Holiday

"Holiday" is a song by American singer Madonna from her self-titled debut album. Released on September 7, 1983 by Sire Records, it later appeared remixed on the 1987 remix compilation You Can Dance and the 1990 greatest hits compilation The Immaculate Collection, and in its original form on the 2009 greatest hits album Celebration. Written by Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens of Pure Energy, the track was offered to Madonna by her producer John "Jellybean" Benitez when she was looking for a potential hit track to include in her debut album. After accepting the song, she and Jellybean worked on it and altered its composition by the addition of a piano solo performed by their friend, Fred Zarr. "Holiday" features instrumentation from guitars, electronic handclaps, cowbell, and a synthesized string arrangement while talking about the universal sentiment of taking a holiday. Universally acclaimed by critics, the song became Madonna's first hit single when it entered the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 while topping its dance chart and was also a crossover success, entering the top ten and top 40 of many European countries. Madonna has performed "Holiday" on most of her tours—most recently at the MDNA Tour. The song is generally included as a part of the encore or as the closing song of the show. Different performances of the song are included in the recorded releases of her tours. Cover versions by a number of artists have been released, and it has also appeared in the soundtrack of sitcoms like Will & Grace. In the United Kingdom, "Holiday" has been released three times as a single; in January 1984, reaching number six, re-issued in August 1985 reaching number 2 (only being kept from number one by her own "Into the Groove" single). It was re-released with new artwork in 1991 to promote The Immaculate Collection with a limited edition EP titled The Holiday Collection, which contained tracks omitted from the compilation; this version reached number five. Although it doesn't figure among Madonna's highest chart showings, the track became one of her better known songs worldwide.