Explore every episode of the podcast Inside The Groove - Madonna’s Music

Recorded in London in November 2023, a special episode in partnership with the National AIDS Trust where we gathered fans to discuss Madonna's commitment in the fight against AIDS. We raised £5000 that day - hear it now.

Recorded at the RVT on 21 October 2023, the podcast hosts discuss the recent dates by Madonna for the first London leg of the tour. Joined by special guests on the stage and with a live link up to New York and LA, we tell it like it is as Madonna launches her 40th anniversary tour.

A chance to hear a revisited version of this early episode about Madonna's huge hit from 2000.

The song that would hit no.1 in over 20 countries was seen as a "success for avant garde music" by the track's co-writer and producer Mirwais as it heralded a new era for the superstar. But how and where was the song recorded? Listen to not only a rarely-heard demo of the song, but also individual, isolated tracks including Madonna' raw vocal takes and outtakes, tracked twenty years ago.

The fourth single from Madonna's hugely acclaimed and highly successful album, True Blue, started out as a demo for Cyndi Lauper. But the writers of the track have very different stories about its origins. Listen to a demo along with studio takes from the original multitrack to find out how Open Your Heart was created and why it's one of her most popular singles to date.

Madonna's 'Vogue' is 30 years old and one of the singer's most popular hits. But did you know it was recorded as a b-side? Did you know that it's backing track is based on a Janet Jackson song? And do you want to hear studio outtakes from the original 1989 recording session? Inside the Groove has it all. Listen now.

A chance to hear a revised version of the very first episode of this podcast telling the story of Madonna's huge hit from 1990.

The story of Madonna's most recent studio album, inspired by living in Portugal and which saw Madonna reuniting with producer Mirwais. 

Songwriting sessions, leaks and re-recordings to get this album where it needed to be. Enjoy hear the story behind Madonna's thirteenth studio album.

Madonna's 2012 EDM album may not be a fan favourite, but there's a story to be told. Hear the original writers demos behind many of the songs that made the final album, plus the story of the fantastic atwork. 

From the RVT in London - a live episode - with no edits - our panel and fans discuss the 2009 Greatest Hits package by Madonna. 

A mini episode to tell you how to listen to the next episode live and what to expect if you'll be joining us for the live event in London on Saturday 21 May. 

The most marmite of Madonna albums - everyone has an opinion on this one, not least of all the Steven Klein artwork. Find out how that was shot and the changes made to it afterwards, plus hear some unreleased gems from the archives and the story behind the album's third single, Miles Away.

An interview with the author of a brilliant new book - Madonna: Song by Song - almost like this podcast in written form! Marc is a huge fan and has immense insight - and reveals some of his new discoveries in this very episode. 

Madonna's disco-inspired album goes under the spotlight including the story behind some of the unused songs recorded for a musical project, the Steven Klein photoshoot and how Pet Shop Boys influenced the project. 

The final (for now!) episode comes live from London with an audience of 250 Madonna fans. Join Edward, Peter and Jonathan as they chat with Lucy O'Brien, screen Artie O'Daley's brilliant movie and reveal the Top 20 most streamed Madonna songs of all time!

Hear about the recording of this album including unreleased tracks, the demo of Nothing Fails, individual elements from Love Profusion and, of course, the very distinctive album artwork. 

Madonna's first album for the 2000s brought a huge sonic change to her music and a fantastic new look for the design. This episode also put special focus on the song American Pie which was included in some territories and had quite a significant effect on Madonna's plans. 

The story behind one of Madonna's most important releases. As well as the beautiful artwork and Testino photoshoot, the story of Power of Goodbye is also told. 

The story behind Madonna's third compilation LP, including the songs I Want You and You'll See. Plus you can hear some unreleased tracks from that period and find out all the info on the beautiful Testino cover... plus, what was the original title and plan for this album?

The story behind Madonna's 1994 dip into R&B mid-tempo pop and a special focus on the songs Take A Bow and I'd Rather Be Your Lover.

Find out more about this provocative book and also hear some of the unreleased songs from the Erotica album. 

The story behind Madonna's 1992 album - in part one, we discuss the record's main producer, Shep Pettibone, talk about the artwork and throw focus on the song Rain.

The story behind Madonna's first greatest hits package, with details about Q Sound, Blond Ambition, The Herb Ritts photography, and a special focus on Rescue Me.

The story behind the recording of Madonna's album which was inspired by her character in Dick Tracy

The story behind t he recording of Madonna's seminal album, with details of the photoshoot, the singles and a focus on Oh Father. 

The penultimate episode of the podcast explores the making of Madonna's most loved (probably!) song, with details of the recording and the live performances.

