Sidewalk Talk

In 1983, Madonna met John "Jellybean" Benitez, who worked as a DJ at the Funhouse club in lower Manhattan. Soon, they started dating and working on her self-titled debut album.{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2008|p=77}}{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=26}} When Benitez started work on his debut EP, Wotupski!?!, he asked Madonna to write a song for him.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jellybean-mn0000321122/biography|title=Jellybean|last=Bush|first=John|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 27, 2014}} Within two days Madonna wrote "Sidewalk Talk", whose idea she had initially thought of using on her debut album.{{harvnb|Jancik|1998|p=438}} According to Benitez, Wotupski!?! was a concept album: "It's a street slang in the Bronx. It means 'what's up, what's new?'"{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19880317&id=WRAhAAAAIBAJ&pg=4747,4661054|title=Jellybean Built Reputation as a Hit Maker|date=March 17, 1988|access-date=August 26, 2014|last=Campbell|first=Mary|work=The Daily Gazette}} The artist credit of the song was simply Jellybean, with lead vocals credited to Catherine Buchanan. Madonna provided background vocals for the track with Audrey Wheeler and Cindy Mizelle. Benitez produced the track as well as arranging and mixing it. Michael Hutchinson assisted on engineering, recording, and mixing. Producer Stephen Bray also arranged "Sidewalk Talk" with Benitez. Instrumentation featured in the track included bass guitar by Marcus Miller, synthesizer by Boyd Jarvis, Fred Zarr, and Bray, electric guitar by Ira Siegel, percussion by Bashiri Johnson and Trevor Gale, and drum programming by Benitez and Bray.

File:Marcus Miller at Stockholm Jazz Fest 2009.jpg played bass guitar on "Sidewalk Talk"]]

"Sidewalk Talk" was first released as a 12-inch promotional single to US DJs and clubs on October 21, 1984. Rikky Rooksby, author of The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna, said that the synthpop song "sounded like it was a leftover from [Madonna's] debut album" because of its sonic similarity.{{harvnb|Rooksby|2004|p=98}} Chuck Eddy, author of The Accidental Evolution of Rock'n'roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music, compared the track to the sound of American new wave band, Tom Tom Club.{{harvnb|Eddy|1997|p=182}} Billboard magazine's dance music reviewer Brian Chin said that the song "touched base" with the Top-40 mainstream radio audience.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=liQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56|title=Dance Trax|last=Chin|first=Brian|date=October 20, 1984|access-date=August 27, 2014|magazine=Billboard|page=56|issn=0006-2510|volume=96|issue=42}} For author Ira Robins, "Sidewalk Talk" was the "best track" on the EP, because of its "lucidness".{{harvnb|Robins|1991|p=348}}

In 2011, the EP was re-released by Gold Legion Records, and four remixes of "Sidewalk Talk" were included. The CD booklet consisted of an essay by David Nick Ybarra, editor and founder of Daeida magazine. In the essay, Ybarra noted that "Sidewalk Talk" was never promoted in the press kits for Wotupski!?! Instead another song, "The Mexican", was noted on the album cover's hype sticker. Nevertheless, Ybarra said that it was the inclusion of "Sidewalk Talk" which became the most critical aspect of the public's interest in the release. In September 2014, Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 71 on their list of the "100 Best Singles of 1984". Maura Johnston from the magazine noted that the song was similar in composition to other production work of Benitez, like Madonna's "Holiday" (1983), and described it as distilling "the essence of New York—full of fast-moving possibility and flash, but to be handled with caution in order to be survived."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-singles-of-1984-pops-greatest-year-20140917/jellybean-sidewalk-talk-20140917|title=Jellbean, 'Sidewalk Talk' – 100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year|last=Johnston|first=Maura|author-link=Maura Johnston |date=September 17, 2014|access-date=September 17, 2014|magazine=Rolling Stone}}

