Like a Prayer (song)
"Like a Prayer" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Madonna | ||||
from the album Like a Prayer | ||||
B-side | "Act of Contrition" | |||
Released | March 21, 1989 | |||
Recorded | September 1988 | |||
Studio | Johnny Yuma Recording (Burbank, California) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Composer(s) | Patrick Leonard | |||
Lyricist(s) | Madonna | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Madonna singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Like a Prayer" on YouTube |
"Like a Prayer" is a song by
"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
"Like a Prayer" has been featured on six of Madonna's concert tours, most recently on the ongoing 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).
Background and inspiration
Madonna had not recorded any music throughout most of 1988. Following the critical and commercial failure of back-to-back big-budget films,
"Once you're a Catholic, you're always a Catholic—in terms of your feelings of guilt and remorse and whether you've sinned or not. Sometimes I'm wracked with guilt when I needn't be, and that, to me, is left over from my Catholic upbringing. Because in Catholicism you are born a sinner and you are a sinner all of your life. No matter how you try to get away from it, the sin is within you all the time."[4]
Madonna also understood that as she was growing up, so was her core audience. Feeling the need to attempt something different, she wanted the sound of her new album to dictate what could be popular in the music world.[5] Madonna had certain personal matters on her mind that she thought could be the musical direction of the album. For the title track, the singer chose topics that until then had been personal meditations never shared with the general public. She perused her personal journals and diaries, and began considering options. Madonna recalled, "What was it I wanted to say? I wanted the album to speak to things on my mind. It was a complex time in my life."[6]
Development
"I think there was a point when we realized that it was the title track, and the lead track, and it was going to be a powerhouse. It became obvious that there was something unique about it. And that somehow we made this thing work: with its stopping and starting, and a minimalistic rhythmic thing, and the verses, and these bombastic choruses, and this giant choir comes in. This is ambitious, you know?"
—Patrick Leonard's thoughts on "Like a Prayer".[7]
As Madonna considered her alternatives, Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray were experimenting with instrumentals and musical ideas for her consideration.[6] Both producers wanted to bring their unique style to the project and composed music for the title track. Eventually, Madonna felt that the music presented to her by Leonard was more interesting, and she started to work with him.[6] Once Madonna had conceptualized the way she would interpose her ideas with the music, she wrote "Like a Prayer" in about three hours, and it became the first song developed for the record.[8] Madonna has described "Like a Prayer" as the song of a passionate young girl "so in love with God that it is almost as though He were the male figure in her life".[9]
Madonna's further inspiration for the song came from the Catholic belief of
Recording
Madonna wanted to have
Recording took more time than usual since Madonna and Leonard fought "tooth and nail" in the studio. According to Lucy O'Brien, Madonna wanted to prove that her second chance as a record producer (following her previous album True Blue) was not a fluke.[14] Leonard started working on the chord changes for the verses and the chorus.[1] He had hired guitarist Bruce Gaitsch and bass guitar player Guy Pratt to work on the song. Pratt had in turn hired some additional drummers.[14] On the day of the recording, the drummers canceled, which irritated Madonna, and she started shouting and swearing profusely at Leonard and Pratt.[14] Pratt then hired the English Chester Kamen, along with Americans David Williams and Dann Huff. He commented that the choice was deliberate since he was a fan of British rock music, and wanted that kind of attitude and quirkiness of the musicians in "Like a Prayer", as well as the other songs of the record.[13] Pratt was not fired, but later he realized that Madonna did not forgive him; she would call him late at night for his opinion, and urgently ask him to come to the recording studio, only to be dismissed.[14]
Madonna had her own opinion of how the different musical instruments should be played to achieve the sound that she envisioned.
Composition and lyrics
"Like a Prayer" is a
The song begins with the sound of a heavy rock guitar that is suddenly cut off after a few seconds, and replaced with the choir and the sound of an organ. Madonna sings the opening lines accompanied by light percussion, as drums start during the first verse. The percussion and the choir sound are added interchangeably between the verses and the bridge, until the second chorus. At this point, the guitars start flickering from left to right, accompanied by a bassline.[17] Rikky Rooksby, author of The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna, commented that "Like a Prayer" was the most complex song that Madonna had ever attempted at that point. He believed that the complexity builds up more after the second chorus, when the choir fully supports Madonna's vocals and she re-utters the opening lines, but this time accompanied by a synthesizer and drum beats.[19] While singing "Just like a prayer, Your voice can take me there, Just like a muse to me, You are a mystery", an R&B-influenced voice backs Madonna. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus and the choir gradually fading out.[19]
J. Randy Taraborrelli noted in his book Madonna: An Intimate Biography that the lyrics of the song consist of "a series of button-pushing anomalies".[12] With Madonna's inclusion of double entendres in the lyrics, "Like a Prayer" sounded religious to him but has an undertone of sexual tension. This was demonstrated by the use of a gospel choir, whose voice heightens the song's spiritual nature, while the rock guitar sound keeps it dark and mysterious.[12] For Lucy O'Brien, the lyrics describe Madonna receiving a vocation from God.[14] Certain portions of the lyrics also alluded to Sean Penn and their failed marriage. According to Priya Elan from NME, the line "Just like a muse to me, You are a mystery" was an example of this, befitting the description of an unattainable lover. This was also evident in the artwork for the 12-inch single, painted by her brother, Christopher Ciccone. It shows the letters "MLVC", standing for Madonna's full name, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, with a prominent letter "P" for Penn, detached from the group.[1]
Critical reception
