Madonna – Hanky Panky (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1990

BTG BARBIE Rewind: Bubblegum Pop Inspired by BARBIE!

“Hanky Panky” is a song by American singer Madonna from her soundtrack album I’m Breathless. It was released on June 12, 1990, by Sire Records as the album’s second and final single. Written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the song was developed from a line in the parent film, Dick Tracy, talking about a woman who enjoys being spanked by her partner. Performed in a playful, “tongue-in-cheek” style, “Hanky Panky” is a jazz and swing song, keeping with the film’s general theme of the 1920s and 1930s, with a changing bassline and minor to major key-shift in the chorus. It caused some controversy in Ireland because of its innuendo and racy lyrics, with women’s groups deeming them as harmful; Madonna later clarified that the lyrics were intended as a joke.

The song garnered positive response from music critics, many of them highlighting its lyrical content. It was a commercial success, becoming a top-ten hit in many countries including Australia, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States while topping the chart in Finland. Madonna has performed the song on two of her concert tours: Blond Ambition (1990) and Re-Invention (2004). The song has been covered by several tribute acts and was also performed on the television series Ally McBeal (1997).

In 1990, Madonna starred in the film Dick Tracy as Breathless Mahoney—a new role introduced for her—with Warren Beatty, her boyfriend at the time, playing the titular character. After the shooting for Dick Tracy was over, Madonna started working on the soundtrack. She had begun recording three songs written by Stephen Sondheim for the film—”Sooner or Later”, “More” and “What Can You Lose”—which would be part of the album, but also had to write and develop new songs comparable in style to her previous releases. She produced the entire album, including the Sondheim songs. “I want people to think of me as a musical comedy actress. That’s what this album is about for me. It’s a stretch. Not just pop music, but songs that have a different feel to them, a theatrical feel”, she said at the time.

Madonna recruited producer Patrick Leonard and engineer Bill Bottrell to help her with the project. She and Leonard toiled to create music that would fit the style and production of the film, set in the days of the Untouchables law enforcement. “Hanky Panky” was written and produced by Madonna and Leonard and was released as the second and final single from I’m Breathless on June 12, 1990. The cassette and the 7-inch versions had “More”, another song from the album as its B-side, while the 12-inch releases had two remixes of the song by Kevin Gilbert. Cover photograph for the single was done by Patrick Demarchelier with Jeri Heiden designing the sleeves.

As a BONUS TRACK, I have included the Razormaid Remix Service …Maid! How Slow Can You Go? #2 Digital Mix of “Now I’m Following You” a song that was also part of the I’m Breathless Soundtrack album. The song was not released as a single but an acetate promo 12″ single does exist.

SIDE A:
Hanky Panky (Bare Bottom 12″ Mix) 6:27

SIDE B:
Hanky Panky (Bare Bones Single Mix) 3:50

More (Album Version) 4:57
Producer – Bill Bottrell, Madonna
Written-By – Stephen Sondheim

BONUS TRACK:
Now I’m Following You (Digital Mix) 6:58
Remix –Joseph Watt

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1990 Hanky Panky U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #10

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 9 21577-0, Warner Bros. Records – 0-21577
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic, Jazz, Pop
Style: Swing, Big Band, Jazzdance

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Original versions available on the Sire/Warner Bros. album I’M BREATHLESS.
“More” from the film Dick Tracy

Made in U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning
: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans
: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.



Subscribe
Notify of
guest

29 Comments
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Queertone
Queertone
August 20, 2023 11:54 am

Thanks, as always, Paul!

Dan
Dan
August 5, 2023 5:02 pm

Wow, what a revelation. All these years I never knew this version of “Now I’m Following You” even existed!

Ian
Ian
August 3, 2023 5:44 am

Excellent share Paul! Thank you. Can I ask is the bonus track from the vinyl or the CD release of ‘…Maid! How Slow Can You Go? #2’?

ian
ian
Reply to  DjPaulT
August 3, 2023 7:25 am

Thanks for clarifying Paul 🙂

GAC
GAC
August 2, 2023 8:59 pm

Thanks for posting! I always thought this was a fun song, and not surprised at all to hear some people took it seriously. People have been freaking out about nothing since the beginning of time.

I’m Breathless is one of my favorite Madonna albums I think because of the variety of sound. I like the Broadway and club moments, and of course, Vogue overshadowed most of it. I’m Breathless made for some great moments on the Blond Ambition tour. Thanks for posting, it was fun listening to this today.

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
August 2, 2023 7:25 pm

Wow another gem Paul!! I love the Dick Tracy movie and the casting of Madonna (aside from being Warren Beatty’s GF) was quite perfect, my favorite role of hers. Such a creative, under appreciated movie! And a tour de force cast with Beatty, Al Pacino, etc. Truly makes the laughable Marvel movies of the past decade with their over reliance on CGI seem that much more pathetic. Look at what Batman, Dick Tracy and Darkman of that time were able to accomplish with all practical effects. Thanks for this beautiful transfer of these remixes plus the quite rare bonus track!!

