Who's That Girl (Madonna song)
{{Short description|1987 single by Madonna}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Who's That Girl
| cover = Who's That Girl (single) Madonna.png
| alt =
| border = yes
| language = English, Spanish
| type = single
| artist = Madonna
| album = Who's That Girl
| B-side = White Heat
| released = June 29, 1987
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:58
| label = * Sire
| writer = * Madonna
| producer = * Madonna
- Patrick Leonard
| prev_title = La Isla Bonita
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = Causing a Commotion
| next_year = 1987
|misc={{External music video|{{YouTube|r0qDBYiOBrc|"Who's That Girl"}}}}}}
"Who's That Girl" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack of the 1987 film of the same name. Written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, it was released in Europe as the soundtrack's lead single on June 29, 1987 and in the United States on 30 June 1987. An uptempo pop song, "Who's That Girl" continued the singer's fascination with Latin pop, a genre she had previously explored on her single "La Isla Bonita". It features instrumentation from drums, bass, and trumpets, and has lyrics sung both in English and Spanish. While shooting for the film, then called Slammer, Madonna had requested Leonard to develop a song that captured the nature of her character; the producer worked on a demo and, afterwards, Madonna added the lyrics and decided to rename the song, as well as the film, to "Who's That Girl".
Upon release, the song received positive to mixed reviews from music critics; its similarities to "La Isla Bonita" were both praised and criticized. "Who's That Girl" became Madonna's sixth single to top the Billboard Hot 100, which made her the artist with the most number one hits in the 1980s decade. It was also successful overseas, reaching the top of the charts in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and Belgium. The song was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 1988 Grammy Awards, and for Best Original Song at the 45th Golden Globe Awards. The accompanying music video mixed together footage from Who's That Girl and scenes of Madonna wandering around a park, decked out in a Latin-inspired outfit. The track was included on the singer's Who's That Girl (1987) and Rebel Heart (2015―2016) concert tours, and has been covered for tribute albums.
Background and release
In October 1986, Madonna began filming her third motion picture, Who's That Girl.{{harvsp|Morton|2002|p=143}} James Foley, who had worked with the singer on her music videos for "Papa Don't Preach" and "Live to Tell" (1986), was chosen at her own request to direct the film.{{harvsp|Koopmans|2003|p=66}} Originally titled Slammer, in the movie Madonna plays Nikki Finn, a young woman accused of homicide who, after being released on parole, becomes determined to clear her name. Along with Loudon Trott (played by Griffin Dunne), she gets caught up in "36 hours of high adventure", culminating in a scene where she interrupts a wedding to reveal the identity of the real murderer. Madonna began working on the soundtrack in March 1987; having some specific ideas in her mind about the music of the film, the singer contacted Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray, who had helped to write and produce her third studio album True Blue.{{harvnb|Bronson|2003|p=780}} She wanted the soundtrack to "stand on its own as well as support and enhance what was happening on screen".
The singer asked Leonard to create an uptempo title song that captured the nature of her character, so the producer created a demo while she worked on the melody and lyrics. However, Madonna couldn't come up with a word that rhymed with "Slammer", so she changed the song and the film's title to "Who's That Girl", considering it to be a better name.{{harvsp|Bego|2000|p=184}} Leonard, who supported the title change, recalled that it was recorded in one day, with the singer recording her vocals in one single take; the following day, additional instrumentation from guitars and percussions were added by both Leonard and Bray. In Europe, "Who's That Girl" was officially released as the soundtrack's lead single on June 29, 1987.{{cite journal |title=New Releases |journal=Music & Media |date=June 27, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=25 |page=11 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-06-27.pdf#page=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815223306/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-06-27.pdf |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2023}} The next day, it was released on the United States.{{cite web |title=Madonna.com > Discography > Who's That Girl |url=http://www.madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/44/ |publisher=Icon: Official Madonna Website |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201233716/http://www.madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/44/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014}} Years later, it was included on Madonna's third compilation album, Celebration (2009).{{cite web |title='Celebration' - Track listing for CD & DVD announced |url=https://www.madonna.com/news/title/celebration--track-listing-for-cd--dvd-announced |publisher=Icon: Official Madonna website |access-date=January 25, 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}}
Composition
{{listen
|pos = left
|filename = Who's That Girl Audio Sample.mp3
|title = "Who's That Girl"
|description = An 10-second sample of "Who's That Girl", featuring the refrain in which Madonna sings both in English and Spanish.
