Celebration (Madonna song)
"Celebration" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Madonna for her third greatest hits album of the same name (2009). It was written and produced by Madonna, Paul Oakenfold and Ian Green, with additional writing from Ciaran Gribbin. The song was released digitally on July 31, 2009, by Warner Bros. Records.[1] Madonna collaborated with Oakenfold to develop a number of songs. Amongst all the songs developed by them, two were chosen for the greatest hits album with "Celebration" being released as the first single from it. It is a dance-oriented song with influences of Madonna's singles from the 1980s and 1990s, and consisting of a speak-sing format bridge. The lyrics of the song invite one to come and join a party.
"Celebration"
July 31, 2009
April 2009
WEA Studios
3:35
- Madonna
- Paul Oakenfold
- Ian Green
- Ciaran Gribbin
- Madonna
- Paul Oakenfold
"Celebration" received mixed reviews from contemporary critics. It peaked at number one in Bulgaria, Finland, Israel, Italy, Slovakia and Sweden, while reaching the top five in other nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom where it debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart. It became Madonna's 55th entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it debuted and peaked at number 71, and her 40th number-one song on the dance chart.
The music video used the Benny Benassi remix of the song. It portrayed Madonna and her tour dancers solo dancing to the song. Cameo appearances were made by model Jesus Luz and in an alternative video by her daughter Lourdes. At the 2010 Grammy Awards, the song received a nomination in the Best Dance Recording category. The song was used as the closing number of The MDNA Tour (2012), in which Madonna energetically danced in a glittery outfit and, at one point, put on a pair of headphones and pantomimed scratching records with colored cubes falling in the backdrop.
Composition[edit]
James Montgomery from MTV News described "Celebration" as a sleek dance-oriented track with influences of previous dance singles by Madonna from the early 90s such as, "Vogue" (1990) and "Deeper and Deeper" (1992).[7] It has a pumping, house composition which Oakenfold described as "lyrically classic Madonna with an edgy modern sound."[3] Jude Rogers of The Guardian described "Celebration" as a "Paul Oakenfold EDM co-write [...] with shadows of her [Madonna's] old selves".[8] Influences of Europop are found in the song, but not to the extent of Madonna's 2005 single "Hung Up".[9] According to a writer from the Los Angeles Times, the song has a highly energetic synth-pop groove while referencing 80s Madonna songs. The bridge is in a speak-sing format, where Madonna's voice, consisting of a little edge, declares that "I [didn't] recognize you with your clothes on."[9]
"Celebration" is set in the time signature of common time with a dance beat tempo of 126 beats per minute. It is set in the key of B minor with Madonna's voice spanning from F♯3 to B4. The song has a basic sequence of Em–F♯m–Bm–Bm as its chord progression.[10] The lyrics call the listener to join in a party and celebrate.[7] They are written in the form of an invitation, which asks one to come and join "the dance of life."[11] Stephen M. Deusner of Pitchfork explained that the song is "personality-driven pop", meaning that the lyrics and the melody becomes immaterial to the fact that Madonna is singing the song.[12]
Critical reception[edit]
Todd Martens from the Los Angeles Times stated that "Celebration" works as a throwaway, midsummer dance pop number. However, he felt that the song had modest goals, "at least by Madonna's standards. Even when it gets a bit risque [...] silliness rules the day. She invites us 'to the dance of life,' and coasts over the chorus." He went on to add that the song "is an effective look back, a gliding, reassuring number that she [Madonna] hasn't forgotten her beginning. But rather than instill a sense of nostalgia, everything feels a bit obligatory. The sound of an artist, hopefully, ready for the next chapter."[9] Michael Slezak from Entertainment Weekly called the song "unapologetically dance-y" but felt "disappointed that lyrically, Madonna seems to be revisiting the 'Party! Get on the floor!' theme for the umpteenth time without even the slightest bit of linguistic flair."[11] Chris Williams from Billboard said that "Madonna's latest single won't start any new trends, but it does return the singer to her dance-floor roots." It further added that "'Celebration' [is] a score for Madonna's retro-futuristic fan base and a nice bookend to her collection of chart glories."[13] Medium's Richard LaBeau gave a mixed review: "clearly designed exclusively for the clubs and probably written and produced in the span of an hour, this song is hardly the best of her dance club hits, but it works much better than it needs to".[14]
James Montgomery from MTV commented: "[The song is] all pulsing sirens, wobbly bass and four-on-the-floor beat, with an expansive electro chorus that sounds like a truckload of Nintendo Entertainment Systems exploding in unison (only sexier)."[15] Frase McAlpine from BBC gave the song three out five stars and said: "I can't be the only person in the world who is slightly disappointed that this song isn't a jaunty '80 syn-disco rave up, in which Madge skips around in a big pink wig, like she used to in the olden days." He went on to add that "Celebration" is a decent dance track for Madonna to play on her tours.[16] Stephen M. Deusner of Pitchfork complimented the song, calling it "personality-driven pop" in which Madonna has never sounded more convincing. Deusner added that the track sounds like "it's conjuring several of Madonna's younger selves" in its modest goal to just make people move.[12] Sarah Crompton from The Daily Telegraph said that the song is infinitely forgettable.[17] Popjustice named the song one of the best 100 singles of 2009.[18] Louis Virtel of The Backlot included the song at number 65 on his list of "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs," referring to the track as a "rollicking dance jam" that is a "perfect companion piece to [Madonna's] other testament to celebration, 'Holiday'.”[19] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine criticized the track, saying that it had "zero-traction" and found its lyrics as shallow.[20]
At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, the song received a nomination in the Best Dance Recording category.[21] While ranking Madonna's singles in honor of her 60th birthday, Jude Rogers from The Guardian placed the track at number 70, writing that "this Paul Oakenfold EDM co-write for her third Best-Of shadows of her old selves, unfortunately more light is required".[22]
Chart performance[edit]
In the United States, "Celebration" debuted and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 71 on the issue dated August 22, 2009. The song became Madonna's 55th entry on the chart.[23] It debuted on the Hot Dance Club Songs and Hot Dance Airplay charts at numbers 29 and seven, respectively.[24] On the issue of September 26, 2009, "Celebration" became Madonna's 40th number-one song on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, the most for an artist.[25] The song also debuted on the Adult Pop Songs chart at number 36.[26] "Celebration" has sold 192,000 digital downloads in the United States as of April 2010.[27] In Canada, the song debuted at number 56 on the Canadian Hot 100 and reached a peak of five the next week, becoming the week's airplay gainer.[28]
It also debuted at 48 in Spain and made a top-five debut at three in Finland. The next week, the song reached the top of the chart in Finland, where it remained for six non-consecutive weeks, and was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.[29][30] Other debuts were in Ireland at 33, and 31 in Sweden where it jumped to number-one the next week.[31][32] On August 30, 2009, "Celebration" debuted at number 40 on the Australian Singles Chart.[33] The song also debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number three on the issue dated September 20, 2009, becoming her 60th top ten single, and until 2024 was her last UK Top 10 hit in that country, until the release of The Weeknd's "Popular" which co-featured her and Playboi Carti. [34] It also became the first ever number one in the Scottish singles chart, staying at the top spot for 2 weeks there.[35][36] In Italy, the song debuted at the top of the chart and was certified platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry (FIMI) for shipment of 60,000 copies of the single.[37][38] The song peaked at number four on the Danish Singles Chart and was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for shipment of 15,000 copies of the single.[39][40]
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[70]