“Vogue,” released in 1990, is one of Madonna’s most iconic songs, capturing the spirit of dance, fashion, and freedom. Blending house music with pop, the song became an instant global hit, showcasing Madonna’s ability to stay ahead of trends and redefine pop music. “Vogue” is widely regarded as a cultural milestone that brought the underground dance style of voguing into the mainstream, celebrating individuality and expression.

About The Song

• Chart Success: “Vogue” achieved massive commercial success worldwide, topping the charts in over 30 countries, including the United States, where it became Madonna’s seventh No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also a critical success, receiving praise for its catchy beat, infectious hook, and innovative blend of house and pop music. Its popularity helped make I’m Breathless, the album on which it appears, one of Madonna’s best-selling releases.
• Lyrics Interpretation: The lyrics of “Vogue” celebrate the act of dancing and self-expression, encouraging listeners to find freedom and confidence on the dance floor. The song references Hollywood icons like Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean, paying homage to classic glamour and elegance while also highlighting the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can be a star. The line “Strike a pose” became synonymous with confidence and attitude, capturing the essence of self-expression and individuality.
• Visual Elements (Music Video or Film Appearances): The music video for “Vogue,” directed by David Fincher, is one of Madonna’s most iconic. Shot in black and white, the video draws inspiration from 1920s and 1930s Hollywood glamour, featuring Madonna and her dancers performing the distinctive voguing dance style. The video was praised for its high-fashion aesthetics, artistic cinematography, and choreography, and it played a significant role in bringing voguing culture into the mainstream. It remains one of the most celebrated and influential music videos of all time.
• Cultural Impact: “Vogue” brought the underground dance culture of voguing, which originated in Harlem’s LGBTQ+ ballrooms, to a global audience. The song became an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating diversity, freedom, and self-expression. “Vogue” not only popularized a dance style but also highlighted the creativity and resilience of the ballroom scene, contributing to a broader acceptance and visibility of LGBTQ+ culture in mainstream media.
• Live Performances: Madonna’s live performances of “Vogue” are legendary, known for their theatricality, choreography, and bold visuals. The song has been a staple in her concerts, including her iconic performance at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, where she and her dancers recreated a baroque, Marie Antoinette-inspired court scene. Each live rendition of “Vogue” showcases Madonna’s ability to innovate and captivate audiences, reinforcing her reputation as the “Queen of Pop.”

“Vogue” remains one of Madonna’s most celebrated and influential songs, a testament to her ability to capture and shape cultural moments. Its legacy endures as a celebration of self-expression, style, and the transformative power of music and dance.

Video

Lyric

What are you looking at?
Strike a pose
Strike a pose
Vogue (vogue, vogue)
Vogue (vogue, vogue)
Look around, everywhere you turn is heartache
It’s everywhere that you go (look around)
You try everything you can to escape
The pain of life that you know (life that you know)
When all else fails and you long to be
Something better than you are today
I know a place where you can get away
It’s called a dance floor
And here’s what it’s for, so
Come on, vogue (vogue)
Let your body move to the music (move to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue (vogue)
Let your body go with the flow (go with the flow)
You know you can do it
All you need is your own imagination
So use it, that’s what it’s for (that’s what it’s for)
Go inside for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door (open up the door)
It makes no difference if you’re black or white
If you’re a boy or a girl
If the music’s pumping it will give you new life
You’re a superstar
Yes, that’s what you are, you know it
Come on, vogue (vogue)
Let your body groove to the music (groove to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue (vogue, vogue)
Let your body go with the flow (go with the flow)
You know you can do it
Beauty’s where you find it
Not just where you bump and grind it
Soul is in the musical
That’s where I feel so beautiful
Magical, life’s a ball
So get up on the dance floor
Vogue (vogue)
Let your body move to the music (move to the music)
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue (vogue, vogue)
Let your body go with the flow (go with the flow)
You know you can do it
Vogue (vogue)
Beauty’s where you find it (move to the music)
Vogue (vogue)
Beauty’s where you find it (go with the flow)
Greta Garbo and Monroe
Dietrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly, Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance on air
They had style, they had grace
Rita Hayworth gave good face
Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you
Ladies with an attitude
Fellas that were in the mood
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it
Vogue, vogue
Vogue, vogue (move to the music)
Vogue, vogue
Vogue, vogue (go with the flow)
Ooh, you’ve got to
Let your body move to the music
Ooh, you’ve got to just
Let your body go with the flow
Ooh, you’ve got to just…
Vogue (vogue)