Who actually wrote "Like a Virgin"
The song "Like a Virgin" was written by American songwriter Billy Steinberg and American songwriter Tom Kelly. The track was first recorded by singer Madonna and released in 1984 as the lead single from her second studio album, Like a Virgin. Steinberg and Kelly are widely credited as the sole writers, and the song is published by their music publishers, administered by Warner Chappell Music and other rights agencies.
Key credits at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Songwriters | Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg | Music publishing credits |
| Original recording artist | Madonna | Label release information |
| Release year | 1984 | Label catalog data |
| Album | Like a Virgin | Album credits |
| Publishers | Administered by Warner Chappell Music and other rights agencies | Performance society and publishing records |
Background on the songwriters
Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg are an American songwriting duo best known for co-writing several hit singles in the 1980s. The pair had previously collaborated on other songs before "Like a Virgin." Their partnership produced notable pop songs, and they are recognized for melodic hooks and carefully observed lyrical perspectives on relationships and identity.
Song origin and recording process
"Like a Virgin" was developed as part of a planned album project with Madonna. The demo was presented to her team, and the track was refined during studio recording to suit her style and production direction. Producer credits and arrangement details were shaped across multiple studio sessions, but the core composition remained attributed to Kelly and Steinberg.
Publishing and performance rights
The song is registered with performance rights organizations that track public performances and broadcasting. These entities list Kelly and Steinberg as the writers and ensure that publishing revenue is directed to the proper rights holders and administrators.
Common questions and clarifications
- The primary writer credits are Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg.
- Madonna is the original recording artist, not the writer of the composition.
- Cover versions typically require a license and retain the original songwriting credits.
- There is no verified evidence of alternate writers for the hit recording.
Notable covers and performances
Other artists have recorded versions of "Like a Virgin." Each cover requires proper licensing, and the songwriting credits remain attributed to Kelly and Steinberg. Live performances and tribute recordings rely on established publishing channels to report plays and collect royalties.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer | Evidence type |
|---|---|---|
| Who wrote "Like a Virgin"? | Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg | Official publishing credits |
| Did Madonna write the song? | No, she did not write the composition | Label and publishing records |
| Can covers change the writers? | No, covers require licenses that preserve original credits | Music licensing practice |
Why credits matter
Accurate songwriting credits protect creators, ensure proper royalty distribution, and support transparency in music publishing. Disputes over authorship are rare for this track because publishing documentation consistently lists Kelly and Steinberg.
Summary
"Like a Virgin" was written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg and popularized by Madonna in 1984. The song remains a landmark pop single, with its credits unchanged across original releases and subsequent recordings. Publishing and performance rights records continue to confirm Kelly and Steinberg as the composers.