Saturday, August 28, 2010

Papa Don't Preach

I Made Up My Mind


In the mid 80's, as her contemporaries ballooned and were drowning in their cemented public images, Madonna opted to crop her hair off, strip away the layered look and exhibited a sculpted physique that would later define that decade. Papa Don't Preach was that moment where Madonna showcased not only the strong vocals on the song but also her wonderful classic 50's Americana style in the accompanying video, directed by James Foley. While we got a little prior glimpse of the upcoming change of sound and look with Live to Tell, this was her real first major metamorphosis since her debut album, Madonna, in 1983.


Prior to Madonna, a star would create a public image and stick with it so the public would be able to identify them. Not so from this moment on. A chameleon by nature, it was innate with Madonna to change. For the others, then and now, it seems forced and expected.