MADONNA / Pre-MADONNA: THE EARLY YEARS 1979-1981 [2CD]

Madonna, who rose to become one of the most glorious superstars of the 1980s, is celebrated with Pre-MADONNA: The Early Years 1979–1981, an anthology collection compiling rare and previously unreleased recordings from before her major-label debut. Tracing her activities chronologically from the time she moved alone to New York in 1978 up to her major debut in 1983, this is the perfect compilation that follows her journey from complete obscurity to breakout success.

CD1 features the “Stephen Bray Demos,” which led to her major-label signing in 1981. Included are the original versions of “Everybody” and “Burning Up,” later featured on her debut album, as well as “Ain’t No Big Deal,” once considered as her debut single. Also included are four demo recordings from her time with her first manager, Camille Barbone of Gotham Management, along with additional studio recordings from the same period. These tracks capture the crucial transitional phase in which Madonna shifted from a rock-influenced style to the dance-pop direction that would define her breakthrough.

CD2 compiles recordings from her pre-solo band years, including the short-lived 1980 project Emmy and the Emmys, and The Breakfast Club, the band she first joined as a drummer in 1979. Fronting Emmy and the Emmys as guitarist and vocalist, Madonna delivers raw, new wave/punk-inspired performances that reveal influences such as Blondie and The Pretenders—her youthful, striking vocals and energy leave a powerful impression. Her period with The Breakfast Club, initially as a drummer, also yielded demo recordings in which she contributed original compositions and lead vocals, providing a rare glimpse into the early emergence of her musical talent.

Many of these recordings were previously available only in partial or fragmentary form. This edition includes newly unearthed material, upgraded audio sources, unedited long takes, and numerous tracks making their first appearance anywhere. This is the definitive, newly curated collector’s edition chronicling Madonna’s formative years leading up to her major-label breakthrough.

CD1
STEPHEN BREY DEMOS 1981
01. AIN'T NO BIG DEAL
02. BURNING UP
03. CRIMES OF PASSION
04. DON'T YOU KNOW
05. EVERYBODY
06. LAUGH TO KEEP FROM CRYING
07. STAY

THE GOTHAM DEMO TAPES 1981
08. GET UP
09. HIGH SOCIETY
10. TAKE ME (I WANT YOU)
11. LOVE ON THE RUN

THE MIA MIND MUSIC'S RECORDINGS 1981
12. LITTLE BOY LOST
13. SIT ON THE GROUND (SAFE NEIGHBOURFOOD)
14. SHINE A LIGHT

MADONNA SELF RECORDINGS 1981
15. ARE YOU READY FOR IT
16. TAKE ME (I WANT YOU)
17. LOVE ON THE RUN
18. REMEMBERING YOUR TOUCH

CD2
EMMY AND THE EMMYS 1980
/ THE BREAKFAST CLUB 1979
01. BELL'S RINGING
02. DROWNING
03. HOT HOUSE FLOWER (version 1)
04. LOVE FOR TENDER
05. NO TIME FOR LOVE
06. I GOT TROUBLE (ROLL OVER IT) (version 1)
07. TELL THE TRUTH
08. DROWNING (early mix)
09. MOVING ALONE
10. SIMON SAYS
11. OH OH (THE SKY IS BLUE)
12. HOT HOUSE FLOWER (version 2)
13. I GOT TROUBLE (ROLL OVER IT) (version 2)
14. NOBODY WANTS TO BE ALONE (ONCE I THOUGHT I WAS GOOD)

THE BREAKFAST CLUB DEMO RECORDINGS 1979
15. LITTLE BOY LOST
16. NO RUNNNING IN THE CITY
17. SAFE NEIGHBOURFOOD
18. SIMON SAYS
19. LOVE EXPRESS

EMMY AND THE EMMYS BAND REHEARSALS 1980
20. BURNING UP
21. LOVE FOR TENDER

New Remix And Remasters Original Compiled 2025