Madonna – Like A Prayer Lyrics - Genius

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Like a Prayer Lyrics

Madonna recorded “Like a Prayer” for her 1989 studio album of the same name, which was released as the lead single. “Like a Prayer” signaled a more artistic and personal approach to songwriting from Madonna,… Read More [Intro]Life is a mysteryEveryone must stand aloneI hear you call my nameAnd it feels like home[Chorus]When you call my nameIt's like a little prayerI'm down on my kneesI want to take you thereIn the midnight hourI can feel your powerJust like a prayerYou know I'll take you there[Verse 1]I hear your voiceIt's like an angel sighingI have no choiceI hear your voiceFeels like flyingI close my eyesOh God, I think I'm fallingOut of the skyI close my eyesHeaven, help meYou might also like[Chorus]When you call my nameIt's like a little prayerI'm down on my kneesI want to take you thereIn the midnight hourI can feel your powerJust like a prayerYou know I'll take you there[Verse 2]Like a childYou whisper softly to meYou're in controlJust like a childNow I'm dancingIt's like a dreamNo end and no beginningYou're here with meIt's like a dreamLet the choir sing[Chorus]When you call my nameIt's like a little prayerI'm down on my kneesI wanna take you thereIn the midnight hourI can feel your powerJust like a prayerYou know I'll take you thereWhen you call my nameIt's like a little prayerI'm down on my kneesI wanna take you thereIn the midnight hourI can feel your powerJust like a prayerYou know I'll take you there[Refrain]Life is a mysteryEveryone must stand aloneI hear you call my nameAnd it feels like home[Chorus]Just like a prayerYour voice can take me thereJust like a muse to meYou are a mysteryJust like a dreamYou are not what you seemJust like a prayer, no choiceYour voice can take me there[Bridge]Just like a prayer, I'll take you thereIt's like a dream to me (Mm, mm-mm)Just like a prayer, I'll take you there (I'll take you there)It's like a dream to me (Oh, oh-oh-oh yeah)Just like a prayer, I'll take you there (I'll take you there)It's like a dream to me (Oh yeah, yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)Just like a prayer, I'll take you there (Oh, yeah)It's like a dream to me (Oh, oh)[Chorus]Just like a prayerYour voice can take me thereJust like a muse to meYou are a mysteryJust like a dreamYou are not what you seemJust like a prayer, no choiceYour voice can take me thereJust like a prayerYour voice can take me thereJust like a muse to meYou are a mysteryJust like a dreamYou are not what you seemJust like a prayer, no choiceYour voice can take me thereYour voice can take me thereLike a prayer[Outro]It's like a prayer, your voice can take me thereIt's like a prayerIt's like a prayer, your voice can take me thereIt's like a prayerIt's like a prayer, your voice can take me thereIt's like a prayerIt's like a prayer, your voice can take me thereIt's like a prayer37EmbedCancel

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AboutSong Bio5 contributors

Madonna recorded “Like a Prayer” for her 1989 studio album of the same name, which was released as the lead single.

“Like a Prayer” signaled a more artistic and personal approach to songwriting from Madonna, who felt she needed to cater more to her adult audience. The video for the song was quite controversial, primarily for its portrayal of Madonna kissing a black saint and other supposedly sacrilegious religious imagery.

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Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Ask a questionWhat did Patrick Leonard say about the song?Genius Answer1 contributor

Producer Patrick Leonard told Billboard:

I think there was a point when we realized that it was the title track, and the lead track, and it was going to be a powerhouse. It became obvious that there was something unique about it. And that somehow we made this thing work: with its stopping and starting, and a minimalistic rhythmic thing, and the verses, and these bombastic choruses, and this giant choir comes in. This is ambitious, you know?

+8How did the song perform commercially?Genius Answer1 contributor

Billboard US Hot 100: #1 UK Singles: #1 Italy (Musica e dischi): #1 Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): #30 France: #2 Brazil (ADPD): #9

+7Televised performances?Genius Answer1 contributor

Live 8 (2008)

Super Bowl XLVI halftime show

+6Who produced “Like a Prayer” by Madonna?When did Madonna release “Like a Prayer”?Who wrote “Like a Prayer” by Madonna?Celebration (2009)Madonna

1. 1. Hung Up
2. 2. Music
3. 3. Vogue (Q-Sound Mix)
4. 4. 4 Minutes
5. 5. Holiday
6. 6. Everybody (7" Edit)
7. 7. Like a Virgin
8. 8. Into the Groove
9. 9. Like a Prayer
10. 10. Ray of Light (Radio Edit)
11. 11. Sorry (Single Edit)
12. 12. Express Yourself (Video Mix)
13. 13. Open Your Heart
14. 14. Borderline (7" Remix)
15. 15. Secret (Edit)
16. 16. Erotica (Radio Edit)
17. 17. Justify My Love
18. 18. Revolver
19. 19. Dress You Up
20. 20. Material Girl
21. 21. La Isla Bonita
22. 22. Papa Don’t Preach
23. 23. Lucky Star
24. 24. Burning Up
25. 25. Crazy for You
26. 26. Who’s That Girl
27. 27. Frozen (Edit)
28. 28. Miles Away
29. 29. Take a Bow
30. 30. Live to Tell
31. 31. Beautiful Stranger
32. 32. Hollywood
33. 33. Die Another Day
34. 34. Don’t Tell Me (Edit)
35. 35. Cherish
36. 36. Celebration
37. 37. Celebration (Benny Benassi Remix Edit)
38. 38. It’s So Cool

