Difference between revisions of "Album: Like A Prayer"

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|introduction          = '''Like A Prayer''' is the fourth studio album by American singer and musician [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna], and her first and only to include input by [[Prince]].  
 
|introduction          = '''Like A Prayer''' is the fourth studio album by American singer and musician [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna], and her first and only to include input by [[Prince]].  
  
−
The album contained [[Love Song]] (a duet with [[Prince]]), which is his only credited contribution to the album. [[Prince]] also plays guitar (uncredited) on [[Keep It Together]] and [[Act Of Contrition]] (which he also produced, and, in essence, created).  
+
The album contained [[Love Song]] (a duet with [[Prince]]), which is his only credited contribution to the album. [[Prince]] also plays guitar (uncredited) on three tracks : [[Like A Prayer]], [[Keep It Together]] and [[Act Of Contrition]].
  
−
In addition, [[Prince]] contributed a guitar solo to [[Like A Prayer]] which was edited out of the album version. It was long thought that the album version contained no [[Prince]] input at all, however in a 2014 interview [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard Patrick Leonard], the songs producer revealed it's actually [[Prince]] on guitar at the very beginning of the song before the door slams.). More of his solo is included on a version released on the [[Single: Like A Prayer|Like A Prayer]] maxi-single.
+
 
 +
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>
 +
 
 +
[[Love Song]] was first recorded in March 1988 by [[Prince]] and work on the song continued until November 1988. [[Prince]] added his guitar on [[Keep It Together]] and [[Act Of Contrition]] (which he also produced, and, in essence, created) around the same time [[Love Song]] was finalized. In addition, [[Prince]] contributed a guitar solo to [[Like A Prayer]] which was edited for the album version. It was long thought that this version contained no [[Prince]] input at all, however in a 2014 interview, the songs producer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard Patrick Leonard] revealed it’s actually [[Prince]] on guitar at the very beginning of the track, and therefore the album, before the door slams. More guitar parts recorded by [[Prince]] for this song are included on some remixed versions released on the [[Single: Like A Prayer|Like A Prayer]] maxi-single.
 +
 
 +
[[Prince]] also submitted the track [[By Alien Means]] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] for inclusion on the album, but she turned it down, and it is unlikely that she ever recorded vocals for the track.  
  
  
 
<b>Promotion</b>
 
<b>Promotion</b>
  
−
The album produced six singles, [[Single: Like A Prayer|Like A Prayer]] (which preceded the album), ''Express Yourself'', ''Cherish'', ''Dear Jessie'', ''Keep It Together'' and ''Oh Father'' (of note is that while [[Prince]] played on the album version of [[Keep It Together]], his contribution did not appear on the single version or its remixes).
+
The album produced six singles, [[Single: Like A Prayer|Like A Prayer]] (which preceded the album), ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Express_Yourself_(Madonna_song) Express Yourself]'', ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherish_(Madonna_song) Cherish]'', ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Father Oh Father]'', ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dear_Jessie Dear Jessie]'' and [[Single: Keep It Together| Keep It Together]]''.
  
 
The album was heavily promoted by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] (including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blond_Ambition_World_Tour Blond Ambition World Tour]), and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Pop Chart as well as the UK Gallup Album Chart.
 
The album was heavily promoted by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] (including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blond_Ambition_World_Tour Blond Ambition World Tour]), and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Pop Chart as well as the UK Gallup Album Chart.
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|musicians              = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] - lead vocals, background vocals, additional synthesizer
 
|musicians              = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] - lead vocals, background vocals, additional synthesizer
 
*[[Prince]] - co-lead vocals and all instruments, except where noted, on [[Love Song]], guitar on [[Like A Prayer]] and [[Keep It Together]] (uncredited), all instruments, except where noted, on [[Act Of Contrition]] (uncredited)
 
*[[Prince]] - co-lead vocals and all instruments, except where noted, on [[Love Song]], guitar on [[Like A Prayer]] and [[Keep It Together]] (uncredited), all instruments, except where noted, on [[Act Of Contrition]] (uncredited)
−
*Jeffrey Porcaro - drums (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard Patrick Leonard] - acoustic piano, B3 organ, clavinet, synthesizer on [[Like A Prayer]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*John Robinson - drums (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Moffett Jonathan Moffett] - drums on [[Like A Prayer]] and [[Keep It Together]]
−
*Jonathan Moffett - drums (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Pratt Guy Pratt] - bass guitar on [[Like A Prayer]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Guy Pratt - bass guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andra%C3%A9_Crouch The Andrea Crouch Choir] - background vocals on [[Like A Prayer]] and [[Act Of Contrition]]
−
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Jackson Randy Jackson] - bass guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Dann Huff - guitar on [[Like A Prayer]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Bruce Gaitsch - guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*David Williams - guitar on [[Like A Prayer]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Chester Kamen - guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Bruce Gaitsch - guitar on [[Like A Prayer]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Dann Huff - guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Chester Kamen - guitar on [[Keep It Together]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*David Williams - guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Paulinho Da Costa - percussion on [[Keep It Together]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Marcos Loya - requinto guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Niki Haris - background vocals on [[Keep It Together]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Bruce Gaitsch - acoustic guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Donna DeLory - background vocals on [[Keep It Together]] (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the other [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*The Andrea Crouch Choir - background vocals on [[Like A Prayer]]
+
*David Boruff - saxophone on [[Keep It Together]]
−
*Donna DeLory - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Steven Madaio - saxophone on [[Keep It Together]]
−
*Lynne Fiddmont - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
 
