What was Madonna's first hit single?

Madonna’s first hit single was “Holiday.” Released in 1983, the upbeat dance track became her breakthrough record and introduced her club-focused sound to a much wider audience.

“Holiday” was written by Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens and recorded for Madonna’s self-titled debut album. John “Jellybean” Benitez helped shape the production, giving the song its crisp drum-machine groove and bright, celebratory feel. Sire Records released it in the United States on September 7, 1983.

The song became Madonna’s first number one on a Billboard chart when it topped the Dance Club Songs chart. It later reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her first major mainstream American hit. “Holiday” was initially paired with “Lucky Star” as a double A-side in some releases, which can cause confusion about which song came first.

Madonna had already released “Everybody,” a successful club single, but “Holiday” was the record that clearly established her as a pop star. It also became a long-running concert staple, appearing on nearly all of her tours.