"Like a Virgin," Madonna's second studio album, hit the shelves on November 12, 1984, under Sire Records. Building on the success of her self-titled debut album from 1983, Madonna was eager to craft her next musical statement. She enlisted Nile Rodgers to produce the album, drawn to his work on David Bowie's "Let's Dance" (1983). Madonna personally curated the album's tracklist, contributing six of her own compositions, five of which were co-written with former boyfriend and collaborator Steve Bray, and selecting six songs from other artists. Recording sessions took place at Power Station Studio in New York City, with Rodgers bringing in his former Chic bandmates Bernard Edwards and Tony Thompson to assist.
 
Upon its release, "Like a Virgin" received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Rodgers' production but criticism aimed at Madonna's vocals. Nonetheless, the album marked Madonna's first number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first female album to surpass five million copies sold in the US. It eventually achieved diamond certification from the RIAA for shipping ten million units. Internationally, it topped the charts in several countries including Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, and the UK. With worldwide sales exceeding 21 million copies, "Like a Virgin" remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Its four official singles all reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, with the title track securing Madonna's first number one, and "Material Girl" reaching number two.
 
The album was supported by Madonna's inaugural concert tour, the Virgin Tour of 1985, which exclusively visited North American cities. "Like a Virgin" catapulted Madonna to superstardom, dispelling any notion of her being a one-hit wonder. Moreover, her fashion sense became iconic among younger female audiences, further cementing her cultural impact. In 2023, the album was honored with preservation in the United States' National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, recognizing it as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"