−
*Marcos Loya - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Bray Stephen Bray] - synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Marilyn Martin - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Marcos Loya - requinto guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Ali Nadirah - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Lynne Fiddmont - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Niki Haris - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Marcos Loya - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Rose Banks - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Marilyn Martin - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Geary Lanier - clavinet (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Ali Nadirah - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Joe Porcaro - marimba (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Rose Banks - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Luis Conte - percussion (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Geary Lanier - clavinet (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Paulinho Da Costa - percussion (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Joe Porcaro - marimba (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard Patrick Leonard] - acoustic piano, B3 organ, clavinet, synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Luis Conte - percussion (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Jai Winding - synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Jai Winding - synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Bray Stephen Bray] - synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
*Sandra Crouch - Spanish tambourine (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the [[Prince]]-related tracks)
−
*Sandra Crouch - Spanish tambourine (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain)
+
 
|production            = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] - co-producer on [[Like A Prayer]], [[Love Song]] and [[Act Of Contrition]]
 
|production            = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer) Madonna] - co-producer on [[Like A Prayer]], [[Love Song]] and [[Act Of Contrition]]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard Patrick Leonard] - co-producer on [[Like A Prayer]] and [[Act Of Contrition]]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard Patrick Leonard] - co-producer on [[Like A Prayer]] and [[Act Of Contrition]]
Line 100: Line 104:
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Bray Stephen Bray] - producer on [[Keep It Together]]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Bray Stephen Bray] - producer on [[Keep It Together]]
 
*Other production credits to follow.
 
*Other production credits to follow.
−
|thanks                =  
+
|thanks                = Thanks to Yamaha Musical instruments
 +
*Special thanks to friends, family and Freddy
 +
*For never ending support and enthusiasm Pat, Steve, Bill, Mike and Bob, I kiss your smelly feet
 +
*My home girls Liz, Mel, Debi and Sandy who have always been there for me
 +
*This album is dedicated to my mother who taught me how to pray
 
<!-------SINGLES ------->
 
<!-------SINGLES ------->
−
|singles                = <small>Of the singles released from this album, only the one with a [[Prince]] contribution is listed below:</small>
+
|singles                = <small>Of the singles released from this album, only the ones with a [[Prince]] contribution are listed below:</small>
 
{{AlbumSingles|
 
{{AlbumSingles|
 
|singles =  
 
|singles =  
Line 111: Line 119:
 
|Link  = Single: Like A Prayer
 
|Link  = Single: Like A Prayer
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 +
|Single = [[Single: Keep It Together| Keep It Together]]
 +
|B-side = None
 +
|Image  = Keepittogether single.jpg
 +
|Link  = Single: Keep It Together
 
}}
 
}}
−
|see also              =
 
−
{{SeeAlso|
 
−
|item1  = &nbsp;
 
−
|image1  =
 
−
|item2  = &nbsp; 
 
−
|image2  =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
|see also              =
 
|charts                =  
 
|charts                =  
 
{{Charts|
 
{{Charts|
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|trivia                =  
 
|trivia                =  
 
|alternative            =  
 
|alternative            =  
−
|references            = [[Book:_The_Vault|'''The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince''']] ''by Per Nilsen & JooZt Mattheij, with the UPTOWN Staff'' (Uptown: 2004) ISBN 91-631-5482-X
+
|references            = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]]''
 
|categories              = [[Category:1989]][[Category: Related Artists]][[Category:Albums (Related Artists)]][[Category:Studio Albums (Related Artists)]]
 
|categories              = [[Category:1989]][[Category: Related Artists]][[Category:Albums (Related Artists)]][[Category:Studio Albums (Related Artists)]]
 
}}
 
}}

Latest revision as of 11:08, 3 October 2022

CK album.jpg 1988: CK ◄ All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums ► 1989: Time Waits For No One Timewaitsfornoone album.jpg
Like A Prayer
Like A Prayer (Front Cover)

