Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” Lyrics Meaning

“Like a Prayer” is a song which, due to the powerful and diverse imagery attached to it, has been interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the most common understanding of the track is that Madonna is using popular religious symbolism to actually point to a sensual relationship. But according to her own words, “Like a Prayer” is actually relayed from the perspective of a girl who is “in love with God”. And her feelings are so strong that she perceives Him as the prominent “male figure in her life”. So basically, this song is based on the relationship between the singer and God.

And fundamentally, the idea it is premised on is that God sometimes reaches out to her. Such experiences apparently tend to take place during “the midnight hour”. This is an expression which may point to a time of desperation (although some assert it may be sensual in nature).

Ultimately when God does reach out it is an uplifting, otherworldly occurrence which she likens to “a prayer”, even though at some point she seems to be consciously in the act of praying. Thus the “prayer” referred to in the title and throughout the song is perhaps better described as an answered prayer, as in the singer receiving a palpable response to her own prayers.

Confusion sets In

Where the song becomes a little bit confusing is when Madonna states her desire to “take” the addressee “there”. Where “there” points to exactly isn’t specified but is likely a reference to the aforementioned experience. And considering that the addressee throughout the rest of the song is God, using that same logic the statement itself doesn’t make much sense. Thus this is one part of the track in particular which listeners have interpreted as an allusion to romantic relations, as in Madonna’s pledge to sensually gratify her partner. Or perhaps another explanation is that the singer is addressing someone other than God during these particular parts of the song. And in doing so, she is stating her willingness to share the aforementioned spiritually-based experience with him.

Conclusion

But all of those factors considered, at the end of the day it is Madonna who wrote “Like a Prayer”. And once again based on her own explanation, we can safely conclude that this is perhaps the Queen of Pop’s own personal version of a praise song.

Release Date of “Like a Prayer”

Sire Records along with Warner Records released “Like a Prayer” on 3 March 1989. The aforementioned labels released it as the lead single and title track from Madonna’s fourth album.

“Like a Prayer” has since gone on to be featured on a number of Madonna’s live and compilation albums.

A Super Successful Track

The song proved to be a great success for the songstress. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart in addition to music charts in almost 20 other countries.

For example, “Like a Prayer” has been certified Platinum in the following countries:

• Australia
• Netherlands
•  Sweden
• United States

Moreover Rolling Stone has placed the track on its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Music Video of “Like a Prayer” and Pepsi Deal

Madonna agreed to use and actually premiere “Like a Prayer” as part of a sponsorship deal she had with Pepsi. They signed her despite her refusing to add the word “Pepsi” to the song as her superstar predecessors had done in similar arrangements prior.

The soft-drink company had used the track for a television advertisement which they initially teased on 22 February 1989. The tease happened during the broadcast of the 31^stAnnual Grammy Awards.

The full-length, two-minute version of the advert was entitled “Make a Wish”. And it premiered approximately a week later, on 2 March 1989, during the broadcast of the ultra-popular “The Cosby Show”.

The actual music video itself made its debut the next day, on 3 March 1989, which is once again the same day the song itself was released.

In taking this approach in introducing “Like a Prayer” to the world, Madonna made history by being the first major artist to debut a song on a commercial as opposed to the then-media standard of radio or MTV.

Music  Video

The music video relies heavily on religious (particularly Christian) and other controversial imagery. As such, the Vatican, inducing Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) himself, as well as some other likewise organizations, formally denounced the visual.

And one of the ways they did so was by boycotting Pepsi and its subsidiaries. This is despite the fact that the Pepsi advertisement, which was directed Joe Pytka, was a completely-different piece than the actual music video itself.

The Vatican’s efforts were particularly successful in terms of getting the video banned in Italy.

Due to the protests, Pepsi eventually terminated their contract with Madonna. Under the agreement, she was to do an additional two commercials for them, and they were going to sponsor her forthcoming Blond Ambition World Tour. Yet despite this official closure of the business association, Madonna was still allowed to keep the entirety of her $5 million contract fee.

Controversy was a Blessing!

Ultimately the controversy which surrounded “Like a Prayer” is considered to have contributed to its massive success as well as the eponymous album it is featured on, which eventually topped the Billboard 200.

