La Isla Bonita

File:Michael Jackson in 1988 (cropped).jpg of "La Isla Bonita" was first offered to Michael Jackson (pictured in 1988), who turned it down.|alt=Black and white picture of a man with black hair in a ponytail singing to a microphone; he's wearing a black jacket with buckles.]]

In the fall of 1985, Madonna began writing and recording songs for her third studio album, True Blue.{{harvnb|Cross|2007|pp=40–41}} For the project, she brought back Stephen Bray ―with whom she had worked on her previous album Like a Virgin (1984)― and the Virgin Tour's musical director, producer Patrick Leonard.{{cite magazine |last1=Lindores |first1=Mark |title=Making Madonna – Like a Virgin |url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2021/10/classic-album-madonna-like-a-virgin/ |magazine=Classic Pop |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102173402/https://www.classicpopmag.com/2021/10/classic-album-madonna-like-a-virgin/ |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |date=October 24, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=True Blue |url=https://www.madonna.com/news/title/true-blue |access-date=November 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723090610/https://www.madonna.com/news/title/true-blue |archive-date=July 23, 2016 |date=July 18, 2016 |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website |url-status=live}} Prior to working with Madonna, Leonard had worked on the Jacksons' 1984 Victory Tour.{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Dave |title='People have asked, can you write a hit? Answer: No. I mean obviously I can, but not because I've tried to' |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/ |website=Music Business Worldwide |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203101445/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/patrick-leonard-people-have-asked-can-you-write-a-hit-answer-no-i-mean-obviously-i-can-but-not-because-ive-tried-to/ |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |date=February 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Lutz |first1=Jeffrey |title=When The Jacksons kicked off their 1984 Victory Tour at Arrowhead Stadium |url=https://www.kwch.com/2024/09/16/when-jacksons-kicked-off-their-1984-victory-tour-arrowhead-stadium/ |publisher=KWCH-DT |access-date=November 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916193718/https://www.kwch.com/2024/09/16/when-jacksons-kicked-off-their-1984-victory-tour-arrowhead-stadium/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |date=September 16, 2024 |url-status=live}} After the tour concluded, he kept in touch with Michael Jackson and his producer Quincy Jones, who contacted him and asked him to write "something sort of Sade-like" for Jackson.{{cite web |last1=Dresden |first1=Hilton |title=Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita' was written for Michael Jackson |url=https://www.out.com/music/2017/8/14/madonnas-la-isla-bonita-was-written-michael-jackson |work=Out |access-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720092553/https://www.out.com/music/2017/8/14/madonnas-la-isla-bonita-was-written-michael-jackson |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live}} "La Isla Bonita" was one of the instrumental demos Leonard created for Jackson's approval. According to musician Bruce Gaitsch, who collaborated on the track, it started out as an instrumental without any lyrics or even a title, and it was Leonard's idea to incorporate Latin sounds.{{cite web |title=DrownedMadonna – Bruce Gaitsch |url=https://www.drownedmadonna.com/modules.php?name=bruce_gaitsch |via=DrownedMadonna |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506050051/https://www.drownedmadonna.com/modules.php?name=bruce_gaitsch |archive-date=May 6, 2006 |url-status=dead}} When he presented the demo to Jackson and Jones, however, they did not like it and turned it down.{{cite magazine |last1=Cinquemani |first1=Sal |title=Madonna's enduring love affair with Latin culture, from 'La Isla Bonita' to Madame X |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-latin-music-madame-x-8515581/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 14, 2022 |date=June 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714221124/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-latin-music-madame-x-8515581/ |url-status=live}} After meeting with Madonna to start working on True Blue, Leonard presented her the demo and she began working on it.

She came up with the title "La Isla Bonita", which roughly translates to "The Beautiful Island", and wrote the lyrics while in Hong Kong filming Shanghai Surprise (1986).{{cite web |last1=Eames |first1=Tom |title=The story of... 'La Isla Bonita' by Madonna |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/features/madonna-la-isla-bonita-meaning-facts-translation/ |publisher=Smooth Radio |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815173858/https://www.smoothradio.com/features/madonna-la-isla-bonita-meaning-facts-translation/ |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |date=August 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{harvnb|Easlea|2012|p=57}} Gaitsch was not fond of the title, fearing it to be "uncommercial". Madonna went on to describe the song as a tribute to the "beauty and mystery of Latin American people", further adding: "I'm very influenced by Spanish music. When I lived in New York for so many years I was constantly listening to salsa and merengue. I mean, that stuff was constantly blaring out of everybody's radio on the street".{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|p=98}}{{harvnb|Zollo|1991|p=167}} She also said: "[Patrick and I] both think that we were Latin in another life{{nbsp}}[...] [because] Latin rhythms often dominate our uptempo compositions".{{harvnb|Fouz-Hernández|Jarman-Ivens|2004|p=143}} They would go on to work together on other Latin-inspired songs, such as "Who's That Girl"―from the film of the same name―and "Spanish Eyes"―from Like a Prayer (1989). "La Isla Bonita" was released as the fifth and final single from True Blue on February 25, 1987.{{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Discography > La Isla Bonita |url=http://madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/38/ |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website |access-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102043900/http://madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/38/ |archive-date=January 2, 2010 |url-status=dead}} The sleeve cover of the single shows Madonna wearing a Spanish-styled embroidered bolero jacket.{{harvnb|Clerk|2012|p=64}} "La Isla Bonita" was also included on the compilation albums The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration (2009).{{cite magazine |last1=Mackie |first1=Drew |title=Video: Madonna's Immaculate Collection turns 25: All 17 tracks ranked |url=https://people.com/celebrity/madonnas-immaculate-collection-turns-25-all-17-tracks-ranked/ |magazine=People |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085107/https://people.com/celebrity/madonnas-immaculate-collection-turns-25-all-17-tracks-ranked/ |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Celebration – Track listing for CD & DVD announced |url=https://www.madonna.com/news/title/celebration--track-listing-for-cd--dvd-announced |via=Icon: Official Madonna website |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102085012/https://www.madonna.com/news/title/celebration--track-listing-for-cd--dvd-announced |archive-date=January 2, 2010 |date=August 25, 2009 |url-status=live}} It was further added as bonus track to the Japanese edition of 1995's Something to Remember.{{cite AV media notes |title=Something to Remember |others=Madonna |year=1995|type=Liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records, Warner Music Japan|id=9 46100-2}}

"La Isla Bonita" was written and produced by Madonna and Leonard, with additional lyrics by Gaitsch.{{cite AV media notes|others=Madonna|title=True Blue|year=1986|type=Liner notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|id=925442-2}} Personnel working on the song included Leonard on keyboard arrangement and programming, Gaitsch on guitars, and Paulinho da Costa as percussionist. Background vocals were performed by Siedah Garrett and Edie Lehmann. The song has been described as a "Latino-pop dance ballad", while its sound has been compared to Bossa nova.{{cite magazine |title=Reviews: Singles – Pop |magazine=Billboard |date=March 28, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=13 |page=73 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-03-28.pdf#page=71 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720101939/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-03-28.pdf#page=71 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }} Author Mary Cross pointed out that "La Isla Bonita" marked a departure in Madonna's sound, as it combines flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, electronic sounds, maracas, and includes four lines sung in Spanish.{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Stewart |title=Madonna > "La Isla Bonita" > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/la-isla-bonita-mt0016777743 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709234845/https://www.allmusic.com/song/la-isla-bonita-mt0016777743 |url-status=live }} To get the correct translations, Leonard and Madonna talked over the phone with a Hispanic housekeeper.{{cite web |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title=Madonna's gutsy True Blue album turned her into a 'serious' star, says producer Patrick Leonard |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/06/30/madonna-producer-patrick-leonard-talks-true-blue-album-sean-penn-papa-dont-preach-open-your-heart/7798994002/?gnt-cfr=1 |work=USA Today |access-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705002907/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/06/30/madonna-producer-patrick-leonard-talks-true-blue-album-sean-penn-papa-dont-preach-open-your-heart/7798994002/?gnt-cfr=1 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |date=June 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} According to the sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Inc. on Musicnotes.com, "La Isla Bonita" is set in the key of C-sharp minor (with the bridge in F-sharp minor) and was set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 100 beats per minute. Madonna's voice spans between G♯ (musical note) to C♯ (musical note).{{cite web |title=Madonna 'La Isla Bonita' Sheet Music | date=January 12, 2009 |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0070667 |publisher=Alfred Music |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407163427/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0070667 |url-status=live }}

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|description = 20-second sample of "La Isla Bonita". It is a song that features Latin-inspired instrumentation from flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, and maracas. In one verse, Madonna specifically mentions the island San Pedro by name.

