Material Girl
Living in a material world where security lasts longer than emotions.
Material Girl is a defining track recorded by American pop singer Madonna for her second studio album, Like a Virgin (1984). Released on January 23, 1985, by the Sire label as the second single from the album, it features synthesizer arrangements and a robotic-sounding voice chant repeating the hook "living in a material world." Written by Peter Brown and Robert Rans and produced by Nile Rodgers, the song identifies with materialism, asking for a rich life and dating only men who can offer this. Madonna stated the concept reflected her life at that time, noting she liked it because it felt provocative. The track became a commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
- Writers
- Peter Brown and Robert Rans
Lore & Background
The song's meaning was often misunderstood as purely autobiographical, yet Madonna clarified her stance in interviews. In 1986, she told Company magazine that while she did not write the song, the concept applied to her situation: "I'm very career-oriented... You are attracted to men who have material things because that's what pays the rents and buys you furs. That's the security. That lasts longer than emotions." Later, in a 2009 Rolling Stone interview with Austin Scaggs, she described the track as ironic and provocative, admitting, "I am not a materialistic person... how can you be like a virgin?" The lyrics explain that Madonna is a "material girl" who will not accept men unable to provide luxuries. Contemporary critics frequently identified it alongside "Like a Virgin" as the songs establishing her as an icon, though some found the work repetitious or immature by later standards.
Reader's Guide
Musically, "Material Girl" is set in common time at 120 beats per minute in the key of C major. It features a basic chord progression of F–G–Em–Am-F-G-C in the chorus, with verses based on the C mixolydian mode to create a hip, swing-like mood. The beat recalls the Jacksons' "Can You Feel It." In terms of chart performance, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at position 43 on February 9, 1985, climbing to number two and spending two weeks there behind REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling" and Phil Collins' "One More Night." It topped the Hot Dance Club Songs but failed to enter the top 40 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, it reached the top five in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and the United Kingdom, where it was certified platinum in August 2023 for over 600,000 units.
Did You Know?
- Madonna has often remarked that she regrets recording the song because its title became a nickname for her in the mainstream media.
- The music video was filmed on January 11, 1985, at Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood, California.
- In 2003, Madonna fans voted "Material Girl" as the 15th best single of all time for a special issue of Q magazine.
- The song features a robotic-sounding male voice, sung by Frank Simms, repeating the hook.
- The video storyline involves a director pretending to be penniless to win Madonna's heart after she rejects his expensive gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the song Material Girl?
Peter Brown and Robert Rans composed the track, which was later produced by Nile Rodgers for Madonna's second album. Their lyrics focus on living in a material world where security outweighs feelings.
When did Material Girl come out as a single?
Although part of the 1984 Like a Virgin album, it was officially released to the public on January 23, 1985. This timing helped solidify Madonna's status as a pop icon during the mid-eighties.
What is the main theme of Material Girl?
The song explores materialism by suggesting that financial stability lasts longer than emotional connections. Madonna explained that the concept mirrored her own aspirations for security at that time in her career.
How successful was Material Girl on the charts?
It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured top five positions in countries like Australia, Canada, and Ireland. This commercial success made it one of her most recognizable early hits.
What musical style defines Material Girl?
The track blends post-disco rhythms with synthesizer arrangements to create a distinct synth-pop sound. Its robotic voice chants reinforce the hook about existing within a material world.
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