Madonna - Causing A Commotion (1987)

"Causing a Commotion" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack to the 1987 film Who's That Girl. It was ...

"Causing a Commotion" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack to the 1987 film Who's That Girl. It was released as the album's second single on August 25, 1987 by Sire Records. Its Silver Screen Single Mix later appeared on the 1991 UK compilation EP The Holiday Collection. Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the song was inspired by Madonna's relationship with then husband Sean Penn, and his abusive and violent nature. Containing a dance-oriented, up-tempo groove, the song begins with the chorus and is accompanied by a four-note descending bassline and staccato chords in the verse.

Since its release, the song has received mixed to positive reviews by critics. It became a top-ten hit in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and topped the Billboard US dance chart. Madonna performed the song on the Who's That Girl World Tour – which was transmitted via satellite to the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards – and the Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. The performances were included in the home video release of the tours.

Chart performance

"Causing a Commotion" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at number 41 the week of September 12, 1987, as "Who's That Girl" was descending from the top ten. The single quickly climbed up the chart, ultimately peaking at number two the week of October 24, 1987, blocked from the pole position by Michael Jackson's "Bad" and Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now." It remained in the runner-up position for three consecutive weeks, before descending from the chart. The song reached the top 40 of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and hit number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. In Canada, the song debuted at number 90, on the RPM singles chart on September 19, 1987. After six weeks, the song reached a peak of number two on the chart. It was present for a total of 31 weeks and ranked at number 47 on the RPM Year-end chart for 1987.

In the United Kingdom, "Causing a Commotion" was released on September 19, 1987. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number seven, and peaked at number four. The song was present for a total of nine weeks. According to the Official Charts Company, the song has sold 230,000 copies there. In Germany, the song debuted on the Media Control Charts at number 66 on September 29, 1987, reaching a peak of number 14 in its third week, and spending 12 weeks on the chart. The song reached the top ten in Australia and the European Hot 100 Singles, peaking at number seven and three respectively. Elsewhere, the song reached the top ten in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland and the top 20 in Austria, Norway and Sweden.