The video still went on to win a MTV Video Music Award in 1989 in the Viewer’s Choice category, as well as being nominated for another (Video of the Year).

Another interesting fact is that the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards was actually sponsored by Pepsi.

In addition to winning the aforementioned award, the visual has been placed on a number of ‘greatest music videos’ lists. Examples of such lists include the ones compiled by Rolling Stone and VH1.

The music video, which was filmed in Hollywood, California, was done so under the direction of Mary Lambert. Prior to that, Lambert was known for directing some of the Queen of Pop’s iconic videos.

Inspired by Madonna’s Childhood

The content of “Like a Prayer” and its video were influenced by Madonna’s own Catholic upbringing.

The visual features African-American film actor Leon Robinson and is also based on themes of ecstasy and racism.

 Who wrote “Like a Prayer”?

This classic was written by Madonna alongside her regular collaborator, Patrick Leonard.  Lyrically, the song was written by Madame X in the time span of about three hours.

However, despite Madonna and Leonard coming up with this track together, the recording of the song was notably highlighted by a considerable degree of strife between them. But in the grand scheme of things, Madonna appreciated her working relationship with Mr. Leonard.

Choir singing Backup Vocals

Renowned gospel singer Andraé Crouch (1942-2015) and his choir performed backup vocals on this song. However, prior to that, he had meticulously studied its lyrics to make sure they were not in opposition of his religious beliefs.

Yet despite Crouch & co. agreeing to provide vocals, they were not willing to be featured on the music video.

“Like a Prayer” is a Fan Favorite

Madonna began performing “Like a Prayer” live during her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. Since then it has been a regular feature on many of her tours.

Covers

Perhaps the most-notable artist(s) known to have covered “Like a Prayer” is the cast of the television show “Glee” in 2010. This version charted in five countries, including the US and UK.

The cover art of “Like a Prayer” (the single) included symbolism pointing to the fact that just a couple of months prior to the song being released Madonna ended her marriage to actor Sean Penn. However, she actually credited Mr. Penn with assisting her in bringing up more of her personal-artistic side, which was manifest in tracks like this one.

Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” Album

Madonna, released her fourth studio album, “Like a Prayer” on March 21 of 1989. The album shares the same name with its lead single, “Like a Prayer”, released on the 3rd of March, the same year.

According to Madonna, the album was inspired by her Catholic upbringing as well as ties with her family. She revealed, “Like a Prayer” was dedicated to her mother, who she unfortunately lost when she was still a little girl.

Recording of the album took place at D&D Recording Studios in New York and Los Angeles based Ocean Way Recording.

Madonna collaborated with Stephen Bray, Prince and Patrick Leonard in producing the album.

“Like a Prayer” was launched through the following American record labels:

• Sire Records
• Warner Records

Globally, music critics and pundits showered praises on the singer’s improved artistic merit. Many opined the album marked the turning point in her career.

Album’s Success

“Like a Prayer” got featured in a number of music journals and music reference books, including the famous “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” by Robert Dimery, published in 2005. It was also featured in Colin Larkin’s book, “All Time Top 1000 Albums”, published in 1994.

On Rolling Stone’s 2003 list, “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, “Like a Prayer” was placed at the 239th position. It maintained that position on a revised edition of the list, published in 2012. It was however moved to No. 331 in the 2020 edition of the list.

Rob Sheffield, a reviewer for the music reference book, “Spin Alternative Record Guide”, gave the album a 100% score during his review of the album.

In 1989, the album won a nomination for the Grammy award, “Best Engineered Album”. It was however beaten by Linda Ronstadt’s “Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind”.

In 2005, Q magazine placed the album at No. 14 on its “40 Best Albums of the ’80s” list.

The album made it atop the Billboard 200 and almost all major charts globally, including charts in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and Australia.

It got a 4x platinum certification in the US, UK and Australia. It also received the following certifications in these countries:

• Argentina – Platinum
• Australia – Platinum
• Brazil – 2x Platinum
• Canada – 5x Platinum
• France – 2x Platinum
• Germany – 2x Gold
• Spain – 4x Platinum
• Switzerland – 2x Platinum