Reviews (page 2 of 8)
I just love this album. It’s flirty, fun, and full of bangers!
Insane how fantastic this is back-to-back, has a dud or two like ‘Oh Father,’ but songs like ‘Til Death Do Us Part’ make up for it tenfold. A time capsule to a time where digitization could be scary for live musicians, but also proof that they will always be cherished.
Love Madonna!!!
01) Like a Prayer - 10,0 02) Express Yourself - 10,0 03) Love Song - 9,5 04) Till Death Do Us Part - 9,5 05) Promise to Try - 9,5 06) Cherish - 10,0 07) Dear Jessie - 10,0 08) Oh Father - 10,0 09) Keep It Together - 9,5 10) Spanish Eyes - 10,0 11) Act of Contrition - 9,0 TOTAL: 9,73 (97/100) Current ranking: 11/623 This was the first cassette I bought with my own money when I was 11 years old. It's still on the shelf with other cassettes, books, CDs... It has a very special place in my heart.
While originally I liked this album, Act of Contrition sealed the deal for me. Simultaneously, this album is soooo 80s and sooooo not. Like a Prayer is so sweet, honest, and young, which I think is what makes it sing for me.
Another one that gets some nostalgia points as i heard it allot as a kid in the late 80s. The first 3 tracks alone get it there and I forgot that Prince was on this too so yeah what the hell its a 5
yes
Excellent album and great vibes. S-tier, 4.5/5
Classic
buenissssimo
Yeah, Like a Prayer is a perfect song. The synth bass is so great across the album, I need to learn some of those lines. Such a golden age for synths too. They had a few years with the DX7 already and I love the sound from that late 80s FM stuff.
Album wyprzedzający epokę, niedościgniony fenomenalny z klasykami
Absolute banger of an album. The title track is of course the hook, but even that is overshadowed by the likes of Cherish, Express Yourself, Dear Jessie (my favourite track on the album) and Oh Father. The segue between Dear Jessie - a pure piece of candy floss pop, perfect for what De La Soul referred to as the Daisy Age, and the deep, soulful, heart rending Oh Father just works perfectly. I love this album.
Classic Madona
I bought the patchouli-scented album in 1990, I saw the tour (from the worst seats in the Oakland Coliseum), and I see no reason to back down now. Definitely Madonna's best album and its influence reverberates through several generations of women in pop. And hello there Prince!
Getting this and Michael Jackson's Bad a few days apart has been interesting timing - two sides of the same 80s pop coin. The King and Queen of pop music at the time. Whilst I don't like Madonna nearly as much S MJ, if she's your thing this is pretty perfect too.
Great from t
Like a Prayer is Madonna's fourth studio album, and amongst her extensive catalog, it is regarded as her best work. Her first three albums were filled with singles that topped pop charts; Like a Prayer is an extensive experiment diverging from the dance/pop that made Madonna famous. All of her experiments topped the pop charts, like the title track - an orchestrated, soaring near- hymn - became an anthem. Madonna included dance tracks - like "Express Yourself" - but even these were experiments. Like a Prayer was release in the middle of Madonna's dominance of popular music. In the 80s, she was showing the world how to do it.
oh, madonna. you definitely had a chokehold on the pop industry back then. this album is a lot more personal, and has heavy christian undertones. it's a really nice album. i would be surprised if some people think otherwise. this is madonna in her prime, not really now. the subject material is rather surprising at times, and i wonder how madonna could've felt writing all of it down and singing it. oh yeah, prince is here too!
Fez mais pra chocar a igreja e cristãos do que qualquer banda de black metal
Madonna, I owe you an apology. I wasn't really familiar with your game. Mate, I really liked this. Like A Prayer was descent but then the next few songs really got me going. Till Death Do Us Part is a ballsy song and I love it. Cherish is just great pop, if not a little long, would have been a perfect 3 minuter. Act of Contrition has Princes fingers all over it and was weird and I liked it.