Following the release of "Like a Prayer" on March 3, 1989,[20] it received widespread acclaim from critics, journalists and academics.[21] J. Randy Taraborrelli commented that the song "deserved every bit of the curiosity it generated. While being devilishly danceable, the song also shows Madonna's uncanny ability to inspire strong, conflicting emotions during the course of a single song, leaving the listener scratching his head for answers—and craving for more."[22] Stephen Holden from The New York Times, while writing about Madonna's re-invention of her image, observed how her sound had changed from the "simple blaring dance-pop to the rich, fully rounded pop of 'Like a Prayer'".[23] Lucy O'Brien felt that the most remarkable aspect of "Like a Prayer" was Madonna's usage of liturgical words. "There is the surface meaning, forging sexuality with pop lyrics that sound so sweet. But underlying that is a rigorous mediation on prayer. In shorter words, 'Like a Prayer' really takes you there", O'Brien concluded.[13] This view was shared by Mary Cross, who wrote in her biography of Madonna that "the song is a mix of the sacred and the profane. There-in lies Madonna's triumph with 'Like a Prayer'. It still sounds catchy and danceable."[24]
From the academic world, positive reviews came from Michael Campbell, author of Popular Music in America: And the Beat Goes On, who felt that the soothing
Positive reviews also came from contemporary music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called the song "haunting" and felt that it displayed a commanding sense of Madonna's songcraft.[29] According to Rolling Stone's Gavin Edwards, it sounded glorious and "is the most transgressive—and the most irresistible" song of Madonna's career.[30] Jim Farber from Entertainment Weekly commented that the "gospel-infused title track demonstrates that [the singer's] writing and performing had been raised to heavenly new heights".[31] In a review for Madonna's first greatest hits album, The Immaculate Collection (1990), David Browne of the same publication wrote about the composition, which he felt "added poignancy to its spiritual lyrics".[32] Also from Entertainment Weekly, Chuck Arnold wrote that "from the moment Madonna sings atop that solemn organ and the hushed tones of a choir, 'Like a Prayer' goes on to achieve a spiritual transcendence that makes this her supreme single [...] balancing the sacred and the secular to ecstatic effect, the whole thing takes you there again and again."[33] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine was impressed with the song's production, complimenting its "church-like" reverence and the religious sentiments.[34] Writing for Billboard, Katie Atkinson ranked it as Madonna's second-greatest song: "One of the main reasons the lyrics work so well is that she could be singing about a monogamous relationship, a powerful sexual connection, a platonic loved one, or even God him (or her) self [...] Life might be a mystery, but the mastery of this song is irrefutable."[35]
Commercial performance
In the United States, "Like a Prayer" debuted at number 38 on the
In Australia, "Like a Prayer" debuted on the
In the United Kingdom, "Like a Prayer" entered the
Music video
Conception and filming
The highly controversial
[T]his story of a girl who was madly in love with a black man, set in South, with this forbidden interracial love affair. And the guy she's in love with sings in a choir. So she's obsessed with him and goes to the church all the time. And then it turned into a bigger story, which was about racism and bigotry.[8]
Lambert had a different visual aspect of the song on her mind. She felt that it was more about ecstasy, especially a sexual one, and how it related to religious ecstasy.[65] She listened to the song with Madonna a number of times and together decided to include the ecstasy part on the video.[65] A sub-plot about Madonna as a homicide witness was included, which became the trigger for the sexual and religious ecstasy.[8] Leon Robinson was hired to play the role of a saint; the part was inspired by Martin de Porres, the patron saint of mixed-race people and all those seeking interracial harmony.[65]
The video was filmed over four days, with an extra day allotted for re-shooting some of the scenes. Originally, Lambert had casts taken of Robinson's face, hand, and feet to create the statue of the saint which would be used as a decoration.[66] Robinson only enacted the live scenes. However, during post-production, Lambert found that the statue did not look like Robinson, who was asked to re-shoot the respective scenes.[66] He had to act as the statue and required special make-up for the re-takes.[66] Robinson recalled that standing like a statue was difficult since "first of all, I didn't realize how hard it is on the back to stand absolutely tall and straight and not move. Secondly, as a performer you have this nervous energy—and my requirements here were total antithesis of that".[66]
Throughout the video, Madonna wears a cleavage-baring slip dress as outerwear, then seen as a provocative choice. The piece was chosen by costume designer Marlene Stewart for its atypical structure, as the dress was made for Natalie Wood to be worn under a costume.[67]
Synopsis
The video begins with Madonna witnessing a young white woman being assaulted and murdered by a group of white men, but she is too shocked to protest.[68] A black man walking down the alley also sees the crime and runs to help the dying woman, but the murderers flee just as the police arrive. They mistakenly suspect the black man of being guilty and arrest him. The real murderers give a threatening look towards Madonna and leave.[68] She flees the crime scene and escapes to a church for safety. There, she sees a caged statue of a saint who resembles the black man on the street. As the song starts, she utters a prayer in front of the statue which appears to be crying.[68]
Madonna lies down on a pew and has a dream in which she is falling through space. Suddenly, a woman, representing power and strength, catches her. She advises Madonna to do what is right and tosses her back up to the heavenly blue sky.[68] Still dreaming, Madonna returns to the statue, which transforms into the black man she had seen earlier. He kisses her forehead and leaves the church as she picks up a knife and accidentally cuts herself, making the sign of stigmata on her hands. Interspersing scenes show Madonna singing and dancing wildly in front of burning crosses, kissing scenes between her and the saint, and Madonna being surrounded by a choir inside the church, led by the woman who caught her earlier.[68] Madonna wakes up, goes to the jail and tells the police that she had witnessed the crime and that the black man is innocent; the police release him. The video ends as Madonna dances in front of the burning crosses, and then everybody involved in the story line take a bow as curtains come down on the set.[68]
Pepsi commercial
"I consider it a challenge to make a commercial that has some sort of artistic value. I like the challenge of merging art and commerce. As far as I'm concerned, making a video is also a commercial. The Pepsi spot is a different and great way to expose the record. Record companies just don't have the money to finance that kind of publicity.
