Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Released in 1987, “La Isla Bonita” was one of the standout singles from Madonna’s third studio album, True Blue. Written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch, the song marked a departure from some of her earlier dance-pop material, incorporating Latin-inspired rhythms, Spanish guitar and tropical influences to create a warm, romantic sound. Produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, it demonstrated her ability to continually reinvent her musical style.
The song paints an idealised picture of a beautiful island, inspired partly by San Pedro, Belize, and captures the feeling of longing for somewhere exotic and carefree. Madonna’s gentle vocal performance gives the recording an intimate quality, while Spanish-style guitar, Latin percussion, keyboards and subtle backing vocals create its distinctive atmosphere. The memorable melody and softly swaying rhythm give the song an almost dreamlike quality, making it one of the most recognisable recordings of her career.
“La Isla Bonita” became another major UK success for Madonna, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and helping extend the remarkable run of hits from True Blue. Its combination of Latin influences and mainstream pop production also helped bring elements of Spanish and Latin musical styles further into the international pop mainstream.
The accompanying video, featuring Madonna alongside actor Benicio del Toro’s brother Gustavo, reinforced the song’s romantic, Mediterranean-inspired imagery. Today, “La Isla Bonita” remains one of Madonna’s most enduring 1980s recordings, celebrated for its beautiful melody, distinctive arrangement and timeless sense of escapism.
It peaked at No. 01 in the UK Singles Chart on 25th April 1987.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | La Isla Bonita (Remix) (4:01) (Madonna, Stephen Bray, Bruce Gaitsch) Produced By Madonna, Stephen Bray |
| B-Side | La Isla Bonita (Instrumental Edit] (4:20) (Madonna, Stephen Bray, Bruce Gaitsch) Produced By Madonna, Stephen Bray |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [10 Weeks] – 4th April 1987 – 6th June 1987 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- La Isla Bonita (Remix) (Single Version) (4:01)
- La Isla Bonita (Instrumental Edit) (4:20)
- La Isla Bonita (Extended Remix) (5:28)
- La Isla Bonita (Immaculate Collection Remix) (3:45)
- La Isla Bonita (Instrumental Version) (5:20)
- La Isla Bonita (Album Version) (4:03)
To hear the FULL version of the songs below, you will need an active Spotify account (Free one). Just log in on your desktop/tablet or phone to hear the FULL versions.
OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
¿Cómo puede ser verdad?
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
Just like I’d never gone, I knew the song
Young girl with eyes like the desert
It all seems like yesterday, not far away
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
I fell in love with San Pedro
Warm wind carried on the sea, he called to me
Te dijo, “Te amo”
I prayed that the days would last, they went so fast
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
I want to be where the sun warms the sky
When it’s time for siesta, you can watch them go by
Beautiful faces, no cares in this world
Where a girl loves a boy, and a boy loves a girl
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
It all seems like yesterday, not far away
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
(Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa)
Tropical the island breeze, all of nature wild and free
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
This is where I long to be, La Isla Bonita
And when the samba played, the sun would set so high
(Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes, your Spanish lullaby
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Te dijo, “Te amo”
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Él dijo que te ama
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa (Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah)
La Isla Bonita
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Spanish lullaby
Written By Madonna, Stephen Bray, Bruce Gaitsch
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