There’s so much I could say about this perfect album, but it’ll all just end up sounding too simple. This is Madonna’s greatest achievement, and that says much considering she has about four or five more albums that could compete for title of “her best”. Also, if you look at her 80’s output you might marvel at its near surreal perfection. Like, you have to step back and wonder how the F she made SO MANY bangers that not only bang for their time, but have not lost even an ounce of relevance 40 years later, and will still bang 100, 200, 500 years from now. Whatever you think of Madonna now doesn’t matter because she did the seemingly impossible then and time can never diminish that. While I do consider Like A Prayer to be her best album overall, since there are zero fuck-ups here, my PERSONAL favorite is 1992’s Erotica for its supremely underrated dark alley deep house vibe. Both, as full album experiences, are as close to perfect as album experiences can possibly get. Like A Prayer has not been outside of my regular rotation for the 36 years since I bought it. This little gay boy still thrills at the incredible confidence and honesty Madonna emits in every song (wishing the same confidence and honesty for myself), the incredible songwriting, the danceability, the freedom I feel from living inside songs that never seem to age and always make me feel like I’m 15 again; full of hope and the excitement that comes from all of the possibilities that life might have to offer. Isn’t that what music should be?? The ultimate expression of a persons true inner self, and the ability to return to hope at any point through it despite life chugging along and becoming more banal and used up with each passing day? Music was, is and always will be the fountain of youth and the key to believing that something even greater is just around the corner. 5 stars. 10 stars. 100 freaking stars all day, every day.
Madonna is a queen. The major hits (Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, Cherish) are all pretty damn perfect works of art. I didn't have this album growing up, and this is the first time I've listened to the whole thing. I loved it all from start to finish. She sings about very real emotions and situations and weaves in great messages too (about falling in love, what to expect from a relationship, the pain of heartbreak, complicated family dynamics, the comfort of family, etc). The songs flow really well as a complete album, and there are so many different, fun and creative compositions. Some of my other favorite songs were Till Death Do Us Part, Oh Father, Love Song, and Keep it Together. Promise to Try is really beautiful too Easy 5!
Madonna's album "Like A Prayer" is a landmark in the evolution of pop music, as it seamlessly blends spiritual themes with mainstream sound. By audaciously incorporating gospel elements and church-inspired motifs, she truly "brought the church to pop." The title track and its accompanying music video stirred significant controversy, showcasing Madonna's fearless exploration of religious imagery and social issues. This bold move not only pushed boundaries but also opened doors for future artists to address deeper themes within the pop genre. Among the standout tracks, "Oh Father" emerges as a poignant and introspective highlight. The song reflects Madonna's personal struggles and complex relationship with her faith and upbringing. Its emotional depth, paired with a haunting melody, elevates it as one of the album's greatest achievements. "Like A Prayer" remains revolutionary, as it challenged the conventions of pop music through its innovative production and thought-provoking lyrics, solidifying Madonna's status as a pioneering force in the industry.
Pop art masterpiece
Always loved like a virgin album cause it was the one I grew up listening non stop in the mid 80s but hearing this now I stand corrected as this is a masterpiece with a story with issues around forbiden love and religion and having to deal with it. This is Madonnas finest work more mature, more serious and with a lot to prove at that point. There was little room to reach further and she delivered.
The title song in this album is transcendent to me. One of my top 10 songs. So right there the album is deserving a high rating. But I’m also going to give it the 5 stars that Madonna’s debut album deserves, but can’t get because it was somehow not included on this list! Like A Virgin should also be here. Meanwhile other Madonna albums that are definitely inferior are included. This is the best on the list, and is getting all the love that Madonna deserves. Hopefully future editions of this book will reconsider the Madonna choices.
The whole album is pretty awesome apart from the last track (Act of Contrition), which I didn't like. Nevertheless, it's getting five stars and going into my Tidal library.
classic pop. Loved that Prince contributed to a few songs on this album.
Big title track is clearly still effective with its bouncy baseline and anthemic chorus. Just ask Ryan Reynolds. There's Express Yourself next, but it's the deeper cuts that really shine for me. Till Death Do Us Part , light and melodic with a catchy synth riff, might be my favorite song here. Promise To Try is an emotional ballad that also hits the mark and then Cherish brings back the bouncy bass and poppy vibes. Dear Jessie and Oh Father form a fascinating two-part suite. The production shines throughout but especially on Keep It Together, funky and rhythmic. Nothing less than an immaculate pop record.
This was pretty inescapable when it came out. The hits were everywhere. Madonna ruled the 80's and this is more proof of why.
