On May 9, 1989 Madonna released, “Express Yourself.”
Madonna – “Express Yourself”
Warner Brothers Records
The single was from Madonna’s fourth album, “Like a Prayer,” and it emphasized that anyone should never suppress who they really are, particularly women, accepting the best for oneself. The video features Madonna dressed glamorously (in a gown holding a black cat and in a suit), surrounded by muscular men in a city full of skyscrapers.
Madonna in her video for “Express Yourself”
Warner Brothers Records
Music video to “Express Yourself”:
The song was a critical and commercial success, achieving positive reviews, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and number one on the Billboard Dance Music chart. The song, as well as the video, has been a huge influence in today’s pop stars, most notably Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera, which is seen in Gaga’s “Born this Way” and Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight.”
Christina Aguilera paying homage to Madonna in her “Not Myself Music Video”
Warner Brothers Records / RCA Records
Random Pop Culture Fact: At $5 million, the video to “Express Yourself” is the third most expensive video of all time, with Michael and Janet Jackson’s video for “Scream” at number one at a budget of $7 million.
