Madonna (Snail Mail song)

"Madonna"
Cover image of "Madonna": a woman wearing a black shirt poses with a tin can in front of her; her middle and ring fingers are covered in a brown sauce. The name of the song in all caps, "MADONNA", is printed above her.
Single by Snail Mail
from the album Valentine
ReleasedOctober 27, 2021 (2021-10-27)
GenrePop
Length2:53
LabelMatador
Songwriter(s)Lindsey Jordan
Producer(s)
  • Brad Cook
  • Lindsey Jordan
Snail Mail singles chronology
"Ben Franklin"
(2021) 		"Madonna"
(2021) 		"Adore You"
(2022)
Official audio
"Madonna" on YouTube

"Madonna" is a song by the American solo project Snail Mail from her second studio album, Valentine (2021). "Madonna" is a pop song written by Lindsey Jordan, the sole member of Snail Mail, and was produced by Jordan alongside Brad Cook. Its lyrics focus on the dangers of idolization in a relationship; it prominently features religious imagery, influenced by Jordan's Catholic upbringing. "Madonna" was released as the third single off Valentine on October 27, 2021, alongside an accompanying performance video. Its composition and lyrics were praised by music critics.

Background and composition

Lindsey Jordan, the sole member of Snail Mail, began working on Valentine after she moved back to her parents' house in Baltimore at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and had "nothing else to do but make music".[1] According to Jordan, "Madonna" was the eighth song on the album to be written.[2] The track was inspired by her Catholic upbringing, something which she felt compelled to explore following a 45-day stint in an Arizona rehabilitation facility.[3]

"Madonna" is a pop song[4] with elements of R&B,[4][5] indie rock,[5][6] and dance music.[7] Instrumentally, the song begins with a prominent bassline and "languid" drums,[8] and incorporates synthesizers[6] and "sizzling" guitar.[9] Lyrically, Jordan noted that "Madonna" was about the "danger of letting a human in your life become God".[3] It prominently features religious imagery, and she has called the song's tone "bitchy".[3][9]

Release and reception

"Madonna" was released as the third single from Valentine on October 27, 2021;[10][11] the cover of the single features Jordan wearing a 19th-century black shirt in front of a white background.[4] Additionally, a performance video recorded at the Armour–Stiner House was released the same day to Jordan's YouTube channel, featuring Jordan singing without simultaneously playing guitar.[11][12] The song was later released as the sixth track of Valentine on November 5, 2021.[13]

The composition of the song received positive review from music critics, with James Rettig of Stereogum calling it "slinking and sensual"[14] and The A.V. Club's Gabrielle Sanchez praising its catchiness.[15] Hayden Godfrey of Under the Radar called "Madonna" a "welcome change of pace" on its album, with particular attention towards its melody.[16] Paste's Ana Cubas highlighted the song's lyrics, lauding its witty lyricism and highlighting Jordan's maturity on the track.[17]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Apple Music.[18]

  • Lindsey Jordan – vocals, electric guitar, songwriter, producer
  • Alex Farrar – keyboards, mixing engineer
  • Jake Aron – bass guitar, engineer
  • Ray Brown – drums
  • Brad Cook – producer
  • Emily Lazar – engineer

References

  1. ^ Moreland, Quinn (September 21, 2021). "Snail Mail Can't Help But Confess". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 6, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  2. ^ Curto, Justin (December 7, 2021). "Lindsey Jordan's Long, Bumpy Road to Creative Control of Snail Mail". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Rettig, James (November 5, 2021). "The Story Behind Every Song On Snail Mail's New Album Valentine". Stereogum. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Chelosky, Danielle (November 10, 2021). "Snail Mail's Lindsey Jordan Breaks Down Her Signature Style". Uproxx. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Hyden, Steven (November 4, 2021). "Snail Mail Grows Up On 'Valentine'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Pearis, Bill (October 27, 2021). "Snail Mail shares "Madonna" off upcoming album 'Valentine'". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  7. ^ Merrick, Hayden (November 2, 2021). "Snail Mail's Songwriting Reaches Dizzying Heights on 'Valentine'". PopMatters. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  8. ^ Rowley, Glenn (October 27, 2021). "Snail Mail Drops New Single "Madonna": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Johnson, Ellen (November 3, 2021). "Snail Mail Powerfully Pieces Herself Back Together on Valentine". Paste. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  10. ^ Matador [@matadorrecords]; (October 27, 2021). "Snail Mail - 'Madonna' the third single from 'Valentine', out November 5". Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Instagram.
  11. ^ a b Skinner, Tom (October 27, 2021). "Snail Mail shares new single 'Madonna' alongside official live version". NME. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  12. ^ Adams, Gregory (March 28, 2022). "Snail Mail's Lindsey Jordan: "I'm a perfectionist – I will rip a song apart until it is done"". Guitar World. Archived from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  13. ^ Ruiz, Matthew (September 15, 2021). "Snail Mail Announces New Album Valentine, Shares New Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  14. ^ Rettig, James (October 27, 2021). "Snail Mail – "Madonna"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  15. ^ Sanchez, Gabrielle (November 5, 2021). "Snail Mail's Valentine is a soul-stirring study in vulnerability and romance". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  16. ^ Godfrey, Hayden (November 4, 2021). "Snail Mail: Valentine (Matador)". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  17. ^ Cubas, Ana (October 27, 2021). "Snail Mail Shares New Single, "Madonna"". Paste. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  18. ^ "Madonna — Song by Snail Mail — Apple Music". Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
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