Madonna‘s songs have provoked many controversies over the years, but only one was accused of promoting violence against women. The Material Girl interpreted the track differently. Notably, the tune in question was from a hit movie that starred Madonna and a major movie star she was dating at the time.

Madonna wrote a controversial song at the request of Warren Beatty

One of Madonna’s most famous movie roles was the femme fatale Breathless Mahoney in the comic book adventure Dick Tracy. In that film, Madonna’s then-boyfriend Warren Beatty played the title character. The film inspired the album I’m Breathless, which is most known for the house song “Vogue.” I’m Breathless also included another hit single: the jazz tune “Hanky Panky.” “Hanky Panky” is a rather risque paen to … spanking.

Madonna co-wrote the tune with Patrick Leonard. During a 1991 interview with Rolling Stone, she said she wrote all her sad songs with Leonard, such as “Live to Tell.” That’s odd, considering that “Hanky Panky” has an upbeat sound and lyrics that aren’t serious.

The Queen of Pop explained “Hanky Panky.” “The spanking thing started because I believed that my character in Dick Tracy liked to get smacked around and that’s why she hung around with people like Al Pacino’s character,” she said. “Warren asked me to write some songs, and one of them — the hanky-panky song — was about that. I say in the song, ‘Nothing like a good spanky,’ and in the middle I say, ‘Ooh, my bottom hurts just thinking about it.’ When it came out, everybody started asking, ‘Do you like to get spanked?’ and I said: ‘Yeah. Yeah, I do.’”

Madonna’s ‘Hanky Panky’ was controversial in Ireland

The “Like a Virgin” singer didn’t think her words would be interpreted literally. “I thought it would be obvious — because of my image as a person who wants to be domineering and take charge — that there was no way I would actually want somebody to spank me,” she said. “I certainly punish myself in lots of ways but not by having people hit me. I hate it.”

Regardless, the tune upset feminist groups in Ireland. According to the Toledo Blade, the Council of Women called “Hanky Panky” “highly dangerous.” Women’s Aid concurred, describing it as “extremely harmful.” While violence against women is intolerable, it should not be conflated with safe, sane, and consensual BDSM practices. Considering Madonna referenced BDSM many times in her career, it’s easy to interpret “Hanky Panky” as a song about consensual spanking.

The controversy surrounding the song may have helped it

The controversy surrounding “Hanky Panky” did not hurt its commercial prospects much and it might’ve helped the song. The tune climbed to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for 11 weeks. I’m Breathless was even more popular than “Hanky Panky.” The record reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, staying on the chart for 25 weeks. 

The Official Charts Company reports “Hanky Panky” was also a hit in the United Kingdom. The record reached No. 2 in the U.K., spending nine weeks on the chart there. Meanwhile, I’m Breathless peaked at No. 2 and charted for 20 weeks.

“Hanky Panky” was controversial when it came out but it was one of the lesser controversies of the Queen of Pop’s career.