|format = mp3
}}
"Who's That Girl" was written and produced by Madonna and Leonard, while Michael Barbiero and Steve Thompson were in charge of mixing. Daryl Easlea, one of the authors of Madonna: Blond Ambition, wrote that "Who's That Girl" continued the singer's exploration of Latin music, which she had already introduced on her previous single "La Isla Bonita". It is a dance-pop song that's divided in three parts: Verse, refrain, and bridge.{{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 - 27. Who's That Girl |url=https://www.avclub.com/essential-madonna-40th-anniversary-best-songs-ranked-1850672035/slides/15 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=March 23, 2024 |date=July 26, 2023}} Its instrumentation includes a drum machine, trumpets, and a "bubbling bass synth line". Modulation is used on the verse, while the vocals are "wonderfully multi-tracked", specifically in the phrase She's smiling/an invitation to the dance. On the "earworm" refrain, Madonna sings both in English and Spanish, ¿Quién es esa niña?/Who's that girl?/Señorita, más fina/Who's that girl?{{cite web |last1=Wolf |first1=Erika |title=Señorita más fina: Madonna's 'Who's That Girl' soundtrack tusn 35 - Anniversary retrospective |url=https://albumism.com/features/madonna-whos-that-girl-soundtrack-turns-35-anniversary-retrospective |publisher=Albumism |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717175441/https://albumism.com/features/madonna-whos-that-girl-soundtrack-turns-35-anniversary-retrospective |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |date=July 17, 2022}} The bridge has Madonna singing the phrase What can help me now. Several lines are combined on its fade out, a technique that had already been used by artists like The Beach Boys and R.E.M.
According to the sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Inc., "Who's That Girl" is set in common time in the key of A minor with a medium tempo of 104 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of A minor, with Madonna's vocals spanning between G3 to B4. The song has a basic sequence of basic chord progression sequence of Am9–G–Csus2–Am9–G–Dm.{{cite web |last1=Ciccone |first1=Madonna |title=Who's That Girl - Digital Sheet Music |date=2 August 2010 |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0085011 |publisher=Alfred Music |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726013732/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0085011 |archive-date=July 26, 2015}} The lyrics, which are sung in the third person, talk about "how you should be careful around this extremely hot girl because she'll break your heart", according to Stereogum{{'}}s Tom Breihan. "Who's That Girl" is one of Madonna's songs that reference her thoughts about "'girlhood' as powerfully productive", as noted by Santiago Fouz-Hernández and Freya Jarman-Ivens, authors of Madonna's Drowned Worlds.{{harvnb|Fouz-Hernández|Jarman-Ivens|2004|p=22}}
Critical reception
Upon release, "Who's That Girl" received generally positive to mixed reviews. Daryl Easlea said it was, "by far and away, the best song of the soundtrack".{{harvnb|Easlea|Fiegel|2012|pp=65–66}} Rikky Rooksby called it delightful, further adding that it was one of the singer's "best takes on her original music style".{{harvnb|Rooksby|2004|pp=68–69}} On Matthew Rettenmund 's Encyclopedia Madonnica, he classified "Who's That Girl" as a "laid-back, effortlessly haunting" song. On his biography of the singer, J. Randy Taraborrelli described it as "quintessential Madonna [...] funky, sassy and melodic".{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=135}} Stephen Holden, from The New York Times, opined that, "[the movie] may not have burned up the box office, but [...] Madonna's bilingual title song has the buoyant bounce of an acrobat doing somersaults on a trampoline".{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |author1-link=Stephen Holden |title=Pop and Jazz guide |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/21/arts/pop-and-jazz-guide-835687.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730160414/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/21/arts/pop-and-jazz-guide-835687.html |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |date=August 21, 1987}} While Cashbox magazine named it "one of her most compelling musical efforts", Jim Zebora from the Record-Journal opined it was a "joy to hear".{{cite journal |title=Single Releases |journal=Cash Box |date=July 4, 1987 |volume=51 |issue=2 |page=9 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1987/CB-1987-07-04.pdf#page=9 |access-date=March 26, 2003}}{{cite news |last1=Zebora |first1=Jim |title=Madonna's talent commands attention |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b1RIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aQENAAAAIBAJ&hl=es&pg=1392%2C435782 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=Record-Journal |date=August 2, 1987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113170033/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b1RIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aQENAAAAIBAJ&hl=es&pg=1392%2C435782 |archive-date=January 13, 2023}} Robert Matthew-Walker wrote: "if 'light and airy' describes Madonna's performance [in Who's That Girl], such a phrase can also be aptly applied to the title song [...] a delightful mixture of English and Spanish/Puerto Rican [...] a generous compliment to mid-1980s New York".{{harvnb|Matthew-Walker|1991|p=127}}
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Written solely for the purpose of promoting her lead role in the film of the same name [...] 'Who's That Girl', in many ways, represents two significant aspects of Madonna's career: 1. The side that sees her desperately trying to win the admiration of fellow thespians; and 2. Her ability to write and record wonderful thematic songs that oftentimes eclipse the movie for which they were written".|source=—PopMatters{{'}} Enio Chola's review of "Who's That Girl" on the magazine's ranking of Madonna's 15 best songa.{{cite web |last1=Chola |first1=Enio |title=15 best Madonna songs of all time |url=https://www.popmatters.com/15-best-madonna-songs-2495887791.html |work=PopMatters |access-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807045944/https://www.popmatters.com/15-best-madonna-songs-2495887791.html |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |date=February 8, 2012}}}}
