About The Song
“Like a Prayer” is a song by American singer Madonna from her 1989 fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album’s lead single on March 3, 1989, by Sire Records. Written and produced by both Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the song heralded an artistic and personal approach to songwriting for Madonna, who believed that she needed to cater more to her adult audience. Thematically, the song speaks about a passionate young girl in love with God, who becomes the only male figure in her life.
“Like a Prayer” is a pop rock and gospel song that also incorporates elements of funk. It features background vocals from a choir and also a rock guitar. The lyrics contain liturgical words, but they have been interpreted by some people to have dual meanings of sexual innuendo and religion. “Like a Prayer” was acclaimed by music critics upon release and was a global commercial success, becoming Madonna’s seventh No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, topping the Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks and also topping the charts in many other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom. Rolling Stone listed “Like a Prayer” among “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
The accompanying music video for “Like a Prayer”, directed by Mary Lambert, shows Madonna witnessing a white woman being sexually assaulted and subsequently killed by a group of white men. While a black man is arrested for the crime, Madonna hides in a church for safety, seeking strength to go forth as a witness. The video depicts a church and Catholic imagery such as stigmata. It also features the Ku Klux Klan’s burning crosses and a dream sequence about kissing a black saint. The Vatican condemned the video, while family and religious groups protested against its broadcast. They boycotted products by soft drink manufacturer Pepsi, who had used the song in their commercial. Pepsi canceled their sponsorship contract with Madonna, but allowed her to retain the $5 million fee.
“Like a Prayer” has been featured on six of Madonna’s concert tours, most recently on The Celebration Tour. The song has been covered by numerous artists. Along with the parent album, “Like a Prayer” was a turning point in Madonna’s career, with critics starting to acknowledge her as an artist rather than a mere pop star. “Like a Prayer” was included on Madonna’s greatest hits compilation albums The Immaculate Collection (1990), Celebration (2009) and Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022).
Video
Lyrics
Life is a mystery
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home
When you call my name, it’s like a little prayer
I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power
Just like a prayer, you know I’ll take you there
I hear your voice
It’s like an angel sighin’
I have no choice
I hear your voice
Feels like flying
I close my eyes
Oh God I think I’m fallin’
Out of the sky
I close my eyes
Heaven help me
When you call my name, it’s like a little prayer
I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power
Just like a prayer, you know I’ll take you there
Like a child
You whisper softly to me
You’re in control
Just like a child
Now I’m dancing
It’s like a dream
No end and no beginning
You’re here with me
It’s like a dream
Let the choir sing
When you call my name, it’s like a little prayer
I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power
Just like a prayer, you know I’ll take you there
When you call my name, it’s like a little prayer
I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel a power
Just like a prayer, you know I’ll take you there
Life is a mystery
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home
Just like a prayer (oh-oh), your voice can take me there (oh-oh)
Just like a muse to me (oh-oh), you are a mystery (oh-oh)
Just like a dream (oh-oh), you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there
mmm mm
(Just like a prayer, I’ll take you there) I’ll take you there
(It’s like a dream to me) whoa oh-oh-oh
(Just like a prayer, I’ll take you there) I’ll take you there
(It’s like a dream to me) oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Just like a prayer, I’ll take you there) oh yeah yeah yee
(It’s like a dream to me) whoa oh-oh
Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there (just like a prayer)
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery (your voice can take me there)
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem (just like a prayer)
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there
Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there (just like a prayer)
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery (your voice can take me there)
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem (just like a prayer)
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there
your voice can take me there
(Your voice can take me there) just like a prayer
(Just like a prayer)
(Just like a prayer)
(Your voice can take me there)
(Just like a prayer)
(Just like a prayer)
(Your voice can take me there)
(Just like a prayer)