It’s always interesting to see the process behind commercial art, and these “tear sheet” test cover images recently surfaced on a fan site. Some of the photos (shot by the late Herb Ritts) have never been seen before. Another was later used as the art for the “Papa Don’t Preach” single, but all illustrate the struggle to grasp that iconic “moment” that good cover art strives for. None of these choices ended up on the final album cover, whose image is far more gripping than this rather lackluster phase of M’s musical career.
