The Immaculate Collection
The Immaculate Collection is Madonna’s first greatest hits album.
The Immaculate Collection contains new remixes of fifteen of her hit singles from 1983 to 1990, as well as two new tracks, "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me". The title of the album is a loose pun of the Immaculate Conception, the conception of the Virgin Mary without any stain of the original sin. The title continues the religious theme of her previous album ‘Like A Prayer’ although with additional irony.
The album received widespread acclaim on release and has sold 30 million copies worldwide making it Madonna’s most successful album.
The Immaculate Collection contains new remixes of fifteen of her hit singles from 1983 to 1990, as well as two new tracks, "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me". The title of the album is a loose pun of the Immaculate Conception, the conception of the Virgin Mary without any stain of the original sin. The title continues the religious theme of her previous album ‘Like A Prayer’ although with additional irony.
The album received widespread acclaim on release and has sold 30 million copies worldwide making it Madonna’s most successful album.
1. Background
Originally titled ‘Ultra Madonna’, the name was changed as Warner Bros. felt that it was too similar to the name of dance artist Ultra Naté.
It was decided that a mixture of ballads and pop-dance hits would be included, although there wasn't space for every single that Madonna had released. Madonna made the selections herself and rejected those not considered to be suitably ‘immaculate’. Accordingly, tracks associated with her failed marriage to Sean Penn (‘True Blue’) and the failed movie ‘Who’s That Girl’ are among those omitted.
It is a testament to Madonna’s phenomenal run of singles success that no fewer than nine UK top ten hits – including two UK no. 1’s – were absent from the collection: ‘Angel’ (a US no. 1), ‘Gambler’, ‘Dress You Up’, ‘True Blue’, ‘Who’s That Girl’, ‘Causing A Commotion’, ‘The Look of Love’, ‘Dear Jessie’ and ‘Hanky Panky’.
An EP titled ‘The Holiday Collection’ was issued in Europe to accompany the compilation which contained several of the omitted tracks, namely: ‘True Blue’, ‘Who's That Girl’ and ‘Causing a Commotion’ as well as the third release of ‘Holiday’.
Keeping her finger firmly on the irony button, Madonna dedicated the album to “The Pope, my divine inspiration”.
It was decided that a mixture of ballads and pop-dance hits would be included, although there wasn't space for every single that Madonna had released. Madonna made the selections herself and rejected those not considered to be suitably ‘immaculate’. Accordingly, tracks associated with her failed marriage to Sean Penn (‘True Blue’) and the failed movie ‘Who’s That Girl’ are among those omitted.
It is a testament to Madonna’s phenomenal run of singles success that no fewer than nine UK top ten hits – including two UK no. 1’s – were absent from the collection: ‘Angel’ (a US no. 1), ‘Gambler’, ‘Dress You Up’, ‘True Blue’, ‘Who’s That Girl’, ‘Causing A Commotion’, ‘The Look of Love’, ‘Dear Jessie’ and ‘Hanky Panky’.
An EP titled ‘The Holiday Collection’ was issued in Europe to accompany the compilation which contained several of the omitted tracks, namely: ‘True Blue’, ‘Who's That Girl’ and ‘Causing a Commotion’ as well as the third release of ‘Holiday’.
Keeping her finger firmly on the irony button, Madonna dedicated the album to “The Pope, my divine inspiration”.
2. Recording
All of the songs on ‘The Immaculate Collection’ (with the exception of the two new songs) were remixed by Shep Pettibone alongside either Goh Hotoda or Michael Hutchinson and some were also edited down from their original lengths in order to decrease the overall running time. While all the vocals remain the same as in the original recordings, ‘Like a Prayer’ and ‘Express Yourself’ feature different musical backing. ‘Like A Prayer’ used the musical arrangements from the ‘Blond Ambition’ tour.
The production is notable for being the first to use QSound; all songs were mixed using it, except "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me". A QSound mix of "Justify My Love" was later released on the US maxi-single to the song.
The production is notable for being the first to use QSound; all songs were mixed using it, except "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me". A QSound mix of "Justify My Love" was later released on the US maxi-single to the song.
3. Packaging and Artwork
The album was issued in a gatefold sleeve which did not feature Madonna’s image on the cover. Instead, a short haired, brunette Madonna was featured on the two inner sleeves along with lyrics for the two previously unreleased tracks.