GAC
GAC
Reply to  Retro Hound
August 2, 2023 9:01 pm

I agree, I loved how they translated the comic book feel into the movie. It was fun to watch and had some great characters. It may not be for everyone, but I certainly enjoyed it!

BPMBeats!
BPMBeats!
August 2, 2023 5:23 pm

I have always heard Joseph Watt was an arrogant asshole. Did not like this period in Madonna’s career. I always appreciate what you do whether I like it or not.

Paul. You are my favorite DJ.

Grant
Grant
August 2, 2023 4:56 pm

Thanks for this Paul!

ING
ING
August 2, 2023 2:45 pm

Thanks for this, especially looking forward to the “bonus track” as my interest in Madonna was on an upward swing with Like A Prayer and this sidestep lost my interest for a bit honestly-I’ve never even seen the movie. It would be Bedtime Stories that rekindled my love for her art/music! So it will be fun to revisit this time period detached from the past. I believe I’ve heard the album many times along with various remixes as it was new when I was working at a record store and certain employees loved it, but I can hardly recall it… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  ING
August 2, 2023 4:40 pm

Hope you like the mix, ING. I was quite the fan of this album. Seeing the film added to my enjoyment of this soundtrack. I really loved that Madonna experimented with theatrical sounding stuff. Her cover version of Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” was adorable, and she used this voice on certain cuts in “I’m Breathless.” And all this added up to her starring in “Evita” of which I was a big fan. “Now I’m Following You” sort of reminded me of Princes’ “Batdance” song. Like a mega-mix with samples from “Dick Tracey” but an original song besides. Lots of fun!!!… Read more »

ING
ING
Reply to  Jeff
August 21, 2023 12:09 pm

After listing to this 12” I may have to dive deeper. The bonus track is kinda Batdance-esque. Good fun and such an interesting time capsule! Thanks again Paul

David Miller
David Miller
August 2, 2023 12:59 pm

Thank you so much!!! I love I’m Breathless, such great vocals by Madonna and fun period songs a couple of clunkers but great overall.

Martika
Martika
August 2, 2023 12:55 pm

Amazing as always! I love your timeliness and the little Barbie pix. That movie certainly lived up to its hype! The soundtrack on the other hand could have been better and would have probably benefited from the inclusion of Madonna, Aqua, etc.
Thank you for giving us a proper vinyl transfer of this timeless classic and including the Razormaid remix!

Jeff
Jeff
August 2, 2023 11:40 am

This week is already turning out to be incredible!! To have you rip “Hanky Panky” makes me and my heart jump up and down!! I absolutely loved the “I’m Breathless” soundtrack from Madonna!! I have always loved big band, swing type of records. Madonna is delightfully theatrical on the LP. It was quite classy too with the Sondheim stuff added. Madonna is always a force to be reckoned with!! And, oh, Paul, I can almost cry for you adding the bonus track, “Now I’m following You” with “Hanky Panky”. I love what Joseph Watt did with the song! The sample… Read more »

Martika
Martika
Reply to  Jeff
August 2, 2023 12:52 pm

Razormaid is by far the best remix service out there! Everything Joseph Watt touched turned to Gold!

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  DjPaulT
August 2, 2023 6:30 pm

Paul, I love Hot Tracks too! Do you know that Joseph Watt did some work at Hot Tracks before forming his own remix service? The great Chris Cox also joined Razormaid! for a time. Cameron Paul was an uber- talented mixer who I loved dearly (R.I.P.)! And, innovative, Glenn Cattanach, submitted mixes on certain releases. Hot Tracks will always be in my heart because it was the impetus for others who got their start in the remix industry!! Jeff P.S. Bradley D. Hinkle who began Ultimix remix service was also from the talented pool of DJs that also started on… Read more »

Martika
Martika
Reply to  Jeff
August 4, 2023 8:59 am

Very true! They were very creative remixes! The same goes for earlier X-Mix Club Remixes. But I can’t believe how lazy the remixers for Select Mix were/are after taking over Hot Tracks!

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Martika
August 4, 2023 10:22 am

I really do miss the old days, when remix services pushed the creative and the daring mix. I don’t know what happened. It may be that artists/record companies don’t release singles anymore like they used to, or that the remix services are restrained by the labels themselves. I know there are remixes to dance songs today, but it’s not like it was back in the day. Very sad and depressing, in my opinion. Thankfully we have our Paul, who reminds us of what we once had. He is a godsend!

Have a great day, Martika!

Jeff

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Martika
August 2, 2023 6:19 pm

Martika, I have always been very obsessed with Razormaid! (And still am) because it helped introduce many artists who weren’t mainstream; artists that were always on the cutting edge; music and artistry that came from the future but somehow could be experienced in the present. Joseph Watt led my ears through a myriad of sounds and styles, musical trends, groundbreaking and brilliant artists and innovative mixing techniques. That’s why dance music is my very favorite genre. It explores so many things sonically with the ability for people to come together and dance! Our very own DjPaulT’s Burning The Ground website… Read more »