The song's similarity to "La Isla Bonita", was both praised and criticized. Billboard{{'}}s Andrew Unterberger pointed out that both songs share a "contagious chorus and sparkling production".{{cite magazine |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=January 21, 2023 |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}} Rolling Stone{{'}}s Vince Aletti said that, "bobbing up in the wake of 'Isla', ['Who's That Girl'] grabs hold with its bright bilingual chant". An opinion that was shared by Joe Brown, from The Washington Post, who added that, "truth be told, her Berlitz treatment does render the repetitiveness of the lyrics more lilting".{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Joe |title=The Miami Movement |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/09/02/the-miami-movement/5e20d35c-6730-44ff-942a-de7c36855259/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=September 2, 1987}} For Louis Virtel from The Backlot, "although [Madonna]'d give us a more timeless tune in that vein, 'Who’s That Girl?' is still a sexy little tribute to those minxes you just can’t catch up with".{{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=June 21, 2022 |publisher=The Backlot}} Similarly, Joe Morgan from Gay Star News said that, despite not being "the best time [Madonna] was influenced by Spain, it certainly [isn't] the worst [...] [it's] a great fun song".{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Joe |title=The definitive ranking of Madonna's top 55 songs |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/definitive-ranking-madonnas-top-55-songs150814/ |work=Gay Star News |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818084316/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/definitive-ranking-madonnas-top-55-songs150814/ |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |date=August 15, 2014}} Both The Guardian{{'}}s Jude Rogers and Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Chuck Arnold deemed it inferior to "La Isla Bonita", nonetheless, the latter also deemed it a "tropical delight [...] pure enchantment".{{cite web |last1=Jude |first1=Rogers |title=Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/16/every-one-of-madonnas-78-singles-ranked |work=The Guardian |access-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816144826/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/16/every-one-of-madonnas-78-singles-ranked |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |date=August 16, 2018}}{{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=January 28, 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}} Writing for The A.V. Club, Stephen Thomas Erlewine felt that, even though it lacks the "freshness" of "La Isla Bonita", "there’s a slightly haunted quality to the delivery of the titular phrase that lets 'Who’s That Girl' linger after it’s done playing".
Despite pointing out its "slick and strong" beats, Tom Breihan called "Who's That Girl" mediocre and uninspired, adding that it sounded as if "[Madonna and Leonard] had taken everything they'd just done on 'La Isla Bonita' and hit[ting] repeat". The singer's vocals were criticized by Brown for being "electronically speeded up, smoothed, sweetened and split into Chipmunk harmonies [...] she comes out sounding like a computer-generated clone". Breihan added that she did not sound "comfortable or fluid" singing in Spanish. For AllMusic, Erlewine felt the song wasn't among Madonna's best work and called it forgettable.{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=Madonna > Who's That Girl [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/whos-that-girl-original-motion-picture-soundtrack--mw0000196749 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=July 21, 1987}} On a similar note, it was named Madonna's "least-remembered No. 1" by Matthew Jacobs from the HuffPost.{{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=January 28, 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}} The staff of The A.V. Club'' added that, "only hardcore fans [will] remember this lightweight [...] less ponderous sequel to 'La Isla Bonita'".{{cite web |last1=Diaz |first1=Erick |last2=Gillies |first2=Drew |last3=Gilchrist |first3=Todd |title=Get into the groove: ranking Madonna's #1 songs - Who's That Girl (1987)|url=https://www.avclub.com/madonna-number-one-songs-ranked-greatest-hits-1849418788 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818131653/https://www.avclub.com/madonna-number-one-songs-ranked-greatest-hits-1849418788/slides/3 |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |date=August 18, 2022}} "Who's That Girl" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 45th Golden Globe Awards, and for the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 30th ceremony.{{cite web |title=Golden Globe Awards: Winners & Nominees 1988 |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1988 |publisher=Golden Globe Awards |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120639/https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1988 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=30th Annual GRAMMY Awards |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/30th-annual-grammy-awards |publisher=The Recording Academy |access-date=March 26, 2023}}
Commercial performance
"Who's That Girl" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 43 the week of July 11, 1987, becoming Madonna's 12th consecutive single to be named the week's top new entry.{{cite magazine |title=The Hot 100: Week of July 11, 1987 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-07-11/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 31, 2023 |date=July 11, 1987}}{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Heart finds it lonely at the top; controversy doesn't hurt Michael hit |magazine=Billboard |date=July 11, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=28 |page=6 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-07-11-Billboard-Page-0006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000105/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-07-11-Billboard-Page-0006.pdf |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0006-2510}} After it reached the chart's seventh spot on August 8, and gave the singer her 13th consecutive top 10 hit, it tied her with Lionel Richie as the singer with the longest string of consecutive top 10 hits in the 1980s decade up until that point.