The Immaculate Collection
A sepia toned image of Madonna with short, brunette hair and a bowler hat looking towards the camera.
Video by
Madonna
ReleasedNovember 13, 1990
Recorded1983–90
Length60:00
Label
Director
Madonna video chronology
Ciao Italia: Live from Italy
(1988)		 The Immaculate Collection
(1990)		 Blond Ambition World Tour Live
(1990)

The Immaculate Collection is the second music video compilation by American singer-songwriter Madonna. Released by Warner Music Vision, Warner Reprise Video and Sire Records on November 13, 1990, to accompany the audio release, it contained music videos for the singer's singles released between 1983 and 1990. Although it did not contain all of Madonna's music videos at that point, the collection marks the first time the clip for "Oh Father" (1989) was commercially available worldwide, as it was first limited to the United States.

The Immaculate Collection received positive reviews from music critics, who saw it as a consistent collection of Madonna's videography. In the United States, the release reached number one on the Top Music Videos chart, and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of over 300,000 copies across the country. It also topped the charts in Canada and the United Kingdom. The Immaculate Collection won the prize for "Best Long Form Video" at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards.

Background and release

By the end of the 1980s, Madonna had become the biggest female singles artist in history, with the most number-one and top-ten hit songs by a woman in both the United States and the United Kingdom.[1][2] J. Randy Taraborrelli, author of Madonna: An Intimate Biography, noted that a Madonna's greatest hits album was ready by that point, serving as "a proud landmark" of her career which had progressed upwards since she entered the music scene in 1982.[3] Following the completion of the 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour, Madonna began rushing the project aimed to be released in time for the year's Christmas season, working on new material for the album with Shep Pettibone and Lenny Kravitz.[4][5] The Immaculate Collection contains fifteen previously released Madonna singles in chronological order, from "Holiday" (1983) to "Vogue" (1990). All of them were reworked using QSound by Pettibone, alongside Goh Hotoda and Michael Hutchinson.[6] Two new songs, "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me", were included on the album in order to generate public interest, and were later released as singles from the project.[7]

The video album was released on VHS and LaserDisc on November 13, 1990 on the same day as the audio release, containing thirteen music videos, including the live performance of "Vogue" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.[8][9][10] A total of fourteen of Madonna's music videos were absent from the collection, notably the film soundtracks;[10] Rikky Rooksby wrote on The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna that the video was "far from being a complete roll-call of the videos of Madonna's numerous hit singles". He also noted that it marks the first worldwide release of the video to "Oh Father" (1989), which was originally made to support its single release in the United States.[7] A box set titled The Royal Box was issued on December 4, 1990, containing the audio and video versions of the release, a poster, and postcards.[11] The video was released on DVD on June 8, 1999.[12][13] It was later included in the box sets The Ultimate Collection (2000), which also contained its follow-up The Video Collection 93:99 (1999),[14][15] and The Madonna Collection (2000), which also included Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (1985) and The Girlie Show: Live Down Under (1994).[16]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Los Angeles Times[17]
Select[10]

The Immaculate Collection received positive reviews from music critics. Rooksby stated that "if you don't own any Madonna videos, and you'd like to, this is probably the one to start with."[7] Giving the release a positive review and giving five out of five stars, Russell Brown from Select magazine noted the absence of many of Madonna's videos, and felt that from "Like a Prayer" (1989), "anything subsequent had to be a let-down", but called the video for "Cherish" (1989) a "return to form", and concluded: "So there it is: good sex, bad sex, dominance, submission, money, religion, race, image, reality, sleaze and innocence. Pop culture comes no better and we should be grateful."[10] According to Greg Kot of Chicago Tribune, the video "give[s] a good overview of Madonna's eight-year career."[18]

Writing a review for Music Week, Selina Webb opined that from "Material Girl" (1985) onwards, "a glossy sheen replaces the do-it-yourself styling and Madonna's evolution from alternative pop bimbo to internationally acclaimed artist is brought into sharp focus", also pointing out that her most recent videos in the collection "demonstrate what can be achieved with huge budgets".[19] Giving the release three out of four stars, Los Angeles Times' Chris Willman felt that "the imagery in almost all of the dozen clips collected here has already entered the realm of popular fantasy", but pointed out that "yet few of these hold up as great videos", highlighting "Open Your Heart" (1986) as the only "close-to-brilliant" video.[17] The Immaculate Collection eventually won "Best Long Form Video" category at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, in the ceremony held on September 5, 1991.[20] However, Madonna was not a recipient as she was not the video's producer.[21]

