Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' Remains Her Most Iconic and Controversial Hit

The 1984 song and its legendary MTV VMA performance cemented Madonna's status as a pop legend.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring sharp, geometric black silhouettes against a high-contrast red and white background, conceptually representing the bold, iconic imagery of Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' performance.Madonna's legendary 1984 MTV VMA performance of 'Like a Virgin' cemented her status as a pop icon and trailblazer for boundary-pushing female artists.Los Angeles Today

Madonna's 1984 hit 'Like a Virgin' was an instant success, combining a catchy dance-ready beat with lyrics shrouded in innuendo. While the song's title and imagery were controversial at the time, Madonna and the writers intended it to convey a more emotional message about the feeling of a new, exciting love. The song's legendary MTV VMA performance, where Madonna emerged from a wedding cake in a white dress and accidentally exposed her rear, further cemented the track's iconic status and Madonna's reputation as a boundary-pushing artist.

Why it matters

Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' and its accompanying VMA performance challenged prevailing social mores around female sexuality and artistic expression. The song and its visuals paved the way for later pop stars like Britney Spears, Cardi B, and Sabrina Carpenter to embrace bold, unapologetic self-expression. The controversy surrounding the track also highlighted Madonna's skill at generating public attention and her willingness to court scandal in service of her art.

The details

Released in 1984, 'Like a Virgin' was the lead single from Madonna's album of the same name. While the title and lyrics suggested a sexually charged message, Madonna and the song's writers, Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, intended the track to convey a more emotional meaning about the feeling of a new, exciting love. However, much of the public attention focused on the song's surface-level sexuality and innuendos rather than its deeper meaning. Madonna's legendary performance of the song at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, where she emerged from a wedding cake in a white dress and accidentally exposed her rear, further fueled the controversy. Though Madonna's manager at the time feared the performance would end her career, it instead catapulted her into the stratosphere of artistic renown, challenging social norms and paving the way for future generations of boundary-pushing pop stars.

  • Madonna released 'Like a Virgin' as the lead single from her album of the same name in 1984.
  • Madonna performed 'Like a Virgin' at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards in September of that year.

The players

Madonna

A pop music icon known for pushing boundaries and challenging social norms through her music and performances.

Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg

The songwriters who wrote 'Like a Virgin' and intended the lyrics to convey a more emotional message about new love.

Freddy DeMann

Madonna's manager at the time, who was initially concerned that her controversial VMA performance would end her career.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Those were the days when you shouldn't show your butt to have a career—now it's the opposite.'”

— Madonna

“'He was white as a ghost. He was very disappointed in me, because I was rolling around on the floor, my dress went up, and you could see my underpants. What was I thinking? ...It was scary and fun, and I didn't know what it meant for my future.'”

— Madonna

The takeaway

Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' and its iconic MTV VMA performance challenged social norms around female sexuality and artistic expression, paving the way for future generations of boundary-pushing pop stars. The song's enduring popularity and cultural impact demonstrate Madonna's skill at generating public attention and her willingness to court controversy in service of her art.