Born and raised in Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing as a drummer, guitarist, and vocalist in the rock bands Breakfast Club and Emmy, she rose to solo stardom with her debut studio album, Madonna (1983). She followed it with a series of successful albums, including all-time bestsellers Like a Virgin (1984) and True Blue (1986) as well as Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Madonna has amassed many number-one singles throughout her career, including "Like a Virgin", "La Isla Bonita", "Like a Prayer", "Vogue", "Take a Bow", "Frozen", "Music", "Hung Up", and "4 Minutes".
Madonna's popularity was enhanced by roles in films such as Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992), and Evita (1996). While Evita won her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, many of her other films received poor reviews. As a businesswoman, Madonna founded the company Maverick in 1992; it included Maverick Records, one of the most successful artist-run labels in history. Her other ventures include fashion brands, children's books, health clubs, and filmmaking. She contributes to various charities, having founded the Ray of Light Foundation in 1998 and Raising Malawi in 2006.
With sales of over 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is certified as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. She is the most successful solo artist in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and holds the record for the most number-one singles by a female artist in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. With a revenue of U.S. $1.5 billion from her concert tickets, she remains the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time. Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, her first year of eligibility. She was ranked as the greatest woman in music by VH1 in 2012, and as the greatest music video artist of all time by MTV in 2003 and Billboard in 2020. Rolling Stone also listed Madonna among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
Studio albums
Madonna (1983)
Like a Virgin (1984)
True Blue (1986)
Like a Prayer (1989)
Erotica (1992)
Bedtime Stories (1994)
Ray of Light (1998)
Music (2000)
American Life (2003)
Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005)
Hard Candy (2008)
MDNA (2012)
Rebel Heart (2015)
Madame X (2019)
Buenos Aires
Madonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's new Buenos Aires?
I'm new, I want to say I'm just a little stuck on you
You'll be on me too
I get out here, Buenos Aires
Stand back, you oughta know whatcha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality
Fill me up with your heat, with your noise
With your dirt, overdo me
Let me dance to your beat, make it loud
Let it hurt, run it through me.
Don't hold back, you are certain to impress
Tell the driver this is where I'm staying
Hello, Buenos Aires
Get this, just look at me dressed up, somewhere to go
We'll put on a show
Take me in at your flood, give me speed
Give me lights, set me humming
Shoot me up with your blood, wine me up
With your nights, watch me coming
All I want is a whole lot of excess
Tell the singer this is where I'm playing
Stand back, Buenos Aires
Because you oughta know whatcha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality
And if ever I go too far
It's because of the things you are
Beautiful town, I love you
And if I need a moment's rest
Give your lover the very best
Real eiderdown and silence.
(musical interlude)
You're a tramp, you're a treat
You will shine to the death, you are shoddy
But you're flesh, you are meat
You shall have every breath in my body
Put me down for a lifetime of success
Give me credit, I'll find ways of paying
Rio de la Plata
Florida, Corrientes, Nueve de Julio
All I want to know
Stand back, Buenos Aires
Because you oughta know whatcha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of star quality
The song “Buenos Aires” was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the musical “Evita,” which tells the story of the life of Eva Perón, the famous Argentinian actress-turned-first lady. In the song, Eva is arriving in Buenos Aires for the first time and is excited about the possibilities that the city offers for her career and life. The first part of the song is a conversation between Eva and the city, with Eva expressing her feelings of being “a little stuck” on the city and the city responding that it will also be “on her.” The second part of the song is Eva expressing her desire to become a star in Buenos Aires, even at the cost of excess and indulgence.
The lyrics of “Buenos Aires” reveal the energy and excitement of a young woman arriving in a new city hoping to make a life for herself. The line “just a little touch of star quality” is significant because it foreshadows Eva’s eventual rise to power as one of the most popular and influential figures in Argentina. The line “Don't hold back, you are certain to impress” also suggests that Eva is determined to succeed, no matter what the cost may be. Overall, the song captures the spirit of Argentina and its people, who are known for their passion and commitment to their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
What's new Buenos Aires?