{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Michael Jackson single bows at no. 37; highest debut since Madonna in '85 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 8, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=32 |page=6 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-08-08-Billboard-Page-0006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000052/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-08-08-Billboard-Page-0006.pdf |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0006-2510}} "Who's That Girl" reached the Hot 100's first position on August 22. As Madonna's sixth number one single, it gave her several records: She surpassed Lionel Richie, Hall & Oates, and Phill Collins as the artist with the most number one hits in the 1980s;{{cite web |last1=DeKnock |first1=Jan |title=Madonna soars to the top of the charts for the sixth time |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-08-21-8703030809-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010749/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-08-21-8703030809-story.html |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |date=August 21, 1987}} she became one of only two female singers to score six number ones ―and the only one to do it as a solo artist, and achieved her third number one from a movie, following "Crazy for You" ―from Vision Quest (1985)― and "Live to Tell" ―from At Close Range.{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Madonna claims most no. 1s in '80s; Bon Jovi LP finally slips out of top 10 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 22, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=34 |page=10 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-08-22-Billboard-Page-0008.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000053/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-08-22-Billboard-Page-0008.pdf |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0006-2510}} According to Warner Bros. Records executive Lou Dennis, "Who's That Girl" was the best-selling cassette single from the label up at that point.{{cite journal |last1=White |first1=Adam |title=Music: Compact Data |journal=Radio & Records |date=October 2, 1987 |issue=706 |page=26 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/80s/87/RR-1987-10-02-OCR-Page-0026.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000043/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/80s/87/RR-1987-10-02-OCR-Page-0026.pdf |archive-date=January 29, 2023| access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0277-4860}} The single peaked within the top five positions of the Adult Contemporary chart. "Who's That Girl" came in at numbers 42 and 48 on the Hot 100 and 12-inch Singles Sales year-end charts, respectively.{{cite magazine |title=The Year in Music: 1987 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 26, 1978 |volume=99 |issue=52 |pages=Y-22 and y-30 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-12-26.pdf |access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0006-2510}} In Canada, "Who's That Girl" debuted on the 83rd position of RPM{{'}}s 100 Singles chart on the week of July 11, 1987 and, one month later, it peaked at number one.{{cite web |title=Top Singles - Volume 46, No. 14 Jul 11, 1987 |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0832&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0832.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0832 |work=RPM |publisher=Library and Archives Canada |access-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401231118/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0832&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0832.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0832 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |date=July 11, 1987}}
In Music & Media{{'}}s European Airplay Top 50, "Who's That Girl" debuted at number 3 on July 18, 1987, the highest entry in the chart's history according to the magazine.{{cite journal |last1=Bakker |first1=Machgiel |title=Madonna - What a girl! |journal=Music & Media |date=July 18, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=28 |page=3 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-07-18.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131051804/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-07-18.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2023}} It topped the chart by August 8, and remained on that position for two weeks,{{cite journal |title=European Airplay Top 50 |journal=Music & Media |date=August 8, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=37 |page=9 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-08-08.pdf#page=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815223347/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-08-08.pdf |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2023}}{{cite journal |title=European Airplay Top 50 |journal=Music & Media |date=August 15, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=32 |page=4 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-08-15.pdf#page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823200453/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-08-15.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2020| access-date=March 31, 2023}} her seventh number one there and "another unique achievement".{{cite journal |title=Singles Guide |journal=Music & Media |date=August 8, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=31 |page=15 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-08-08.pdf#page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815223347/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-08-08.pdf |archive-date=August 15, 2020| access-date=March 31, 2023}} It peaked at number two, just behind Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.{{cite journal |title=European Hot 100 Singles |journal=Music & Media |date=September 19, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=37 |page=9 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-09-19.pdf#page=9 |access-date=March 31, 2023}} "Who's That Girl" found success elsewhere: It reached the first position in Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, and Italy. In the latter country, it spent 11 consecutive weeks at the top of the Musica e dischi charts, and was the year's best-selling single.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e Dischi|language=it|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201160637/http://musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|url-status=live}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Madonna".