page_title: La Isla Bonita
section_title: Critical reception
hierarchical_section_title: La Isla Bonita / Critical reception
caption_attribution_description: English: 2006 6-5 Fresno trip (249)
context_page_description: "La Isla Bonita" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her third studio album, True Blue. It was written and produced by her and Patrick Leonard, with additional songwriting by Bruce Gaitsch. Sire Records released it as the album's final single on February 25, 1987. The instrumental version of the song was first offered to Michael Jackson before Madonna both accepted it and wrote the lyrics and melody. "La Isla Bonita" is noted for being the first Madonna song to contain Latino influences, with arrangements of Cuban drums and Spanish guitar, maracas, harmonicas and a mix of synthesized and real drumming. The lyrics of the song tell about a "beautiful island" and, according to Madonna, was a tribute to the beauty of the Latinos.
  Following its release, "La Isla Bonita" received a positive reception from critics. It also became Madonna's fourth number-one single in the United Kingdom, giving her the record for most number-one singles for a female artist. The track additionally topped the charts in Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, and Switzerland, while reaching the top five in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.
context_section_description: In a review for the album The Immaculate Collection, David Browne of Entertainment Weekly compared the song with the moves of Carmen Miranda on MTV. Slant Magazine music critic Sal Cinquemani, in a review for the True Blue album, called the song one of Madonna's greatest, most influential and timeless songs. Author Maury Dean in his book Rock 'n' Roll Gold Rush praised the song saying, "Madonna coos a Spanish lullaby. Sizzly romance blooms among the cozy sheltering palms. Tough tunes for most males to shrug off."
  Rikky Rooksby, in his book The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna called the song "a little escapism". Dawn Keetley in his book Public Women, Public Words  called the song one of Madonna's most perfect songs capturing her inner emotional life. William McKeen called the song "tranquil" and "Up on the Roof type imaginary escapes from the city snarl, the kind of Latin-flavored sweets that Blondie could never resist." Ken Barnes of Creem wrote the song is "no "Open Your Heart", but its lilting (yet reflective) quality transcends the south-of-the-border cliches."
  Jon Pareles of The New York Times said that "La Isla Bonita" was one of Madonna's "friendlier" love songs. Don McLeese of the Chicago Sun-Times believed that the song was the best song on the album, as well as the most memorable. Meanwhile, Steve Morse of The Boston Globe believed that it was one of her "prettier" songs. Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle, while reviewing Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour, called the song a true retro one. Marty Racine, from the same newspaper, believed that the song was one that stood out on the album. Los Angeles Daily News, when discussing Madonna's style of music, believed that "La Isla Bonita" was a song that was "pointing in [a] welcome direction."
caption: Madonna sings "La Isla Bonita" as she is followed by her dancers, in the 2006 Confessions Tour
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