Madonna's Like a Prayer, condemned by Christian organisations as blasphemous upon its release in 1989, has topped a poll of videos which "broke the rules". "Like a Prayer" was her most explicit artistic statement in 1984. She incorporated dance soul pop and rock, and funk elements all rolled into one into the album.
She chose the title track as the first single. When it came out, Pepsi intended to use it as part of their commercial campaign featuring Madonna as the spokesperson. In addition, they would sponsor a 1989 world tour. However, the release of the video for "Like A Prayer" caused a fire storm. In it, Madonna witnesses a murder, makes love to a black saint after he comes to life from the "cage" he was in, she and he both witness a murder, it appears in the video the cops will end up thinking the black man did it by the way they show up when the dead victim is being held by the black man, and she displays stigmata after cutting her palms on a knife, and dances in a field of burning crosses.
Religious groups were furious and threatened to boycott Pepsi. Pepsi decided the risk was too great and they cancelled their contract with Madonna. The Pepsi clip featured the portion of the video which shows the singer dancing around the hill with burning crosses and kissing a black Christ-like figure in what is apparently a Catholic church. It came first in a survey of 10 thousand MTV viewers, with Madonna's songs Ray of Light and Vogue also in the top five. Madonna, one of the icons of the MTV age - has been excluded from the network's play list on more than one occasion because of the content of her videos and lyrics in her songs.
The following are parts of the the lyrics to Like A Prayer:
"just like a muse to me", Definition: muse: a force or person, esp. a woman, that inspires a creative artist So just who or what that is giving her the inspiration (muse) to her? It's clearly blasphemous so I'll leave that for you to decide.
"no end and no beginning" - clearly Alpha and Omega ... "no choice your voice can take me there" - good ole' predestination ...
"oh god I think I'm falling out of the sky I close my eyes, heaven help me": Perhaps this feeling has been experienced in the past of falling out of the sky? Fallen. Hm. The actual lyrics are as follows:
Like A Prayer - Madonna
Like A Prayer - Madonna
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
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
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, 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
I must confess, I found the tune was very catchy... but like much pop product out there, not edifying in the least. To what does she refer? She alone could tell you that. The safer conclusion to draw is what she cannot possibly be referring to: The true Lord God of the Bible. He is neither a mystical force nor the puppeteer "like a child" whimsy she describes. Jehovah is neither a muse nor a dream. Let's not even start with the taking of His name in vain. At best, this song is a mix of incoherent mystical babble, at its worst, it's a sensualised caricature of God of blasphemous proportions. My view is that there are bits of pop out there that are harmlessly fun - for example, her Caribbean-sounding "La Isla Bonita" was a fun song. Not spiritually uplifting per se, but not evil either.
She chose the title track as the first single. When it came out, Pepsi intended to use it as part of their commercial campaign featuring Madonna as the spokesperson. In addition, they would sponsor a 1989 world tour. However, the release of the video for "Like A Prayer" caused a fire storm. In it, Madonna witnesses a murder, makes love to a black saint after he comes to life from the "cage" he was in, she and he both witness a murder, it appears in the video the cops will end up thinking the black man did it by the way they show up when the dead victim is being held by the black man, and she displays stigmata after cutting her palms on a knife, and dances in a field of burning crosses.
Religious groups were furious and threatened to boycott Pepsi. Pepsi decided the risk was too great and they cancelled their contract with Madonna. The Pepsi clip featured the portion of the video which shows the singer dancing around the hill with burning crosses and kissing a black Christ-like figure in what is apparently a Catholic church. It came first in a survey of 10 thousand MTV viewers, with Madonna's songs Ray of Light and Vogue also in the top five. Madonna, one of the icons of the MTV age - has been excluded from the network's play list on more than one occasion because of the content of her videos and lyrics in her songs.
The following are parts of the the lyrics to Like A Prayer:
"just like a muse to me", Definition: muse: a force or person, esp. a woman, that inspires a creative artist So just who or what that is giving her the inspiration (muse) to her? It's clearly blasphemous so I'll leave that for you to decide.
"no end and no beginning" - clearly Alpha and Omega ... "no choice your voice can take me there" - good ole' predestination ...
"oh god I think I'm falling out of the sky I close my eyes, heaven help me": Perhaps this feeling has been experienced in the past of falling out of the sky? Fallen. Hm. The actual lyrics are as follows:
Like A Prayer - Madonna
Like A Prayer - Madonna
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
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
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, 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
I must confess, I found the tune was very catchy... but like much pop product out there, not edifying in the least. To what does she refer? She alone could tell you that. The safer conclusion to draw is what she cannot possibly be referring to: The true Lord God of the Bible. He is neither a mystical force nor the puppeteer "like a child" whimsy she describes. Jehovah is neither a muse nor a dream. Let's not even start with the taking of His name in vain. At best, this song is a mix of incoherent mystical babble, at its worst, it's a sensualised caricature of God of blasphemous proportions. My view is that there are bits of pop out there that are harmlessly fun - for example, her Caribbean-sounding "La Isla Bonita" was a fun song. Not spiritually uplifting per se, but not evil either.
About the Author:
Samantha Whittel grew up in Alaska. She is now living in Nebraska with her two children and husband of 12 years. The family raises horses and collects various Panerai replica and other Vacheron Constantin replica.