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Lyrically, "La Isla Bonita" talks about a "humble observer, captured by the rhythm of an imagined island" named San Pedro, with mentions of "tropical breeze" and "nature wild and free". Madonna is a tourist who "prays that the days would last/they went so fast", while the island's inhabitants are referred to as people with "beautiful faces" and "no cares in this world". The song starts with an introduction performed on bongos, before descending into castanets.{{harvnb|Rooksby|2004|pp=24–25}} Madonna then utters the phrase "¿Cómo puede ser verdad?" ("How can it be true?"). In one line, she specifically sings, "Last night, I dreamt of San Pedro/Just like I'd never gone, I knew the song".{{harvnb|Matthew-Walker|1991|pp=118–119}} The geographic location of said place has been debated, with Cuba, Belize, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic being cited as possibilities.{{cite web |title=Madonna cumple 60 años: ¿de qué lugar habla su canción 'La isla bonita'? |trans-title=Madonna turns 60: What places does her song 'La isla bonita' talk about? |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-45191095 |publisher=BBC Mundo |access-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816101936/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-45191095 |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |language=es |date=August 15, 2018 |url-status=live}} Certain authors have speculated that San Pedro Town in Ambergris Caye, Belize, is the actual place mentioned on the song.{{harvnb|Vannini|2022|p=94}}{{harvnb|Edgell Sr.|Swanson|2018|p=190}}{{cite web |last1=Garrán |first1=Daniel |title=¿Cuál es exactamente 'La Isla Bonita' a la que cantaba Madonna? |trans-title=Where is exactly 'La Isla Bonita' Madonna sang about? |url=https://los40.com/los40/2020/12/01/los40classic/1606817477_262124.html |publisher=Los 40 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201102445/https://los40.com/los40/2020/12/01/los40classic/1606817477_262124.html |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |language=es |date=December 1, 2020 |url-status=live}} On its official website, the island's Victoria House Resort & Spa posted that the town has been nicknamed "La Isla Bonita" because of the song.

During an interview with Rolling Stone, Madonna admitted to not knowing where San Pedro was: "At that point, I wasn't a person who went on holidays to beautiful islands. I may have been on the way to the studio and seen an exit ramp for San Pedro".{{cite magazine |title=Madonna's 50 greatest songs: 'La Isla Bonita' (from True Blue, 1986) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/madonnas-50-greatest-songs-126823/la-isla-bonita-from-true-blue-1986-100592/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901080624/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/madonnas-50-greatest-songs-126823/la-isla-bonita-from-true-blue-1986-100592/ |archive-date=September 1, 2018 |date=July 27, 2016 |url-status=live}} Authors Eduardo Viñuela, Igor Paskual and Lara González, noted that although the song features characteristic elements of Spanish music, such as flamenco guitar, its lyrics make mention of Brazilian music genre samba. The authors held that this "complicates" the location of the island, thereby making it a fictitious "utopic" place rather than an actual one.{{harvnb|González|Pazkual|Viñuela|2018|pp=63-64}} Similarly, Daniel Garrán from Spanish radio station Los 40 argued that the lyrics are a "tribute to the Latin community from New York [Madonna] has always been close to", and do not talk about a real place.

In 2014, while working on her thirteenth studio album Rebel Heart (2015) with producer Diplo, Madonna recorded a dubplate of "La Isla Bonita".{{cite magazine |last1=Lynch |first1=Joel |title=Madonna re-records an '80s classic for Diplo |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/madonna-diplo-la-isla-bonita-6185645/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226143344/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/madonna-diplo-la-isla-bonita-6185645/ |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |date=July 24, 2014 |url-status=live}} This version replaces the original's Latin beats with "vaguely dancehall" ones, and includes lyrics such as "Last night, I dreamed of Major Lazer, a sound I never thought I heard before/Sound Boy, your sound is so over, your sound is like yesterday, so far away".{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Watch Diplo show off his Madonna dubplate |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1694223/watch-diplo-show-off-his-madonna-dubplate/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=October 20, 2024 |date=July 24, 2014}}{{cite web |last1=Corner |first1=Lewis |title=Diplo unveils full Madonna 'La Isla Bonita' dubplate |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a637694/diplo-unveils-full-madonna-la-isla-bonita-dubplate/#~pcioz0NZIKYJ8k |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405210401/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a637694/diplo-unveils-full-madonna-la-isla-bonita-dubplate/ |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |date=March 24, 2014 |url-status=live}} It premiered in March 2015 on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

{{Quote box|width=260px|align=right|quote="La Isla Bonita" is an effectively enigmatic Latin fantasy that recalls Steely Dan. Its melody is so sturdy [that] you could imagine Ruben Blades covering it to satisy his crossover dreams. Yet there's also such a stream-lined elegance to [it] that you could hear a doo-wop group interpreting it as a street-corner symphony.|source=— Newsday{{'}}s Wayne Robins commenting on the song.{{cite news |last1=Robins |first1=Wayne |title=Music in the Key of F(emale): Madonna's True Blue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/722217809 |newspaper=Newsday |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=February 27, 2025 |page=224 |date=July 11, 1986}}{{subscription required}}}}

Critical reception towards "La Isla Bonita" has been generally positive. It has often been referred to as one of Madonna's best and most romantic songs.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |author1-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=40 years of Madonna: The Queen of Pop's greatest songs, ranked – 20. 'La Isla Bonita' (1987) |url=https://www.avclub.com/essential-madonna-40th-anniversary-best-songs-ranked-1850672035 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=September 3, 2023 |date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726122828/https://www.avclub.com/essential-madonna-40th-anniversary-best-songs-ranked-1850672035/slides/22 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Levine |first1=Nick |title=Madonna's 10 best singles ever – ranked! |url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/madonna-top-10-singles-ever-ranked-like-a-prayer-vogue-music-3291209-3291209 |website=NME |access-date=August 21, 2022 |date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923092724/https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/madonna-top-10-singles-ever-ranked-like-a-prayer-vogue-music-3291209-3291209 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Missim |first1=Nayer |title=Madonna at 60: Queen of Pop's 60 best singles ranked |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/08/15/madonna-60-best-singles/ |work=PinkNews |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816163838/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/08/15/madonna-60-best-singles/ |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |url-status=live|date=August 15, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Virtel |first1=Louis |author-link=Louis Virtel |date=March 2, 2013 |title=The 100 greatest Madonna songs |url=http://www.newnownext.com/the-100-greatest-madonna-songs/02/2012/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020234731/http://www.newnownext.com/the-100-greatest-madonna-songs/02/2012/ |archive-date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |url-status=live|publisher=TheBacklot}}}} John Leland from Spin deemed it "spunky", while Jan DeKnock from the Chicago Tribune said it was "charming".{{cite journal |last1=Leland |first1=John |author1-link=John Leland (journalist) |title=Singles |journal=Spin |date=July 1987 |volume=3 |issue=4 |page=32 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sc9ijqDIbEgC&pg=PA32 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0886-3032 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113182229/https://books.google.com/books?id=sc9ijqDIbEgC&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=DeKnock |first1=Jan |title=Club Nouveau's remake puts Bill Withers' 'Lean On Me' back on |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-03-20-8701220150-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710002902/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-03-20-8701220150-story.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |date=March 20, 1987 |url-status=live}} For Creem{{'}}s Ken Barnes, "['La Isla Bonita'] is no 'Open Your Heart', but its lilting (yet reflective) quality transcends the south-of-the-border cliches".{{cite journal|last=Barnes|first=Kevin|date=July 1987|title=45 Revelations|journal=Creem|volume=18|issue=11|pages=23|publisher=Cambray Publishing|issn=0011-1147}} William McKeen, author of Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, deemed the song "tranquil", and compared its lyrical theme of an "imaginary escape from the big city" to that of the Drifters' "Up on the Roof" (1962).{{harvnb|McKeen|2000|p=233}} Similarly, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, writing for The A.V. Club, applauded its "breezy charm" that "creates a fantasy of an extended tropical vacation". Dawn Keetley in Public Women, Public Words, said it was "smooth [and] transparent", as well as one of Madonna's "most perfect" songs.{{harvnb|Keetley|Pettigrew|2005|p=380}} For Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Chuck Arnold, it's "one of the loveliest tunes [Madonna] has ever done".{{cite magazine |last1=Arnold |first1=Chuck |title=Madonna's 60 best singles, ranked |url=https://ew.com/music/2018/08/15/madonnas-60-best-singles-ranked/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815230537/https://ew.com/music/2018/08/15/madonnas-60-best-singles-ranked/ |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |date=August 15, 2018|url-status=live}}

Daryl Easlea, author of Madonna: Blond Ambition, wrote that "La Isla Bonita" and the other singles are "so strong that they overshadow the reminder of [True Blue]".{{harvnb|Easlea|2012|p=50}} AllMusic's Stewart Mason named "La Isla Bonita" True Blue{{'}}s "most prescient" track.{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|p=165}} The song's production and Latin influence were singled out for praise.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=128}}{{harvnb|Rolling Stone Press|1997|p=76}}{{cite magazine |last1=Browne |first1=David |author1-link=David Browne (journalist) |title=The Immaculate Collection (1990) |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/12/14/immaculate-collection/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827152128/http://www.ew.com:80/ew/article/0,,318856,00.html |archive-date=August 27, 2007 |url-status=live |date=December 14, 1990}}{{cite web |title=All 82 Madonna singles ranked |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/all-82-madonna-singles-ranked/5/ |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=July 9, 2022 |date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227220815/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/all-82-madonna-singles-ranked/5/ |url-status=live }}}} Of the production, Paul Schrodt from Slant Magazine said it "gave a dynanism to [Madonna's] music that finally perished the thoughts, based on her earliest hits, that she was simply a Danceteria pop tart". By his part, David Browne from Entertainment Weekly added that Leonard and Bray's input turned the song into a "perfectly conceived pop record". Both Stuart Mason and Billboard{{'}}s Bianca Gracie referred to Madonna's vocals as the best part of the song.{{cite magazine |last1=Atkinson |first1=Katie |last2=Feeney |first2=Nolan |last3=Gracie |first3=Bianca |last4=Lynch |first4=Joe |last5=Unterberger |first5=Andrew |title=The 100 greatest Madonna songs: Critics' picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/100-greatest-madonna-songs-list-8469835/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119200810/https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/100-greatest-madonna-songs-list-8469835/ |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |date=August 15, 2018 |url-status=live}} Author Matthew Rettenmund wrote: "Madonna's voice is always laced with immediacy and unimpeachable emotion. She imbues even her most pedestrian lyrics with a sense of purpose", citing "La Isla Bonita" as an example.

