Madonnapedia
"Holiday"
Released September 7, 1983
Length 6:08 (Album Version)
Writer(s) Curtis Hudson
Lisa Stevens
Producer(s) John Benitez

track listing

I Know It
Think of Me

"Holiday" is a song by Madonna from her debut self titled studio album Madonna. It was released as the third single from the album on September 7, 1983.

Background[]

This was written by Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens, who were members of Pure Energy, a Dance/Pop group from East Orange, New Jersey. The song was produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez, a club DJ who was having an affair with Madonna at the time. Benitez went on to become a prolific producer. Jellybean and Pure Energy worked together on a number of projects. This was offered to Mary Wilson, a former member of The Supremes, but she turned it down.

Composition[]

The song consists of a four-bar sequence, featuring instrumentation from guitars, electronic drums and handclaps from the Oberheim DMX, cowbell played by Madonna and a synthesized string arrangement.

Alternate Mixes[]

  • Holiday (7" Edit) - 4:10
  • Holiday (You Can Dance Mix) - 6:32
  • Holiday (You Can Dance Single Edit) - 4:14
  • Holiday (Q-Sound Mix) - 4:06

Cross references[]

Music Video[]

Madonna_-_Holiday_(Live_Aid_1985)

Madonna - Holiday (Live Aid 1985)

Performed Live in Philadelphia, USA on July 13, 1985 for Live Aid

Lyrics[]

Holiday, celebrate
Holiday, celebrate

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be
It would be so nice
Everybody spread the word
We're gonna have a celebration
All across the world
In every nation
It's time for the good times
Forget about the bad times
One day to come together
To release the pressure
We need a holiday
If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be
It would be so nice

You can turn this world around
And bring back all of those happy days
Put your trouble down
It's time to celebrate
Let love shine
And we will find
A way to come together
And make things better
We need a holiday
If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be
It would be so nice

Holiday, celebrate
Holiday, celebrate

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be
It would be so nice