—Madonna talking about why she chose to do the commercial.[69]
In January 1989, while the music video was still being filmed, Pepsi-Cola announced that they had signed Madonna for a US$5 million deal to feature her and "Like a Prayer" for the company's television commercial.[70] The deal also included Pepsi sponsoring Madonna's next world tour.[71] Madonna wanted to use the commercial to launch "Like a Prayer" globally before its actual release—the first time something like this was being done in the music industry. According to the company's advertising head Alan Pottasch, "the global media buy and unprecedented debut of this long awaited single will put Pepsi first and foremost in consumer's [sic] minds".[72] Madonna had initially refused to dance and sing in the commercial, but later accepted after being introduced to choreographer Vince Paterson.[69]
Pepsi premiered the commercial during the global telecast of the
An estimated 250 million people around the world viewed the commercial, which was directed by
The commercial re-aired for the first time in over 30 years at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Madonna released a statement, which read, "34 years ago I made a commercial with Pepsi to celebrate the release of my song [...] The commercial was immediately canceled when I refused to change any scenes in the video where I was kissing a black saint or burning crosses. So began my illustrious career as an artist refusing to compromise my artistic integrity [...] artists are here to disturb the peace."[79]
Reception and protests
The day after the Pepsi commercial was released, Madonna released the actual "Like a Prayer" music video on MTV.[80] Christian groups worldwide including the Vatican protested its broadcast[81][82] and called for a global boycott of Pepsi and its subsidiaries, including KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.[82] While the "Like a Prayer" Pepsi commercial portrayed Madonna as a wholesome all-American girl, the treatment for her actual music video contrasted sharply with its provocative use of religious imagery.[83] Pepsi explained the differences between their advertisement and Madonna's artistic opinions. Ultimately, Pepsi caved in to the protests from hardline Christian groups and cancelled the campaign.[70] According to Taraborrelli, Pepsi was so eager to extricate themselves from the controversy that they even allowed Madonna to keep the $5 million advance.[82]
While most TV stations banned the music video, MTV notably continued to air the video on heavy rotation. The controversies leading to her "Like a Prayer" video introduced the concept of free publicity and became a turning point where Madonna was viewed as a shrewd businesswoman who knows how to sell a concept; [82][84] In the meantime, Pope John Paul II involved himself in the matter and encouraged fans to boycott Madonna in Italy. Protests from a small Catholic organization in the country prompted Italian state television network RAI and Madonna's record company WEA to not air the video there.[85] The music video was also deemed offensive by the Christian fundamentalist American Family Association (AFA). Madonna stated that "art should be controversial, and that's all there is to it", about the controversy.[23]
The music video received a mostly positive response from critics and journalists.[86] Jamie Portman from The Daily Gazette felt that the video could be "vulnerable to charges of being blatantly provocative in its calculated blending of sex and religion".[66] David Rosenthal from The Spokesman-Review found it as "visually stunning";[87] however, Edna Gundersen from USA Today did not understand the media mayhem behind the video. She pointed out that "Madonna is a good girl in the video. She saves someone. What is the big deal?..."[88] Among music critics, Phil Kloer from Record-Journal felt that whether one condemns the video as anti-Christian or racist, "It's condemnable on the face of it because it exploits a symbol of evil [the burning crosses of the Ku Klux Klan] as a fabulous source of light and rake up album sales".[80] Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Chris Willman complimented the music video for its portrayal of a love song, rather than blasphemy. He was more interested in the stigmata presented in the video.[89]
Accolades
At the
Themes and analysis
Scholars and academics have offered different interpretations of the music video and its story line. Allen Metz, one of the authors of The Madonna Companion: Two Decades of Commentary, noted that when Madonna enters the church at the beginning of the clip, the line "I hear you call my name, And it feels like.... Home" is played. The women of Italian East Harlem in New York call their Church as la casa di momma (Momma's House). In that respect, Metz believed that Madonna alluded herself to be one from Harlem, but also refers herself as divinity returning to the Church.[68] This divine aspect is further explored by Nicholas B. Dirks, author of Culture/power/history, who argued that Madonna falling into a dream is the most important point of the narrative as it signified that "Madonna is really not putting herself in place of the redeemer, but imagining herself as one."[98]
Santiago Fouz-Hernández wrote in his book, Madonna's Drowned Worlds, that the Black woman who catches Madonna when she is falling through heaven in her dream, is a symbol for the divinity, as she helps Madonna throughout the video to come to the correct decision. Fouz-Hernández explained how the physical similarity between Madonna and woman indicated that it was actually Madonna's inner divinity which was rescuing her.
