Like A Prayer
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This article is about the album. For other uses see Like a Prayer (disambiguation).
Like a Prayer is the fourth studio album and sixth recording by singer Madonna, released in 1989 (see 1989 in music).
Track listing
- "Like A Prayer" (Leonard, Madonna) - 5:39
- "Express Yourself" (Bray, Madonna) - 4:37
- "Love Song" (Madonna, Prince) - 4:52
- "Till Death Do Us Part" (Leonard, Madonna) - 5:16
- "Promise to Try" (Leonard, Madonna) - 3:36
- "Cherish" (Leonard, Madonna) - 5:03
- "Dear Jessie" (Leonard, Madonna) - 4:20
- "Oh Father" (Leonard, Madonna) - 4:57
- "Keep it Together" (Bray, Madonna) - 5:03
- "Spanish Eyes" (Leonard, Madonna) - 5:15
- "Act of Contrition" (Madonna) - 2:19
Album history
By 1989, Madonna was one of the biggest stars in the world, and without a doubt the biggest female star in the world. Like a Prayer was considered to be her most accomplished artistic statement at the time. She incorporated rock, dance, pop, soul and funk elements into the album. She chose the title track as the first single. When it was released, Pepsi intended to use the song as part of their commercial campaign featuring Madonna as the spokesperson. In addition, they would sponsor her 1989 world tour. However, the release of the video for "Like A Prayer" caused a huge controversy. In it, Madonna witnesses a murder, kisses a black saint, displays stigmata after cutting her palms on a knife, and dances in a field of burning crosses. Religious groups were furious and threatened to boycott Pepsi. Pepsi decided the risk was too great and they cancelled their ad campaign, although Madonna got to keep her end of the $5 million dollar contract.[link]The controversy raised over "Like a Prayer" worked as free publicity. The single soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA. The album debuted at #11 and within three weeks, shot to #1, where it would stay for over a month. Singles "Express Yourself" and "Cherish" both made it to #2. "Oh Father" was her least successful single since 1984, but still became a Top 20 hit. "Keep It Together" reached #8 on the charts. "Dear Jessie," was also a hit single in Europe, and had an animated video. The record sold 4 million copies in America and 15 million worldwide [link], reaffirming her superstar status.[link]
Critics applauded the album for its eclectic nature and Madonna's candid confessions. It featured the first of several songs throughout her career in which she talked openly about her mother's death, "Promise To Try." Madonna dedicated the album to her mother "who taught me to pray". She also addresses the end of her marriage to actor Sean Penn in the song "Till Death Do Us Part."
Like a Prayer is generally considered to be one of Madonna's two best albums (Ray of Light being the other) by critics and fans alike, and frequently is placed in "best of" lists. In 2003, the album was ranked number 237 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Initial pressings of the LPs, CDs, and cassettes were scented with patchouli oil, Madonna's favorite scent. Also included was an AIDS factsheet, which is still included in current pressings of the CD. It was the first time a pop artist had ever included AIDS information with a product.
Prince co-wrote and sang on "Love Song" and also played guitar on "Act Of Contrition." The backing track of "Act Of Contrition" is the choir from "Like A Prayer" played backwards.
Personnel
- Madonna - synthesizer, vocals, background vocals
- Nadirah Ali - background vocals
- Rose Banks - background vocals
- Reverend Dave Boruff - brass
- Stephen Bray - synthesizer
- Luis Conte - percussion
- Larry Corbett - cello
- Andraé Crouch - chorus
- Sandra Crouch - tambourine
- Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
- Donna Delory - background vocals
- Lynne Fiddmont - background vocals
- Chuck Findley - brass
- Bruce Gairsch - guitar
- Nikki Harris - background vocals
- Dann Huff - guitar
- Dick Hyde - brass
- Randy "The Emperor" Jackson - bass
- Chester Kamen - guitar
- Geary Lanier - clavinet
- Patrick Leonard - synthesizer, piano, Hammond organ, clavinet
- Marcos Loya - guitar, background vocals
- Steve Madaio - brass
- Marilyn Martin - background vocals
- Joseph Mayer - french horn
- Jonathan Muffett - drums
- Jeff Porcaro - drums, marimba
- Guy Pratt - bass
- John Roninson - drums
- Richard Todd - French horn
- David Williams - guitar
- Jai Winding - synthesizer
Production
- Producers: Madonna, Stephen Bray, Patrick Leonard, Prince
- Arrangers: Chuck Findley, Bill Meyers
Chart performance
| Chart (1989) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia ARIA albums chart | 2 |
| Austria albums chart | 1 (4 wks) |
| Canada albums chart | 1 (6 wks) |
| European albums chart | 1 (10+ wks) |
| Finland albums chart | 6 |
| France albums chart | 1 (8 wks) |
| Germany albums chart | 1 (4 wks) |
| Hungary albums chart | 27 (2 wks) |
| Ireland (Éire) albums chart | 1 (3 wks) |
| Mexico albums chart | 1 |
| Spain albums chart | 1 (4 wks) |
| UK albums chart | 1 (2 wks) |
| USA Billboard Top 200 | 1 (6 wks) |
| USA Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 55 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification |
|---|---|
| Australia | 4x Platinum |
| Austria | Platinum |
| Brazil | 2x Platinum |
| Canada | 5x Platinum |
| France | 2x Platinum |
| Germany | Platinum |
| Hong Kong | Platinum |
| Ireland | 4x Platinum |
| Italy | 5x Platinum |
| Mexico | 2x Platinum |
| Nederlands | Platinum |
| Singapore | 5x Platinum |
| Spain | 4x Platinum |
| Switzerland | 2x Platinum |
| UK | 4x Platinum |
| USA | 4x Platinum |
References
For charts and certifications:- "Chart Performance of Madonna Records - A Compiled History". MLVC.ORG - Charts. [link] - last accessed on December 11, 2005.
- "Madonna Tribe News: Pier Pinto's Charts Updates". Madonna Tribe News. [link] - last accessed on December 11, 2005.
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