In more mixed reviews, Stereogum{{'}}s Tom Breihan deemed the single "pure risible kitsch [...] [a] clumsy fetishization of [an] exoticized culture", but nonetheless felt it was "one of the swooniest jams in a career full of swoony jams".{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=The number ones: Madonna's 'Who's That Girl' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2118335/the-number-ones-madonnas-whos-that-girl/columns/the-number-ones/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308195120/https://www.stereogum.com/2118335/the-number-ones-madonnas-whos-that-girl/columns/the-number-ones/ |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |date=March 8, 2021 |url-status=live}} From the Observer–Reporter, John Quayle felt the song was more suited for Sade rather than Madonna.{{cite news |last1=Quayle |first1=John |title=Madonna's new album is a winner; guitarist Buchanan still the best |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kGtiAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA19 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |work=Observer–Reporter |date=August 22, 1986 |page=C-3 |via=Google Books}} In his book The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna, Rikky Rooksby wrote: "This is one of those songs where you just know the [music] video is going to be marginally more interesting". The HuffPost{{'}}s Matthew Jacobs opined that, "you have to be in the right mood for ['La Isla Bonita'] – its middling tempo can feel like a slog".{{cite web |last1=Jacobs |first1=Matthew |title=The definitive ranking of Madonna singles |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-definitive-ranking-of-madonna-singles_n_5078934 |work=HuffPost |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406160303/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-definitive-ranking-of-madonna-singles_n_5078934 |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |date=March 10, 2015|url-status=live}} Wendy Tuohy from Australian newspaper The Age referred to "La Isla Bonita" as a "commercial sleeping pill [rather] than a 'Spanish lullaby'".{{cite news |last1=Tuohy |first1=Wendy |title=Single Reviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3O5UAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA67 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |work=The Age |date=April 16, 1987 |page=5 |via=Google Books}} Eleni P. Austin writing for The Desert Sun said it was cheesy.{{cite news |last1=Austin |first1=Eleni P. |title=Madonna - album is new but music is simple |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/748484669/ |newspaper=The Desert Sun |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=February 27, 2025 |page=C9 |date=July 28, 1986}}{{subscription required}} More negative was David Bauder from the Associated Press, who deemed the song forgettable and criticized its inclusion on The Immaculate Collection.{{cite news |last1=Bauder |first1=David |title=Record Reviews: The Immaculate Collection (Sire) - Madonna |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/438494306/ |newspaper=Vincennes Sun-Commercial |publisher=Associated Press |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=February 27, 2025 |date=December 21, 1990}}{{subscription required}}

"La Isla Bonita" was noted by Chuck Arnold a song that explored Latin pop "long before it became trendy". Influence has been perceived in later Latin-tinged songs, such as "Viva Forever" (1998) by Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell's "Mi Chico Latino" (1999), Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" (2010), and "Despacito" (2016) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references{{cite web |last1=DeRogatis |first1=Jim |author1-link=Jim DeRogatis |title=Sugar, not Spice: Album offers bubble gum, not girl power |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4235562F764CA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=November 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609145213/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4235562F764CA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |date=November 4, 1997 |url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}{{harvnb|Fouz-Hernández|Jarman-Ivens|2004|p=155}}{{cite magazine |last1=Cantor-Navas |first1=Judy |title=Feliz Cumple Madonna! Her best Spanish songs & Latin style |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/madonna-feliz-cumple-best-spanish-songs-and-latin-style-8 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308022614/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/madonna-feliz-cumple-best-spanish-songs-and-latin-style-8470477/ |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |date=August 16, 2018|url-status=live }}}} Judy Cantor-Navas, writing for Billboard, said that "La Isla Bonita" was a precursor to the "Ricky Martin-led 'Latin Pop Explosion'" of the late 1990s. Echoes of "La Isla Bonita", "pop up more than once" on J.Lo (2001), the second studio album by American singer Jennifer Lopez, as noted by Natalie Nichols from the Los Angeles Times.{{cite web |last1=Nichols |first1=Natalie |title=Taking a page from Madonna's old playbook |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-21-ca-14899-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 2, 2024 |date=January 21, 2001}}{{subscription required}} "La Isla Bonita" was included on Bruce Pollock's Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock & Roll Era (2005).{{harvnb|Pollock|2005|p=206}}

On March 21, 1987, "La Isla Bonita" debuted at number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Madonna's eleventh consecutive single to be named the week's top new entry –a streak that began with "Lucky Star" in 1984.{{cite magazine |title=The Hot 100: The week of March 21, 1987 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-03-21/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019233819/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-03-21 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |date=March 21, 1987}}{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title='Lean on Me' hits no. 1 for the 2nd time; 'Graceland' tops its previous peak |magazine=Billboard |date=March 21, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=12 |page=6 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-03-21.pdf#page=6 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923092617/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-03-21.pdf |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}} By April 25, "La Isla Bonita" became Madonna's twelfth consecutive top-ten single, a record shared with Michael Jackson. "La Isla Bonita" was the fifth top-ten single from True Blue, making it the second album by a female artist to score five top-tens, the other being Janet Jackson's Control (1986).{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=U2 at no. 1 on Top Pop Albums chart, parallels the career of Springsteen |magazine=Billboard |date=April 25, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=17 |page=10 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-04-25.pdf#page=10 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130215937/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-04-25.pdf#page=10 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }} On May 2, the song reached its peak at number 4, becoming Madonna's eleventh single to reach the chart's first five spots, a feat surpassed at the time only by the Beatles and Elvis Presley.{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Madonna scores 11th straight top 5 hit: 2nd time is a charm for Simon, de Burgh |magazine=Billboard |date=May 2, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=18 |page=6 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-05-02.pdf#page=6 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923092615/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-05-02.pdf#page=6 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }}

On the Adult Contemporary chart, the single debuted at number 31 on the week of April 4, peaking at number one more than a month later.{{cite magazine |title=Hot 100 Adult Contemporaty |magazine=Billboard |date=April 4, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=14 |page=16 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-04-04.pdf#page=16 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709184701/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-04-04.pdf#page=16 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }} It was Madonna's second Adult Contemporary chart-topper after "Live to Tell" the previous year. "La Isla Bonita" also reached number one on the 12-inch Singles Sales chart.{{cite magazine |title=Hot Dance/Disco: 12-inch Singles Sales |magazine=Billboard |date=May 16, 1986 |volume=99 |issue=20 |page=32 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-05-16.pdf#page=30 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113182159/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-05-16.pdf#page=30 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }} Billboard reported that 75,000{{nbsp}}copies of the 12-inch single had been sold by July 1987.{{cite magazine |last1=Sheperd |first1=Stephanie |title=12-inch Market: Surprising number of labels buck glut to rack up big sales |magazine=Billboard |date=July 18, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=29 |page=T-8 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-07-18.pdf#page=44 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307150722/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-07-18.pdf#page=44 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}} "La Isla Bonita" came in at number 58 on Billboard{{'s}} Hot 100 year-end chart for 1987, and at 34 of the Adult Contemporary year-end chart.{{cite magazine |title=Top Pop singles of 1987 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855247 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008123410/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855247 |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |date=December 31, 1987}}{{cite magazine |title=Top Adult Contemporary singles of 1987 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855258 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008123444/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855258 |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |date=December 31, 1987}} As of October 2024, it is Madonna's 23rd most successful song on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=Madonna's 40 biggest Billboard hits |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonnas-40-biggest-billboard-hits/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004042640/https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonnas-40-biggest-billboard-hits/ |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |date=August 16, 2024 |url-status=live}} In Canada, the single debuted in the 58th position of RPM{{'}}s 100 Singles chart on the week of April 4.{{cite web |title=Volume 45, No. 26, April 04 1987 |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0793&volume=45&issue=26&issue_dt=April%2004%201987&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836 |work=RPM |publisher=Library and Archives Canada |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007170153/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0793&volume=45&issue=26&issue_dt=April%2004%201987&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836 |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |date=April 4, 1987 |url-status=live}} After ten weeks on the chart, it reached the top position on June 6, 1987. "La Isla Bonita" placed at number 22 on the RPM Year-end chart for 1987.{{cite web |title=Top Singles – Volume 47, No. 12, December 26 1987 |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0920&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836 |work=RPM |publisher=Library and Archives Canada |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014085424/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0920&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |date=December 26, 1987}} The song reached the fourth spot in Panama, and the first spot in Chile.{{cite news |title=Los éxitos en Latinoamérica |trans-title=The hits in Latin America |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xUpcAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |work=La Opinión |agency=United Press International |date=July 22, 1987 |page=8 |language=es |via=Google Books}}{{cite news |title=Discos más populares de América Latina |trans-title=Latin America's most popular records |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t0pcAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |work=La Opinión |agency=United Press International |date=July 7, 1987 |page=6 |language=es |via=Google Books}}