{{cite journal |title=Top Sellers 1987 |journal=Music & Media |date=March 12, 1988 |volume=5 |issue=11 |page=25 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1988/M&M-1988-03-12.pdf#page=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823201507/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1988/M&M-1988-03-12.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2020| access-date=March 31, 2023}} In the United Kingdom, "Who's That Girl" debuted at the third position of the UK Singles Chart on July 18, and, one week later, reached the first spot, becoming Madonna's fifth number one there; it spent 10 weeks on the chart overall, and was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). According to Music Week magazine, over 376,498 copies of the single have 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=January 27, 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}} It peaked within the top five of the charts in West Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and New Zealand. In Australia, "Who's That Girl" reached the top 10.{{cite book|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |last=Kent|first=David|publisher=Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W |year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|title-link=Kent Music Report}}
Music video
= Background and synopsis =
{{multiple image|align=right|total_width=380|image1=Whosthatgirlmusicvideo.jpg|image2=Michael Jackson in 1988 (enhanced) (cropped).jpg|footer=Madonna's look in the "Who's That Girl" music video (left) was compared to that of singer Michael Jackson (right)|alt1=Madonna, wearing a grey jacket and hat, surrounded by children|alt2=Black-and-white image of Michael Jackson singing to a microphone}}
Peter Rosenthal directed the music video for "Who's That Girl", which was shot over two days at A&M Soundstages in Hollywood, California.{{harvnb|Rolling Stone Press|1997|p=261}} Production was in charge of James Foley and Joel Stillman for Broadcast Arts Inc.{{cite magazine |title=Video Music > New Videoclips |magazine=Billboard |date=June 20, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=25 |page=55 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-06-20-Billboard-Page-0077.pdf |access-date=March 26, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000121/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-06-20-Billboard-Page-0077.pdf |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |issn=0006-2510}} It alternates footage from Who's That Girl, with scenes of Madonna decked out as a "hip Latina", with an oversized grey jacket over a black bustier, short pants, pork pie hat, and spiky brown hair.{{harvnb|Andrews|2022|p=67}}
It begins with Madonna entering a park, catching the attention of a man and a group of children. Interspersed footage of her singing the track, wandering around the park, and scenes of the movie, play next. The kids and the man then take her to a darkened room, where she meets a fortune teller; the woman shows Madonna the High Priestess tarot card, which displays a caricature of her character Nikki Finn. The singer looks up and discovers the woman's disappeared; she then finds a key to a chest containing a shiny white crystal, which reflects an animated sequence of the Nikki Finn caricature. The man and the children show up again, and the video ends with them dancing "adoringly" with Madonna.
= Release and reception =
"Who's That Girl" premiered on MTV the week of July 4, 1987, and was one of the year's most heavily rotated clips on European television.{{cite magazine |title=MTV Programming |magazine=Billboard |date=July 4, 1987 |volume=99 |issue=27 |page=57 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-07-04-Billboard-Page-0055.pdf |access-date=March 26, 2003 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000115/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-07-04-Billboard-Page-0055.pdf| issn=0006-2510}}{{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 }} Years later, "Who's That Girl" was included on Madonna's 2009 compilation Celebration: The Video Collection. Upon release, critical reviews ranged from positive to mixed; Matthew Rettenmund compared the singer's appearance in the video to that of Michael Jackson, and applauded the clip for being "movie-plugging", yet strong enough to "stand[s] alone".{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|p=190}} Nonetheless, he noted that it was "rarely played" the years following its release. From website This Is Dig!, Mark Elliot also compared the singer's look to Jackson's and praised the "charming, low-key" video.{{cite web |last1=Elliot |first1=Mark |title=Who's That Girl: Behind Madonna's sure-fire soundtrack smash |url=https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/whos-that-girl-madonna-soundtrack-album/ |publisher=This Is Dig! |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721120902/https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/whos-that-girl-madonna-soundtrack-album/ |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |date=July 21, 2022}} Elliot also noted nods to the Pied Piper of Hamelin, a character he felt Madonna had already referenced on her music video for "Open Your Heart" (1986). In High Concept: Movies and Marketing in Hollywood, author Justin Wyatt pointed out that, throughout the clip, "Madonna, the singer, gazes longingly at Madonna, the comedienne/actress".{{harvnb|Wyatt|1994|p=45}}
A less favorable review came from Vincent Canby, writing for The New York Times; according to him, the video's purpose was to promote the film, but ended up showcasing "everything that's least attractive about it".{{cite web |last1=Canby |first1=Vincent |author1-link=Vincent Canby |title=Film View; in search of Madonna's persona |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/23/movies/film-view-in-search-of-madonna-s-persona.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601172800/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/23/movies/film-view-in-search-of-madonna-s-persona.html |archive-date=June 1, 2018 |date=August 23, 1987}} Canby was also critical of the persona Madonna adopted for the clip, comparing it negatively to her comedic performance in the movie: "It appeals neither to people who've never seen her before nor to anyone who's admired the sometimes brazenly erotic and funny performer [she] is in her best music videos", he concluded.
Live performances and covers
{{See also|List of cover versions of Madonna songs|List of Madonna tribute albums}}
File:Madonna - Rebel Heart Tour 2015 - Washington DC (23053529599) (cropped).jpg.]]