In the late 80s, Madonna was everywhere. The first time I heard her music was in a Long Island club, where she quickly became a staple. Then, she graduated to MTV stardom with her Material Girl album, and movie actor with Desperately Seeking Susan (as well as not so stardom with Who's That Girl). By 1989, Madonna could have rested on her laurels and settled in to just making more 80s techno pop. Madonna, however, was always able to read the tea leaves and by the late 80s, techno was on its way out and MTV was turning to hip hop. So, she reinvented herself. That reinvention yielded a remarkable album that combined pop with Gospel (Like a Prayer), Soul (Express Yourself) and bubblegum (Cherish). Besides (or in spite of) being eclectic, the album holds together. This is in part due to the near perfect production. Much of the success of this album though is the quality of the songs. In the years between True Blue (1986) and Like A Prayer, her song writing suffered as she pursued acting and remixes. Like a Prayer returns Madonna to her old prowess with her songs, presentation, and ability to read the zeitgeist, impeccable. It's just a great album.
Solid. Banger.
One of her most amazing albums, and Cherish is the song i love since childhood
Hats off to Madonna. A true trailblazer in the 80s.
no one can deny the icon she is
Fun fact: the lead single was made just for this years Deadpool movie.
Madonna is legend.
LOVE LOVE. I've heard this album a 100+ times before. Still love it. Even the deeper cuts.
Like a Prayer” ist ein faszinierendes Stück, das spirituelle Themen mit persönlichen Erfahrungen verbinde. Madonna selbst hat den Song als metaphorische Darstellung der spirituellen Kommunikation zwischen einem Menschen und einer höheren Macht beschrieben1. Die Zeilen “When you call my name it’s like a little prayer / I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there” sprechen von einer tiefen Demut und Hingabe, die durch das Gebet ausgedrückt wird. Es ist ein Lied, das die transformative Kraft des Glaubens und der spirituellen Verbindung hervorhebt. Express Yourself: Dieser Song ist eine kraftvolle Hymne der Selbstbehauptung und Unabhängigkeit. Madonna ermutigt darin, sich nicht mit zweitklassiger Behandlung zufriedenzugeben und stattdessen nach Respekt und einer echten, liebevollen Beziehung zu streben. Es ist ein Aufruf, die eigene Stimme zu erheben und sich selbst treu zu bleiben. Cherish: Ein fröhlicher und optimistischer Song, der die Freuden einer romantischen Liebe feiert. Mit seinem eingängigen Refrain und der leichten Melodie erinnert “Cherish” an die unbeschwerte Seite der Liebe und die Bedeutung, jemanden zu haben, den man wertschätzt und der einem nahesteht. Diese Songs zusammen zeigen die Vielfalt von Madonnas Album “Like a Prayer”, das sowohl tiefgründige als auch erhebende Themen behandelt und damit eine breite Palette menschlicher Emotionen und Erfahrungen abdeckt. In “Promise to Try” zeigt Madonna eine verletzliche Seite und bietet gleichzeitig Trost und Hoffnung. Es ist ein Lied, das die Zuhörer dazu bringt, über ihre eigenen Erfahrungen nachzudenken und die Kraft zu finden, vorwärts zu schreiten. Ein wirklich berührendes Stück, das die emotionale Tiefe des Albums “Like a Prayer” unterstreicht. 😊
Was not expecting to enjoy this so much. it’s 80s pop at its finest- catchy songs with an appearance from prince. Delightful
Now THIS is the Madonna I can get behind. What a great record… pop at its best!
