Back لا آيسلا بونيتا Arabic La Isla Bonita German La isla bonita Spanish لا ایسلا بونیتا Persian La Isla Bonita Finnish La isla bonita French La Isla Bonita HE La Isla Bonita Croatian La Isla Bonita (Madonna-dal) Hungarian La Isla Bonita Armenian
| "La Isla Bonita" | ||||
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| Single by Madonna | ||||
| from the album True Blue | ||||
| Released | February 25, 1987 | |||
| Studio | Channel Recording (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genre | Latin pop | |||
| Length | 4:03 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) | ||||
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| Madonna singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "La Isla Bonita" on YouTube | ||||
"La Isla Bonita" (Spanish for "The Beautiful Island") is a song by American singer Madonna from her third studio album, True Blue (1986). Initially composed as an instrumental demo by Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch for Michael Jackson —who declined it— the track was later developed by Madonna, who added lyrics and co-produced it with Leonard. Marking her first foray into Latin pop, the song features flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, maracas, and several lines sung in Spanish. The lyrics reference an island called San Pedro, whose location remains ambiguous; Madonna described the song as a tribute to Latin Americans.
Released on February 25, 1987, as the fifth and final single from True Blue, "La Isla Bonita" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its melody, production, and romantic tone. It became a commercial success, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Contemporary chart in the United States. Internationally, it reached number one in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, West Germany, and Austria. The track has since appeared on several Madonna compilations, including The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration (2009), and has been cited as an influence on the work of later artists.
The accompanying music video, directed by Mary Lambert, features Madonna in dual roles: a reserved Catholic woman and a flamboyant flamenco dancer. Its portrayal of Hispanic themes drew both praise and criticism, with some accusing the singer of cultural appropriation. "La Isla Bonita" has been performed on eight of Madonna's concert tours, most recently the Celebration Tour (2023–2024). It has been covered, sampled, or referenced by various artists, including Ricky Martin, Alizée, and The Bright Light Social Hour.