True Blue (Madonna song)

"True Blue"
Single by Madonna
from the album True Blue
B-side"Ain't No Big Deal"
ReleasedSeptember 29, 1986
Genre
Length4:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Madonna
  • Stephen Bray
Madonna singles chronology
"Papa Don't Preach"
(1986)
"True Blue"
(1986)
"Open Your Heart"
(1986)
Music video
"True Blue" on YouTube

"True Blue" is a song by American singer Madonna from her third studio album of the same name (1986). Written and produced by the singer and her collaborator Stephen Bray, in Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries, it was released as the album's third single on September 29, 1986. In the United States, it was published on October 9. A dance-pop song that takes influence from Motown and girl groups from the 1950s and 60s, its lyrics address Madonna's feelings for her then-husband Sean Penn.

Critical reception towards "True Blue" was generally positive, with praise being given to its retro, girl group influence. It topped the charts in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland―where it became Madonna's third and fourth number one hit, respectively. In the United States, it reached the third position of the Billboard Hot 100 and was the singer's tenth consecutive top-ten hit.

Two music videos were shot for the song. James Foley directed the official one that aired internationally, which shows Madonna in a 1950s-inspired blue setting, joined by backup singers. In the US, Sire Records teamed up with MTV for a competition called "Madonna's 'Make my Video' Contest". Fans were called on to make their own video and submit them for the singer's approval. The winning clip was shot in sepia and depicted a teenage romance. "True Blue" was included on Madonna's Who's That Girl (1987) and Rebel Heart (2015―2016) concert tours, and has been covered by a handful of artists, including Darren Hayes.