The story behind Madonna's first remix album with special focus on the song Spotlight - plus additional infor about Who's That Girl

The story behind Madonna's third album. With the history of its making, the photoshoot, the design, and special focus on the song Papa Don't Preach.

The story behind Madonna's second album. With the history of its making, the photoshoot, the design, and special focus on the song Material Girl

The story behind Madonna's 1983 debut album. With the history of its making, the photoshoot, the design and special focus on the song Lucky Star. 

Who has covered her with Golden Kisses and when did Madonna do it better? This episode focusses on a new album of Madonna covers and also talks about the best and not so best covers of Madonna songs from over the years with special guest Darren Hayes.

Yee-haw! Get ready to line dance in celebration of that folky piece of electronica. But also to hear some of the songs which didn't make the final cut for the Music album on its release in 2000.

This episode was first released in February 2021 with part 2 only available to patrons. Now you can listen to both episodes together as a gift on Madonna's birthday. Remember to check out the new merchandise at https://merchify.me/insidethegroove/ 

Revisiting all four songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, discussing the movie with the MLVC podcast, talking about the Who's That Girl World Tour with the Immaculate Podcast plus special guests Graham Gremore from Queerty and Rod Thomas of Bright Light Bright Light who plays his cover of Causing A Commotion. Also included are brand new - exclusively for this podcast - covers of other 1987 Madonna tracks by Graingerboy, Kavana, and Darren Hayes. A celebration of Madonna for her 63rd birthday.

A tonal shift for Madonna with a song which was not only a massive hit for the singer, but brought lots of new fans on board. But it's a divisive track and era with certain fans. I'll be discussing this, telling the story of the recording and mixing and also exploring its use in the TV show Glee.

This was Madonna's second single, but it didn't have a global release so is not known as widely as some of her bigger hits, despite being a complete banger! Hear the story of its earliest versions plus how Madonna was styled, how the video was made, the special artwork by her friend Martin Burgoyne and much more!

Released in 1985, the movie Vision Quest featured two new Madonna songs, one of which would become her first ballad to be released as a single. But what of the third song? Hear the story of Madonna's moment in the movie, along with the original demo version of the song and find out why Gambler hasn't made it on to streaming. 

The final part of the set of episodes about Evita is a discussion with the Honest Vocal Coach about Madonna's voice as we compare it to the other famous actors to have played the role of Eva Peron.

The second part of three episodes discussing Madonna's role in this movie and the accompanying soundtrack.

In the first of three episodes, we discover the history of the musical from concept album to stage show and on to film. You'll find out how Madonna first became involved in the mid 1980s, only to be dropped from the part but, of course, rehired for the final version. You'll get to hear some early versions of the songs by Madonna as well as excerpts from the original album and a rare remix of Buenos Airies.

No new Groove episode right now, but don't go without - have an episode from the sister podcast - all about this huge 90s hit from Sweden.

The lead single from the soundtrack to the second Austin Powers movie - The Spy Who Shagged me. A popular radio hit and a number one in 4 territories. We discuss the song's origin, its video and the other song Madonna recorded at the same time, with Latin singer Ricky Martin

The second single from the American Life album is a much-loved track by fans and especially for its video and MTV performance. However, it failed to chart in the US, following controversy around the singer. The video also drew criticism and a lawsuit and then there was the Britney kiss. An interesting time in Madonna's career that overshadows what an incredible pop song it is. 

Madonna’s very first single was the template for all that was to come. With a two-song deal, she recorded it in Chelsea, Manhattan. 39 years later, she is the richest female music artist in the world. Hear the original demo, the multitrack breakdown, and more in this episode which celebrates one year of podcasting.

The first single frrom Madonna's sixth album and a big change in direction for the artist with a laid back launch to the new era. Here's the story of how it came about, along with details of the video and launch promo campaign.

With multiple Top 40 UK singles including two Top Ten hits, Kavana spent the 1990s working the music business and was also a huge, huge Madonna fan. Recalling stories of their "near miss" and also working with Patrick Leonard, he has some very interesting tales to tell.

You may be aware of Georgina aka The Honest Vocal Coach who runs a very popular YouTube channel designed to analyse the vocal styles - good and bad - of many popular singers. This episode takes a fascinating look into how Madonna's voice has developed over her career. Not to be missed!

Madonna's theme for the movie A League of Their Own is also one of her biggest hits, despite not being part of the Erotica project which came a few months later. Hear the story of Madonna's song, her part in the movie, who complained about the video and also an acapella or the verse from the unreleased, 7-minute version of the song.

An interview with Ian Watkins - aka H from the UK band Steps - he's a big Madonna fan and we talk about how she's touched his life over the years.