Papa Don't Preach (1986)

FORMATS: 7" Vinyl, 12" Vinyl, CD Video

HISTORY AND NOTES: Upon its release, there was some controversy over the subject matter of "Papa Don't Preach", which touched upon the issue of teenage pregnancy. The song was released just prior to the launch of Madonna's third album, True Blue. While the previous single, "Live To Tell", was not cited as being the first official single from the album at the time of its release, fans have come to acknowledge "Papa Don't Preach" as the second single from the album.

"Papa Don't Preach" was released in the usual 7" and 12" vinyl formats. Both were backed by the Like A Virgin album track "Pretender". The 12" contained the Extended Remix of the title track. The single was also released in the short-lived CD Video format, which compiled all the tracks from the 7" and 12" formats, while also containing the music video.

"Papa Don't Preach" was as another massive success for Madonna and another Hot 100 #1 hit (her fourth by this point). The single also topped the Singles Sales, Radio Airplay, and Maxi-Singles Sales charts. It was later featured on Madonna's greatest hits albums The Immaculate Collection (1990), and Celebration (2009).

CERTIFICATION: Gold


TRACKLISTINGS:

7" Vinyl
A Papa Don't Preach (Album Version)
B Pretender (Album Version)

12" Vinyl
A Papa Don't Preach (Extended Remix)
B Pretender (Album Version)

Video CD
1. Papa Don't Preach (Album Version)
2. Papa Don't Preach (Extended Remix)
3. Pretender (Album Version)
4. Papa Don't Preach (Video)


CHARTS:

THE BILLBOARD HOT 100
Debut Date: June 28, 1986
Peak Date: August 16, 1986
Peak Position: #1 (2 weeks)
Week-by-week Rundown: 42-35-24-12-6-4-2-1-1-3-9-14-27-35-55-66-70-99-// (18 weeks total)
Final Week on Chart: October 25, 1986

The Billboard Hot 100 Top 10: August 16, 1986 (the week that "Papa Don't Preach" peaked at #1)
1. Madonna “Papa Don’t Preach”
2. Peter Cetera “Glory of Love”
3. Belinda Carlisle “Mad About You”
4. Steve Winwood “Higher Love”
5. Jermaine Stewart “We Don’t Have To Take Out Clothes Off”
6. Bananarama “Venus”
7. Lionel Richie “Dancing On The Ceiling”
8. Timex Social Club “Rumors”
9. Berlin “Take My Breath Away”
10. Wham! “The Edge of Heaven”

HOT 100 SINGLES SALES
Debut Date: July 12, 1986
Peak Date: August 9, 1986
Peak Position: #1 (3 weeks)
Week-by-week Rundown: 28-17-9-5-1-1-1-4-9-16-24-34-// (12 weeks total)
Final Week on Chart: September 27, 1986

HOT 100 AIRPLAY
Debut Date: June 28, 1986
Peak Date: August 16, 1986
Peak Position: #1 (2 weeks)
Week-by-week Rundown: 39-29-15-10-6-3-2-1-1-2-7-13-25-38-// (14 weeks total)
Final Week on Chart: September 27, 1986

HOT DANCE MUSIC / CLUB PLAY
Debut Date: July 19, 1986
Peak Date: August 30, 1986
Peak Position: #4
Week-by-week Rundown: 38-16-11-6-5-5-4-5-15-27-// (10 weeks total)
Final Week on Chart: September 20, 1986

HOT DANCE MUSIC / CLUB PLAY BREAKOUTS
Debut Date: July 12, 1986
Peak Date: July 12, 1986
Peak Position: #2
Week-by-week Rundown: 2-// (1 week total)
Final Week on Chart: July 12, 1986

HOT DANCE MUSIC / MAXI-SINGLES SALES
Debut Date: July 26, 1986
Peak Date: August 23, 1986
Peak Position: #1 (2 weeks)
Week-by-week Rundown: 51-16-10-4-2-1-1-2-3-6-10-20-36-// (12 weeks total)
Final Week on Chart: October 11, 1986

Note: The #51 position listed in the beginning is for its debut as a “bubbling under” single. The Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales chart only had 50 positions at that point.

ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Debut Date: July 5, 1986
Peak Date: August 16, 1986
Peak Position: #16
Week-by-week Rundown: 39-31-25-18-17-19-16-18-21-23-27-34-39-// (13 weeks total)
Final Week on Chart: September 27, 1986