Into the Groove

“Into the Groove” was the sixth track from American singer and songwriter Madonna’s re-issue of her second album “Like a Virgin”, which was released in 1985. The song was written by Madonna and her then-boyfriend Stephen Bray, who was an American producer, songwriter and a member of the Breakfast Club (band). Madonna and Bray also produced the song.

“Into the Groove” was initially intended for her friend Mark Kamins (who was a record producer) and believed one of his clients (Chyne) would be perfect for the song. However, Madonna then decided that song would be perfect for a film she was part of in 1985 titled “Desperately Seeking Susan”, so then proceeded to record a version with Bray. The song did not end up appearing on the film’s soundtrack, but was released on the re-issue of Madonna’s second studio album. In many interviews over the years as well as one with Time, Madonna revealed the story behind “Into the Groove”:

“When I was writing it, I was sitting in a fourth-floor walk-up on Avenue-B, and there was this gorgeous Puerto Rican boy sitting across me that I wanted to go out on a date with, and I just wanted to get the song over with. I ultimately did go out with him and the song was finished just before my last date with him, which I’m kinda happy that it did not continue… The dance floor was quite a magical place for me. I started off wanting to be a dancer, so that had a lot to do with the song. The freedom that I always feel when I’m dancing, that feeling of inhabiting your body, letting yourself go, expressing yourself through music. I always thought of it as a magical place – even if you’re not taking ecstasy. Hence that came to me as the primary inspiration for ‘Into the Groove’.”

The music video for “Into the Groove” features clips of Madonna in the “Desperately Seeking Susan” film. The video was uploaded to Madonna’s official YouTube channel in August 2013, and as of January 2021, the video has a total of 39.4 million views and 189 thousand likes.

Release Date: 15th July 1985

Songwriter/s: Madonna & Stephen Bray

Producer/s: Madonna & Stephen Bray

Label/s: Sire & Warner Bros

Music Video Release Date: July 1985

Music Video Director/s: Susan Seidelman & Egbert van Hees

Chart Rankings & Certifications: In its year of release, “Into the Groove” charted at:

– #1 in Australia
– #6 in Austria
– #1 in Belgium
– #1 in Finland
– #2 in France
– #3 in Germany
– #2 in Greece
– #1 in Iceland
– #1 in Ireland
– #1 in Italy
– #1 in the Netherlands
– #1 in New Zealand
– #4 in Norway
– #4 in South Africa
– #1 in Spain
– #3 in Sweden
– #2 in Switzerland
– #1 in the UK
– #1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs
– #19 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

“Into the Groove” is also certified in the following locations:

– Gold in France
– Gold in Italy
– Gold in New Zealand
– Platinum in the UK
– Gold in the US

The lyrics to “Into the Groove” can be accessed here: LINK

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