Customer Reviews

Like a Prayer

5 star:		(159)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like a Prayer could very well be Madonna's most important album; marked by maturity, honest emotional content, superior musical form and style, and overall quality, it is a remarkable achievement by an artist whose earliest work was dismissed by some as throwaway pop. Perhaps no other album I own starts off as strongly as this one. Like a Prayer and Express Yourself make one heck of a one-two punch. This is the Madonna I like the most--brave, strong, unafraid of controversy, and willing and able to rock your world. Personally, I found the controversy over Like a Prayer and its video to be quite overblown, but it certainly did nothing to hurt album sales. The gospel background vocals gives the song a powerful, full sound that only reinforces the driving beat and mass appeal of the song. Express Yourself is a Madonna statement song--Madonna knows all about expressing herself, and the song does inspire you to be yourself and let others know what you are thinking.

Love Song is a song I can take or leave. At the time, Prince and Madonna were pretty much the king and queen of pop music, and it was really something to hear them team up on a duet. Unfortunately, the song has little substance, and Prince overplays his peculiar, distinctive voice and style. Till Death Do Us Part is, in my opinion, the best song on the album. It has meaningful, important lyrics, yet its tempo makes you tap or sway along with the music; it almost moves too quickly, achieving a perfectly vibrant, energetic pace, and the chorus is just wonderful. Promise to Try is a slower song with beautiful lyrics and a graceful sound, offering yet more proof that Madonna is a real singer with great vocal skills. When Cherish was released as a single, I heard it so often on the radio that I eventually came to dislike the song; listening to it again now, though, I realize how great the song really is. Cherish strikes me as possessing a certain air and spirit of 1960s pop music. It's definitely an uplifting song to listen to, with a strong "feel good" quality to it.

Dear Jessie is another example of Madonna's new sound and style on this album. The music itself is rather subdued, placing the song's emphasis on Madonna's lyrical stylings; this calming track is the kind of song I imagine Madonna would sing to her children at bedtime. For emotional content, the striking Oh Father tops the list on this CD; it definitely sounds like Madonna is singing this one right from the heart. The flow between verse and chorus is striking, and the whole song is a delight to listen to. After a string of slow, emotional tracks, Madonna decides it is time to get the place jumping again with Keep It Together (although even this song carries a strong message). Spanish Eyes is another poignant song of beauty and wonder. Act of Contrition is a weird way to end the album, but I like it. The harmonic dissonance of the Like a Prayer choruses, electric guitar riffs, and free-style lyrics is refreshingly different.

This is a really deep album of great substance. For me, this great asset became somewhat of a vulnerability, though. Hearing songs such as Oh Father and Cherish over and over again on adult contemporary radio stations sort of led me to believe Madonna had lost her edge (despite such evidence to the contrary as Express Yourself). In terms of musical structure and delivery, Like a Prayer is vastly superior to Madonna's previous albums; I easily recognize this fact, but, in general, I prefer the fun dance songs of earlier years to the poignant, beautiful music that typifies this album.

Madonna has 7 full length studio albums out there, which one to buy first? Well, they're all great discs, excluding the dated and naive debut. While Like A Virgin and Ray Of Light are definite contenders, I always like it when an artist takes a risk. Madonna did just that in 1989 with Like a Prayer and then did it again in 1992 with Erotica. However, Like a Prayer is tighter, more cohesive than Erotica. Like a Prayer is the first time Madonna expressed deeper emotion in her lyrics, and it was the first time her music was no longer Spice Girlish. Songs about religion, death, divorce, camraderie, childhood, love and self-respect fill this wonderful disc. It's true, as the people before me have attested: There is not a note wasted on this cd, all the tracks are great. Sure, the duet between Prince and Madonna could have been left off, but it adds more flavor to the cd's rich well of songs. It's worth the money to have this in your music collection.