In the United Kingdom, "La Isla Bonita" debuted at the fifth position of the singles chart on April 4; it reached the first position three weeks later on April 25, spending two weeks at number one and eleven on the chart overall. It was Madonna's fourth number one in the country.{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Justin |title=61 incredible Madonna chart facts and feats |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/61-incredible-madonna-chart-facts-and-feats__23566/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222124400/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/61-incredible-madonna-chart-facts-and-feats__23566/ |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |date=February 22, 2022 |url-status=live}} The Hull Daily Mail reported that on the week the song reached number one, it had sold a mere 50,000{{nbsp}}copies, making it the country's lowest-selling number one in five years.{{cite news |last1=Mayo |first1=Simon |author1-link=Simon Mayo |title=Madonna ― the vital statistics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/898668847 |newspaper=Hull Daily Mail |page=39 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=February 27, 2025 |date=May 8, 1987}}{{subscription required}} "La Isla Bonita" was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipment of 400,000{{nbsp}}copies. According to Music Week magazine, 421,760{{nbsp}}copies had been sold in the United Kingdom as of 2008.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Alan |title=The immaculate guide to 50 years of Madonna |url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=22&storycode=1035210 |work=Music Week |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911221201/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=22&storycode=1035210 |archive-date=September 11, 2008 |date=August 19, 2008}} "La Isla Bonita" was Madonna's first number one song in France, where it spent three weeks at the top spot in July 1987, and was certified gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for shipment of 500,000{{nbsp}}copies. It remains one of Madonna's highest-selling singles in the country, with reported sales exceeding 620,000{{nbsp}}units.{{cite web |title=Top – 1987 |url=http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1987.htm |publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221051553/http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1987.htm |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |language=fr|first=Fabrice|last=Ferment|work=40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles|via=Top-France.fr|oclc=469523661}} The song was successful across Europe as well, topping the charts in Switzerland, West Germany, and Austria. "La Isla Bonita" also topped the European Hot 100 Singles chart the week of June 20, 1987.{{cite journal |title=European Hot 100 Singles |journal=Music & Media |date=June 20, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=24 |pages=14–15 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-06-20.pdf#page=8 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026043439/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-06-20.pdf#page=8 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }} It reached the top-eight in Spain,{{cite web |last1=Alonso |first1=Sebas E. |title=30 años de 'La Isla Bonita', el kitsch latino convertido en clásico de Madonna |trans-title=30 years of 'La Isla Bonita', the Latin kitsch turned Madonna classic|url=https://jenesaispop.com/2017/04/30/296411/30-anos-la-isla-bonita-kitsch-latino-convertido-clasico-madonna/ |publisher=Jenesaispop |access-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504095608/https://jenesaispop.com/2017/04/30/296411/30-anos-la-isla-bonita-kitsch-latino-convertido-clasico-madonna/ |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |language=es |date=April 30, 2017 |url-status=live}} and the top-five in Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

File:La Isla Bonits screenshot.jpg dancer, as noted by author Mark Bego.{{harvnb|Bego|2000|p=189}}|alt=A blonde woman, decked out in a red ruffled dress, lies on the floor.]]

The music video for "La Isla Bonita" was directed by Mary Lambert, who had previously worked with Madonna in the videos for "Borderline" and "Like a Virgin" (1984).{{cite web |last1=Yamato |first1=Jen |title=Original Pet Sematary director Mary Lambert on her horror classic, Madonna videos and meetings with Stephen King at Denny's |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-pet-sematary-mary-lambert-director-stephen-king-madonna-20190404-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404120612/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-pet-sematary-mary-lambert-director-stephen-king-madonna-20190404-story.html |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} Filming took place in Los Angeles and lasted over three days.{{harvnb|Oreck|2010|p=142}} According to Sharon Oreck, in her book Video Slut (2010), it was a very "simple" shooting. Over 500 extras of Hispanic descent participated in the visual. One of them was a then-unknown Benicio del Toro, who portrayed a teenager sitting on a car hood, and received a payment of $150.{{cite web |title=¿Qué reconocido actor de Hollywood hizo un cameo en 'La Isla Bonita' de Madonna? |trans-title=What renowned Hollywood actor had a cameo on Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita'?|url=https://los40.com/los40/2017/12/20/los40classic/1513776397_965822.html |publisher=Los 40 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |language=es |date=December 12, 2017 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706154659/https://los40.com/los40/2017/12/20/los40classic/1513776397_965822.html |url-status=live }} Percussionist Paulinho da Costa appears in the video's opening sequence playing bongo drums.{{cite web |last1=Branco Cruz |first1=Felipe |title=Paulinho da Costa, o brasileiro que tocou com Michael Jackson e Madonna |trans-title=Paulinho da Costa, the Brazilian who played with Michael Jackson and Madonna |url=https://musica.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2015/04/14/paulinho-da-costa-o-brasileiro-que-tocou-com-michael-jackson-e-madonna.htm/ |publisher=Universo Online |access-date=October 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419235633/https://musica.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2015/04/14/paulinho-da-costa-o-brasileiro-que-tocou-com-michael-jackson-e-madonna.htm/ |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |language=pt |date=April 14, 2015|url-status=live}}

The clip shows Madonna in two different sequences, playing different characters: A short-haired Catholic woman and a "flamboyant" flamenco dancer. In one scene, she is in a New York City apartment dressed in white, lighting candles at a living room altar, reminiscing about the song's titular island.{{harvnb|Rinallo|Scott|Maclaran|2013|pp=39}} She cries as she watches a group of latinos dance in the street, and reluctantly ignores the invitation to join them.{{harvnb|Fouz-Hernández|Jarman-Ivens|2004|pp=144–146}} In the memory sequence, she is seen in an apartment filled with lit candles, donning the flamenco dress. Still in the dress, she dances, writhes on the floor, and leaves the place to join the dancers.

"La Isla Bonita" had its world premiere on MTV on March 6, 1987, and became the most requested video in the channel's history for a record-breaking 20 consecutive weeks.{{cite web |title=Madonna celebró 30 años de 'La Isla Bonita' |trans-title=Madonna celebrated 30 years of 'La Isla Bonita'|url=https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/espectaculos/22/madonna-celebro-30-anos-de-la-isla-bonita%20Esta%20noticia%20ha%20sido%20publicada%20originalmente%20por%20Diario%20EL%20TEL%C3%89GRAFO%20bajo%20la%20siguiente%20direcci%C3%B3n:%20https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/espectaculos/22/madonna-celebro-30-anos-de-la-isla-bonitaegrafo.com.ec |work=El Telégrafo |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307045605/https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/espectaculos/22/madonna-celebro-30-anos-de-la-isla-bonita |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |language=es |date=March 3, 2017 |url-status=dead}} In Europe, it was the year's most heavily rotated video on television.{{cite journal |last1=Inglis |first1=Cathy |title=Euroclips 1987: Limelight & vivid rule the screens |journal=Music & Media |date=December 26, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=51/52 |page=7 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-12-26.pdf#page=4 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308064410/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-12-26.pdf#page=4 |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}} It can be found on Madonna's video compilations The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration: The Video Collection (2009).{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Colin |title=Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (1990) |url=http://www.dvdmg.com/immaculatecollection.shtml |publisher=DVD Movie Guide |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011208124423/http://www.dvdmg.com/immaculatecollection.shtml |archive-date=December 8, 2001 |url-status=live}}

Both author Victoria Chow and Juan Sanguino, from the Spanish edition of Vanity Fair, pointed out that the video for "La Isla Bonita" marked the moment Madonna began borrowing elements from other cultures, but the latter also accused her of cultural appropriation: "[She] looks more like a drunken tart at the Feria de Abril than a [flamenco] dancer [...] but at least she had the decency to grow her eyebrows", Sanguino wrote.{{harvnb|Chow|2004|p=54}}{{cite magazine |last1=Sanguino |first1=Juan |title=Los vídeos de Madonna, ordenados de menor a mayor apropiación cultural |trans-title=Madonna's videos, ranked from least to most cultural appropriation |url=https://www.revistavanityfair.es/sociedad/celebrities/articulos/madonna-videos-apropiacion-cultural/32916 |magazine=Vanity Fair Spain |access-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012134937/https://www.revistavanityfair.es/sociedad/celebrities/articulos/madonna-videos-apropiacion-cultural/32916 |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |language=es |date=August 16, 2017 |url-status=live}} In his book Media Culture: Cultural Studies, Identity, and Politics Between the Modern and the Postmodern, Douglas Kellner noted that Madonna's use of "fantasy images of Hispanic fashion as an icon of beauty and romanticism", helped her successfully appeal to a larger, more varied audience.{{harvnb|Kellner|1995|p=271}} Lucy O'Brien concluded that the image of Madonna in the red flamenco dress is, "as iconic as the boy toy or the black corseted siren".{{harvnb|O'Brien|2007|p=117}} This opinion was shared by People{{'}}s Cara Lynn Shultz and Aaron Parsley, who named the flamenco look one of the singer's "most unforgettable".{{cite magazine |last1=Shultz |first1=Cara Lyn |last2=Parlsey |first2=Aaron |title=65 of Madonna's most unforgettable looks in honor of her birthday |url=https://people.com/madonna-best-style-moments-6221604 |magazine=People |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817001145/https://people.com/madonna-best-style-moments-6221604 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |date=August 16, 2023|url-status=live}} Santiago Fouz-Hernández and Freya Jarman-Ivens, authors of Madonna's Drowned Worlds, noted a contrast between the singer's characters: The "austerity and the passivity" of the Catholic character, and the "passion and activity" of the flamenco dancer.