Other themes noted by Metz include the burning crosses scene, which he felt evoked the murder scene of three civil workers, portrayed in the 1988 American crime drama film Mississippi Burning.[101] He also noted that when Madonna dances with the choir in the church altar, a young Black boy joins her. This was a reference to the only person who had protested against the Ku Klux Klan murders in Mississippi Burning, a Black man. For the author, it was symbolic of his protest being transferred in Madonna.[101] Regarding the kissing scene between the saint and Madonna, Carol Benson observed that the "numerous cut-scenes of burning crosses, shocked face of Madonna, bleeding eye of the icon etc" made a point that multiple times in history, black men have been punished for kissing or desiring white women.[101] Grant believed this was where the racial equality message of the video came across as most poignant.[100] On the contrary, when the curtain falls and the scene shifts to a smiling Madonna among the burning crosses, professor Maury Dean felt that another explanation was inevitable. Madonna portrays a successful heroine and thus the whole video becomes about female empowerment.[102]
Live performances
The first live performance of "Like a Prayer" was on the 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour, with Madonna wearing a dress that looked like a cross between a Mediterranean widow's attire and a clergy's robe. Hundreds of burning candles surrounded her as she knelt down in front of the stage, the backup singers crying the words "Oh my God" several times. Madonna eventually removed a scarf from her head to display a huge crucifix hanging from her neck, and then rose and sang the full song, while her dancers gyrated around her.[103] Two different performances were taped and released on video: the Blond Ambition: Japan Tour 90, taped in Yokohama, Japan, on April 27, 1990,[104] and Blond Ambition World Tour Live, taped in Nice, France, on August 5, 1990.[105] On his review of the latter release, Entertainment Weekly's Ty Burr praised the "gymnastic dance productions in songs such as 'Where's the Party' and 'Like a Prayer'", calling them "astonishing".[106]
In 2003, while doing a set of short promotional performances for her ninth studio album
A dance version of the song, mixed with fragments of the dance track "Feels Like Home" by
The track next appeared on the set list for Madonna's
On October 27, 2015, during the
In May 2019, Madonna performed "Like a Prayer" and "
Cover versions
One of the first cover versions of the song was an acoustic version done by folk singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding, for his 1989 extended play, God Made Me Do It: The Christmas EP.[141] The 1999 and 2000 compilation albums, Virgin Voices: A Tribute To Madonna, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, included a cover of the track by singer Loleatta Holloway and electro-industrial band Bigod 20, respectively.[142][143] Another version was recorded in 2002 by Hi-NRG/Eurodance group Mad'House, and was included in their album Absolutely Mad. It was released as a single and was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in Austria, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, the top ten in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia regions), France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and the top twenty in Denmark and Sweden. On the Billboard European Hot 100 Singles chart, it reached a peak of number two.[144] A folk music cover of the song by Lavender Diamond was included on the 2007 Madonna tribute compilation Through the Wilderness.[145]
"Like a Prayer" was featured in an episode of American television series,
DJs
Legacy and cultural impact
"'Like a Prayer' is a very important song to me. I felt the impact that it was going to make. That song means a lot more to me than 'Like a Virgin'. I wrote it and it's from my heart. It's a very spiritual song. I think I was much more spiritually in touch with the power of words and music by the time I started recording the song and the album."
—Madonna speaking of "Like a Prayer"'s importance.[153]
"Like a Prayer" is considered to be one of the best songs of Madonna's career. It was ranked sixth on Blender magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born",[154] while in 2004 Rolling Stone included it in their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, at number 300[155] (when the magazine updated the list in 2010, the song dropped to number 306).[156] For NME's "The Greatest Pop Songs In History" list in 2011, the track was placed at number three. Priya Elan from the publication noted it as Madonna's "calling card", bestowing the singer with a "legendary" status.[1] In 2003, Madonna fans were asked to vote for their "Top 20 Madonna singles of all-time", by Q magazine. "Like a Prayer" was allocated the number one spot on the list.[157] It was also listed by both The Guardian and Entertainment Weekly as Madonna's greatest single.[158][33] Rolling Stone and Billboard also ranked the song number one in their lists of the greatest Madonna songs.[159][160] In 2014, LA Weekly placed the song at rank two on their list of "The 20 Best Pop Songs in History By Female Artists". Art Tavana from the publication opined that "'Like a Prayer' was the moment when Madonna went from being the voice of America's teenagers to the worldwide high priestess of pop."[161] In their ranking of the best songs from the 1980s, Pitchfork listed "Like a Prayer" at number 50.[162] In 2021, Rolling Stone listed "Like a Prayer" as one of the "500 Best Songs of All Time", at number 55.[163] In 2023, celebrating the 65th anniversary of Billboard Hot 100, the stuff of the magazine ranked "Like a Prayer" as the sixth best pop song that appeared in the chart since 1958.[164]
Campbell noted that the popularity and the media mayhem around the song and the video, helped introduce the concept of free publicity. "Like a Prayer"'s impact was more evident on its parent studio album, which shot to the top of the charts once it was released in April 1989. The author further argued that the controversial clip was evidence of the emergence of the "video commodity as a different entity from the song that spawned it".[25] As author Judith Marcus explained in her book, Surviving the Twentieth Century, Madonna used the church to make her own point on victimization. For Marcus the main impact lay in the fact that the clip ultimately portrayed an empowerment message, questioning and "attacking" the Church's male prejudice and continuous female subjugation throughout history.[165]
The song was noted by Campbell for the mix of choir and organ, which according to him paved the way for gospel music to be more mainstream than before.