**"Like A Prayer" by Madonna: An In-Depth Review** **Introduction** "Like A Prayer," released on March 21, 1989, is the fourth studio album by American singer Madonna. Widely considered a pivotal album in her career, it marked a significant artistic evolution. The album is noted for its mature themes, eclectic musical styles, and provocative lyrics. Produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard, and Stephen Bray, it received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. This review delves into its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, providing a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. **Lyrics** The lyrics of "Like A Prayer" represent a notable departure from Madonna's earlier work. The songs tackle complex and often controversial themes, including religion, sexuality, and personal loss. The title track, "Like A Prayer," uses religious imagery to explore themes of love and redemption, blending the sacred and the profane in a way that sparked both admiration and outrage. Tracks like "Promise to Try" and "Oh Father" delve into deeply personal territory, with Madonna confronting the death of her mother and her troubled relationship with her father. "Till Death Do Us Part" candidly addresses the dissolution of her marriage to Sean Penn, showcasing her willingness to explore painful personal experiences. However, some critics argue that despite the mature themes, a few songs on the album feature lyrics that are less compelling. For instance, "Love Song," a duet with Prince, while musically interesting, contains relatively simplistic lyrics compared to the depth found in other tracks. **Music** Musically, "Like A Prayer" is a rich and varied album that blends pop, rock, funk, and gospel influences. The title track is a standout, with its blend of pop and gospel elements creating a powerful and uplifting anthem. The song's structure, featuring a gospel choir, electric guitars, and a strong pop melody, exemplifies the innovative production techniques employed throughout the album. "Express Yourself" is another highlight, with its funk-infused beat and empowering lyrics. The song encourages self-empowerment and independence, themes that resonate throughout Madonna's career. "Cherish" offers a more lighthearted, romantic vibe, with a catchy melody and doo-wop influences that showcase Madonna's versatility. The album also experiments with darker tones and more introspective music. "Oh Father," with its haunting string arrangement and somber piano, underscores the emotional weight of the lyrics. "Dear Jessie," a whimsical, almost psychedelic pop song, contrasts sharply with the more serious tracks, adding a layer of complexity to the album's overall sound. However, the musical experimentation isn't always successful. "Act of Contrition," the album's closing track, is an avant-garde piece that some listeners find intriguing but others consider disjointed and out of place compared to the cohesive nature of the rest of the album. **Production** The production of "Like A Prayer" is one of its most praised aspects. Madonna worked closely with producers Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray to create a polished yet eclectic sound. The production quality is top-notch, with each track meticulously crafted to highlight Madonna's vocal performance and the album's diverse musical styles. The use of live instrumentation, such as the gospel choir on "Like A Prayer" and the strings on "Oh Father," adds a richness and depth to the album. The integration of different musical elements, from the funk guitars on "Express Yourself" to the orchestral arrangements on "Spanish Eyes," showcases a level of sophistication in the production that was a step forward for Madonna. Despite the overall high production quality, some tracks, such as "Love Song," feel somewhat overproduced, with layers of sound that can sometimes detract from the song's core melody. Nevertheless, the production's innovation and ambition are undeniable and contribute significantly to the album's enduring appeal. **Themes** "Like A Prayer" is thematically rich, addressing a wide range of topics with emotional depth and complexity. The most prominent themes include religion, personal growth, and empowerment. Religion is a recurring theme, most explicitly in the title track, where Madonna uses religious symbolism to explore themes of love and redemption. This blending of the sacred and the secular was controversial at the time but is now seen as a bold and innovative artistic choice. Personal growth and introspection are also central to the album. Songs like "Promise to Try" and "Oh Father" reflect on Madonna's childhood and family relationships, revealing a vulnerability that was not as apparent in her earlier work. "Till Death Do Us Part" and "Keep It Together" explore the complexities of marriage and family dynamics, emphasizing themes of resilience and self-reliance. Empowerment, particularly for women, is another key theme. "Express Yourself" encourages listeners to assert their independence and self-worth, aligning with Madonna's public persona as a strong, independent woman. **Influence** "Like A Prayer" had a profound impact on both Madonna's career and the broader music landscape. It solidified her status as a serious artist capable of addressing complex themes and experimenting with different musical styles. The album's success paved the way for future pop artists to explore more mature and controversial subjects in their work. The title track's music video, with its provocative imagery and themes of racial and religious integration, sparked significant controversy but also highlighted Madonna's willingness to challenge societal norms. This boldness has inspired countless artists to push boundaries in their own work. The album's fusion of pop with other genres, such as gospel and rock, influenced the production style of many future pop records. The use of live instrumentation and sophisticated arrangements set a new standard for pop music production in the late 1980s and early 1990s. **Pros and Cons** *Pros:* 1. **Mature Themes**: The album's exploration of complex and personal themes represents a significant artistic evolution for Madonna. 2. **Innovative Production**: High-quality production that incorporates diverse musical styles and live instrumentation. 3. **Strong Lyrics**: Songs like "Like A Prayer," "Oh Father," and "Promise to Try" feature deeply personal and evocative lyrics. 4. **Musical Diversity**: The album successfully blends pop, rock, funk, and gospel influences, showcasing Madonna's versatility. 5. **Cultural Impact**: The album's bold themes and innovative music video for the title track had a lasting influence on pop culture and music. *Cons:* 1. **Inconsistent Quality**: Some tracks, like "Love Song," are less compelling lyrically and musically compared to the standout songs. 2. **Overproduction**: A few songs suffer from overproduction, with layers of sound that can detract from the melody. 3. **Avant-Garde Elements**: Tracks like "Act of Contrition" may be seen as disjointed and out of place within the album's overall cohesive sound. **Conclusion** "Like A Prayer" is a landmark album in Madonna's discography and in the pop music genre as a whole. Its blend of mature themes, innovative production, and musical diversity set it apart as a pivotal work in her career. While not every experiment on the album is entirely successful, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. "Like A Prayer" remains a powerful testament to Madonna's artistry and her ability to continually evolve and challenge both herself and her audience.