The images were all shot in black and white by celebrated photographer Herb Ritts. Recently during an exhibition at the Berlin’s Gallery Camera Work he posted a never-before seen sheet from the Immaculate Collection photoshoot, containing plenty of Madonna outtakes.
On December 11, 1990, a box set entitled The Royal Box was released which included a Satin CD Digipak, (a US version was released with a cassette instead of the CD) a VHS video, postcards and poster. The video also included the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards performance of ‘Vogue’.
The images were all shot in black and white by celebrated photographer Herb Ritts. Recently during an exhibition at the Berlin’s Gallery Camera Work he posted a never-before seen sheet from the Immaculate Collection photoshoot, containing plenty of Madonna outtakes.
On December 11, 1990, a box set entitled The Royal Box was released which included a Satin CD Digipak, (a US version was released with a cassette instead of the CD) a VHS video, postcards and poster. The video also included the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards performance of ‘Vogue’.
4. Legacy
‘The Immaculate Collection’ is one of the most outstanding ‘Greatest Hits’ collection. Critics lavished praise on the collection declaring it ‘truly the best of best of's’ and ‘more than a mere greatest-hits set, it's hands down the catchiest collection of '80s singles’. Despite its omissions it is the definitive retrospective of Madonna's heyday in the '80s.
The Immaculate Collection has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it Madonna's best-seller and one of the world's best-selling albums of all time. It also remains the best-selling compilation album ever released by a solo artist.
The Immaculate Collection has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it Madonna's best-seller and one of the world's best-selling albums of all time. It also remains the best-selling compilation album ever released by a solo artist.
5. Track Listing
|
No.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. |
Title
Holiday Lucky Star Borderline Like a Virgin Material Girl Crazy for You Into the Groove Live to Tell Papa Don't Preach Open Your Heart La Isla Bonita Like a Prayer Express Yourself Cherish Vogue Justify My Love Rescue Me |
Writer(s)
Curtis Hudson/Lisa Stevens Madonna Lucas Billy Steinberg/Tom Kelly Peter Brown/Robert Rans John Bettis/Jon Lind Madonna/Stephen Bray Madonna/Patrick Leonard Brian Elliot/Madonna[b] Madonna/Gardner Cole/Peter Rafelson Madonna/Leonard/Bruce Gaitsch Madonna/Leonard Madonna/Bray Madonna/Leonard Madonna/Pettibone Lenny Kravitz/Madonna[b] Madonna/Pettibone |
Producer(s)
John "Jellybean" Benitez Reggie Lucas Lucas Nile Rodgers Rodgers Benitez Madonna/Bray/Shep Pettibone[a] Madonna/Leonard Madonna/Bray Madonna/Leonard Madonna/Leonard Madonna/Leonard/Pettibone[a] Madonna/Bray/Pettibone[a] Madonna/Leonard Madonna/Pettibone/Craig Kostich[c] Kravitz/André Betts[d] Madonna/Pettibone |
Length
4:04 3:39 4:00 3:11 3:53 3:45 4:10 5:19 4:11 3:51 3:48 5:51 4:04 3:52 5:18 5:35 5:31 |
Four singles were released from the album in the UK and further information on these can be accessed via the SINGLES tab or from the links below:
‘Justify My Love’
‘Crazy For You’ – reissue
‘Rescue Me’
‘Holiday’ – third release
‘Justify My Love’
‘Crazy For You’ – reissue
‘Rescue Me’
‘Holiday’ – third release
6. UK Release and Chart Performance
‘The Immaculate Collection’ was released in the UK on 24th November 1990. It stayed atop the UK Albums chart for nine weeks, breaking the record for the longest consecutive weeks at #1 by a solo female artist, a record that would not be matched until 2011 by Adele's album ‘21’.
To date, ‘The Immaculate Collection’ has spent 242 weeks on the UK chart and is by far Madonna’s most successful album (the runner up being ‘Like A Virgin’ with 152 weeks).
In the UK, ‘The Immaculate Collection’ was certified 12× Platinum by BPI for shipment of 3.6 million copies. It remained the best-selling album by a female artist in the UK for eleven years, until the release of Adele's ‘21’.
To date, ‘The Immaculate Collection’ has spent 242 weeks on the UK chart and is by far Madonna’s most successful album (the runner up being ‘Like A Virgin’ with 152 weeks).