Taraborrelli commented that "in the end, the events surrounding 'Like a Prayer' only served to enhance Madonna's reputation as a shrewd businesswoman, someone who knows how to sell a concept."[91] Before Madonna's deal with Pepsi, pop stars in general were not given much artistic freedom by sponsors. However, Madonna made it a point to have the commercial be dictated by her.[91] While she said that it was never her intention for Pepsi to get entangled in the controversy of the music video, Taraborrelli also observed that Madonna stayed true to herself. Although the commercial intended to promote Pepsi the soft drink, she did not bother to hold even a can of the product, leading the author to comment that "Madonna the pop star was going to do it her way, no matter what Madonna the businesswoman had agreed to do".[91] She maintained all along that the Pepsi commercial and the music video were two different commodities and she was right to stand her ground.[91]
According to Screen Rant, "Like a Prayer" is one of the most used Madonna's songs in movies and television.[167] In 2024, the song featured in the move trailer for Marvel Studios's Deadpool & Wolverine, released on April 22 of that year.[168] Screen Rant's Felipe Rangel called an "excellent choice".[169]
Track listing and formats
|
|
Credits and personnel
- Madonna – lyricist, producer, lead vocals, background vocals
- Patrick Leonard – composer, producer, arranger
- The Andraé Crouch Choir – background vocals
- Bill Meyers – arranger
- Bruce Gaitsch – acoustic guitar
- Chester Kamen – guitar
- Chuck Findley – arranger, brass
- Dann Huff – guitar
- David Williams – guitar
- Dick Hyde – brass
- Donna De Lory – background vocals
- Niki Haris – background vocals
- Geary Lanier – clavinet
- Guy Pratt – bass, drum programming
- Jonathan Moffett – drums[175]
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion
- Herb Ritts – cover art photographer
- Jeri Heiden – 7" single cover designer
- Diane Painter – 7" single cover artwork (hand-tinting)
- Christopher Ciccone – 12" single cover designer
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Bill Bottrell – mixing
- Shep Pettibone – additional producer, remix, audio engineering
- Michael Hutchinson – remix engineer
- Dave Way – assistant engineer
- Fred McFarlane – programming
- Junior Vasquez – audio engineering
- Bill Bottrell – additional producer, remix
- Prince – guitar, uncredited
Credits adapted from the Like a Prayer album liner notes.[176]
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
All-time charts
|
Certifications and sales
‹See Tfd›‹See Tfd›Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[49] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
France ( SNEP)[225]
|
Silver | 400,000[224] |
Germany (BVMI)[226] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Japan | — | 31,810[227] |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[228] | Gold | 5,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[196] | Gold | 25,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[229] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[230] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] | Platinum | 850,500[57] |
United States (RIAA)[43] | Platinum | 2,000,000[231] |
Digital | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[232] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[233] since 2009 |
Gold | 25,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[234] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United States since 2003 |
— | 1,100,000[44] |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 5,000,000[63] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
See also
- List of number-one singles of the 1980s (Australia)
- List of number-one singles of 1989 (Canada)
- List of number-one singles of 1989 (Europe)
- List of number-one singles of 1989 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles in 1989 (New Zealand)
- List of number-one songs in Norway
- List of number-one singles and albums in Sweden
- List of number-one singles of the 1980s (Switzerland)
- List of number-one singles of the 1980s (UK)
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1989 (U.S.)
- List of Billboard number-one dance singles of 1989 (U.S.)
- List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1989
- List of number-one hits of 2002 (Austria)
- List of number-one hits of 2002 (Germany)
- List of number-one singles of 2002 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles of 2002 (Netherlands)
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e f g h Elan, Priya (December 19, 2011). "The Greatest Pop Songs In History – No. 3: Madonna, 'Like A Prayer'". NME. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ "Madonna files for divorce from Sean Penn". United Press International. January 5, 1989. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ Rooksby 2004, p. 30
- ^ Zehme, Billy (March 23, 1989). "Madonna: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
- ^ O'Brien 2007, p. 120
- ^ a b c Taraborrelli 2002, p. 168
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (June 26, 2017). "Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' Gets Piano-Ballad Revamp With Song's Original Co-Writer on Keys: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bronson 2003, p. 727
- Daily News. New York. Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ O'Brien 2007, p. 122
- ^ a b O'Brien 2007, p. 124
- ^ a b c Taraborrelli 2002, p. 169
- ^ a b c d e f O'Brien 2007, p. 126
- ^ a b c d e O'Brien 2007, p. 119
- ^ Caulfield, Keith; Leonard, Patrick (March 21, 2014). "Madonna Producer Patrick Leonard Talks 'Like A Prayer' at 25". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (July 9, 2021). "The Number Ones: Madonna's "Like a Prayer"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
'Like A Prayer' is ecstatic, ebullient dance-pop... Madonna imagined 'Like A Prayer' as a gospel song when she started writing it, and it is a gospel song...
- ^ a b Rooksby 2004, p. 31
- Alfred Publishing. Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c Rooksby 2004, p. 33
- ^ Cray, Graham (July–August 1991). "Post-modernist Madonna". Third Way. 14 (6). Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Bego 2000, p. 220
- ^ Taraborrelli 2002, p. 171
- ^ a b Holden, Stephen (March 19, 1989). "Madonna Re-Creates Herself – Again". The New York Times. pp. 4–6. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
- ^ a b Cross 2007, p. 48
- ^ a b c Campbell 2008, p. 299
- ^ Creswell 2006, p. 187
- ^ Guilbert 2002, p. 169
- ^ Epstein 2004, p. 91
- ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Like A Prayer > Overview". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Edwards, Gavin (August 19, 2004). "Madonna: Like a Prayer". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Farber, Jim (July 20, 2001). "The Girl Material". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Browne, David (December 14, 1990). "Madonna – The Immaculate Collection (1990)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ a b Arnold, Chuck (August 15, 2018). "Madonna's 60 best singles, ranked". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal (October 11, 2003). "Madonna: Like a Prayer". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie (August 15, 2018). "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- ^ "The Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending April 22, 1989". Billboard. April 22, 1989. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
- ^ DeKnock, Jan (April 21, 1989). "This Week Madonna is on Top, and then Some". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
- ^ "The Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending May 13, 1989". Billboard. May 13, 1989. Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
- ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Madonna – Like a Prayer". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (December 12, 2016). "Ask Billboard: Madonna's Career Album Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6330." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6367". RPM. RPM Library Archives. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
- ^ a b "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. RPM Library Archives. December 23, 1989. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
- ^ a b "Madonna – Like a Prayer". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 78.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1989". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ a b "Madonna – Like a Prayer". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ a b "Madonna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ Lane, Dan (November 24, 2013). "The UK's first 1000 Number 1 albums revealed". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Madonna – Like a Prayer". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ a b Myers, Justin (April 24, 2019). "Madonna's lead singles ranked". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Madonna".
