"Causing a Commotion" | ||||
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Single by Madonna | ||||
from the album Who's That Girl | ||||
B-side | "Jimmy, Jimmy" | |||
Released | August 25, 1987 | |||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 4:20 | |||
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Madonna singles chronology | ||||
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Licensed audio | ||||
"Causing a Commotion" on YouTube |
"Causing a Commotion" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack album to the 1987 film Who's That Girl. It was released as the album's second single on August 25, 1987, by Sire Records. Its Silver Screen Single Mix later appeared on the EP The Holiday Collection (1991). Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the song was inspired by her relationship with then-husband Sean Penn, and his abusive and violent nature. Containing a dance-oriented, up-tempo groove, the song begins with the chorus and is accompanied by a four-note descending bassline and staccato chords in the verses.
Since its release, "Causing a Commotion" has received mixed reviews from music critics. The song was a commercial success, peaking within the top-ten in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Madonna performed the song on the Who's That Girl World Tour in 1987 – which was transmitted via satellite to the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards – and the Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. She also performed a brief snippet in selected shows on The Celebration Tour in 2023 and 2024. The performances were included in the home video release of the tours.