Madonna has performed the song on two of her concert tours: Who's That Girl (1987) and Rebel Heart (2015―2016). On the first one, it was sung as the concert's first encore. The singer wore a bright red flamenco dress, and sang the track assisted by her backup singers Niki Haris, Donna De Lory, and Debra Parson.{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=29}}{{cite video |title=Ciao Italia: Live from Italy|medium=VHS|publisher=Warner Home Video|date=1988}} At the end of the performance, she stepped out to the front of the darkened stage and sang the phrase Who's that girl repeatedly in a "sad chant that became increasingly self-absorbed and haunting".{{harvnb|Rolling Stone Press|1997|p=76}} The number was deemed one of the concert's weaker moments by The Washington Post{{'}}s Richard Harrington.{{cite web |last1=Harrington |first1=Richard |title=Madonna's star turn at RFK |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/07/03/madonnas-star-turn-at-rfk/193a0e40-5f56-40e0-9287-f60fd2927593/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423135711/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/07/03/madonnas-star-turn-at-rfk/193a0e40-5f56-40e0-9287-f60fd2927593/ |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |date=July 3, 1987}} Two different performances can be found on the videos Who's That Girl: Live in Japan and Ciao Italia: Live from Italy, filmed in Tokyo on June and in Turin on September, respectively.{{cite video |title=Who's That Girl: Live in Japan |medium=VHS |publisher=Warner Home Video |date=1987}}
An acoustic rendition of "Who's That Girl" was done on the singer's Rebel Heart Tour.{{cite web |last1=Cinquemani |first1=Sal |title=10 Things I learned at Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/10-things-i-learned-at-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour/ |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=January 27, 2022 |date=September 21, 2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220710055623/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/10-things-i-learned-at-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour/ |url-status=live }} The number featured Day of the Dead iconography and found Madonna playing guitar.{{cite web |last1=Naedham |first1=Alex |title=Madonna at Madison Square Garden review – 'There is no other performer like her' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/17/madonna-at-madison-square-garden-review-rebel-heart-tour-no-other-performer-like-her |website=The Guardian |access-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917224741/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/17/madonna-at-madison-square-garden-review-rebel-heart-tour-no-other-performer-like-her |archive-date=September 17, 2015 |date=September 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Stevenson |first1=Jane |title=Madonna puts on rebellious show for Toronto fans |url=http://torontosun.com/2015/10/05/live-coverage-madonna-brings-rebel-heart-tour-to-toronto/wcm/0a5d56e4-0877-4e2f-9830-f21040c58c9b |newspaper=Toronto Sun |access-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624181023/http://torontosun.com/2015/10/05/live-coverage-madonna-brings-rebel-heart-tour-to-toronto/wcm/0a5d56e4-0877-4e2f-9830-f21040c58c9b |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |date=October 5, 2015}} After finishing the song, she said: "I'm still trying to figure out who I am after all these years [...] Does anyone ever really know?".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34979759|title=Madonna returns to scene of Brits fall|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=December 2, 2015|access-date=December 4, 2015|publisher=BBC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205033910/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34979759|archive-date=December 5, 2015}} For Rollling Stone{{'}}s Rob Sheffield, "Who's That Girl" was the evening's "emotional highlight".{{cite magazine |last1=Sheffield |first1=Rob |author1-link=Rob Sheffield |title=Bitch, she's Madonna: NYC stop showcases genius of Rebel Heart Tour |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bitch-shes-madonna-nyc-stop-showcases-genius-of-rebel-heart-tour-20150917 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920014252/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bitch-shes-madonna-nyc-stop-showcases-genius-of-rebel-heart-tour-20150917 |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |date=September 17, 2015}}
In 1998, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra made an instrumental version of the song for Material Girl: RPO Plays Music of Madonna.{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Melinda |title=Royal Philharmonic Orchestra >Material Girl: RPO Plays Music of Madonna > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/material-girl-rpo-plays-music-of-madonna-mw0000601776 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=October 20, 1998}} One year later, a sound-alike cover was done by The Countdown Singers, which was included on Hit Parade of 80's, Vol. 2.{{cite web |date=October 12, 1999 |title=Various Artists > Hit Parade of 80's, Vol. 2 > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hit-parade-of-80s-vol-2-mw0001096381 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |publisher=AllMusic}} American band The Bubonic Plague recorded a synth-pop rendition of "Who's That Girl" for the tribute album Through the Wilderness (2007);{{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}} this cover was criticized by Pitchfork{{'}}s Stephen M. Deusner, who deemed it uninspired and felt was "beyond Bubonic Plague's ability to salvage it".{{cite web |last1=Deusner |first1=Stephen M. |title=Various Artists - Through the Wilderness: A Tribute To Madonna |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10931-through-the-wilderness-a-tribute-to-madonna/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709032859/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10931-through-the-wilderness-a-tribute-to-madonna/ |archive-date=July 9, 2009 |date=November 30, 2007}} In 2021, the song was sampled by Dutch DJs Joe Stone and Jack Wins on their song "Light Up My Life"; Madonna herself approved of the sampling.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Dylan |title=Jack Wins and Joe Stone collide on the brilliant 'Light Up My Life'! |url=https://edmhousenetwork.com/jack-wins-and-joe-stone-collide-on-the-brilliant-light-up-my-life/ |publisher=EDM House Network |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614032826/https://edmhousenetwork.com/jack-wins-and-joe-stone-collide-on-the-brilliant-light-up-my-life/ |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |date=May 28, 2021}}