- ^ a b "Madonna – Like a Prayer" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Like a Prayer". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
- ^ "Madonna > Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Levy, Glen (June 18, 2009). "Top Selling Albums and Singles 1989: "Like A Prayer" by Madonna". Time. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 4, 2019). "Madonna Celebrates 30 Years Since Her 'Like a Prayer' Video: 'Happy Birthday to Me & Controversy!'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Taraborrelli 2002, p. 173
- ^ a b c d e Portman, Jamie (March 24, 1989). "Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' creates a rage of controversy". The Daily Gazette. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Satenstein, Liana (August 16, 2019). "The story behind Madonna's slip dress in her most controversial music video, "Like A Prayer"". Vogue.com. Vogue. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Metz & Benson 1999, p. 192
- ^ a b Taraborrelli 2002, p. 172
- ^ from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Bignell 2007, p. 123
- ^ a b c d Metz & Benson 1999, p. 131
- ^ Dunn & Jones 1996, p. 45
- ^ Grant & Neupert 2003, p. 5
- ^ Clements, Erin (February 28, 2014). "Flashback: Madonna Premiered Controversial 'Like a Prayer' Pepsi Ad 25 Years Ago". People. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ Allen & Hill 2004, p. 445
- Advertising Age. 231: 76.
- ISSN 0042-6180.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 13, 2023). "Madonna Thanks Pepsi For Realizing the 'Genius of Our Collaboration' After Canned 1989 Ad Airs During 2023 MTV VMAs". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Khloer, Phil (March 10, 1989). "Madonna Crosses Line in 'Like a Prayer' Video". Record-Journal. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Romero, Frances (October 20, 2010). "Top 10 Vatican Pop-Culture Moments: Madonna, Over and Over". Time. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Taraborrelli 2002, p. 174
- ^ Key, Janet (March 8, 1989). "Pepsi 'thrilled' with Madonna ads". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ "Madonna – Biography". People. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ Hochman, Steve (March 8, 1989). "Mad About Madonna PepsiCo Backs Use of Video in Ad Campaign". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Mitchell & Reid-Walsh 2007, p. 412
- ^ Rosenthal, David (March 15, 1989). "Madonna video: A senseless good time". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Gundersen, Edna (March 24, 1989). "Madonna's Prayer: Like a Confession". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Willman, Chris (March 8, 2011). "Mad About Madonna 'Like a Prayer' More Love Song Than Blasphemy Video Review". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "1989 MTV VMAs: Winners". MTV. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Taraborrelli 2002, p. 175
- ^ "Madonna video 'top rule-breaker'". BBC News. July 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ "Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' Voted Most Groundbreaking Video of All Time!". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ^ Shewey & Ganz 1997, p. 222
- ^ Susman, Gary (May 7, 2001). "Model Patient". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ Warts, Diane (November 27, 2007). "That's Music To Our Eyes". Newsday. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ Letkemann, Jessica (August 1, 2011). "The 10 Best '80s Music Videos: Poll Results". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
- ^ Dirks, Eley & Ortner 1994, p. 89
- ^ a b c Fouz-Hernández & Jarman-Ivens 2004, p. 112
- ^ a b Grant & Neupert 2003, p. 32
- ^ a b c Metz & Benson 1999, p. 194
- ^ Dean 2003, p. 103
- ^ Guilbert 2002, p. 166
- ^ Madonna (1990). Blond Ambition – Japan Tour 90 (VHS). Warner-Pioneer Japan.
- ^ Madonna (1990). Blond Ambition World Tour Live (Laserdisc). Pioneer Artists.
- ^ Burr, Ty (October 4, 1991). "Madonna Blond Ambition World Tour Live!". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ISSN 0730-0158.
- ^ Gumbel, Andrew (May 26, 2004). "New package for old themes as Madonna's tour kicks off". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Moss, Cory (May 25, 2004). "Madonna Twirls Rifle, Lifts Up Her Kilt At Opener". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal (June 16, 2004). "Madonna (New York, NY – June 16, 2004)". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Farber, Jim (May 26, 2004). "Mother Of Re-Invention Is A Hit". New York. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "I'm Going to Tell You a Secret > Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ "UK Daily Mirror: Madonna stole the show". Madonna.com. July 8, 2005. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- Warner Bros. Records. 2010. 9362-497284.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ Pareles, Jon (October 5, 2008). "Aerobic, Not Erotic: The Concert as Workout". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ Liss, Sarah (October 20, 2008). "Live review: Madonna feels it in her heartbeat". CBC News. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ Brown, Helen (August 25, 2008). "Madonna: the mother of reinvention". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 9, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ Guerra, Joey (November 17, 2008). "Madonna revs up Minute Maid crowd". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- Live Nation. Semtex Films.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (January 23, 2010). "In Song, Trying to Convey the Scope of a Tragedy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b "Emotional Madonna asks concert crowd to hold moment's silence for Paris victims". ITV. November 15, 2015. Archived from the original on November 15, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (February 6, 2012). "No Longer an Upset: Madonna Acts Her Age". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
- ^ The Oakland Tribune. Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Gormly, Kellie B. (November 7, 2012). "Madonna mixes politics and high energy music at Consol show". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (July 17, 2012). "Madonna, Hyde Park, review". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ^ Finn, Timothy (October 31, 2012). "Madonna gives Kansas City an everlasting hello". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (September 10, 2013). "MDNA World Tour – Madonna". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
- ^ Spuhler, Robert (October 28, 2015). "Madonna turns to old icons, new music at the Forum". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ Madonna (2017). Rebel Heart Tour (2× CD, DVD, Blu-ray). Eagle Records.