For all that I've listened to Madonna, I've never heard a full studio album. This entire album is bangers and I'm sad it's a blindspot. The Prince track is especially great, but Like a Prayer still gives me chills. You know what, it's a:
I thought the album would be bad and didn’t want to listen to it, but I tried listening and I liked it. This is the first time I've heard a great pop album performed by a woman cz I don't listen to stuff like that often, 5/5
What can you say .... while maybe not technically great musically, she's arguably the greatest female pop marketer of all time and certainly in the top 3 with Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Her music is easy to listen to and her impact on the pop genre is unmistakable. 5/5
Loved Madonna’s old songs, much better than her modern music.
Absolutely stunning album by one of the best solo female artists of her generation. Loved it. 👍
The Queen of pop at her most majestic
With a squillion-selling pop culture totem like Madonna, it's easy to keep to the hits and only the hits. Albums, and their deep cut riches, fade into obscurity. Though boasting all-time classics "Like a Prayer", "Express Yourself" and "Cherish", the real gold is literally everything else. No filler. And Prince!
Damn good album
Amazing pop record. Easy 5. Madonna rules.
absolute banger
Pop perfection! Yet personal and challenging.
Pray for Spanish Eyes, Like a Prayer.
This album actually really pleasantly surprised me. Everyone has heard the popular Madonna songs like "Like a Prayer", and even slightly lesser known hits like "Express Yourself" and "Cherish". Although these songs do have meaning, it's undeniable these are made to the typical "Pop" formula of a catchy melody and chorus. But underneath these there were actually some thoughtful songs. Most notably "Till Death Do Us Part" - This song has a upbeat catchy synth beat, which is contrasted heavily by the lyrics which is clearly about a failing relationship. Something about how she sings this sounds so truthful from her, and that's the kind of music I like. "Oh Father" - This song is about a disciplinary/abusive father. It really does a good job of portraying the emotions a child would feel in this situation, but then even goes on to later show the older mature opinions of the situation where she sings "Maybe someday, when I look back I'll be able to say: You didn't mean to be cruel, Somebody hurt you too" And finally "Pray for Spanish Eyes" which I've heard multiple times, but never paid notice to. This song is about losing a loved one, in this case a friend. On first interpretation, it seemed like they died in some kind of gang related incident, but after looking into the meaning, it's actually about the AIDs epidemic. Although, the nature of this song can really apply to any kind of tragic loss. "How many lives will they have to take? How much heartache? How many suns will they have to burn? Spanish eyes When will they ever learn?" Listening to this album has shown me that underneath the shallow pop sound of Madonna, there actually are some hidden gems, which was a pleasant surprise after being so critical going into it.
Ok
Back to my youth!! YAY!
Pray for Spanish Eyes, Like a Prayer
Erinnerungen ..
Omg I also have Daddy issues
Never gave any of her albums a front to back listen and now I'm gonna do all of them this was so much fun. Dated but in the best way possible
Great album. Not too familiar with Madonna beyond what I've heard on the oldies station but I enjoyed pretty much every song on here
9/10
This album is a breath of fresh air. I'm not saying that to discredit other music, but it just feels like a breath of fresh air. When you step outside, a warm, gentle breeze hits you and the smell of the trees surrounds you. That's what this album feels like. The production holds up pretty well even today, but maybe I'm just a sucker for that '80s pop sound.