Formats and track listing
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- US and European 7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Who's That Girl|others=Madonna|date=1987|type=UK 7-inch Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=W 8341}}
- "Who's That Girl" (LP version) – 3:58
- "White Heat" (LP version) – 4:40
- UK 12-inch single; limited edition 12-inch picture disc{{cite AV media notes|title=Who's That Girl|others=Madonna|date=1987|type=UK 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=W8341T}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Who's That Girl|others=Madonna|date=1987|type=UK 12-inch Picture Disc liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=W8341TP}}
- "Who's That Girl" (extended version) – 6:29
- "White Heat" (LP version) – 4:40
{{col-2}}
- US 12-inch single; UK limited edition 12-inch{{cite AV media notes|title=Who's That Girl|others=Madonna|date=1987|type=US 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=0-20692}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Who's That Girl|others=Madonna|date=1987|type=UK 12-inch Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=W 8341 (TX)}}
- "Who's That Girl" (extended version) – 6:29
- "Who's That Girl" (dub version) – 5:07
- "White Heat" (LP version) – 4:40
- German and UK CD maxi single (1995){{cite AV media notes|title=Who's That Girl|others=Madonna|date=1987|type=German CD Single liner notes|publisher=Sire Records|id=7599 20692-2}}
- "Who's That Girl" (extended version) – 6:29
- "White Heat" (LP version) – 4:40
- "Who's That Girl" – 3:58
- "Who's That Girl" (extended version) – 6:29
- "Who's That Girl" (dub version) – 5:04
{{col-end}}
Personnel
Personnel are adapted from the Who's That Girl soundtrack liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Who's That Girl: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|type=Liner notes|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|date=1987|id=925611-2}}
- Madonna – lyrics, producer, vocals
- Patrick Leonard – lyrics, producer
- Michael Barbiero and Steve Thompson – additional production, audio mixing
Charts
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Who's That Girl" !scope="col"|Chart (1987–1988) !scope="col"|Peak |
| scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)
|7 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Austria|4|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="aut"}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="fla"}} |
| {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|chartid=0853|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="canrpm"}} |
| scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI)
|1 |
| scope="row"|European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media)
|2 |
| scope="row"|European Airplay Top 50 (Music & Media)
|1 |
| scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite journal |title=Top 3 in Europe |journal=Music & Media |date=August 15, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=32 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-08-15.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823200453/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-08-15.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2023}}
|2 |
| {{single chart|France|2|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="fra"}} |
| scope="row"|Greece (IFPI){{cite journal |title=Top 3 in Europe |journal=Music & Media |date=October 24, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=42 |page=20 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-10-24.pdf#page=11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821192451/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-10-24.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2020| access-date=April 1, 2023}}
|2 |
| scope="row"|Iceland (RÚV){{cite journal |title=Topp 10 - RÁS II |journal=DV |date=August 21, 1987 |volume=187 |issue=77 |page=43 |url=https://timarit.is/page/2533098?iabr=on#page/n30/mode/2up |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000051/https://timarit.is/page/2533098?iabr=on#page/n30/mode/2up |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=April 1, 2023 |language=Icelandic}}
|6 |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|1|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="irl"}} |
| scope="row"|Italy (Musica e dischi)
|1 |
| scope="row"|Japan (Oricon Singles Chart){{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}}
|39 |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|1|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="dt40"}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|2|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="dt100"}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="nz"}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="nor"}} |
| scope="row"|Portugal (IFPI){{cite journal |title=Top 3 in Europe |journal=Music & Media |date=October 10, 1987 |volume=4 |issue=40 |page=22 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-10-10.pdf#page=11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815223526/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-10-10.pdf |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2023}}
|1 |
| scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web |title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989: Acts M |url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_%28M%29.html |publisher=Rock.co.za |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927225419/http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(M).html |archive-date=September 27, 2018}}
|6 |
| scope="row"|Spain (AFYVE){{cite journal |title=Top World Charts |journal=Pelo |date=1987 |page=22 |url=http://files.revistapelo.com.ar/pdf/300.pdf#page=23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627205602/http://files.revistapelo.com.ar/pdf/300.pdf |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2023}}
|2 |
| {{single chart|Sweden|2|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="swe"}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="swi"}} |
| {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="uk"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Madonna|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="bbhot100"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|5|artist=Madonna|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="ac"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|44|artist=Madonna|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="dance"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddancesales|2|artist=Madonna|rowheader=true|access-date=December 23, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|78|artist=Madonna|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="r&b"}} |