- ^ "Madonna Performs Surprise Concert for Clinton in NYC Park". WNBC. November 7, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ^ "Madonna Reigns at the Met Gala with a Surprise Performance". Vogue. May 8, 2018. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ Gilibrand, Abigail (May 8, 2018). "Strike a pose! Madonna channels Immaculate Goth Queen and puts on surprise performance at Met Gala". Metro. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ Nolfi, Joey (May 8, 2018). "Watch Madonna's surprise Met Gala performance of 'Like a Prayer,' 'Hallelujah'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (May 19, 2019). "Watch Madonna perform 'Like a Prayer' and 'Future' at Eurovision". NME. Archived from the original on May 19, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (May 19, 2019). "Watch Madonna perform 'Like a Prayer' and 'Future' at Eurovision". NME. Archived from the original on May 19, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ Pitcheta, Rob (May 19, 2019). "Eurovision: Madonna mixes politics with a classic hit during performance". CNN. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin (May 21, 2019). "Madonna uploads Eurovision video performance with 'edited' vocals". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ Piatkowski, Peter (April 27, 2022). "'Madame X' is a Fantastic Chronicle of Madonna's Latest Tour Spectacle". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Chris (October 11, 2021). "Inside the Madonna Performance That Ended in a 'Like a Prayer' Jazz Parade Through the Streets of Harlem". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Woodstra, Chris. "God Made Me Do It: The Christmas EP > Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Virgin Voices: A Tribute To Madonna, Vol. 1 > Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Phares, Heather. "Virgin Voices: A Tribute To Madonna, Vol. 2 > Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Peak chart positions for "Like a Prayer" by Mad'House:
- "Mad'House – Like a Prayer (Nummer)". Ultratop 50. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Mad'House: Top 75 Releases". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Irishcharts: Search by Song title". IRMA. July 18, 2002. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "De Nederlandse Top 40" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. April 13, 2002. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Chartverfolgong > Mad'House > Like a Prayer" (in German). Media Control Charts. April 29, 2002. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- Sexton, Paul (July 6, 2002). "Quarterly Round-up of European Music Industry News". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 23. p. 46. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Through the Wilderness: A Tribute to Madonna > Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ "Glee Cast songs on iTunes". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on November 17, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
- ^ Peak chart positions for "Like a Prayer" by Glee:
- "Glee Cast – Like a Prayer (song)". Australian Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Billboard – Glee Case – Like a Prayer". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Irishcharts – Glee Cast discography". IRMA. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Archive Chart: UK Singles". Official Charts Company. May 8, 2010. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (April 28, 2010). "Madonna's 'Glee'tastic 'Celebration' Continues on Hot 100, Digital Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ a b Peak chart positions for "Feels Like a Prayer" by Meck featuring Dino:
- "Meck feat. Dino – Feels Like a Prayer (Nummer)". Ultratop 50. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- Trust, Gary (May 10, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas, "Glee"". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "Hot Dance Club Songs: Week Ending July 31, 2010". Billboard. July 31, 2010. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- "De Nederlandse Top 40" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. April 10, 2010. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Duerden, Nick (March 24, 2010). "Evanescence Offshoot Debuts New Songs Live". Spin. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- ^ Faia, Amanda (June 19, 2017). "Luiza Possi encarna Madonna em programa de TV". POPLine (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ Gusman, Giullia (July 9, 2017). "Emocionada, Luiza Possi apresenta clássicos de Michael Jackson em São Paulo". Pop Cultura (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ Rosen 1996, p. 329
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Blender. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. December 9, 2004. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ "No. 306: Madonna 'Like a Prayer'". Rolling Stone. April 7, 2011. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
- ISSN 0955-4955.
