Skip to main content

Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott balances a passion for all things pop with a day-job managing the content and commercial fortunes of one of Britain’s largest specialist magazine publishers. His career has taken him from the boardroom of Time Out London (where he was Managing Director) to the publishing hotseat at brands such as Closer and Empire. All of this interesting career stuff pales in comparison besides his – frankly ridiculous – record-collecting habit (how many overseas variant covers of Like A Virgin does anyone really need?) and The Ministry Of Pop, his book on Stock Aitken Waterman, published in 2017.

Articles by Mark Elliott

Borderline: The Story Behind Madonna’s Breakout Hit Song

In Depth

Borderline: The Story Behind Madonna’s Breakout Hit Song

Revealing Madonna as a premier-league mainstream star and a compelling dance act, Borderline was a landmark song for the “Queen Of Pop”.

Bedtime Story: The Tale Behind Madonna’s Classic Dance-Pop Cut

In Depth

Bedtime Story: The Tale Behind Madonna’s Classic Dance-Pop Cut

A bold creative move and a massive club success, Bedtime Story is the song that first hinted towards Madonna’s electronica reinvention in the 90s.

Too Shy: The Story Behind Kajagoogoo’s Definitive 80s Pop Song

In Depth

Too Shy: The Story Behind Kajagoogoo’s Definitive 80s Pop Song

Kajagoogoo’s Too Shy sold millions around the world, but as the band tell Dig!, the song’s phenomenal success threatened to overwhelm them.

Frozen: The Song That Fuelled Madonna’s Surprise Sonic Revolution

In Depth

Frozen: The Song That Fuelled Madonna’s Surprise Sonic Revolution

Marking a turning point for Madonna, Frozen was a hypnotic electro ballad that launched the ‘Ray Of Light’ album perfectly.

In Your Eyes: How Kylie Honed Her Perfect Pop Vision

In Depth

In Your Eyes: How Kylie Honed Her Perfect Pop Vision

How do you follow one of the biggest-selling singles of all time? Kylie Minogue had an ace up her sleeve with 2002’s In Your Eyes.

Ordinary World: How Duran Duran Created A Manifesto For The Future

In Depth

Ordinary World: How Duran Duran Created A Manifesto For The Future

With the hit song Ordinary World, Duran Duran engineered a career reignition that propelled them into a new era.

Like A Virgin: The Story Behind Madonna’s Career-Making Song

In Depth

Like A Virgin: The Story Behind Madonna’s Career-Making Song

Like A Virgin was a game-changing song: its catchy pop hooks and transformative video gave Madonna her first megahit.

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina: The Story Behind Madonna’s ‘Evita’ Anthem

In Depth

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina: The Story Behind Madonna’s ‘Evita’ Anthem

The song that made the musical ‘Evita’, Don’t Cry For Me Argentina would prove to be one of the greatest challenges of Madonna’s career…

Material Girl: The Story Behind Madonna’s Richly Satirical Hit Song

In Depth

Material Girl: The Story Behind Madonna’s Richly Satirical Hit Song

One of Madonna’s most famous songs, Material Girl helped define the 80s. But everything wasn’t quite what it seemed – deliberately so.

Justify My Love: Is This Madonna’s Most Controversial Song?

In Depth

Justify My Love: Is This Madonna’s Most Controversial Song?

Madonna’s most provocative single to date, Justify My Love was a sex-positive anthem that shocked the world.