As someone who until now had never listened to a Madonna album, this was a great surprise. 4.5/5
I think it is safe to say that Like a Prayer is Madonna's Thriller, for that almost every song on here acts like a world conquering single and that she is operating on a different level than that of most pop girlies of the time (except Janet). At the time her most forward-thinking, expressive (hehe) and reflective album, Like a Prayer continues to elicit heighten fervor and jubilation regardless of whether or not one views Madge in a favorable light. This is how one should end a dominant decade on a high note. Now, I need to make a reservation... what? What do you mean it's not in the computer?!?
There are some artists whose legacy are simply unparalleled. Madonna's game is unmatched and fearless.
the sound of the 80s, love her through and through cannot say anything bad about it. Would give it 4 stars but due to the fact that it is an iconic album, 5 stars.
I have never really sat down and listened to Madonna before despite her influence. This album proved to be an eye opening experience. This is some of the best crafted pop I've ever heard. There are sounds that certainly date it, but overall, it is musically coherent. There are moments that verge into baroque pop (Dear Jessie into oh Father) that I was surprised by and really enjoyed. The content of this album is very personal and grapples with issues of family and abuse told through a religious lens. I enjoyed the religious imagery and felt that it gave the album a more literary sense; it certainly shows how much thought was put into this album.
What a phenomenal example of 80s/90s Pop. Madonna is a Queen and an icon and I will fight anyone who says otherwise The fact that she's still blazing the trail decades later is nothing short of incredible
Just some classic catchy pop straight through, makes me understand how big Madonna was
Really enjoyed this album. The clean and bright shine that emanates from every pore of this album is so much fun to listen to. Such a great sound with so much pop star power.
sonzao tri
Bangers!
Very good, one of the best pop artists at the top of her game. Probably wouldn't have been a 5 without Prince turning up, but he did, so ... Cherish is a wee charmer, title track is obviously a classic, Dear Father and Oh Jessie are better then I remembered them being. And Prince is on this! Probably my first 5 to a pop album, but fully deserved in my opinion.
3 bangers
CLASSIC!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN ITS NOT IN THE COMPUTER?!?
One of the best album history. You couldn't die before listend all the songs. A lot of hits from 80s and 90s an much more.
It was about July of 1989 when I heard this album and I remember exactly where I was. I was in the Finger Lakes region of New York with the people of my childhood hero, Karl Johnson. We were waterskiing and tubing in the lake by day, but by night, the kids of a variety of ages would gather on the dock and listen to tunes. Like a Prayer was the one that hit and hit hard. It was a truly singular song and it was tremendously exciting. I still just love it. Perhaps because of those warm nights in New York, but probably just because Madonna is amazing. To this day, I follow her Insta and she's awesome. Tonight when I revisited 'Oh Father' again, it hit me so differently. I have a friend that says we all love strings because they make us all feel the feelings. that can be said about this intro which I had to rewind and listen to about 16 times today. It's really excellent. Probably TMI as usual but the song now, today, is so much more relatable with my own relationship with my father that has shattered the false golden haze of childhood and has now become so diminished. And I realize his shortcomings. Pray for Spanish Eyes is also an underrated Madonna song. Go to 2:01 and listen to what she does with her voice. It's nuts. It's organic. It just spits into a million shards and I think that is just the raw amazing power of Madonna-- before auto-tune y'all. Nothing but pure talent. We don't have singers like this today. Not really.
Like A Prayer makes me elevate 50 ft in the air consistently without fail
standouts: express yourself, love song, oh father and like a prayer
insanely good… loved it! what do you mean it’s not in the computer?!?!?
"Like A Prayer" is the fourth studio album from Madonna. Four producers were involved including Madonna herself, Stephen Bray, Patrick Leonard and Prince. One of the things that stands out is the variety from song to song and I think using all these producers helped that. On her first three songs, she goes from pop to more dance to soul/R&B. This is considered her most introspective release, a confessional record with songs about her Mother, Father, family and God. It drew critical acclaim for taking on serious, personnal subjects. Plus, the music is very solid in its production. The album begins with the self-tilted "Like A Prayer," a massive hit world wide. A guitar intro and the guitar remains kind of in the background throughout. The synth and backing vocals gives this a church feel as it should since it's about a child's/teens' relationship with God. At its hear it's a pop song and a great one at that. Let's go dance in "Express Yourself." I love the strain in Madonna's voice and the extended album version. A song about female empowerment and gender equality. To me, the third single "Cherish" takes us to more pop, early 80's Madonna. It's lighter, peppier. I think just a happy song about a relationship. "Dear Jessie" was inspired by producer Patrick Leonard's daughter and is more like a pop lullaby. Strings, synths, trumpets. It changes pace. Fantasy imagery with pink elephants and mermaids. Another inspiration must have been the Beatles as well. "Oh Father" is most defintely a ballad, with strings, a baroque pop one at that. Based on Madonna's relationship with her Father. A very mature Madonna vocal approach highlights its seriousness. The sixth and final single is the funky "Keep It Together." Dedicated to Sly and the Family Stone. Nice percussion, congas and a banjo. Very nice production. Madonna stresses the importance of her family. An interesting ending in "Act of Contrition" with searing guitar (sounds like Prince), gospel singers and spoken word sometimes screaming by Madonna. Hmmmm. I really like the variety from song to song on this album with everything still very much in the pop category. The production is high with the strings, horns, synths, percussion and backing vocals. A definite recommendation to the whole album including the songs you might not have heard.