The staff of Rolling Stone described it as one of the singer's most "theatrical" clips. By contrast Ryan Murphy, writing for the Miami Herald, panned it for being "lame, overdone, [and] almost absurd". He went on to compare it negatively to the previous True Blue videos, further noticing a "pervading sense of humor [that is] not supposed to be there", specifically in the scene when Madonna dances out in the street.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Ryan |title=Video Clips: Madonna goes creatively lame |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/632883162/ |newspaper=Miami Herald |page=3B |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=February 27, 2025 |date=April 10, 1987}}{{subscription required}} On his review of The Immaculate Collection video compilation, Colin Jacobson from website DVD Movie Guide also reacted negatively towards "La Isla Bonita", referring to it as a "bland and uninteresting video, especially compared with the gems that preceded and followed it". "La Isla Bonita" was named Madonna's 34th and 20th best music video by Louis Virtel from TheBacklot, and Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine, respectively.{{cite web |last1=Virtel |first1=Louis |date=August 16, 2013 |title=Madonna's 55 best videos, in honor of her 55th birthday |url=https://www.logotv.com/news/bdtywh/madonnas-55-best-videos-in-honor-of-her-55th-birthday |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723010010/https://www.logotv.com/news/bdtywh/madonnas-55-best-videos-in-honor-of-her-55th-birthday |archive-date=July 23, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |publisher=The Backlot |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Cinquemani |first1=Sal |title=Madonna's 25 greatest music videos |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-greatest-music-videos-ranked/ |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006153013/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-greatest-music-videos-ranked/ |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |date=October 6, 2022 |url-status=live}} As of April 2025, it is her most viewed music video on YouTube, having surpassed 1 billion views.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-la-isla-bonita-video-one-billion-youtube-views-1235953704/|title=Madonna’s Sultry ‘La Isla Bonita’ Video Hits One Billion YouTube Views|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 25, 2025|date=April 23, 2025|first=Gill|last=Kaufman}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| image1 = 2006 6-5 Fresno trip (238) (1960526848).jpg

| width1 = 200

| alt1 = A blond female dressed in a white leotard with purple stripes, stands in front of the image of a tropical island. To her right, there's a man dressed in white playing guitar.

| image2 = LaIslaBonitaSticky&SweetTour (cropped).jpg

| width2 = 200

| alt2 = A group of female performers onstage, with a blond woman at the center; she's wearing a black dress with a pink necklace, while the rest wear black pants and colorful blouses. Several males dressed in black can be seen in the background.

| footer = The performances of "La Isla Bonita" on the Confessions (top) and Sticky & Sweet tours (bottom).

}}

"La Isla Bonita" has been included on eight of Madonna's concert tours: Who's That Girl (1987), the Girlie Show (1993), Drowned World (2001), Confessions (2006), Sticky & Sweet (2008–2009), Rebel Heart (2015–2016), Madame X (2019–2020), and Celebration (2023–2024).Inclusion of "La Isla Bonita" on Madonna's concert tours:

• {{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Tours > Who's That Girl World Tour|url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/8 |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160310181827/https://web.archive.org/web/20150212065842/http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/8 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Tours > The Girlie Show|url=http://madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/3 |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227054509/http://madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/3 |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web|title=Madonna.com > Tours > Drowned World Tour|url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227054509/http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/4|archive-date=December 27, 2014|access-date=October 28, 2024|via=Icon: Official Madonna Website|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Tours > Confessions Tour |url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/5 |via=Icon: Official Madonna website |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102040312/https://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/5 |archive-date=January 2, 2010|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Tours > Sticky & Sweet Tour 2008 |url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/10 |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102040334/http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/10 |archive-date=January 2, 2010|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Tours > Sticky & Sweet Tour 2009 |url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/9 |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102040202/http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/9 |archive-date=January 2, 2010|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Katie |title=Madonna in Manchester: The setlist for the Rebel Heart Tour |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/madonna-manchester-setlist-rebel-heart-10596020 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113055608/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/madonna-manchester-setlist-rebel-heart-10596020 |archive-date=January 13, 2016 |date=December 14, 2015|url-status=live}}
• {{cite magazine |last1=Brown |first1=Steve |title=Madonna's 'Madame X Tour' set list released |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/madonnas-madame-x-tour-set-list-released-299791/ |magazine=Attitude |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518131427/https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/madonnas-madame-x-tour-set-list-released-299791/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |date=September 18, 2019|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title=Madonna Celebration Tour: See the setlist for her iconic career-spanning show |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/12/14/madonna-setlist-celebration-tour/71888734007/ |work=USA Today |access-date=October 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214064832/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/12/14/madonna-setlist-celebration-tour/71888734007/ |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |date=December 14, 2023|url-status=live}}

On the first one, she wore a Spanish cabaret dress and was surrounded by dancers dressed as matadors, with the stage set up as a "Spanish fantasy", as noted by authors Carol Benson and Allen Metz.{{cite web |last1=Hilburn |first1=Robert |author1-link=Robert Hilburn |title=Tour opens! It's true: Madonna is really good |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-29-ca-133-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514004511/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-06-29/entertainment/ca-133_1_madonna-tour-opens/2 |archive-date=14 May 2014 |url-status=live |date=29 June 1987}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news |last1=Leith |first1=William |title=The Lady is a vamp |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/751103560 |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=February 27, 2025 |page=17 |date=August 23, 1987 }}{{subscription required}}{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=8}} From The New York Times, Jon Pareles opined that Madonna resembled a "tropical temptress" during the number.{{cite web |last1=Pareles |first1=Jon |author1-link=Jon Pareles |title=Pop: Madonna benefit for AIDS at the Garden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/arts/pop-madonna-benefit-for-aids-at-the-garden.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311104529/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/arts/pop-madonna-benefit-for-aids-at-the-garden.html |archive-date=March 11, 2013 |date=July 15, 1987|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} A performance of the song can be found on the video Ciao Italia: Live from Italy (1988).{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Colin |title=Madonna: Ciao Italia: Live From Italy (1988) |url=http://www.dvdmg.com/ciaoitalia.shtml |publisher=DVD Movie Guide |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602153612/http://www.dvdmg.com/ciaoitalia.shtml |archive-date=June 2, 2002 |url-status=live}}

On the Girlie Show, Madonna performed the song decked in horizontal stripes and a bandana, while the dancers were dressed as sailors.{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|pp=74–75}}{{harvnb|O'Brien|2007|p=194}} The number also included a bit where the singer pretended to fall and had to be dragged from the stage. The Baltimore Sun{{'}}s J. D. Considine praised Madonna's "musical chemistry" with "her first-rate backing band" during the song.{{cite web |last1=Considine |first1=J.D. |author1-link=J. D. Considine |title='Girlie' retools songs to sharpen points |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-10-16-1993289111-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302115935/https://www.baltimocresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-10-16-1993289111-story.html |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |date=October 16, 1993 |url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} The performance from one of the Sydney concerts was recorded and included on The Girlie Show: Live Down Under home video release (1994).{{cite web |last1=Heeather |first1=Phares |title=Madonna > Girlie Show: Live Down Under [video] > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/girlie-show-live-down-under-video--mw0000112485 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105051958/https://www.allmusic.com/album/girlie-show-live-down-under-video--mw0000112485 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |date=April 26, 1994|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Colin |title=Madonna: The Girlie Show - Live Down Under (1994) |url=http://dvdmg.com/girlieshow.shtml |publisher=DVD Movie Guide |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020124200613/http://dvdmg.com/girlieshow.shtml |archive-date=January 24, 2002|url-status=live}}

"La Isla Bonita" was one of only two of Madonna's 1980s singles performed on the Drowned World Tour.{{cite web |last1=Cinquemani |first1=Sal |title=Madonna (New York, NY – July 25, 2001) |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-new-york-ny-july-25-2001/ |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=July 4, 2022 |date=July 26, 2001 |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703115654/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-new-york-ny-july-25-2001/ |url-status=live}} Decked out in black slacks and backless dress, and surrounded by a "gaggle of percussionists and dancers", she played acoustic guitar in an "unplugged flamenco" version of the song.{{cite web |last1=Mancini |first1=Robert |title=Madonna — all five of her — invades Philadelphia with tour |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1445328/madonna-all-five-of-her-invades-philadelphia-with-tour/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510132356/http://www.mtv.com/news/1445328/madonna-all-five-of-her-invades-philadelphia-with-tour/ |archive-date=May 10, 2014 |date=July 23, 2001|url-status=dead}} Reviewing one of the London concerts, NME{{'}}s Alex Needham pointed out that, "by the time 'La Isla Bonita' rolls around, the relief in the audience is palpable and Madonna also finally seems relaxed".{{cite web |last1=Needham |first1=Alex |title=Madonna: London Earl's Court |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-5359-328579 |website=NME |access-date=October 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512124052/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-5359-328579 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |date=September 12, 2005|url-status=live}} The performance on August 26, 2001, at Detroit's Palace of Auburn Hills, was recorded and released on the live video album Drowned World Tour 2001.{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Colin |title=Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001 (2001) |url=http://www.dvdmg.com/drownedworldtour.shtml |publisher=DVD Movie Guide |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011207183459/http://www.dvdmg.com/drownedworldtour.shtml |archive-date=December 7, 2001|url-status=live}}