First of all I'm not a Madonna fan. When this album came out in 89, me and my buds were all hardcore headbanging maniacs. If anyone even knew I had this album, my life might have been over. Why did I buy it? 1989 was a crazy year for me, (left home on bad terms, bitter/sweet first love relationship, experimentation). Anywho when I first heard the song Cherish, I said to myself 'Wow wouldn't it be great to have someone feel that way about me? Then I heard Oh Father, and I had to break down and buy the record. It's not my kind of music, but it really struck me, and I still listen to it now and then (Hey I still headbang too! ) It's very listenable, I espescially like 'Act of Contrition'. The only dive nose tune is the godawful duet she does with Prince. It's so terrible my finger is on the FF button before it even starts. If not for that one tune, I would have given it five stars.

I honestly believe this is music at its finest. It seems rare that a "pop star" would have the sensibility to write songs of this caliber, but it is truly phenomenal. Even if you hate Madonna, this album could have you doubting those feelings.

The title track is a tumultuous event that stuns and soars with its charging guitars and soulful gospel roots. "Express Yourself" is definitely the anthem for anyone lacking in the self-respect department. "Love Song," the Prince collaberation, has been ravaged by many reviewers but it does have a certain languid appeal that grows over time.

Much of the album is dark and serious, almost mournful. The Catholic vibe is strong here as feelings of possible guilt and regret permeate the frenetic "Till Death Do Us Part" and the Latin lament, "Spanish Eyes."

But as always with Madonna there is a bright side..."Cherish" and "Dear Jessie" are straight from the musical candy store. The former is the epitome of a warm summer love song and the latter is a lullabye about the magic and power of childhood imagination. "Dear Jessie" was the song that struck a target in my heart. If you have children, you will understand.

Despite the grief and yearning of "Oh Father," the song is actually quite uplifting, especially in the chorus. It spins the moral of escaping the cycle of blaming oneself for the emotional (and possible physical) violence inflicted in relationships.

Madonna also doesn't forget her famous sense of ironic humor. In "Act of Contrition," which has some serious kick-ass guitar playing, she recites the ancient Catholic mantra to a backwards play of the "Like A Prayer" track. The song ends abruptly and almost violently bringing an unexpected end to a heavenly experience.

This album is definitely her best, even more sore than "Ray of Light". Madonna forever!

Like a Prayer- her best song ever! Madonna truly gave her all to this song. The video is also amazing.

Express Yourself- I prefer the "Immaculate Collection" version, but I'm not complaining about this version.

Love Song- Spectacular. Two great artists, one great song.

Till Death Do Us Part- my fav song on this album. I've always loved this song. Madonna seems so sad and lonely while singing this.

Promise To Try- soooo touching. I love this song.

Cherish- beautiful, perky song that we needed after the depressing "Promise To Try".

Dear Jessie- very bizarre but oddly enjoyable.

Oh Father- I don't cry easily but this song ALWAYS makes me cry. One of my favorite songs of all time.

Keep It Together- very inspirational. "Family is gold"!

Spanish Eyes- better than her previous Latin effort, "La Isla Bonita". Sad ballad.

Act of Contrition- very weird. I don't like it.

MADONNA IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARNING:THIS ALBUM MAY CAUSE TEARS.
On reviewing this album I'll have to agree mostly with what Karen said, but let me add my own opinion.
Like a Prayer is an album about love, honesty, life and death. So whoever you are, however old you are and whatever you do, then I guarantee that this album will definitely contain five or more songs that you will feel strongly connected to.
Madonna writes from the deepest of her heart and pours her love into each and every song.
Although the song that I most treasure is 'Like a Prayer', the song which shouts out to me is 'Till death do us a part'. This song is a depiction of domestic violence and I firmly believe Madonna is a genius for writing such a song about a very serious issue to which alot of people are ignorant, but an important issue that must be stressed and not ignored.
There is not one song I can speak badly off. I think Madonna's intention with this album was to make people think seriously about the issues she brings up (as well as enjoying the music!) and also, I'm sure she wanted to pull a few heart strings- she certainly did that to me!

