La Isla Bonita - Madonna (1987) 1/10/24

Madonna has called today's Great Song of 1987 "A tribute to the beauty and mystery of Latin American people."

"La Isla Bonita" is Spanish for "The Beautiful Island," and according to the song, the island in question is called San Pedro.

For the record, however, the island of San Pedro does not exist. (Madonna herself thought she might have seen a road sign somewhere that mentioned a town or street or something by that name, but wasn't sure.

And as far as I've been able to determine, the composer of the song, Patrick Leonard, who also produced and played percussion on the track, just made it up. Or maybe not.

Fun Fact: Patrick originally pitched the song to Michael Jackson...who--believe it or not--didn't like the title, and turned it down!

Madonna's version is full of Spanish influences: everything from maracas to flamenco guitar to several lines sung in Spanish.

"La Isla Bonita" (from Madonna's "True Blue" Album)"was a top 10 hit in 19 countries, reaching #1 in Austria, France, Switzerland, West Germany, The UK, Canada, and here in the US, where it topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart. It also reached #4 n the Hot 100.

There's no doubt "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna was a Great Song of 1987--muy bueno! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpzdgmqIHOQ

Tomorrow: Poison Roses