Regarding the song's credits, Ybarra also found it mysterious that a relatively unknown singer like Buchanan received lead vocal billing, while Madonna was relegated to backing vocalist. Wheeler, one of the backing vocalists, confirmed to Ybarra that she did not remember Buchanan being present in the recording studio. Ybarra theorized that Benitez might have intended "Sidewalk Talk" for Madonna's first album, but since it was not included, he replaced Madonna's vocals on the track with Buchanan since she was unknown. Thereby Benitez could use the track for his EP and it would not be mistaken as a vehicle for another artist other than Jellybean.{{Cite AV media notes|title=Wotupski!?! New York City in the 1980s|others=John "Jellybean" Benitez|year=2011|chapter=Reissue|first=David Nick|last=Ybarra|page=12|type=CD booklet|publisher=Gold Legion Records, EMI America|id=GL 562222, 509990-71286-2-2|location=Los Angeles}} In 1986, Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for their TV series episode "Chipmunk Vice".{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/m/shows/alvin-and-the-chipmunks/chipmunk-vice-312507/trivia/|title=Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipmunk Vice Episode|date=|access-date=August 28, 2014|publisher=TV.com|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721103119/http://www.tv.com/m/shows/alvin-and-the-chipmunks/chipmunk-vice-312507/trivia/|url-status=dead}} "Sidewalk Talk" appeared in the 1999 film Flawless and on its soundtrack album.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/flawless-original-soundtrack-mw0000052765|title=Flawless (Original Soundtrack)|last=Phares|first=Heather|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 28, 2014}}

"Sidewalk Talk" debuted at number 48 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart for the issue dated December 22, 1984.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/1984-12-22/|title=Dance Club Songs: Week of December 22, 1984|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 22, 2023|url-access=subscription }} After five weeks, it reached the top of the chart, replacing Nuance's song, "Loveride".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/1985-02-02/dance-club-play-songs|title=Dance Club Songs: Week of February 2, 1985|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 28, 2014|url-access=subscription }} In an article published in Billboard, Chin noted that "Sidewalk Talk" was an unusual song to reach the top of the dance chart, since it was not released till then in commercially available 7-inch or 12-inch forms. The song was only serviced in remix form to the clubs. Chin added that the song's "emergence without a hard copy, so to speak, is highly uncharacteristic of a market, in which the 'commercial twelve' is a given for a long-show pop record." The song harkened back to the time when remix forms were not available except for club promotions.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ziQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT86|title=Dance Trax: Notes|last=Chin|first=Brian|date=February 2, 1985|access-date=August 27, 2014|magazine=Billboard|page=71|issn=0006-2510|volume=97|issue=5}} "Sidewalk Talk" ranked at number 20 on the year end tabulation of the Top Dance Club Songs for 1985. The song was released in 7-inch and 12-inch formats after eight months and entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 80 on the issue dated November 16, 1985.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/1985-11-16/the-billboard-hot-100|title=The Billboard Hot 100: Week of November 16, 1985|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 28, 2014|url-access=subscription }} After twelve weeks, it reached a peak of number 18 on the chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/1985-12-07/the-billboard-hot-100|title=The Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 7, 1985|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 28, 2014|url-access=subscription }} Its final appearance on the chart was on the week ending March 15, 1986.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/1986-03-15/the-billboard-hot-100|title=The Billboard Hot 100: Week of March 15, 1986|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 28, 2014|url-access=subscription }} On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, "Sidewalk Talk" reached a peak of number 51, and was present for a total of nine weeks.