I am far from being a Madonna fan, but Like a Prayer is a classic. This record showed that Madonna -- essentially a singles artist -- is capable of making a thematically coherent, mature album that also features a load of great songs that stand on their own.

From the first notes on the record, the apocalyptic guitars that introduce the title track, there's something different about this record. An attention to detail, an aggressiveness, and also a sophistication beyond her previous releases...and anything else she's recorded since. "Like a Prayer" is unforgettable; even though Madonna's voice is hardly gospel material, it's precisely the tension between her dance-pop voice and the Andrae Crouch Choir's booming chants that makes the track so powerful. A black-white fusion with an unstoppable beat and an instantly memorable chorus. "Express Yourself" is not one of my favourite tracks possibly due to over-exposure, but you have to admit, it's another instantly recognizable song and Madonna's mission statement of sorts. The pop songwriting is flawless on "Till Death Do Us Part", "Keep It Together" and "Spanish Eyes", and "Oh Father" is hands down my favourite Madonna song. Who would've thought she could convey so much heart in such a simple song? The "You never wanted to live that way" interlude is beautiful beyond words. Classic video, too, a childlike dream directed by David Fincher.

I've heard the whole Madonna canon hundreds of times growing up (there was a fanatic in the house) and most of her music's grown stale on me, except this record. Because of her adaptability to trends, most of her albums sound dated, so in tune are they with the musical movements of their time. But if there's one record of hers that stands beyond time, this is it.

Most of Madonna's very best work is right here. Madonna and Pat Leonard reached the peak of their songwriting partnership with this album, and their work here results in some of Madonna's most stunning material. The gospel-influenced title track (#1 Pop, #3 Adult Contemporary, #1 Dance) puts Madonna on a new level as an artist. She has never been more successful at balancing symbolic social/moral issues with danceable pop as she is here. In fact, the entire album finds Madonna perfecting and expanding upon her trademark sound. There's lots of variety here - the delightful smash "Cherish" (#2 Pop, #1 Adult Contemporary) is one the most perfect pop ditties ever, the bubbly "Dear Jessie" paints a surreal and imaginative portrait of the innocent and universal love of children, and the skittering, spousal abuse-themed "Till Death Do Us Part" is almost uncomfortably chilling - and Madonna handles it all with vigor and aplomb.

Perhaps the most affective and surprising moments on LIKE A PRAYER come from the unflinchingly autobiographical elements that form the core of several songs. This is also the album in which Madonna first really showcased her talent as a top-notch lyricist. Particularly effective is "Promise To Try," in which Madonna sings about the effect that losing her mother had on her. This could have easily sounded trite, but Madonna gives the song a unique twist by writing the lyrics to the child she once was, and from a third person perspective. The lovely, passionately-performed "Spanish Eyes" also avoids cliché with a delicate simplicity that is as beautiful as it is haunting. However, the most beautifully shattering track on LIKE A PRAYER is hands down the breathtaking "Oh Father" (#20 Pop). The vocals, lyrics, and orchestration all flawlessly come together in one cathartic masterpiece, that rivals only "Live To Tell" as the absolute best Madonna-Leonard collaboration.

LIKE A PRAYER also finds Madonna writing with Steve Bray again, with the wailing soul of "Express Yourself" (#2 Pop, #12 Adult Contemporary, #1 Dance) and the hard funk of "Keep It Together" (#8 Pop, #1 Dance) remaining two of their best collaborations. Prince dropped by to co-write and duet on the spooky "Love Song," which, due to it's slightly off-kilter melody, isn't as immediately assessable as the rest of the disc, but becomes oddly hypnotic after several listens. Madonna finally received the long-sought praise of music critics with this release, and the public also responded to her efforts - LIKE A PRAYER hit #1 on the Hot 200 and has been certified Quintuple-Platinum. Easily one of the corner stones of Madonna's career, and possibly her best-loved work.

