LABELS AND TEXT PANELS - National Museum of Women in the Arts

“Escapade”
Written by James Harris III, Janet Jackson and Terry Lewis
Recorded by Janet Jackson
Released on the album Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989
Collection of Janet Jackson
Reproduction
“Escapade” became Janet Jackson’s third Number One single, topping the charts for three weeks in 1990.
MADONNA
Since the Eighties, Madonna has dominated the pop-music world in a way few women ever have. Using
her savvy and her smarts, Madonna has manipulated her image and the media, stirring up frequent controversies,
yet always remaining at or near the top of the charts. Born Madonna Louise Ciccone in Bay City, Michigan, she
moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups
Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983. She followed it with a series of albums on which
she pushed the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music. Her music videos became a fixture on
MTV. Throughout her career, many of her songs have hit Number One, including "Like a Virgin," "Papa Don't
Preach," "Like a Prayer," "Vogue," "Frozen," "Music," "Hung Up" and "4 Minutes." Madonna has been praised by
critics for her diverse musical productions, while at the same time serving as a lightning rod for controversy.
Her career was further enhanced by film appearances that began in 1979. She won critical acclaim and a
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her role in Evita (1996).
Madonna's other ventures include being a fashion designer, children's book author, film director and producer.
She has been acclaimed as a businesswoman, and in 2007, she signed an unprecedented $120 million contract
with Live Nation. Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Madonna Outfit, 1990
Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier
Courtesy of a Private Collector
Madonna wore this iconic outfit onstage during her controversial Blonde Ambition tour. The tour featured multiple
references to both Catholicism and sexuality, causing Pope John Paul II to demand a boycott of the concerts in
Italy; one of three shows was canceled. Rolling Stone described the tour as an “elaborately choreographed,
sexually provocative extravaganza” and proclaimed it “the best tour of 1990.”
Madonna Outfit, 1993
Design by Dolce & Gabbana
Gift of Martin and Barbara Zweig
Madonna wore this outfit during performances on her Girlie Show Tour of 1993.
Madonna Appointment Notebook, 1992
Courtesy of a Private Collector
Madonna was very involved in every aspect of her career, keeping detailed notes on her schedule, tasks and goals.
On this page she reminds herself to contact Saturday Night Live’s Mike Myers to prepare for her SNL appearance
on February 22, 1992.
“Erotica”
Written by Madonna and Shep Pettibone
Recorded by Madonna
Released on the album Erotica, 1992
Courtesy of a Private Collector
“Erotica” was the lead single from Madonna’s 1992 album of the same name. The song was highly controversial
when it was released due to its sexual theme and suggestive lyrics. The single reached Number Three on the pop
chart and Number One on the dance-club chart.
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