Madonna is asking what's new in the city of Buenos Aires, indicating that she is a newcomer.
I'm new, I want to say I'm just a little stuck on you
Madonna says that she is new to Buenos Aires and feels attracted to the city, as if she's stuck to it.
You'll be on me too
Madonna suggests that the city of Buenos Aires will have an impact on her
I get out here, Buenos Aires
Madonna announces her arrival in the city of Buenos Aires.
Stand back, you oughta know whatcha gonna get in me
Madonna warns the people of Buenos Aires that they should brace themselves for what's to come from her.
Just a little touch of star quality
Madonna believes she has a bit of star quality that she can bring to Buenos Aires.
Fill me up with your heat, with your noise
Madonna is asking Buenos Aires to intoxicate her with its energy and loudness.
With your dirt, overdo me
Madonna is asking Buenos Aires to expose her to its gritty and raw side.
Let me dance to your beat, make it loud
Madonna is asking Buenos Aires to get her moving with its rhythmic beat and turn up the volume.
Let it hurt, run it through me
Madonna is asking Buenos Aires to give her everything it's got, even if it hurts.
Don't hold back, you are certain to impress
Madonna encourages Buenos Aires to show her what it's made of.
Tell the driver this is where I'm staying
Madonna is telling the driver that she is staying in Buenos Aires for a while.
Hello, Buenos Aires
Madonna greets Buenos Aires again, expressing her excitement and eagerness.
Get this, just look at me dressed up, somewhere to go
Madonna is mentioning that she is dressed up for a destination she wants to go.
We'll put on a show
Madonna is suggesting that she and Buenos Aires will work together to create a great show.
Take me in at your flood, give me speed
Madonna requests that Buenos Aires takes her in and gives her the power to move.
Give me lights, set me humming
Madonna is asking Buenos Aires to give her bright lights and make her heart sing.
Shoot me up with your blood, wine me up
Madonna wants Buenos Aires to fill her with its energetic spirit and make her drink its wine.
With your nights, watch me coming
Madonna wants Buenos Aires to watch her coming to life at night.
All I want is a whole lot of excess
Madonna is requesting an abundance of everything from Buenos Aires.
Tell the singer this is where I'm playing
Madonna is telling the singer that she is playing in Buenos Aires.
Stand back, Buenos Aires
Madonna is warning Buenos Aires once again to be prepared for her.
And if ever I go too far
Madonna acknowledges that she may push the limits sometimes.
It's because of the things you are
Madonna indicates that she is inspired by the energy of Buenos Aires.
Beautiful town, I love you
Madonna expresses her admiration and love for Buenos Aires.
And if I need a moment's rest
Madonna admits that she may need to rest sometimes.
Give your lover the very best
Madonna requests the best of everything for her partner.
Real eiderdown and silence.
Madonna wants a comfortable and quiet place to rest.
You're a tramp, you're a treat
Madonna recognizes that Buenos Aires is a paradox.
You will shine to the death, you are shoddy
Madonna acknowledges that Buenos Aires still shines even with its rough exterior.
But you're flesh, you are meat
Madonna acknowledges that despite the contrasts, Buenos Aires is human.
You shall have every breath in my body
Madonna will give everything to Buenos Aires.
Put me down for a lifetime of success
Madonna is committing herself to a lifetime of success.
Give me credit, I'll find ways of paying
Madonna is confident that she will be able to pay her debts.
Rio de la Plata
Madonna mentions the Rio de la Plata, a significant river in the area.
Florida, Corrientes, Nueve de Julio
Madonna mentions some famous streets in Buenos Aires that she may have visited or heard about before.
Just a little touch of star quality
Madonna ends the song by reiterating that she brings a little bit of star quality to Buenos Aires.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Die Another Day
The only good thing about that sucky film is this song