SO GOOD
p610. 1989. 5 stars An absolutely perfect pop record. And beneath the shiny veneer of love songs and chart hits there are also songs about religion, domestic abuse, sex, dysfunctional family relationships, loneliness and loss. There is not a weak track on this. "Romeo and Juliet/They never felt this way I bet"
Pray for Spanish Eyes, Like a Prayer
One of my all-time favorites.
Yes. This is some of the finest pop music ever put on record.
Forgot about these but had a memory of my sister getting this album and listening to the whole thing. Start of my parents Christian shaming music….
A classic
Some pretty perfect pop songs on here. Iconic and anthemic. Loses a bit of momentum towards the end so I was considering 4 stars but the singles are so strong I’ve got to give it full marks.
I could do without Act of Contrition at the end but otherwise this is close to perfect, starts on a high with Like A Prayer/Express Yourself and the quality doesn't really drop. Disappointed in myself that I'd never heard this in full before
Some great tracks in here. Promise to try is awful. Like, almost bad enough to tempt me to drop a star from the rating. But then Express Yourself is Madonna's second best ever song (Material Girl beating it) so it's gonna have to keep that fifth star.
Great album, from the production to the individual songs. The album keeps things, at least musically, from getting to heavy, but she hides truly heart wrenching lyrics at times in pop music. It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to this album, listening to it now as a child psychiatrist, these lyrics could serve as trauma reaction case studies, I’ll be it lucrative trauma reaction, but nonetheless.
I guess I grew up with Madonna. The teen pop she was known for was something I really enjoyed when I was a teenager. This album, which marked her transition to more personal and adult themes came out when I was 21, at a transition to more personal and adult themes... Beyond that, it's absolutely enjoyable to listen to now as it was, as well as being emotional and relevant. It's also so satisfying to see an artist be able to grow and define her own art. To quote a friend from the era, "Madonna is a genius!" Hail holy queen!
I still remember watching for the first time Madonna open the MTV VMAs in 1989 with Express Yourself. That was the moment that my relationship with Madonna changed. If you'd asked me then why I liked it so much, I think I would've said that I just liked the choreography. But watching it on YouTube today, it occurs to me that there may have been a lot more happening for me at the time. Madonna's wannabes were all around me in high school (class of '86) and, while I thought some of her songs were catchy, I didn't quite understand her popularity. She was girly in a way that I couldn't relate to and frankly looked down on. (Hello, internalized misogyny!) But in Express Yourself, the sexy-baby voice from the Like a Virgin era is replaced with a deeper, more grounded sound and on the VMAs, instead of a lacy bridal gown, she and her backup singers wear suits over bustiers, still feminine but with a touch of masculine swagger. The thing that strikes me most of all today about the 1989 VMA performance is that every single aspect is exquisitely designed, rehearsed, and executed. It is very clear to me how high Madonna's standards were and how much she must have demanded from everyone on her staff in order to achieve such perfection. I think now that part of what appealed to young me, without my really being aware of it, was seeing a woman having that kind of vision, agency, and unapologetic power. So, thirty odd years later, I have mad respect and admiration for Madonna as a woman, a performer, and an artist at every single stage of her career. I don't know that Like a Prayer is my favorite Madonna album but it's got a special place in my heart with its elevated (but still catchy) pop next to some deeply revealing material and an appearance from Prince. These are some great songs that changed the trajectory of popular music and music videos.