In the UK, ‘The Immaculate Collection’ was certified 12× Platinum by BPI for shipment of 3.6 million copies. It remained the best-selling album by a female artist in the UK for eleven years, until the release of Adele's ‘21’.
7. UK Collectables and Variations
The centrepiece collectable is a limited edition set entitled 'The Royal Box' which included a Satin CD Digipak, a VHS video, postcards and poster. The video also included the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards performance of ‘Vogue’. The video within this set was packaged in a cardboard slip-sleeve rather than the standard plastic case which makes it unique to this 'box'.
Collectors should note there is also a US version which was released with a cassette instead of the CD
'The Immaculate Collection' ("IC") shares a similarity with 'True Blue' in that it is the only other LP (as far as is known) where there is a scarce UK vinyl pressing alongside the standard German issue. Again it is distinguishable by the lack of a GEMA box on the record labels along with the absence of a 'Made in Germany' credit on the rear sleeve. The 'Warner' logo is also noticeably larger. Once again the inners come in attractively stiff cardboard.
Initially, it also appeared that IC would disappoint in only being available in the standard formats although this was rectified by the subsequent appearance of a special limited edition boxed set - see 'The Royal Box'.
It should also be pointed out that in addition to the regular formats of vinyl, cassette and CD, the popularity of this particular collection meant is was also used to test the popularity of new digital formats namely the 'Digital Compact Cassette' and the 'Mini Disc', both of which originated from Holland but were imported into the UK. Neither formats would prove to be successful as they both required potential customers to purchase expensive new equipment as neither were playable in standard cassette/CD players. Consumers proved to be indifferent resulting in very little demand. Accordingly they were not repressed resulting in the limited initial pressings becoming scarce and collectable.
For collectors there are the usual promo editions with generic stickers both for LP and CD versions. The CD is of greater interest as it came sealed with an additional 'contacts' sticker on the front. There is also a 'white label' which is a mis-pressed version of the standard German label. However the rarest item is an Irish demo tape that came with an interesting marketing pack which includes the release date, information on the artiste and album, the use of the new Q-Sound technology and an 'Immaculate Campaign' section detailing the planned marketing blitz.
Finally, there is a bootleg picture disc, issued several years later, which comes in a custom sleeve.
Collectors should note there is also a US version which was released with a cassette instead of the CD
'The Immaculate Collection' ("IC") shares a similarity with 'True Blue' in that it is the only other LP (as far as is known) where there is a scarce UK vinyl pressing alongside the standard German issue. Again it is distinguishable by the lack of a GEMA box on the record labels along with the absence of a 'Made in Germany' credit on the rear sleeve. The 'Warner' logo is also noticeably larger. Once again the inners come in attractively stiff cardboard.
Initially, it also appeared that IC would disappoint in only being available in the standard formats although this was rectified by the subsequent appearance of a special limited edition boxed set - see 'The Royal Box'.
It should also be pointed out that in addition to the regular formats of vinyl, cassette and CD, the popularity of this particular collection meant is was also used to test the popularity of new digital formats namely the 'Digital Compact Cassette' and the 'Mini Disc', both of which originated from Holland but were imported into the UK. Neither formats would prove to be successful as they both required potential customers to purchase expensive new equipment as neither were playable in standard cassette/CD players. Consumers proved to be indifferent resulting in very little demand. Accordingly they were not repressed resulting in the limited initial pressings becoming scarce and collectable.
For collectors there are the usual promo editions with generic stickers both for LP and CD versions. The CD is of greater interest as it came sealed with an additional 'contacts' sticker on the front. There is also a 'white label' which is a mis-pressed version of the standard German label. However the rarest item is an Irish demo tape that came with an interesting marketing pack which includes the release date, information on the artiste and album, the use of the new Q-Sound technology and an 'Immaculate Campaign' section detailing the planned marketing blitz.
Finally, there is a bootleg picture disc, issued several years later, which comes in a custom sleeve.
LP - Standard German Pressing
LP - Rare UK Pressing with alternate label design
LP - German pressing with mispressed white label
Cassette
Compact Disc
Compact Discs - reissue with 'Brit Awards Nominee' sticker
Digital Cassette
Digital Mini Disc
The Royal Box - Limited Edition Box Set
LP - Bootleg Picture Disc
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© madonna-decade 2013
© madonna-decade 2013