"Sidewalk Talk" also charted in the United Kingdom, where it was credited as "Jellybean featuring Catherine Buchanan". It reached a peak of number 47 on the UK Singles Chart on the issue dated February 1, 1986, and was present for a total of four weeks. On the Netherlands Single Top 100, it reached a peak of No. 31, while it did not chart on the Top 40 comprehensive chart (it only made the promotional Tip Parade). "Sidewalk Talk" also peaked at number 34 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

• ;US 12-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=US 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=V-19204}}

1. A1: "Sidewalk Talk" (Short Version) – 3:57
2. A2: "Sidewalk Talk" (Funhouse Mix) – 6:10
3. B1: "Sidewalk Talk" (Acappella) – 4:58
4. B2: "The Mexican" – 3:47

• ;Europe / Germany / 7-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=Germany 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=1C K060-20 0952 6}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=European 7-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=1C 006-20 0952 7}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=US 7-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=B-8297}}

1. A1: "Sidewalk Talk" – 3:57
2. B1: "The Mexican" – 3:47

{{col-3}}

• ;Netherlands 12-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=Netherlands 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=1A K060-20 0937 6}}

1. A1: "Sidewalk Talk" (Dance Mix) – 6:04
2. B1: "Sidewalk Talk" (Funhouse Mix) – 6:10
3. B2: "Sidewalk Talk" (Acappella) – 4:58

• ;UK 12-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=UK 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=12EA 210}}

1. A1: "Sidewalk Talk" (Dance Mix) – 6:04
2. B1: "Was Dog a Doughnut" – 7:59

{{col-3}}

• ;UK 7-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=UK 7-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=EA 210}}

1. A1: "Sidewalk Talk" – 3:57
2. B1: "Was Dog a Doughnut" – 7:59

• ;Spain 12-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Sidewalk Talk|others=Jellybean|date=1984|type=Spain 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=052 20 1002 6}}

1. A1: "Sidewalk Talk" (Dance Mix) – 6:06
2. B1: "The Mexican" (Dance Mix) – 8:48
3. B2: "Sidewalk Talk" (Short Version) – 3:57

{{col-end}}

Credits and personnel adapted from US 12-inch single liner notes.

{{div col}}

• John "Jellybean" Benitez – producer, arrangement, mixing, drum programming
• Madonna – songwriter, background vocals (lead on bridge)
• Catherine Buchanan – lead vocals
• Stephen Bray – arrangement, synthesizer, drum programming
• Michael Hutchinson – audio engineering, recording, mixing
• Marcus Miller – bass guitar
• Boyd Jarvis – synthesizer
• Fred Zarr – synthesizer
• Ira Siegel – electric guitar
• Bashiri Johnson – percussion instrument
• Trevor Gale – percussion instrument
• Audrey Wheeler – background vocals
• Cindy Mizelle – background vocals

{{div end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

• List of number-one dance singles of 1985 (U.S.)

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Cross|first=Mary|title=Madonna: A Biography|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-33811-3}}
• {{cite book|last=Eddy|first=Chuck|title=The Accidental Evolution of Rock'n'roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music|year=1997|publisher=Perseus Books Group|isbn=978-0-306-80741-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/accidentalevolut00eddy}}
• {{cite book|last=Jancik|first=Wayne|title=The Billboard Book of One-hit Wonders|publisher=Billboard Books|year=1998|isbn=978-0-8230-7622-2}}
• {{cite book|last=Robins|first=Ira|title=The Trouser Press Record Guide|year=1991|edition=4|publisher=Collier Books|isbn=978-0-02-036361-3}}
• {{cite book|last=Rooksby|first=Rikky|title=The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=0-7119-9883-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/madonnacompleteg0000rook}}
• {{cite book|last=Taraborrelli|first=Randy J.|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli|title=Madonna: An Intimate Biography|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2008|isbn=978-0-330-45446-9}}

{{refend}}

• [http://www.miami.com/things-to-do-in-miami/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-madonna-19872/ Five things you didn’t know about Madonna] at Miami Herald
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=huIYAAAAIAAJ|title=The Trouser Press Record Guide|last=Robbins|first=Ira|year=1991|page=348|publisher=University of Michigan|isbn=978-0-020-36361-3}}

{{Madonna songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1984 singles

Category:1984 songs

Category:EMI Records singles

Category:Songs written by Madonna

Category:Song recordings produced by John Benitez

Category:Synth-pop songs