Commercial performance

In the United States, The Immaculate Collection debuted at number four on Billboard's Top Music Videos for the week dated December 8, 1990, and number 14 on the Top Videos Sales chart.[22] Eventually, the video compilation reached the number one in the Top Music Videos.[23] It was eventually certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 20, 1994, denoting shipments of over 300,000 copies across the United States.[24] After Nielsen Soundscan started tracking sales from March 1991, the video has sold 291,000 copies in the region as of 2010.[25] Elsewhere, it topped the charts in the United Kingdom and Canada,[26][27] becoming the first longform record to enter at number one on the RPM video chart in the latter country.[28] Across Europe, the video compilation moved 300,000 units as of January 1991.[29] Upon its release on DVD in 1999, The Immaculate Collection reached the top 10 in Denmark and the United Kingdom,[30][31] while peaking within the top 20 in Greece and Portugal.[32][33]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Director(s)Length
1."Lucky Star"MadonnaArthur Pierson3:30
2."Borderline"Reggie LucasMary Lambert3:57
3."Like a Virgin"
Lambert3:50
4."Material Girl"
Lambert4:43
5."Papa Don't Preach"
  • Brian Elliot
  • Madonna
James Foley5:06
6."Open Your Heart"
  • Madonna
  • Gardner Cole
  • Peter Rafelson
Jean-Baptiste Mondino4:26
7."La Isla Bonita"
Lambert4:01
8."Like a Prayer"
  • Madonna
  • Leonard
Lambert5:39
9."Express Yourself"
  • Madonna
  • Bray
David Fincher5:02
10."Cherish"
  • Madonna
  • Leonard
Herb Ritts4:34
11."Oh Father"
  • Madonna
  • Leonard
Fincher4:54
12."Vogue"
Fincher4:54
13."Vogue" (live at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards)
  • Madonna
  • Pettibone
 6:25
Notes
  • "Lucky Star": VHS and Laserdisc editions include the original version of the video,[34][35] while the DVD format includes the US remix version.[36]
  • "Express Yourself": features an edited version of the video, which is based on the 7-inch version instead of the Shep Pettibone video remix.[36]

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from the liner notes of The Immaculate Collection.[36]