Madonna sang a "disco-enhanced" version of "La Isla Bonita" on her Confessions Tour.{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Sandy |title=Critics rage at Madonna imagery |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/critics-rage-at-madonna-imagery/ |publisher=Associated Press |via=CBS News |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601194454/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/22/entertainment/main1640297_page2.shtml |archive-date=June 1, 2006 |url-status=live |date=May 22, 2006}} She wore a white leotard while the backdrop screen showed colored images of a tropical island that mirrored the "voluptuousness of [her] dancing", according to Slant Magazine{{'}}s Ed Gonzalez.{{harvnb|Easlea|2012|p=234}}{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Maria |title=A confession: Reinvention becomes Madonna |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/14714273.htm |website=The Mercury News |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624221556/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/14714273.htm |archive-date=June 24, 2006 |date=June 1, 2006 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Ed |title=Madonna (New York, NY – July 3, 2006) |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-new-york-ny-july-3-2006/ |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=July 4, 2022 |date=July 4, 2006 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621002759/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/madonna-new-york-ny-july-3-2006/ |url-status=live }} The performance from the August 15–16 London concerts was included on the singer's second live album, The Confessions Tour (2007).{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=Madonna > The Confessions Tour > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-confessions-tour-mw0000559673 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602091659/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-confessions-tour-mw0000559673 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |date=January 30, 2007}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Rebel Heart Tour 2016 - Brisbane 2 (26194171302) (cropped).jpg

| width1 = 200

| alt1 = Picture of five women in front of a red background; the one in the center is blonde, has her hair in a braid and sings to a microphone. She's wearing black overalls with a white shirt underneath, and long lace gloves. The rest of the women are dressed in matador outfits.

| image2 = MadonnaO2171023 (103 of 133) (53270771398) (cropped).jpg

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| alt2 = A blonde woman sings to a microphone. She's dressed in a brown corset underneath a leather jacket, and carries a guitar to her back.

| footer = Madonna singing the song on the Rebel Heart (top) and Celebration tours (bottom)

}}

On July 7, 2007, Madonna and gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello performed a "crazed hoedown" version of "La Isla Bonita" at the London Live Earth concert.{{cite magazine |last1=Sutherland |first1=Mark |title=Live Earth London wraps with Madonna spectacular |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/live-earth-london-wraps-with-madonna-spectacular-1051072/ |magazine=Billboardd |access-date=July 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210050233/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/live-earth-london-wraps-with-madonna-spectacular-1051072/ |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |date=July 7, 2007|url-status=live}} For the Sticky & Sweet Tour, it was given a gypsy theme and mashed up with Gogol Bordello's "Lela Pala Tute".{{cite web |last1=Varga |first1=George |title=Like a Celebration: Madonna's Petco Park concert exults in her music and the election of a new President |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/entertainment/street/2008/11/like_a_celebration_madonnas_pe.html |publisher=SignOn San Diego |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108101241/http://www.signonsandiego.com/entertainment/street/2008/11/like_a_celebration_madonnas_pe.html |archive-date=November 8, 2008 |date=November 5, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=López |first1=Lourdes |title=Madonna desgrana su carrera musical en el Estadi Olímpic |trans-title=Madonna unravels her musical career at the Estadi Olímpic|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20090722/53749000326/madonna-desgrana-su-carrera-musical-en-el-estadi-olimpic.html |newspaper=La Vanguardia |access-date=October 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125080523/https://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20090722/53749000326/madonna-desgrana-su-carrera-musical-en-el-estadi-olimpic.html |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |language=es |date=July 27, 2009|url-status=live}} It featured instrumentation from fiddles and accordions.{{cite web |last1=Cronik |first1=Scott |title=Madonna brings excess, spectacle to fans at Boardwalk Hall |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/180/story/324761.html |work=The Press of Atlantic City |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204074934/https://pressofatlanticcity.com/180/story/324761.html |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |date=November 23, 2008|url-status=dead}} Madonna wore a Givenchy gypsy-inspired black dress embellished with colored ribbons, gripped a rose in her teeth and was joined by Romani musicians and dancers, including the Ukrainian group Kolpakov Trio.{{cite web |last1=Serpe |first1=Gina |title=Givenchy outfits Madonna tour |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/23357/givenchy_outfits_madonna_tour |work=E! News |access-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210214847/https://www.eonline.com/news/23357/givenchy_outfits_madonna_tour |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |date=August 12, 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Empire |first1=Kitty |author1-link=Kitty Empire |title=Mama don't preach... |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/aug/31/madonna.popandrock |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916220312/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/aug/31/madonna.popandrock |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |date=August 30, 2008|url-status=live}} The Denver Post{{'}}s Ricardo Baca considered the number, "the show's brightest, boldest, most daring moment — a triumph of reinvention, like Madonna herself".{{cite web |last1=Baca |first1=Ricardo |title=Madonna thrills fans at Pepsi Center |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/11/11/madonna-thrills-fans-at-pepsi-center/ |work=The Denver Post |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085818/https://www.denverpost.com/2008/11/11/madonna-thrills-fans-at-pepsi-center/ |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |date=November 8, 2008|url-status=live}} The performance was included on the Sticky & Sweet Tour live album release (2010), recorded in Buenos Aires.{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=Madonna > Sticky & Sweet Tour > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sticky-sweet-tour-mw0001961111 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620150126/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sticky-sweet-tour-mw0001961111 |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |date=April 6, 2010|url-status=live}}

On the Rebel Heart Tour, Madonna did a flamenco rendition of the song complete with "stomps, claps and shouts".{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Ashley |title=Madonna expertly touts irreverence, cultural immersion on Rebel Heart Tour at MSG: Concert review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-madonna-rebel-heart-824367/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108173929/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-madonna-rebel-heart-824367/ |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |date=September 8, 2015|url-status=live}} She wore matador-inspired pants made from black tulle, with transparent beaded side paneling, and a black and fuchsia jacket covered in Swarovski crystals, adorned with the letter M.{{cite web |last1=Branch |first1=Kate |title=All the incredible designer costumes in Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/madonna-rebel-heart-tour-fashion |work=Glamour |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311081152/https://www.glamour.com/story/madonna-rebel-heart-tour-fashion |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}} Pitchfork{{'s}} T. Cole Rachel noted that "La Isla Bonita" was one of the tour's numbers that, "resulted in nearly deafening arena-sized sing-alongs".{{cite web |last1=Rachel |first1=T. Cole |title=I made it through the wilderness: On gay fandom, and growing older with Madonna |url=http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/904-i-made-it-through-the-wilderness-on-gay-fandom-and-growing-older-with-madonna/ |work=Pitchfork |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184508/http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/904-i-made-it-through-the-wilderness-on-gay-fandom-and-growing-older-with-madonna/ |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |date=September 21, 2015|url-status=live}} The song's performance at the March 19–20, 2016 shows in Sydney's Allphones Arena was recorded and released on Madonna's fifth live album, Rebel Heart Tour (2017).{{cite web |title=Madonna releases Rebel Heart Tour today" |url=https://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-releases-rebel-heart-tour-today |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917155203/https://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-releases-rebel-heart-tour-today |archive-date=September 17, 2017 |date=September 15, 2017 |via=Icon: Official Madonna Website|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Papadatos |first1=Markos |title=Review: Madonna mesmerizing on new Rebel Heart Tour DVD and Blu-ray (Includes first-hand account) |url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-madonna-mesmerizing-on-new-rebel-heart-tour-dvd-and-blu-ray/article/501998 |website=Digital Journal |access-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407123735/https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-madonna-mesmerizing-on-new-rebel-heart-tour-dvd-and-blu-ray/article/501998 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |date=September 8, 2017|url-status=live}} On July 27, 2017, Madonna sang "La Isla Bonita" at Leonardo DiCaprio's annual fundraising gala in Saint-Tropez, France.{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Chris |title=Madonna makes surprise appearance at Leonardo DiCaprio's St. Tropez fundraiser |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/madonna-makes-surprise-appearance-at-leonardo-dicaprios-st-tropez-fundraiser-1024688/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210021348/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/madonna-makes-surprise-appearance-at-leonardo-dicaprios-st-tropez-fundraiser-1024688/ |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |date=July 27, 2017|url-status=live}}

A guitar cha-cha-chá mashup of "La Isla Bonita" and a song titled "Welcome to My Fado Club" was performed on the singer's Madame X Tour.{{cite magazine |last1=Sheffield |first1=Robb |title=Why Madonna's Madame X Tour is the gloriously insane mess of your dreams |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/madonna-madame-x-tour-sheffield-887601/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920140528/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/madonna-madame-x-tour-sheffield-887601/ |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |date=September 20, 2019|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite magazine |last1=Lynch |first1=Joe |title=As Madame X, Madonna is her most authentic onstage self in years |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/madonna-madame-x-tour-bam/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118121644/https://www.billboard.com/pro/madonna-madame-x-tour-bam/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |date=September 20, 2019|url-status=live}} The stage was set up as a Lisbon nightclub, and Madonna —who portrayed a "beguiling hostess"— changed the lyrics to "my Portuguese lullaby".{{cite web |last1=Fragassi |first1=Selena |title=10:45 p.m. start time very much in vogue (and worth the wait) when you're Madonna |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/17/20919268/madonna-review-chicago-madame-x-no-cell-phones |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018070214/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/17/20919268/madonna-review-chicago-madame-x-no-cell-phones |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |date=October 17, 2019|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Darren |title=Madame X's London debut proves this is Madonna's world, and we're all just living in it |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/01/30/madonna-madame-x-london-palladium-tour-review-set-list-uk/ |work=PinkNews |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131151447/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/01/30/madonna-madame-x-london-palladium-tour-review-set-list-uk/ |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |date=January 30, 2020}} At one point, she took off one of her gloves and said, "this is as X-rated as it's gonna get tonight". For the Los Angeles Daily News, Kelli Skye Fadroski opined that Madonna "soared" through the number.{{cite web |last1=Fadroski |first1=Kelli Skye |title=Madonna's Madame X Tour goes on late at The Wiltern, but do her L.A. fans even care? |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/11/14/madonnas-madame-x-tour-goes-on-late-at-the-wiltern-but-do-her-l-a-fans-even-care/ |work=Los Angeles Daily News |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114194922/https://www.dailynews.com/2019/11/14/madonnas-madame-x-tour-goes-on-late-at-the-wiltern-but-do-her-l-a-fans-even-care/ |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |date=November 14, 2019|url-status=live}} The performance was included on the film that chronicled the tour, Madame X (2021).{{cite magazine |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |author-link=Owen Gleiberman |title=Madame X review: A Madonna concert that's heavy on message, light on euphoria |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/madame-x-review-madonna-1235083994/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008130224/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/madame-x-review-madonna-1235083994/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |date=October 8, 2021}}

