In the spring of 1984, Holland met Madonna through Holiday. In November she scored her second hit with Material Girl and it would also be her first top 10 hit.

Material Girl is the second single from the album Like A Virgin. In the Netherlands, the single did not surpass number 8, where it managed to score a top 3 hit in both the UK and the US. For Material Girl you can recognize the bass line in Can You Feel It by The Jacksons and there is also a major resemblance to You Should Hear How She Talks To You. The song was recorded in 1982 by Melissa Manchester. American singer and actress started her career in The Harlettes. The group was formed by Barry Manilow as backing vocalist for Bette Midler.

In 1973, Melissa hit the charts with Midnight Blue. Later also appeared Come In From The Rain (1976), a song which was later adopted by Mel Torme and also Diana Ross.

Melissa received a Grammy Award for You Should Hear How She Talks To You. Of the song he said: “It’s a great song but for me it’s certainly not what I usually do because I’m actually a singer.” Larry Williams, Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro, among others, contributed to the song. It became a top 5 hit in the US, Australia and Canada.

Madonna is not only inspired by her music. The video clip also makes reference to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in which Marylin Monroe sings Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend. Madonna honors success and materialism with her songs.

You can read more about the origin of the Top 40 hits here originalhits.nl

(16/07/2023)