Like a Prayer (1989)MadonnaSongs for the Philippines (2013)Various ArtistsCelebration (Single Disc Edition) (2009)MadonnaDeadpool & Wolverine (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack/Deluxe Edition) (2024)Various ArtistsDeadpool & Wolverine: Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” - EP (2024)MadonnaExpand CreditsProducersMadonna & Patrick LeonardWritersMadonna & Patrick LeonardPublisherBlack Lion Music, Johnny Yuma Music, Warner/Chappell & Warner Music GroupElectric GuitarDavid Williams, Prince, Chester Kamen & Dann HuffCopyright ©Sire Records & Warner Music GroupPhonographic Copyright ℗Sire Records & Warner Music GroupMastering EngineerTed Jensen & Bob LudwigLabelWarner Music Group, Sire Records & Warner RecordsDrum ProgrammerGuy PrattAdditional ProductionBill BottrellAssistant Recording EngineerDave WayProgrammerFred McFarlaneVideo DirectorMary Lambert (Director)PhotographyHerb RittsDrumsJonathan MoffettClavinetGeary Lanier FaggettBrassChester Kamen & Dick “Slide” HydeAcoustic GuitarBruce GaitschArrangerChuck Findley & Bill MeyersBackground VocalsMadonna, Donna De Lory & Niki HarisBassGuy PrattMixing EngineerBill BottrellChoirThe Andraé Crouch SingersPercussionPaulinho da CostaRecorded AtJohnny Yuma Studios, Burbank, CaliforniaReleased onMarch 3, 1989Songs That Sample Like a PrayerLife Is A Misery by EviLthechosen (Ft. Katosure), Act of Contrition by Madonna, All Gold (Robocop) by Skinny, 1989 by The Hood Internet, Nella notte by 883, Shark Tank by TRiBBLE, Hurricane by Reminisce (Ft. PayBac iBoro), “Sex, Depth, & Money” [Interlude] by Colson Lin & Like a Prayer by Colson Lin & Colson LinLike a Prayer InterpolationsLike a Prayer (Demo) by MadonnaSongs That Interpolate Like a PrayerParty In My Pants by Julie Brown, Mario Kart the Musical by lhugueny & Like A God by Alexis SaucedoLike a Prayer CoversLike a Prayer by DIAMANTE, Like a Prayer (Radio Edit) by Mad’housse, Like A Prayer (Live) by Miley Cyrus, Like a Prayer by MOTHERMARY, Like A Prayer by Brook Barros, Like A Prayer by BiGod 20, Like a Prayer by Stellar Perry, Like A Prayer (The Voice Performance) by Frenchie Davis, Like a Prayer by John Wesley Harding, Like A Prayer by Galwaro, LIZOT & Gabry Ponte, Like a Prayer (Live) [Hammersmith Apollo, 04/06/05] by Tori Amos, Like A Prayer by De Alpenzusjes, Like a Prayer (Live) by Helena Paparizou, Like A Prayer by All Saints, Like a Prayer by We Are the Fallen, Like a Prayer by Lorenzo Licitra, Like A Prayer by Marc Almond, Like a Prayer by Pomplamoose, Like A Prayer by Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox (Ft. Robyn Adele Anderson), Like a Prayer by Rufio, Like a Prayer by Glee Cast (Ft. Jonathan Groff), Like a Prayer by LSR/CITY, Gareth Emery & Annabel, Like a Prayer by VASSIŁINA, Like a Prayer by King Hannah, Like a Prayer by Sam Quealy, Like A Prayer (Sinner's Remix) by Cain Culto, Like a Prayer by Vitamin String Quartet, Like A Prayer by Cain Culto, Like a Prayer by The Serenadas, like a prayer by ANTØNIA, Like a Prayer by Colson Lin & Colson Lin & Like a Prayer by Dogma (Metal)Like a Prayer RemixesStand Alone by BLVCK CEILING, Like a Prayer (Dub Beats) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Bass Dub) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Instra Dub) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (7" Version) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (7" Remix) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (12" Club Version) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Churchapella) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (12" Extended Remix) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Q-Sound Mix) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (12" Dance Mix) by Madonna, Feels Like A Prayer by Meck (Ft. Dino Lenny), Like a prayer (demo) by BLVCK CEILING, Like A Prayer (Sigala Remix) [Mixed] by Madonna, Like A Prayer by Gunz for Hire (Ft. Ava Silver), Like a Prayer (Choir Version) by I'll Take You There Choir & Like a Prayer (Battle Royale Mix) by MadonnaLike a Prayer Live PerformancesLike a Prayer (Live) by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show by Madonna (Ft. CeeLo Green, LMFAO, M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj), Like a Prayer (Live at the Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, Portugal, 1/12-23/2020) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Hope for Haiti Now) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Live at Live 8, Hyde Park, London, 2nd July 2005) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Live) [Rebel Heart Tour] by Madonna, Like a Prayer 2008 (Live) by Madonna, Like a Prayer (Live 2004) by Madonna & Like a Prayer (MDNA World Tour / Live 2012) by Madonna (Ft. Kalakan Trio)Like a Prayer TranslationsMadonna - Like a Prayer (Tradução em Português) by Genius Brasil Traduções, Madonna - Like a Prayer (Traduzione Italiana) by Genius Traduzioni Italiane, Madonna - Like a Prayer (Український переклад) by Genius Ukrainian Translations (Українські переклади) & Madonna - Like a Prayer (Traducción al Español) by Genius Traducciones al EspañolView Like a Prayer samplesTagsElectronicPopFunk-PopFunkSynth FunkDance-PopDanceSynth-PopIn EnglishUSATeen PopExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up