It's 30 years since the release of 'Like a Prayer', the lead title track to Madonna's pivotal fourth album. A hugely defining moment to Madonna's career, 'Like a Prayer' incorporates rock and gospel music to portray a powerful statement of religion, sexuality and expression. Whether the song refers to a relationship, a sexual experience, a platonic affection or a connection with God, love is at its heart. 'Like a Prayer' commands the attention of everyone in sight, arousing their energy with its roaring choir-backed choruses and clap-along beat until everyone is united. It propelled Madonna to a new stage of her career: it heightened critics' perspective of what Madonna was capable of in terms of writing and performing, praising her ability to push intense and complex emotion through music that's so undeniably catchy and danceable.

 

Accompanying the single was Madonna's most ambitious music video yet. It hosts a variety of concepts and themes, exploring the relation of religious and sexual ecstasy as well as portraying a message on racism and injustice. The depiction of burning crosses and sexuality in the church saw great condemnation from religious groups, however this controversy did not prevent the beauty of the video shining through and it remains high on critic and fan based countdowns for all time best music videos.

 

'Like a Prayer' is the perfect pop package and rightfully places as one of the (in fact, often the) best Madonna songs. Join the celebrations as we mark 30 years of this triumphant song that can still take us there.

An undeniable classic. I feel like it inspired God Is A Woman too even with certain lyrics "In the midnight hour" / "I feel it after midnight".

 

Her most cherished song, especially from casual fans.

I listened to all 9 versions of this on my iPod yesterday .

 

Album and reinvention are my fav versions.

It's her Masterpiece. Not Masterpiece the song obviously as that would not be a masterpiece. Confusing.

 

Anyway, this remains one of my all time favourite songs and is capable of making me smile in even the most sad of times, it has a real sense of joy, euphoria and life within it that few other songs can ever even hope to match.

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A moment of history.

A pinnacle of pop music. The visuals, lyrics, vocals, message. Every thing about it is perfection. A rare masterpiece as dandy* puts it. Nothing but love.

Truly timeless in ways that only a handful of songs are (and I’m sure Madge holds half of them...). Such an empowering and emotive song, definitely one of my favourite Madonna songs and possibly one of my favourites full stop.

We've had many a debate on what Madonna's signature song is and, as time has gone on, I've decided that this is probably it when all factors are considered. It's the song that people of all types of demographic seem to know and adore. It's intensely enjoyable and uniting but there's something cool about it too. Like, Madonna doesn't receiving much reaction or attention among my age group but this is the one song people would openly admit to liking.

 

I've always liked this song but it's definitely rose higher in my affections with time. One of those songs that instantly puts you in a good mood; those final choruses in particular just take over your body and soul and pushes you too such an estatic high. Such an incredible feeling.

1989 Pepsi Commercial

 

Madonna-

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.

 

Making of the commercial

 

Madonna on the controversy

 

Legacy

#1 on Entertainment Weekly's 2018 list of 'Ranking Madonna's 60 best singles'

#1 on Independent's 2018 list of 'Ten Greatest Songs from the Queen of Pop'

#1 on Q Magazine's 2003 list of 'Top 20 Madonna Singles of All Time'

#1 on Smooth Radio's 2018 list of 'Top 20 Best Madonna Songs'

#1 on The Guardian's 2018 list of 'Every One of Madonna's 78 Singles - Ranked'

#2 on Billboard's 2018 list of '100 Best Madonna Songs'

#2 on LA Weekly's 2014 list of 'The 20 Best Pop Songs in History by Female Artists'

#3 on NME's 2011 list 'Greatest Pop Songs in History'

#6 on Blender's 2009 list of '500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born'

#50 on Pitchfork's 2016 list of 'The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s'

#300 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'

Live Performances

 

Blond Ambition World Tour (1990)

 

On Stage & On The Record (2003)

 

Re-Invention Tour (2004)

 

Live 8 (2005)

 

Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-9)

 

Hope For Haiti (2010)

 

Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show (2012)

 

MDNA World Tour (2012)

 

Rebel Heart Tour (2015-16)

 

Washington Square Park (2016)

 

Met Gala (2018)

A pinnacle of pop music. The visuals, lyrics, vocals, message. Every thing about it is perfection. A rare masterpiece as dandy* puts it. Nothing but love.

It is Madonna's stand out single.

I need Madonna to close a tour with this song . Extended version.

For me it's probably about mid-table in her singles discography, but I would agree it's probably her 'signature' and most iconic song.

 

I love hearing it when I'm out though, I do go wild for it.

I need Madonna to close a tour with this song . Extended version.

Quite unbelievable that this hasn't happened yet! It's frequently regarded as her best song and brings together everyone. You can just picture the audience clapping with their hands held high in the air and playing the part of the choir. That would be such a moment, yet she keeps wheeling out 'Holiday' as the encore. She does appear to adore performing it though; watching all those performances, whether it's a stadium or a small venue, performed stripped back or mashed with a classic dance song, you can feel the warmth and love in the room and it lights up Madonna's face.

Just been watching all the videos and that instagram clip from Madonna :wub:

 

Such an iconic song, this and Vogue are like the ultimate Madonna songs.

I need Madonna to close a tour with this song . Extended version.

This HAS to happen. Fingers crossed for the next world tour !!