Album of the Day

Madonna is one of the best-selling female artists in pop history, and it all begins with “Holiday,” the third single and first big hit from her eponymous debut released 35 years ago today. Written by Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens of the group Pure Energy, the song had been pitched unsuccessfully to artists including Phyllis Hyman and Mary Wilson before producer John "Jellybean" Benitez pointed it toward Madonna. Celebrating time away from workday pressures and buoyed by a joyful dance-pop arrangement, the track's appeal is near-universal (in a 2005 interview, Madonna declared it her personal favorite), and we'll give “Holiday” another spin as our Song of the Day.