Many consider the years from 1989 to 1990 to be Madonna's creative and commercial peak. During these short two years, Madonna released three albums and eight singles, including what is widely regarded as the biggest hit and best song of her career: "Vogue." Following in the footsteps of past hits like "Holiday" and "Into the Groove" and continuing into 2000 with "Music," "Vogue" celebrated sheer pop joy and the pleasure of setting yourself free on the dance floor. The image of Madonna "striking a pose" has become possibly the most famous image of the Queen of Pop, and the song itself is one of her most timeless classics. A simple glance at its peak positions on the various charts also reveals that it was a massive hit at the time of its release, and is also her best-selling single ever, certified for 2 million copies sold.

It's fitting then that "Vogue" has its own Cinderella story, which has become a true Madonna legend. Madonna got together with producer Shep Pettibone to make a B-side for "Keep It Together," the final single from "Like A Prayer." The two worked together and came up with "Vogue," and presented the track to her record company. Immediately sensing that this song was far too big to be relegated to a B-side, the suits at Warner Bros. released the song as its own single shortly after "Keep It Together" ran its course on the charts. At the same time, Madonna was promoting her new film "Dick Tracy" with a soundtrack of 30's-style songs called "I'm Breathless." At the last minute, "Vogue" was added to the soundtrack, despite sounding nothing like the other songs on "I'm Breathless" and having no relevance to the film. "I'm Breathless" went on to sell two million copies.

"Vogue" also had one of Madonna's best videos of her career, directed by fan favorite David Fincher. Madonna vamped it up in various outfits, hairstyles, and sets. She and her back-up dancers heeded her call to "strike a pose," and the black and white shoot contributed to the golden-era feel of the clip. Madonna also gave an incredible performance of "Vogue" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards. Dressed in 16th-century style fashion, she was joined by back-up singers Donna Delory and Niki Harris, as well as a variety of back-up dancers who joined her for a remarkably choreographed routine.

TRIVIA: Although "Vogue" received its own proper single in most countries, Australia followed the original plan and released it as the B-side to "Keep It Together." Undoubtedly "Vogue" became the stronger selling point and propelled the song to the top of the Australian charts for five weeks. Also, many chart-watching fans believe that "Vogue" would have had an even more impressive run in the United States had it been released under the Soundscan/BDS system Billboard instituted in 1991. Since Soundscan, Billboard's #1 hits have tended to have longer runs in the top spot, and "Vogue" could easily have spent more weeks at number one than hits like "Take A Bow," "Music," and "Like A Virgin."