This was Madonna's fourth album was released in 1989. Thanks to MTV Madonna became a household name in the 80's. Her first album, "Madonna", was your basic dance album. That album was followed by "Like A Virgin" which continued with the dance theme but she was showing strength as a vocalist. For her third album "True Blue" she began to show her songwriting skills and began to tackle more serious issues such as teen pregnacy in the hit single "Papa Don't Preach". In 1989 however she took a far more adult turn on "Like A Prayer". Her lyrics were now dealing with a troubled marriage "Till Death Do Us Part", her father "Oh Father" and the death of her mother "Promise To Try". The title track was a huge single complete with the obligitory controversial video. "Express Yourself" was also a single, but the version heard on the album is a bit more pop and less dance. She even duetted with the purple one himself, Prince on "Love Song". Overall this was her most mature album to date. The entire album is great, but for me the standout tracks are the title track, "Promise To Try", "Oh Father" and "Spanish Eyes". After this album Madonna began to explore her sexuality more than before and for me anyway her music became more hit and miss. This album marked the end of the 80's and the end of the first era of Madonna.
A footnote about this album, contrary to a previous review, this album was NOT part of the Madonna remasters, those only included the first three releases. When this album was originally released, the first pressings had been heavily sprayed with Patchuli oil, Madonna's perfume at the time. After 16 years my original CD still has a very faint smell of Patchuli to it!! Perhaps if and when Warner's re-issues "Like A Prayer" they include they will include the original "scent" as well.

Madonna's 1989 masterpiece "Like A Prayer" showed the world once and for all that Madonna was more than hype, she was a great artist who was to be reckoned with.

The album opens with the one-two punch of Like A Prayer and Express Yourself. Like A Prayer in my opinion is one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Part rock, part gospel, part funk. The song is a masterpiece.

Track by track blow

Like A Prayer - excellent song, funky, rock, gospel and pop at one. 10/10
Express Yourself - a great funky song with an ode to the 70's soul. Lyrics are great about self-respect. 10/10
Love Song - a duet with Prince, probably the weakest song on the album besides Act Of Contrition, but still powerful. 7/10
Till Death Do Us Part - while it's dancy, also one of the darkest songs Madonna's ever cut, the album was released a few months after her abusive marriage with Sean Penn ended, and it's hard to think that this song about domestic violence is about anything else but her then-recent divorce, chilling song. 9/10
Promise To Try. Her first, and probably still saddest, song about her mother. 10/10
Cherish. An about-face coming after songs about her mothers death and domestic violence. One of the few songs on this album that would've fit on True Blue. Cute poppy number that still gets airplay 14 years later. 8/10
Dear Jessie. Madonna meets Sgt. Pepper. One of her most underrated gems. Very trippy and daring to record in the late 80's. You can tell Madonna listened to a lot of Beatles "Sgt Pepper" as a kid. Also a Madonna song you can play for children without worrying about what they might ask. 10/10
Oh Father. A brilliant heartbreaking ballad. Unfortunately the song broke her string of top 5 singles, topping out at #20 in January 1990. Oh well, in the midst of all the New Kids that was big at the time, it was probably too dark for them. The song is another one about how her mothers death at age 5. Haunting and gorgeous. 10/10
Keep It Together. Funky 70's influenced dance track about the power of family. Catchy and immortalized on the Blond Ambition tour. 9/10
Spanish Eyes. Another great ballad. Many people believe this song is about Jesus. 9/10
Act Of Contrition. The album closer. Nothing special except Madonna saying the Act Of Contrition while a remix of Like A Prayer is being played backwards. Basically filler but a way to close the album. 5/10.

All in all, the album is a total 10/10. If you like 80's/early 90's pop and want to try a Madonna cd that's not a compilation. Get this one first.