| {{single chart|West Germany|2|songid=1647|artist=Madonna|song=Who's That Girl|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2023|refname="ger"}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2022 weekly chart performance for "Who's That Girl" !Chart (2022) !Peak |
| scope="row"|UK Physical Singles (OCC){{cite web |title=Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100: 20 May 2022 - 26 May 2022 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-singles-chart/20220506/1/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527151525/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-singles-chart/ |archive-date=May 27, 2022}}
|3 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Hungary (MAHASZ){{cite web |title=Single Top 40 slágerlista |url=https://slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2022/17 |publisher=MAHASZ |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207182144/https://slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2022/17 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |language=Hungarian}}
|3 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2022 year-end chart performance for "Who's That Girl" !scope="col"|Chart (2022) !scope="col"|Position |
| scope="row"|UK Vinyl Singles (OCC){{cite web |last1=Griffiths |first1=George |title=The Official Top 40 Best-Selling Vinyl Albums and Singles of 2022 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-best-selling-vinyl-albums-and-singles-of-2022__38205/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104002912/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-best-selling-vinyl-albums-and-singles-of-2022__38205/ |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |date=January 4, 2023}}
|22 |
|---|
=Decade-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Decade-end chart performance for "Who's That Girl" !scope="col"| Chart (1980–1989) !scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web |title=Decenniumlijst: 80's |url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/decenniumlijst-80-s |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713121352/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/decenniumlijst-80-s |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |language=de}}
| style="text-align:center;"|61 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Who's That Girl"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Who's That Girl|artist=Madonna|nocert=true|salesamount=40,000|salesref={{cite magazine |title=Madonna and La Bamba fire up WEA week |magazine=RPM |date=August 15, 1987 |volume=46 |issue=19 |page=3 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1987/RPM-1987-08-15.pdf#page=3| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124043037/https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1987/RPM-1987-08-15.pdf| archive-date=January 24, 2021 | access-date=April 1, 2023}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Madonna|title=Who's That Girl|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1987|certyear=1987|access-date=May 29, 2015|refname="snep"|source=infodisc}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (Oricon Charts)|nocert=yes|salesamount=35,650|salesref=}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Madonna|title=Who's That Girl|type=single|award=Silver|id=8247-2003-1|salesamount=376,498|salesref=|refname="bpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Into the Groove|artist=Madonna|nocert=true|salesamount=446,000 + 105,000|note=Vinyl single & Cassette single|salesref=}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true}}
See also
- List of number-one hits (Belgium)
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1987
- List of number-one singles of 1987 (Canada)
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1987
- List of number-one singles of 1987 (Ireland)
- List of number-one hits of 1987 (Italy)
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1980s
- List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1987
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
{{refbegin|30em}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Andrews
|first=Marc
|title=Madonna: Song by Song
|year=2022
|publisher=Fonthill Media
|isbn=978-1781558447
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Bego
|first=Mark
|author-link=Mark Bego
|title=Madonna: Blonde Ambition
|year=2000
|publisher=Cooper Square Press
|isbn=978-0-8154-1051-5
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Bronson
|first=Fred
|author-link=Fred Bronson
|title=The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits
|publisher=Billboard Books
|year=2003
|isbn=0-8230-7677-6
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Morton
|first=Andrew
|author-link=Andrew Morton (writer)
|title=Madonna
|publisher=Macmillan
|year=2002
|isbn=0-312-98310-7
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Koopmans
|first=Andy
|title=Madonna
|publisher=Lucent
|year=2003
|isbn=1-59018-138-7
}}
- {{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
|year=2002
|publisher=Simon & Schuster
|isbn=9780330454469
}}
- {{Cite book
|last1=Easlea
|first1=Daryl
|last2=Fiegel
|first2=Eddie
|title=Madonna: Blond Ambition
|year=2012
|publisher=Backbeat Books
|isbn=978-1-61713-034-2
}}
- {{Cite book
|last1=Fouz-Hernández
|first1=Santiago
|first2=Freya
|last2=Jarman-Ivens
|title=Madonna's Drowned Worlds
|year=2004
|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
|isbn=0-7546-3372-1
|url=https://archive.org/details/madonnasdrownedw0000unse
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Wyatt
|first=Justin
|title=High Concept: Movies and Marketing in Hollywood
|year=1994
|publisher=University of Texas Press
|isbn=0292790910
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Rettenmund
|first=Matthew
|author-link=Matthew Rettenmund
|title=Encyclopedia Madonnica
|year=1995
|publisher=St. Martin's Press
|isbn=0-312-11782-5
}}
- {{Cite book
|last=Matthew-Walker
|first=Robert
|author-link=Robert Matthew-Walker
|title=Madonna: The Biography
|year=1991
|publisher=Pan Books
|isbn=0-330-31482-3
}}
- {{cite book
|title=Madonna: The Rolling Stone Files
|year=1997
|publisher=Hyperion Press
|ref={{harvid|Rolling Stone Press|1997}}
|isbn=0-7868-8154-2
}}
{{Refend}}{{Madonna songs}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Belgium
Category:Number-one singles in Italy
Category:Number-one singles in Portugal
Category:Number-one singles in Spain
Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Songs written by Madonna
Category:Songs written by Patrick Leonard
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Madonna