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Like a Prayer single
"Like a Prayer"
Released March 3, 1989
Length 4:20
Writer(s) Madonna
Patrick Leonard
Producer(s) Madonna
Patrick Leonard

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"Like a Prayer" is a song by Madonna from her fourth studio album, Like a Prayer. It was released as the lead single from the album on March 3, 1989.

Background[]

Madonna wrote this with Patrick Leonard. Madonna explained to Rolling Stone why her relationship with Leonard has proved to be so successful: "We're both from the Midwest, and deep down at our core, we're both geeks. He's melancholic, and he is a classically trained musician with an incredible sense of melody. We just hit it off from the start. We always come up with something interesting. We usually don't write frivolous songs, although we've done that, too. There's something magical about our writing."

Composition[]

The song is a pop rock song with elements of gospel music. A choir provides background vocals that heighten the song's spiritual nature, and a rock guitar keeps the music dark and mysterious.

Live Perfomances[]

The first live performance was on the Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990, The song was also included in the set list of the Re-Invention World Tour of 2004. A dance version of the song in the Sticky & Sweet Tour in 2008 and 2009. For The MDNA Tour in 2012, a modernized gospel version of "Like a Prayer" was performed as the second-to-last song of the show. On October 27, 2015, during the Inglewood stop of her Rebel Heart Tour, Madonna performed "Like a Prayer". The performance began with the singer playing the acoustic guitar before asking the crowd to sing along with her. She also performed the song during her concert in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 14, 2015, dedicating it to the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris, France, two days before.

Cross references[]

  • "Like a Prayer", along with eleven other songs, is referenced in Madonna's 2015 track "Veni Vidi Vici".

Music Video[]

Music Video Information
Madonna_-_Like_A_Prayer Released March 3, 1989
Length 5:37
Director Mary Lambert
Production Co None
Choreographer None
Filmed January 11-15, 1989
Location California
VEVO views 15+ Million Views

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 sighing
I have no choice, I hear your voice
Feels like flying

I close my eyes
Oh God I think I'm falling
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 your 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, your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there

Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me
Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me

Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me
Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me

Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem
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 muse to me, you are a mystery
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there
Your voice can take me there
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


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