Album details

Released: 21 March 1989
Length: 50:57
Label(s): Sire Records
Studio(s): Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards

Charts
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: Billboard 200 8 Apr. 1989 1(6) 77
USA: Billboard R&B Albums 15 Apr. 1989 47 10
Europe
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
U.K.: Gallup Album Chart 1 Apr. 1989 1(2) 72
Certifications
Institution, Country Date Certification
RIAA, USA 23 May 1989 Platinum x2 (2 million)
RIAA, USA 23 Jan. 1990 Platinum x3 (3 million)
RIAA, USA 16 Jul. 1997 Platinum x4 (4 million)
BPI, U.K. 28 Mar. 1989 Platinum (300.000)
BPI, U.K. 17 Aug. 1989 Platinum x2 (600.000)
BPI, U.K. 1 Jan. 1990 Platinum x3 (900.000)
BPI, U.K. 1 Feb. 1995 Platinum x4 (1,2 million)
Awards
This album has not received any awards in the USA

Singles released

Of the singles released from this album, only the ones with a Prince contribution are listed below:

Like A Prayer
b/w Act Of Contrition 		Likeaprayer single.jpg
Keep It Together
b/w None 		Keepittogether single.jpg
Like A Prayer is the fourth studio album by American singer and musician Madonna, and her first and only to include input by Prince.

The album contained Love Song (a duet with Prince), which is his only credited contribution to the album. Prince also plays guitar (uncredited) on three tracks : Like A Prayer, Keep It Together and Act Of Contrition.


Sessions and compiling

Love Song was first recorded in March 1988 by Prince and work on the song continued until November 1988. Prince added his guitar on Keep It Together and Act Of Contrition (which he also produced, and, in essence, created) around the same time Love Song was finalized. In addition, Prince contributed a guitar solo to Like A Prayer which was edited for the album version. It was long thought that this version contained no Prince input at all, however in a 2014 interview, the songs producer Patrick Leonard revealed it’s actually Prince on guitar at the very beginning of the track, and therefore the album, before the door slams. More guitar parts recorded by Prince for this song are included on some remixed versions released on the Like A Prayer maxi-single.

Prince also submitted the track By Alien Means to Madonna for inclusion on the album, but she turned it down, and it is unlikely that she ever recorded vocals for the track.


Promotion

The album produced six singles, Like A Prayer (which preceded the album), Express Yourself, Cherish, Oh Father, Dear Jessie and Keep It Together.

The album was heavily promoted by Madonna (including the Blond Ambition World Tour), and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Pop Chart as well as the UK Gallup Album Chart.



Track listing
CD LP

Details given for Prince-related tracks only: The compact disc version is the original issue.

  1. Like A Prayer (5:42) 1
  2. Express Yourself
  3. Love Song (4:52) 2
  4. Till Death Do Us Part
  5. Promise To Try
  6. Cherish
  7. Dear Jessie
  8. Oh Father
  9. Keep It Together (5:03) 3
  10. Spanish Eyes (known as Pray For Spanish Eyes on later editions)
  11. Act Of Contrition (2:19) 1

Side 1:

  1. Like A Prayer (5:39) 1
  2. Express Yourself
  3. Love Song (4:52) 2
  4. Till Death Do Us Part
  5. Promise To Try

Side 2:

  1. Cherish
  2. Dear Jessie
  3. Oh Father
  4. Keep It Together (5:03) 3
  5. Spanish Eyes (known as Pray For Spanish Eyes on later editions)
  6. Act Of Contrition (2:19) 1


1 Written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard
2 Written by Madonna and Prince
3 Written by Madonna and Stephen Bray



Personnel
Musicians
  • Stephen Bray - synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Marcos Loya - requinto guitar (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Lynne Fiddmont - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Marcos Loya - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Marilyn Martin - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Ali Nadirah - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Rose Banks - background vocals (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Geary Lanier - clavinet (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Joe Porcaro - marimba (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Luis Conte - percussion (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Jai Winding - synthesizer (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)
  • Sandra Crouch - Spanish tambourine (credited for whole album, specific involvement uncertain on the Prince-related tracks)


Production


Thanks
  • Thanks to Yamaha Musical instruments
  • Special thanks to friends, family and Freddy
  • For never ending support and enthusiasm Pat, Steve, Bill, Mike and Bob, I kiss your smelly feet
  • My home girls Liz, Mel, Debi and Sandy who have always been there for me
  • This album is dedicated to my mother who taught me how to pray



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction
 
Additional Information
Promotion (at time of release) Trivia
References
CK album.jpg 1988
CK 		All Albums All Related Artists Albums 1989
Time Waits For No One 		Timewaitsfornoone album.jpg
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