On this day: Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” tops Billboard 200 for 3 weeks

Madonna is a household name in the entertainment industry having made headlines as a singer, songwriter and actress for decades. But on this day in 1985, she earned herself a huge milestone that is worth noting.

For a career that spanned several decades and claimed over 300 awards including seven Grammy accolades, this is not piece of news but we share it for one singular reason. Like A Virgin was Madonna’s second studio album. Her self-titled debut album was selling quite good and the release of the second album had to be delayed to enhance the sales of the first as the sales was approaching two million sales in the United States.

However, following its release which saw it debut on number 70 on the Billboard 200 issued on December 1, 1984. The album reached the top 10 seven days later on December 8 but soon reached the top of the charts on February 9, 1985 and maintained top spot for three weeks. It was the first female artist album to be certified for sales of five million copies in the United States following its certification in July 1985. This was preceded by the album making 3.5 million sales in 14 weeks.

Like a Virgin was subsequently certified diamond for shipment of 10 million copies and the album was number 3 on the year-end chart while Madonna was the top pop artist o the year.

Generally, Like a Virgin reached number one in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain while peaking emerging in the top five in many other countries, including Austria, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland. It also enjoyed two alternative weeks of chart topping in the United Kingdom and spent an entire 152 weeks in the UK albums charts.

Meanwhile, Madonna has responded to criticism of her face when she appeared at the Grammy awards 2023. She made a post on Instagram in reaction to comments online about her appearance.

“Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim- Many people chose to only talk about Close-up photos of me Taken with a long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone’s face!!

“Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny That permeates the world we live in.
A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous,” parts of the post read.