Like a Prayer

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.^*

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 reaffirming her superstar status.[http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051129/ENTERTAINMENT/111290002/1015

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.

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.

1989 albums | Madonna albums