Madonna “Like a Virgin” released 40 years ago today, October 31st 1984. 12″ maxi single, extended dance remix. So many vivid memories of when this song came out – the scandalous title (the song may have helped contribute to the creation of the PMRC), the iconic Venetian gondola video and Madonna’s infamous MTV Video Music Awards (its first year!) stage-writhing-in-a-wedding-dress performance (which I watched and loved though at age 13 not sure I totally understood). Written by songwriting partners Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly and produced by Nile Rodgers, “Like a Virgin” was a monster smash hit, going to #1 in the US (on multiple charts) and to #1 or at least the Top 10 virtually everywhere else in the world. As the lead single from Like a Virgin (released November 12, 1984), it set up the record to also be a massive success with teens lining up at record stores to buy it on its day of release (I didn’t go that far); the LP is still considered to be one of the best releases of the 80’s. In 2023 the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry added Like a Virgin to its collection due to its “cultural, historically and aesthetic significance. The 12″ extended dance remix of the single, courtesy of Jellybean Benitez, is considerably longer than the album version and radio single, with extra synth effects and dance grooves. The b-side of the 12″ is a mid-tempo dance track that also appears on Like a Virgin: “Stay.” I find it to be one of the less interesting songs on the album but it’s a good flipside choice for the single.