Like a Virgin
Madonna
1985
Annual listening-list association, not an original-release-date field. Original release year reconciled with reviewed recording-specific Artist Essentials evidence in v3.6.
Release: 1984
Release: 1984Source checked | Recent carryover
V3.6 reconciles the original release year with the reviewed Artist Essentials entry for this exact retained recording ID. Year precision is used; an album-first release is not silently replaced by a later single, reissue or annual-list year. The selected original recording is documented on Like a Virgin (1984). Year precision does not substitute a later single, video, remaster or annual-list date.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Owner-supplied release annotations
Reported dates in 1984.html, 1985.html, 1985.html. Not independently established; neighboring dates can reflect album/single or regional differences.
Like a Virgin - official original album catalog
Documents the original 1984 album. Original album membership includes Like a Virgin, Material Girl and Dress You Up. Into the Groove was not on this original 1984 edition.
Inspiration and background
Documented songwriting inspiration
Billy Steinberg wrote the lyrics after leaving a difficult relationship and starting a new one. The title conveys emotional renewal rather than a literal claim about sexual experience. Tom Kelly supplied the musical setting, and Madonna recorded the song with Nile Rodgers producing.
Evidence scope: Reviewed secondary account; scope is limited to this paragraph
Sources for this information
Like a Virgin - songwriting and recording history
Background/composition section; paraphrased, not a quotation | Retrieved 2026-10-11
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-backed annual association (secondary source; not a complete discographic review)
Song-specific genre labels located in the cited catalog or secondary source; genre is not a universally fixed classification.
Billboard year-end 1985 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.