On October 9, 2021, Madonna gave an "intimate performance" in the basement of Marcus Samuelsson's Harlem restaurant Red Rooster, and sang lounge renditions of "La Isla Bonita", Madame X album tracks "Dark Ballet" and "Crazy" (2019), and Cape Verdean coladeira song "Sodade".{{cite magazine |last1=Appler |first1=Michael |title=Madonna takes to Harlem for a basement performance, parades through streets with Jon Batiste (Watch) |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/madonna-performs-harlem-basement-parade-jon-batiste-1235085219/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009172823/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/madonna-performs-harlem-basement-parade-jon-batiste-1235085219/ |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |date=October 9, 2021|url-status=live}} She was dressed in a black cocktail dress with a "dramatic leg slit", lace gloves, and a long blonde wig.{{cite web |last1=Munzenrieder |first1=Kyle |title=Inside Madonna's secret Madame X show that ended up on the streets of Harlem |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/madonna-madame-x-harlem-show |work=W |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010003036/https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/madonna-madame-x-harlem-show |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |date=October 10, 2021|url-status=live}} "La Isla Bonita" was then included on Madonna's Celebration Tour, where it was mashed up with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (1996).{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=Adam |title=Madonna shows vulnerability at homecoming concert: 'I hope you're proud of me, Detroit!' |url=https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/01/16/madonna-concert-review-detroit-little-caesars-arena/72234929007/ |work=The Detroit News |access-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116110139/https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/01/16/madonna-concert-review-detroit-little-caesars-arena/72234929007/ |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |date=January 16, 2024|url-status=live}} Her son David Banda played guitar as she sang.{{cite web |last1=Wheeler |first1=Brad |title=Madonna's Celebration Tour salutes her history, nostalgia free |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-madonnas-celebration-tour-salutes-her-history-nostalgia-free/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112170057/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-madonnas-celebration-tour-salutes-her-history-nostalgia-free/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |date=January 12, 2024|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} Reviewing the opening night at London, Variety{{'}}s Mark Sutherland highlighted the number's "sheer, irresistible pizazz".{{cite magazine |last1=Sutherland |first1=Mark |title=Madonna's Celebration Tour proves the Material Girl is still the reigning queen of pop music: Concert review |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/madonna-celebration-tour-concert-review-1235756452/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=October 15, 2023 |date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015014631/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/madonna-celebration-tour-concert-review-1235756452/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of cover versions of Madonna songs|List of Madonna tribute albums}}

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| footer = Ricky Martin (left, pictured in 2014) and Alizée (right, pictured in 2007) are among the artists who have covered "La Isla Bonita".|alt=Two images: the one on the left show a male dressed in a gray shirt, while the right one depicts a short-haired woman with a necklace, sitting on a red table.

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Between 1986 and 1987, Madonna signed a $3-million deal with Mitsubishi Motors. As part of this deal, she made a TV commercial dancing to "La Isla Bonita".{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|p=118}} In December 1986, before the song was officially released as a single, Italian singer Micaela released a cover, which peaked at number 25 in the Netherlands.{{cite web |title=Micaela (1980s) – La Isla Bonita |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Micaela+%5B1980s%5D&titel=La+isla+bonita&cat=s |publisher=Single Top 100 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223154643/https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Micaela+%5B1980s%5D&titel=La+isla+bonita&cat=s |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |language=nl|url-status=live }} Music & Media magazine gave a positive review of the rendition: "Although the vocals are sometimes too hasty and the sophistication that Madonna puts into this stack is lost, the track is so commercial, one can hardly spoil it".{{cite journal |title=New Talent: Micaela - La Isla Bonita (Discomagic) |journal=Music & Media |date=December 27, 1986 |volume=3 |issue=51/52 |page=27 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-12-27.pdf#page=13 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621221343/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-12-27.pdf |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |via=World Radio History |url-status=live }} In July 1987, a cover by Mexican singer Byanka reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.{{cite magazine |title=Chart History: Byanka |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/byanka/chart-history/htl/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923092626/https://www.billboard.com/artist/byanka/chart-history/htl/ |url-status=live }} In 1989, when she was just 13 years old, Colombian singer Shakira appeared on Colombian television show De los Sueños... Hasta Hoy and sang the song.{{cite news |last1=Farrés |first1=Héctor |title=El sorprendente vídeo de Shakira imitando a Madonna cuando era una niña |trans-title=The surprising video of Shakira imitating Madonna when she was a little girl| url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20231028/9335894/sorprendente-video-shakira-imitando-madonna-nina-pmv.html |newspaper=La Vanguardia |access-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028084621/https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20231028/9335894/sorprendente-video-shakira-imitando-madonna-nina-pmv.html |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |language=es |date=October 28, 2023 |url-status=live }} Ten years later, "La Isla Bonita" was sampled by Chilean singer Deetah on "El Paraiso Rico", a track from her album Deadly Cha Cha.{{cite web |last1=Sheng |first1=Yuen |title=Deetah – Deadly Cha Cha (London Records) |url=http://www.mtvasia.com/Review/CD/C1999000045.html |publisher=MTV Asia |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040410072845/http://www.mtvasia.com/Review/CD/C1999000045.html |archive-date=April 10, 2004 |url-status=dead }} Also in 1999, salsa singer Corrine covered "La Isla Bonita" in both English and Spanish for her second studio album Un Poco Más. This cover was produced by Wyclef Jean.{{cite magazine |last1=Hay |first1=Carla |title=Popular Uprisings: A little more Corrine |magazine=Billboard |date=June 5, 1999 |volume=111 |issue=23 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-06-05.pdf#page=91 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |issn=0006-2510 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121022938/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-06-05.pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |via=World Radio History |url-status=live }}

American rapper Black Rob's song "Spanish Fly", included on his album Life Story (2000), features Jennifer Lopez singing a chorus based on "La Isla Bonita".{{cite web |title=Life Story |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-2112-340260 |work=NME |access-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123055901/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-2112-340260 |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |date=September 12, 2005|url-status=live }} In 2004, American actor David Hasselhoff included a rendition of "La Isla Bonita" on his album Sings America, which was criticized for being "decidedly karaoke" by the BBC's Jake Jakeman.{{harvnb|Kutner|Leigh|2010|p=159}}{{cite web |last1=Jakeman |first1=Jake |title=Paul Weller, Alison Moyet and David Hasselhoff (!!) take the easy option with covers albums. |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2004/09/06/entertainment_music_recording_reviews_2004_09_weller_moyet_hasselhoff_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC |access-date=September 25, 2023 |date=June 9, 2004 |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006204426/https://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2004/09/06/entertainment_music_recording_reviews_2004_09_weller_moyet_hasselhoff_feature.shtml |url-status=live }} That same year, American rapper Mase sampled the song's hook for his own "My Harlem Lullaby", found on the album Welcome Back.{{cite web |last1=Cinquemani |first1=Sal |title=Review: Mase, Welcome Back |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/mase-welcome-back/ |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=August 14, 2004 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715195139/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/mase-welcome-back/ |url-status=live }} In early June 2008, French singer Alizée posted a cover of the song on her official MySpace page.{{cite web |last1=Cadet |first1=Thierry |title=Alizée reprend 'La Isla Bonita' de Madonna! |trans-title=Alizée covers Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita'! |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Alizee/news-66412.html |publisher=Charts in France |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829180321/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Alizee/news-66412.html |archive-date=August 29, 2008 |language=fr |date=June 6, 2008}} The cover was then included on the Mexican Tour Edition of her third studio album, Psychédélices, and reached the first ten spots of the charts in Mexico.{{cite web |title=Alizée > Psychédélices (Mexican Tour Edition) > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/psych%C3%A9d%C3%A9lices-mexican-tour-edition-mr0002742345 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=June 25, 2008 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715195139/https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/psych%C3%A9d%C3%A9lices-mexican-tour-edition-mr0002742345 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Las 10 canciones más populares |trans-title=The 10 most popular songs |url=http://www.lostiempos.com/noticias/26-06-08/26_06_08_ultimas_cul3.php |work=Los Tiempos |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701085626/http://www.lostiempos.com/noticias/26-06-08/26_06_08_ultimas_cul3.php |archive-date=July 1, 2008 |language=es |date=June 26, 2008|url-status=dead }} On his review of a concert Alizée offered in Mexico City, Arturo Cruz Bárcenas from La Jornada was not impressed with the cover: "[She] dreams of being like Madonna [...] but [her rendition of 'La Isla Bonita'] only shows how far she is from that goal".{{cite news |last1=Bárcenas Cruz |first1=Aruro |title=Alizée se movió entre lo lúdico y lo sensual en el Auditorio |trans-title=Alizée moved between playful and sexy at the Auditorio |url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2008/06/19/index.php?section=espectaculos&article=a10n1esp |newspaper=La Jornada |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325074244/https://www.jornada.com.mx/2008/06/19/index.php?section=espectaculos&article=a10n1esp |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |language=es |date=June 19, 2008|url-status=live }}

