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. 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" 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.

Background

In March 2009, Madonna's representative Liz Rosenberg confirmed that Madonna wrote three new tracks for the compilation album, with Paul Oakenfold being confirmed as producer for two of the new songs. ''Attitude'' magazine reported in an interview with Oakenfold that the tracks he produced with Madonna are called "Broken (I'm Sorry)" and "Celebrate". He stated that the new music is "lyrically classic Madonna with an edgy modern sound." The song "Celebrate", later renamed as "Celebration", has backing music composed by Ciaran Gribbin, Ian Green and Oakenfold, with lyrics and vocal melody composed by Madonna.

According to Gribbin, Madonna approached Oakenfold, asking him what he was working on and whether he would be interested in sending her some material for which she could write lyrics. Oakenfold, along with Green and Gribbin had been working on new tracks for Oakenfold's upcoming album. They sent fifteen of those tracks to Madonna. She chose "Broken" and "Celebration" from them. Then Oakenfold, Gribbin and Green developed the chord structure, arranged the backing track and added guitars, keyboards and drums. Madonna then wrote the lyrics and melody based on this backing track.

Warner Bros. Records announced "Celebration" as the lead single from the album. It was released to radio stations on August 3, 2009, with remixes having been released to dance clubs on July 24, 2009. A world premiere of the Paul Oakenfold 12" Dub version was played on the Pete Tong BBC Radio 1 show on July 24, 2009.

Composition

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). It has a pumping, house composition which Oakenfold described as "lyrically classic Madonna with an edgy modern sound." Jude Rogers of ''The Guardian'' described "Celebration" as a "Paul Oakenfold EDM co-write ..with shadows of her adonna'sold selves". Influences of Europop are found in the song, but not to the extent of previous single, "Hung Up" (2005). 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 idn'trecognize you with your clothes on."

"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 F₃ to B₄. The song has a basic sequence of Em–Fm–Bm–Bm as its chord progression. The lyrics call the listener to join in a party and celebrate. They are written in the form of an invitation, which asks one to come and join "the dance of life." 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.

Critical reception

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 adonnahasn'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." 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." 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' sa score for Madonna's retro-futuristic fan base and a nice bookend to her collection of chart glories." 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".

James Montgomery from MTV commented: "he song isall 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)." Frase McAlpine from BBC
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