Madonna Single: Borderline (1984)

Madonna
“Borderline”

Release: February 15, 1984

1. Borderline (Edit)
2. Think of Me

Producer/Writer: Reggie Lucas

Billboard Hot 100: #10
UK Singles Chart: #2

The success of “Holiday” assured a fourth single would be released from Madonna, and up the chart went “Borderline.” The single became Madonna’s first top 10 U.S. hit, peaking at #10. In Britain, it fared poorly upon initial release, peaking at #56. However, a re-release in January 1986 saw the track climb all the way to #2. The mid-tempo track is very ‘80s sounding and the closest thing to a ballad on Madonna. Again, it’s scored with keyboards, synthesizers, and drum machines.

Although hard to see here, the cover has maps of New York and London in the background, which along with Los Angeles would be the most important cities where Madonna would be based over the course of her career.

Unlike “Holiday,” a stunning video was produced for “Borderline,” one of her best early works. The video was significant for telling a simple narrative story during a time when videos were mostly performances or obvious studio productions. Mary Lambert directed the cut, who would go on to direct other well-known Madonna videos such as “Like a Virgin” and the controversial “Like a Prayer.”