In May 2010, American blogger Perez Hilton released "Gagalupe", a parody of "La Isla Bonita" with lyrics that mock Madonna's "New Age beliefs".{{cite web |title=Perez Hilton hace una 'Gagalupe' |trans-title=Perez Hilton does 'Gagalupe' |url=https://eluniversal.com.mx/notas/683841.html |work=El Universal |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530144453/https://eluniversal.com.mx/notas/683841.html |archive-date=May 30, 2010 |language=es |date=May 28, 2010|url-status=dead }} The next year, "Love 2 Love U", an unreleased song by American singer Britney Spears that heavily sampled "La Isla Bonita", leaked online. It was described as having a "Jamaican-dance rhythm" by the staff of Los 40, who also noted that the melody and structure is the same as "La Isla Bonita".{{cite web |title=¿Has oído 'Love 2 Love U', el nuevo temazo de Britney Spears? |trans-title=Have you listened to 'Love 2 Love U', Britney Spears' new kick-ass song? |url=https://los40.com/los40/2011/12/02/actualidad/1322825100_400899.html |publisher=Los 40 |access-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402212254/https://los40.com/los40/2011/12/02/actualidad/1322825100_400899.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |language=Spanish |date=December 2, 2011|url-status=live }} Aired on February 7, 2012, the twelfth episode of the third season of American television series Glee, "The Spanish Teacher", had guest star Ricky Martin singing the song with actress Naya Rivera, who played the character Santana Lopez.{{cite magazine |last1=Stack |first1=Tim |title=Glee scoop: Details from next week's Ricky Martin episode, 'The Spanish Teacher' |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/02/03/glee-scoop-the-spanish-teacher/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030072315/https://ew.com/article/2012/02/03/glee-scoop-the-spanish-teacher/ |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |date=February 3, 2012|url-status=live }} From Digital Spy, Catriona Wightman highlighted the "stonking" performance.{{cite web |last1=Wightman |first1=Catriona |title=Glee: 'The Spanish Teacher' recap |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a364515/glee-the-spanish-teacher-recap/ |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104193216/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a364515/glee-the-spanish-teacher-recap/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |date=February 8, 2012|url-status=live }} This cover peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 93 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine |title=Ricky Martin Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ricky-martin/chart-history/hsi/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117154117/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ricky-martin/chart-history/hsi/ |archive-date=November 17, 2021|url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |title=Ricky Martin Chart History (Canadian Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ricky-martin/chart-history/can/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118033843/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ricky-martin/chart-history/can/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021}} American band Deerhoof named their twelfth studio album (2014) after the song. Band member Greg Saunier explained the album was a homage to Madonna and Janet Jackson, describing it as the band's "rawest, punkiest" work since their 1997 debut.{{cite magazine |last1=Lynch |first1=Joe |title=Deerhoof celebrates 20 years with release of Madonna-inspired La Isla Bonita album |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/deerhoof-20-years-madonna-la-isla-bonita-album-6304254/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229173724/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/deerhoof-20-years-madonna-la-isla-bonita-album-6304254/ |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |date=October 31, 2014|url-status=live }} "Mamacita", a 2020 song by American group Black Eyed Peas and Puerto Rican singer Ozuna, samples "La Isla Bonita".{{cite web |last1=Flores |first1=Griselda |title=Why Latin music couldn't get enough of sampling in 2020 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/latin-music-2020-sampling-songs-9501035/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926135553/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/latin-music-2020-sampling-songs-9501035/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |date=December 17, 2020|url-status=live }} According to producer Johnny Goldstein, it was will.i.am's idea to sample the song.{{cite magazine |last1=Amter |first1=Charlie |title=Hitmaker of the month: Producer Johnny Goldstein melds Israeli and Latin grooves on Black Eyed Peas' 'Mamacita' |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/johnny-goldstein-hitmaker-of-the-month-black-eyed-peas-mamacita-1234700688/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809073648/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/johnny-goldstein-hitmaker-of-the-month-black-eyed-peas-mamacita-1234700688/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |date=July 9, 2020|url-status=live }} In 2022, American psychedelic rock band The Bright Light Social Hour released a cover of the song, featuring backing vocals from American singer Israel Nash, and "searing slide guitar, reggaeton percussion and pulsating synth bass", as noted by the staff of OrcaSound.{{cite web |title=The Bright Light Social Hour feat. Israel Nash release 'La Isla Bonita' |url=https://www.orcasound.com/2022/08/22/the-bright-light-social-hour-feat-israel-nash-release-la-isla-bonita-2/ |website=OrcaSound |access-date=October 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001222257/https://www.orcasound.com/2022/08/22/the-bright-light-social-hour-feat-israel-nash-release-la-isla-bonita-2/ |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |date=August 10, 2022|url-status=live }}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• US 7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=La Isla Bonita|others=Madonna|year=1987|type=US 7-inch Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=9 28378-7}}

1. "La Isla Bonita" – 4:03
2. "La Isla Bonita" (instrumental remix) – 4:20

• UK 7-inch single

1. "La Isla Bonita" (7-inch remix) – 4:01
2. "La Isla Bonita" (instrumental remix) – 4:20

• US and German 12-inch maxi-single{{cite AV media notes|title=La Isla Bonita|others=Madonna|year=1987|type=US 12-inch Maxi Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=0-20633}}

1. "La Isla Bonita" (extended remix) – 5:28
2. "La Isla Bonita" (instrumental) – 5:14

{{col-2}}

• 1992 Australian and Japanese CD Super Mix; 2019 Record Store Day exclusive green vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=La Isla Bonita|others=Madonna|year=1987|type=Australian CD Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=7599-25451-2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=La Isla Bonita|others=Madonna|year=1987|type=Japanese CD Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=WPCP-3440}}{{cite web |title=La Isla Bonita – Super Mix Green RSD Exclusive 2019 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Isla-Bonita-Super-Green-Exclusive/dp/B07PD5PB4X |publisher=Rhino Entertainment|access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=March 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715195139/https://www.amazon.com/Isla-Bonita-Super-Green-Exclusive/dp/B07PD5PB4X |url-status=live |via=Amazon}}

1. "La Isla Bonita" (extended remix) – 5:28
2. "Open Your Heart" (extended version) – 10:38
3. "Gambler" – 3:58
4. "Crazy for You" – 4:12
5. "La Isla Bonita" (instrumental) – 5:21

• Digital single (2023){{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/la-isla-bonita-ep/1673100833 |title=La Isla Bonita – EP by Madonna |publisher=Sire Records |access-date=24 Feb 2023 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224163518/https://music.apple.com/us/album/la-isla-bonita-ep/1673100833 |via=Apple Music |url-status=live }}

1. "La Isla Bonita" – 4:05
2. "La Isla Bonita" (remix edit) – 4:06
3. "La Isla Bonita" (extended remix) – 5:33
4. "La Isla Bonita" (instrumental extended remix) – 5:23

{{col-end}}

Credits are adapted from the True Blue album and 12-inch single liner notes.

• Madonna – songwriter, producer, vocals
• Bruce Gaitsch – guitar (Spanish and acoustic guitar), songwriter
• Patrick Leonard – drum programming, keyboard, songwriter, producer
• Jonathan Moffett – drums
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion
• Siedah Garrett, Edie Lehmann – background vocals
• Michael Verdick – audio mixing, engineer
• Herb Ritts – photography
• Jeri McManus – design

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "La Isla Bonita"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|title=La Isla Bonita|artist=Madonna|award=Gold|relyear=1987|certyear=1987|salesamount=620,000|source=infodisc|salesref=|refname="snep"|access-date=July 9, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|title=La Isla Bonita|artist=Madonna|award=Gold|relyear=1987|certyear=1989|access-date=December 16, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy| note=since 2009|type=single|artist=Madonna|title=La Isla Bonita|relyear=1987|certyear=2021|award=Gold|access-date=April 12, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=La Isla Bonita|artist=Madonna|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|certmonth=10|salesamount=181,290|salesref={{cite book|author=|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005.|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|publisher=Oricon Charts|date=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Madonna|title=La Isla Bonita|award=Gold|relyear=1987|access-date=December 18, 2024|certyear=2024|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Madonna|title=La Isla Bonita|award=Platinum|relyear=1987|certyear=2025|id=madonna-la-isla-bonita|access-date=February 17, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=La Isla Bonita|artist=Madonna|award=Gold|relyear=1987|certyear=2024|id=3707-2003-1|access-date=June 24, 2024|refname="bpi"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Madonna|note=12-inch format {{Small|(By July 1987)}}|title=La Isla Bonita|type=single|nocert=true|relyear=1987|salesamount=75,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

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{{refend}}

{{Madonna songs}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Isla Bonita, La}}

Category:Songs about islands

Category:1986 songs

Category:1987 singles

Category:1980s ballads

Category:Alizée songs

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Latin pop songs

Category:Madonna songs

Category:Music videos directed by Mary Lambert

Category:Spanglish songs

Category:Number-one singles in Austria

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Number-one singles in Iceland

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Pop ballads

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:SNEP Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Sire Records singles

Category:Songs written by Bruce Gaitsch

Category:Songs written by Madonna

Category:Songs written by Patrick Leonard

Category:Song recordings produced by Madonna

Category:Song recordings produced by Patrick Leonard

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Warner Records singles