.10.85 Highest Chart Position: 4 Weeks on Chart: 11 Total Sales: 295,000
'Gambler', is the second Madonna track from the 'Visionquest' soundtrack.
After the recording of 'Crazy for You', Madonna approached John "Jellybean" Benitez to produce it. The song was subsequently added to the soundtrack of the film as music producer Phil Ramone felt that it would be appropriate for using in the beginning shots. As the song was recorded on the Geffen label, a commercial issue of the single in the United States was suppressed, at the request of Madonna's Sire Records management. They feared that commercial availability of another Madonna single would have been detrimental to the other singles from the Like a Virgin album, and the already available, Geffen-distributed, 'Crazy for You'. Hence 'Gambler' was never released, or sent for airplay in the United States.
There was no such restriction in the UK and no doubt Geffin was desperately seeking (ahem) a slot in which they could unleash their remaining Madonna track amid the summer of 'Madonna mania'. Hence 'Gambler' was released with indecent haste on the 12th October, a mere three weeks after 'Angel's release date. In fact, this was the fifth consecutive month in which a Madonna single had been released following on from 'Crazy For You' in June, 'Into The Groove' in July, 'Holiday' in August, and 'Angel' in September. Gambler neatly replaced 'Angel' in the top ten debuting at No.7 before peaking at No.4 the following week.
The video for 'Gambler' is similar to 'Crazy for You', with Madonna singing the song along with clips culled from Vision Quest. Incidentally, the clips were already almost two years old with Madonna's performance having been filmed on November 22, 1983, at the Big Foot Tavern in Spokane, Washington.
After the recording of 'Crazy for You', Madonna approached John "Jellybean" Benitez to produce it. The song was subsequently added to the soundtrack of the film as music producer Phil Ramone felt that it would be appropriate for using in the beginning shots. As the song was recorded on the Geffen label, a commercial issue of the single in the United States was suppressed, at the request of Madonna's Sire Records management. They feared that commercial availability of another Madonna single would have been detrimental to the other singles from the Like a Virgin album, and the already available, Geffen-distributed, 'Crazy for You'. Hence 'Gambler' was never released, or sent for airplay in the United States.
There was no such restriction in the UK and no doubt Geffin was desperately seeking (ahem) a slot in which they could unleash their remaining Madonna track amid the summer of 'Madonna mania'. Hence 'Gambler' was released with indecent haste on the 12th October, a mere three weeks after 'Angel's release date. In fact, this was the fifth consecutive month in which a Madonna single had been released following on from 'Crazy For You' in June, 'Into The Groove' in July, 'Holiday' in August, and 'Angel' in September. Gambler neatly replaced 'Angel' in the top ten debuting at No.7 before peaking at No.4 the following week.
The video for 'Gambler' is similar to 'Crazy for You', with Madonna singing the song along with clips culled from Vision Quest. Incidentally, the clips were already almost two years old with Madonna's performance having been filmed on November 22, 1983, at the Big Foot Tavern in Spokane, Washington.
UK Variations and Collectables
'Gambler' was issued in standard 7" and 12" formats, supplemented with a limited edition 7" posterbag.
For collectors, Geffen once again proved to be innovators - after producing the first limited edition shaped picture disc, they now eschewed the trend they themselves had started and issued the first 7" limited edition posterbag. However, as with 'Crazy For You', Geffen was not in the habit of releasing label variations or colourful top-ups resulting in somewhat slim pickings for the collector. Nor are they in the habit of producing decent, sturdy record sleeves, as the single was issued once again in a flimsy paper sleeve. Sadly, many of them have not worn well.
The standard 7" single was pressed with a black label although the Irish pressing is on a grey label. Incidentally, Geffin used the same catalogue number throughout Europe and therefore any European release could also be included on this page. However, this has been limited to just the Irish pressing for consistency.
The 12" version is even more basic with just the one version although at least there is a 12" version (with an additional remix) unlike the previous Geffen release for 'Crazy For You'.
Due to it's limited variety, the centrepiece item for this release is the default limited edition 7" posterbag. The only real rarities are to be found in the promotional section namely the counterstand display and printer proofs (see below).
Trivia fact 1:- to date, "Gambler" remains the last single to be entirely self-written by Madonna;
Trivia fact 2:- apart from the 'Virgin Tour' in 1985, Madonna has steadfastly refused to perform this song, meaning it is her only hit never to have been performed outside the US.
For collectors, Geffen once again proved to be innovators - after producing the first limited edition shaped picture disc, they now eschewed the trend they themselves had started and issued the first 7" limited edition posterbag. However, as with 'Crazy For You', Geffen was not in the habit of releasing label variations or colourful top-ups resulting in somewhat slim pickings for the collector. Nor are they in the habit of producing decent, sturdy record sleeves, as the single was issued once again in a flimsy paper sleeve. Sadly, many of them have not worn well.
The standard 7" single was pressed with a black label although the Irish pressing is on a grey label. Incidentally, Geffin used the same catalogue number throughout Europe and therefore any European release could also be included on this page. However, this has been limited to just the Irish pressing for consistency.
The 12" version is even more basic with just the one version although at least there is a 12" version (with an additional remix) unlike the previous Geffen release for 'Crazy For You'.
Due to it's limited variety, the centrepiece item for this release is the default limited edition 7" posterbag. The only real rarities are to be found in the promotional section namely the counterstand display and printer proofs (see below).
Trivia fact 1:- to date, "Gambler" remains the last single to be entirely self-written by Madonna;
Trivia fact 2:- apart from the 'Virgin Tour' in 1985, Madonna has steadfastly refused to perform this song, meaning it is her only hit never to have been performed outside the US.
Promotional Items
For collectors the only serious challenges come from the promotional items, starting with a rare 12" white label. In addition, there is an extremely rare counterstand display for the 7" single which is one of the rarest of all counterstand displays.
The easiest promotional items to source are the two music press adverts however collectors should note that there are two version as Geffen authorised adverts to be run in both Smash Hits and No.1, which are slightly different as each has its own rather cheesy (perhaps tongue in cheek) exhortations to the buying public.
'Gambler' may also have the distinction of being the first appearance of a Madonna video within an in-store promotional compilation (albeit referred to erroneously as 'The Gambler'). This can be viewed in the VIDEO section or by clicking HERE.
As with 'Angel', this section also concludes not with a promotional item but with a set of rare printer proofs. These relate to the artwork for the 7" single, the 7" posterbag and the 12" singles respectively.
ALL PROMOTIONAL ITEMS CAN BE VIEWED IN THE PROMO SECTION - FOR ITEMS RELATING TO THIS RELEASE CLICK HERE
The easiest promotional items to source are the two music press adverts however collectors should note that there are two version as Geffen authorised adverts to be run in both Smash Hits and No.1, which are slightly different as each has its own rather cheesy (perhaps tongue in cheek) exhortations to the buying public.
'Gambler' may also have the distinction of being the first appearance of a Madonna video within an in-store promotional compilation (albeit referred to erroneously as 'The Gambler'). This can be viewed in the VIDEO section or by clicking HERE.
As with 'Angel', this section also concludes not with a promotional item but with a set of rare printer proofs. These relate to the artwork for the 7" single, the 7" posterbag and the 12" singles respectively.
ALL PROMOTIONAL ITEMS CAN BE VIEWED IN THE PROMO SECTION - FOR ITEMS RELATING TO THIS RELEASE CLICK HERE
7" Single - Standard Release
7" Single - Limited edition posterbag
7" Single - Irish pressing with grey label
12" Single - Standard release
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© madonna-decade 2013
© madonna-decade 2013