- ^ Rogers, Jude (August 16, 2018). "Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ^ "Madonna's 50 Greatest Songs". Rolling Stone. July 27, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Madonna's 15 Best Songs: Billboard Staff Picks". Billboard. March 9, 2015. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Tavana, Art (December 12, 2014). "The 20 Best Pop Songs in History By Female Artists". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
- ^ "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s". Pitchfork. August 24, 2015. p. 8. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time: Like a Prayer". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Marcus 1999, p. 179
- ^ Metz & Benson 1999, p. 179
- ^ Jalali, Jessica (March 22, 2022). "Madonna's 10 Most Frequently Used Songs In Movies And TV". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (April 23, 2024). "Madonna Enters the Marvel Universe In NSFW 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Trailer: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Rangel, Felipe (April 22, 2024). "What Song Is In The Deadpool & Wolverine Trailer & Why It Matters". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Like a Prayer (US 7-inch Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1989. PROMO 348.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Like a Prayer (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1989. 124790.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Like a Prayer (UK 12-inch Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1989. 5441.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Like a Prayer (Japanese 3-inch Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1989. 10SW-21.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Like A Prayer (Remixes) – EP by Madonna on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Like a Prayer" @madonna-decade.co.uk Archived January 31, 2020, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ Like a Prayer (LP, Vinyl, CD). Madonna. Sire Records. WEA Records Pvt. Ltd. 1989. 9 25844-1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Madonna – Like a Prayer" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "As mais executadas". O Dia (in Portuguese): 5. June 12, 1989. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6345." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
- ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. April 1, 1989. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ Nyman 2005, p. 90
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Sisältää hitin: 1 January 1960 – 30.6.2021" (PDF) (in Finnish). Musiikkiarkisto. pp. 156–157. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- Les classement single. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Madonna – Like a Prayer" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. May 27, 1989. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 16, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 10 (31. mars 1989)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires|magazine=
(help)[permanent dead link] - ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. May 6, 1989. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ "ハング・アップ" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Madonna" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Madonna – Like a Prayer" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "El disco de Madonna logra la popularidad". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish): 45. September 28, 1992. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Madonna – Like a Prayer". VG-lista. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Discos más populares en AL (America Latina)". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish) (43): 42. May 19, 1989. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. April 15, 1989. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ a b Salaverri 2005, p. 344
- ^ "Madonna – Like a Prayer". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Madonna – Like a Prayer". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Discos más populares de América Latina". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish): 42. August 11, 1989. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Madonna Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
- ^ "Discos más populares en AL (America Latina)". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish) (43): 41. May 19, 1989. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "Alle Rechte Jahreshitparade 1989" (in Dutch). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "Top 25 Dance Singles of '89". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ Legrand, Emmanuel (February 3, 1990). "French Product Dominates Charts". Music & Media. p. 10. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- GfK Entertainment. Archivedfrom the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
- ^ "De Single Top 100 1989 Over" (PDF) (in Dutch). Radio 538. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
- ^ "Jaahroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ "Topp 20 Single Vår 1989" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "Topp 20 Single Vinter 1989" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ^ Bourne, James (March 31, 1990). "SPAIN & PORTUGAL: CD Sales Double In Portugal" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Salaverri 2005, p. 374
- ^ "Charts (This Week's Chart Analysed By Alan Jones)" (PDF). Record Mirror. January 20, 1990. p. 46. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ Myers, Justin (March 21, 2014). "Official Charts Flashback 1989: Madonna – Like A Prayer". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ^ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1989 . TOP 50 POP SINGLES". Cash Box. December 30, 1989. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Par E.M. (July 30, 2002). "Les dix titres qui marchent". Le Parisien (in French). Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "French single certifications – Madonna – Like a Prayer" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved May 2, 2013. Select MADONNA and click OK.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Madonna; 'Like a Prayer')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Madonna – Like a Prayer". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Like a Prayer')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ Claimed sales for "Like a Prayer" in the United States:
- "'Like a prayer' di Madonna ha 30 anni. Dallo scandalo al successo planetario". la Repubblica (in Italian). March 2, 2019. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- "MADONNA'S". Daily Mirror. July 3, 2019. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
singer to score a multi-platinum single after Like A Prayer sold two million copies in US alon -
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Madonna – Like a Prayer". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Madonna – Like a Prayer" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 22, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Like a Prayer" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Madonna - Like A Prayer". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
Book sources
- Allen, Robert Clyde; Hill, Annette (2004). The Television Studies Reader. ISBN 978-0-415-28323-6.
- Bignell, James (2007). Postmodern Media Culture. Aakar Books. ISBN 978-81-89833-16-9.
- ISBN 978-0-8154-1051-5.
- ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2.
- Campbell, Michael (2008). Popular Music in America: And the Beat Goes On. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-50530-3.
- ISBN 978-1-56025-915-2.
- Cross, Mary (2007). Madonna: A Biography. ISBN 978-0-313-33811-3.
- ISBN 978-0-87586-207-1.
- ISBN 978-0-691-02102-7.
- Dunn, Leslie C.; Jones, Nancy A. (1996). Embodied Voices: Representing Female Vocality in Western Culture. ISBN 978-0-521-58583-5.
- Epstein, Heidi (2004). ISBN 978-0-8264-1648-3.
- Fouz-Hernández, Santiago; Jarman-Ivens, Freya (2004). Madonna's Drowned Worlds. ISBN 978-0-7546-3372-3.
- ISBN 978-1-4051-1180-5.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-1408-6.
- Marcus, Judith (1999). Surviving the Twentieth Century. ISBN 978-1-56000-352-6.
- Metz, Allen; Benson, Carol (1999). The Madonna Companion: Two Decades of Commentary. ISBN 978-0-8256-7194-4.
- Mitchell, Claudia; Reid-Walsh, Jacqueline (2007). Girl Culture: An Encyclopedia [2 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia. ISBN 978-0-313-08444-7.
- Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja [Finland list of Songs and chartings] (in Finnish). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-31-2503-5.
- ISBN 978-0-593-05547-2.
- Rooksby, Rikky (2004). The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna. ISBN 978-0-7119-9883-4.
- Rosen, Craig (1996). The Billboard Book of Number One Albums: The Inside Story Behind Pop Music's Blockbuster Records. Billboard books. ISBN 978-0-8230-7586-7.
- Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 978-84-8048-639-2.
- Shewey, Don; Ganz, Caryn (1997). Madonna, the Rolling Stone Files: The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts, and Opinions from the Files of Rolling Stone. ISBN 978-0-7868-8154-3.
- ISBN 978-1-4165-8346-2.
External links
- "Like a Prayer" at Discogs (list of releases)
- Cinquemani, Sal (March 3, 2014). "Through the Years: Madonna's "Like a Prayer" at 25". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved June 4, 2015.