Troye Sivan’s “Party” samples Madonna’s 2000 hit “Music”.

And Madonna personally approved it.

The Australian singer released “Party” in September 2026, ahead of his fourth studio album, She’s the Best, which arrived on 9 October.

The track is designed to capture the feeling of becoming completely absorbed in music during a night out.

That moment when you stop worrying about what time it is.

Stop thinking about tomorrow.

And simply enjoy being somewhere you feel comfortable.

For Sivan, Madonna was the perfect artist to represent that feeling.

He recently explained that she made the approval process surprisingly straightforward.

What Madonna song does “Party” sample?

“Music”.

Madonna released the song in August 2000 as the lead single from her album of the same name.

The recording was produced with French musician Mirwais Ahmadzaï.

It became one of Madonna’s defining electronic-pop recordings.

The production combines:

electronic rhythm

processed vocals

repeating synthesizer patterns

and a deliberately futuristic atmosphere.

Those qualities make it a natural fit for Sivan’s music.

Both artists are interested in the relationship between dance music, identity and personal freedom.

Why did Troye Sivan choose Madonna?

Because she has been an important musical influence throughout his life.

Sivan has recalled hearing Madonna’s music during childhood, particularly “Like a Prayer”.

Her work became part of his understanding of pop music.

But the connection is also cultural.

Madonna helped establish a particular relationship between mainstream pop and queer nightlife.

Her music frequently explored:

sexuality

freedom

self-expression

and the importance of dance culture.

Sivan has developed his own version of that musical identity.

Using “Music” therefore connects two generations of pop performers.

Did Madonna approve the sample herself?

Yes.

Sivan discussed the process during an interview with Zane Lowe.

He explained that Madonna was supportive of the request.

That was particularly meaningful because she had been an influence for so long.

Sampling an artist you admire can be intimidating.

You may have the perfect musical idea.

But the original rights holders still need to approve the use.

In this case, Sivan said the process went smoothly.

The approval allowed him to build the connection directly into the finished recording.

What inspired “Party”?

A Lady Gaga interview.

Sivan recalled watching Gaga describe a particularly chaotic night out involving moving between clubs and barely sleeping.

The story reminded him of his own experiences.

He began thinking about the strange relationship people have with time during a good night out.

You may tell yourself that you’ll leave at midnight.

Then decide to stay another hour.

Then another.

Eventually the night becomes something separate from ordinary daily life.

Sivan wanted the recording to communicate that feeling.

Why does the song repeat so much?

Because repetition is part of the emotional idea.

Dance music frequently relies on musical loops.

A rhythm repeats.

A melody returns.

Small details change.

The listener becomes increasingly absorbed.

“Party” uses that structure deliberately.

The repetition creates a sense of momentum without requiring a conventional dramatic storyline.

It’s designed to feel as though the night could continue indefinitely.

What does “Party” actually mean?

Freedom through music.

But there’s another layer.

Sivan has discussed the importance of queer nightlife in his personal development.

He remembers visiting gay clubs and experiencing the feeling of belonging to a community.

For somebody accustomed to feeling different or isolated, that experience can be powerful.

Suddenly the people around you share something important.

You no longer feel like an outsider.

The music becomes more than entertainment.

It becomes part of finding somewhere you belong.

Is “Party” about queer culture?

Yes, although listeners don’t need to share Sivan’s experiences to connect with the recording.

He has described nightlife as an important part of queer identity and community.

Clubs can provide spaces where people express themselves more freely.

That history is particularly relevant to dance music.

Disco, house and several other dance genres developed through communities that included LGBTQ+ audiences.

Sivan’s recording belongs to that longer tradition.

What happens in the “Party” music video?

The video takes the idea of partying beyond an ordinary modern nightclub.

Directed by Gordon von Steiner alongside Sivan, it includes elaborate costumes and theatrical imagery.

Sivan appears in different historical and fantastical settings.

The visual suggests that celebration and self-expression aren’t limited to one era.

People have always looked for opportunities to escape ordinary expectations.

The video also features narration from actor Ian McKellen.

That adds an unexpected theatrical quality to the production.

Why is Ian McKellen in the video?

Because the production embraces fantasy and theatrical storytelling.

McKellen is internationally famous for roles including Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings.

His distinctive voice gives the video a sense of grandeur.

It’s an unusual combination.

Modern electronic dance-pop.

Medieval-inspired imagery.

And one of Britain’s most recognisable actors.

But the contrast fits Sivan’s creative approach.

The recording itself is concerned with escaping ordinary expectations.

The video takes that idea literally.

What album is “Party” on?

She’s the Best.

Released on 9 October 2026.

The album follows Sivan’s 2023 record Something to Give Each Other.

The newer project combines club music with more emotionally reflective songwriting.

Sivan has described it as exploring the enormous excitement of recent years alongside periods of loneliness.

That’s an interesting contrast.

A person can be surrounded by people, travelling internationally and experiencing extraordinary success while still feeling isolated.

The album explores both sides.

What genre is “Party”?

Dance-pop.

Electronic pop.

Alternative dance.

There are also influences from club music and experimental pop production.

The Madonna sample strengthens the connection with electronic dance music from the early 2000s.

But the recording isn’t simply an attempt to recreate that era.

Sivan combines the older musical reference with contemporary production and his own songwriting.

Songs like Troye Sivan’s “Party”

Try:

Madonna – Music

Troye Sivan – Rush

Robyn – Dancing on My Own

Charli xcx – Club classics

Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam

Shygirl – Firefly

The 1975 – Happiness

Jessie Ware – Free Yourself

Lady Gaga – Alice

These songs approach dance music through different combinations of euphoria, vulnerability and self-expression.

Why is the Madonna connection important?

Because it gives listeners a route backwards through pop history.

Someone who discovers Sivan today may not know much about Madonna’s electronic period.

“Music” provides an ideal introduction.

From there, listeners can explore:

Ray of Light

Music

Confessions on a Dance Floor.

Each album explores different relationships between electronic production and mainstream pop songwriting.

What does “Party” sample?

Madonna’s “Music” from 2000.

Sivan received permission to use the recording and incorporated it into a song about losing yourself in a night out.

The musical connection is particularly appropriate.

Madonna helped establish a form of pop where dance music could represent freedom and identity.

Sivan is continuing that tradition for another generation.

Sometimes a sample does more than provide a recognisable hook.

It connects two artists who understand the same feeling.