Album: Like A Prayer

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1988: CK ◄ All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums ► 1989: Time Waits For No One
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 millions)
RIAA, USA 23 Jan. 1990 Platinum x3 (3 millions)
RIAA, USA 16 Jul. 1997 Platinum x4 (4 millions)
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
Keep It Together
b/w None
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
1988
CK 		All Albums All Related Artists Albums 1989
Time Waits For No One
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