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales of The Immaculate Collection
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[43]
Video album 		2× Platinum 120,000^
Argentina (CAPIF)[43]
DVD-5 edition 		Platinum 8,000^
Australia (ARIA)[44] 3× Platinum 45,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[45] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[46] Gold 25,000^
Italy — 16,000[47]
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Platinum 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[24] 3× Platinum 300,000^
Summaries
Europe — 300,000[29]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ McAleer, Dave (1990). The Omnibus Book of British and American Hit Singles, 1960–1990. Omnibus Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7119-2180-1.
  2. ↑ "Finally. A greatest hits album that lives up to its name" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 45. November 10, 1990. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2001). Madonna: An Intimate Biography. Simon & Schuster. pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-0-330-45446-9.
  4. ↑ Bego, Mark (2000). Madonna: Blonde Ambition. Cooper Square Press. p. 256. ISBN 978-0-8154-1051-5.
  5. ↑ Flick, Larry (October 13, 1990). "Inner City On 'Fire'; Capitol Catches Disco Fever" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 41. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ Pettibone, Shep. "Erotica Diaries". ShepPettibone.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 Rooksby, Rikky (2004). Madonna: The Complete Guide to Her Music. Omnibus Press. pp. 82, 92. ISBN 978-0-7119-9883-4.
  8. ↑ Arnold, Gina; Cookney, Daniel; Fairclough, Kirsty; Michael, Goddard (2017). Music/Video: Histories, Aesthetics, Media. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-5013-1390-5.
  9. ↑ Hardy, Ernest (October 27, 1990). "Dance/Rap: A Couple of Video Compilations" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 54, no. 13. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Russell (January 1991). "Madonna: The Immaculate Progression". Select. 7 (1): 41–42. ISSN 0959-8367.
  11. ↑ "Boxed-Set Onslaught Gets Mixed Reaction" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 49. December 8, 1990. p. 81. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  12. ↑ "The Immaculate Collection DVD debuts". Madonna.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Video: New This Week" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1302. June 4, 1999. p. 22. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  14. ↑ Madonna (2000). The Ultimate Collection (Liner notes). United Kingdom: Warner Music Vision. 7599-38519-3. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via Amazon.com.
  15. ↑ "See the best, hear the best". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 45. November 6, 1999. p. 3. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  16. ↑ Madonna (2000). The Madonna Collection (Liner notes). Germany: Warner Music Vision. 7599-38517-3. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via Eil.com.
  17. 1 2 Willman, Chris (November 25, 1990). "Only a Few Jewels From the Material Girl". Los Angeles Times. p. 62. Retrieved January 22, 2023. (subscription required)
  18. ↑ Kot, Greg (December 16, 1990). "Shocking suffers". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. Retrieved January 22, 2023. (subscription required)
  19. ↑ Webb, Selina (November 17, 1990). "Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ "1991 MTV Video Music Awards". MTV. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  21. ↑ Rettenmund, Matthew (1995). Encyclopedia Madonnica. St. Martin's Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-312-11782-5.
  22. ↑ "Top Video Sales | Top Music Videos" (PDF). Billboard. December 8, 1990. pp. 61–62. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  23. 1 2 "Top Video Sales | Top Music Videos" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 3. January 19, 1991. pp. 56, 58. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  24. 1 2 "American video certifications – Madonna – The Immaculate Collection". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  25. ↑ Grein, Paul (September 2, 2010). "Week Ending Aug. 29, 2010: Life's Ups & Downs". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on September 7, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Top 15 Music Video" (PDF). Music Week. December 1, 1990. p. 6. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  27. 1 2 "RPM: Long Form Music Videos" (PDF). RPM. February 9, 1991. p. 7. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  28. ↑ Lawless, Jill (December 1, 1990). "Video" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 53, no. 3. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  29. 1 2 White, Chris (January 26, 1991). "EEC Pushes Music-Vid Sell-Through" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 4. p. 79. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Musik DVD Top-10 (UGE 39 - 2001)" (in Danish). Tracklisten. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Official Music Video Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  32. 1 2 "Top 20 DVD/Video: Eβδομάδα 9-15/10". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 14, 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  33. 1 2 "TOP 30 DVD'S MUSICAIS SEMANA 38 de 2004" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  34. ↑ Madonna (1990). The Immaculate Collection (Liner notes). United Kingdom: Warner Music Vision. 7599-38214-3. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Eil.com.
  35. ↑ Madonna (1990). The Immaculate Collection (Liner notes). Germany: Warner Music Vision. 7599-38214-6. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Eil.com.
  36. 1 2 3 Madonna (1990). The Immaculate Collection (Liner notes). United Kingdom: Warner Music Vision. 7599-38195-2. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Eil.com.
  37. ↑ "Top 30 Video" (PDF). Music Week. January 5, 1991. p. vii. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Top Video Sales" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 1. January 5, 1991. p. 45. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  39. ↑ "CAPIF mensual (DVD): Ranking Mensual de DVD Junio - 2004 (Repertorio Todos)" (in Spanish). Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Archived from the original on August 10, 2004. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Charts: Music Video: Year-End" (PDF). Sounds. January 5, 1991. p. 43. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  41. ↑ "1991 The Year in Video: Top Music Videos" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 1. January 4, 1992. p. V-6. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  42. ↑ "1991 The Year in Video: Top Video Sales" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 1. January 4, 1992. p. V-4. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  43. 1 2 "Argentinian video certifications – Madonna – The Immaculate Collection". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Top 40 DVD Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 11, 2006. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Brazilian video certifications – Madonna – The Immaculate Collection" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Madonna; 'The Immaculate Collection')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  47. ↑ Ferraris, Gabriele (June 9, 1991). "Curva in discesa". La Stampa (in Italian). p. 23. Retrieved March 28, 2021. E bisogna tener conto anche del buon risultato dell'monimo video, che sembra incontrare i gusti dei fans italiani: finora se ne sono venduti 16 mila, mentre le precedenti collezioni di clip o riprese live non superano, in genere, quote novemila.
  48. ↑ "British video certifications – Madonna – The Immaculate Collection". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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