Even if you become massively famous for a song, it can still get really, really old to sing it on stage multiple times a year. Just ask Madonna. She famously said in 2008 that she would only perform two of her biggest hits, including a famed No. 1 single, for no less than $30 million.
The songs in question are “Holiday” and “Like A Virgin”. In an interview with Today back in 2008, the pop icon explicitly said that she had no interest in singing certain songs of hers again, including those two.
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“I’m not sure I can sing ‘Holiday’ or ‘Like A Virgin’ ever again,” said Madonna. “I just can’t,” she said. “Unless somebody paid me like $30 million or something.”
She did go back on her word, however. Or maybe she actually did get paid $30 million? Who knows! Either way, take a quick peep at her setlist.fm page. There, you’ll see that “Holiday” and “Like A Virgin” have been performed quite a few times. In fact, “Holiday” remains her most-performed song to date, and “Like A Virgin” clocks in as her fifth most-performed song.
Madonna said she wouldn’t perform “Holiday” in March 2008 and stuck to her guns until August when the song was returned to her setlist. She continues to perform it today. Likewise, “Like A Virgin” returned to her setlist in September of that year. Though, she hasn’t sung “Like A Virgin” live since January 2020.
Madonna Refused To Play These Two Songs for Less Than $30 Million, Then Went Back on Her Word
“Holiday” was Madonna’s very first major hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Released in 1983, this dance-pop post-disco jam peaked at No. 16 on the Hot 100 and topped the US Dance chart. It was also quite a success globally. Today, the song is Certified Platinum in the UK.
“Like A Virgin” might just be Madonna’s most well-known song to date. At the very least, it’s up there. Released in 1984, “Like A Virgin” was Madonna’s first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100, and it also topped numerous additional charts. The song is Certified Gold in both the US and UK. This dance-pop tune would later be credited as one of the most influential songs in pop history, one that encouraged women in music to embrace their sexuality through their art.
Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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