This album was released at a pivotal time in my own religious journey. LIKE A PRAYER came out at the exact moment I was making a decision to take one last big gamble on my Catholic faith. Over the following year, this album was a major part of my soundtrack I became disillusioned with religion and set my life on a new path. Personal stories aside, this is an incredible album released at the apex of Madonna’s imperial phase. From the upbeat Gospel-infused title track, pop confections like “Cherish”, the dance floor staple “Express Yourself”, to introspective and deeply personal tracks like “Oh Father” and “Promise to Try”, I consider this Madonna’s greatest album. There is not a song on it that I don’t love. Madonna’s exploration of family and religion is an incredible journey from beginning to end.
Whenever I throw up Madonna my main concern is my neighbours' judgment. Never mind, I will punish them with some Black Dahlia Murder later on. And besides that, I always wondered: is she talented, or is she just someone who is surrounded by talented people? And then again, knowing how to surround yourself with the right people, is it a talent in itself, and to which extent is an "artistic" related talent? I won't add anything to whatever has been said about this record, other than it still sounds fresh to my ears, even more than 3 decades after its release. Also, I wasn't aware that Prince had ever played with her, and that was a nice surprise, especially Act Of Contrition, something that I would have never expected to hear on a Madonna album. All in all, the sprawling, eclectic nature of the album recalls Purple Rain, and I can clearly see how influential the latter might have been in this case. I am also surprised that I already knew some songs from the album, other than the title track (Cherish). The book compares this album to Revolver, which seems to be quite a statement, but Oh Father is as magnificent.
Peak of 80s pop, when Madonna fulfilled her creative potential, mastering all she learned from her records that decade before she would experiment in the 90s. Pop was really shit in 1989, with such few highlights like Debbie Gibson, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, and some hip hop one-hit wonders (e.g. "Just a Friend", "Ride on Time", "Pump up the Jam", "Bust a Move", "Wild Thing"), none of which really worth talking about. But boom the queen of pop hits us with something big and grand. At this point in her career she's the most famous person alive and has finally started to be taken seriously since True Blue (more than just a teen pop star). She really delivers with this entry, full of diverse styles that hit one after the next. We start off with "Like a Prayer." It's the perfect pop song. From her flawless vocal delivery, the holy chamber sound reinforced by the gospel back vocals, and the disco-esque dance choruses that divulge into something grand and powerful. Ending with that two-minute long gospel coda and return to the chorus feels like a celebration. It deserves its title as one of the greatest songs of all time. We follow this up with "Express Yourself," the second most popular single. Honestly it's fine, and a lot of people seem to like it, but to me it sounds like her most generic single. It's apparently a gay anthem too somehow? Maybe she swapped up the pronouns for some recording? "Love Song" is pretty much a Prince song from head to bottom with Madonna guest vocals. This sounds like something straight out of Sign O' The Times, incredibly funky and weird. Smooth vocals by Madonna, especially in that bridge, reminds me of her style in Erotica. Absolutely love Prince so I welcome his involvement here. "Till Death Do Us Part" is exactly what I've been looking for. It's a really fast and happy song, sounds like no other. Catchy and I love the jangly melody. Is that Prince on the guitar again? Damn that sounds disco near the end. One of my favorites. "Promise to Try" is a ballad. Everyone's doing them, even rockstars, and they always suck. But for ballad standards, this gets all the marks. Her excellent songwriting is truly highlighted here. Doesn't stop it from being my least favorite track, especially when the much superior ballad "Oh Father" is yet to come. "Cherish" is a personal favorite of mine. A doo wop track, this one's also cheery and optimistic, giving me feelings of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" without oversaturation. Amazing production on this one, lots of diverse sounds in the guitars, drum machine, and horns that come together. "Dear Jessie" is a Baroque lullaby. A child's melody, it's a really beautiful song that again displays how much her vocals, her songwriting, and the high production value all come together. I really enjoy that grand magical bridge that's like a medieval fairy tale. I was a bit iffy about "Oh Father" until a minute in and instantly fell in love. This is a Baroque masterpiece, I really love her songwriting and the strings in this one, as well as the way she varies her tone and power in her voice. The bridge is a highlight here too. By the time we reach "Keep It Together" I'm reminded that Madonna writes dance hits. She completely moved away from that style until this track, and it fully delivers. An ode to Sly and the Family Stone (you can really hear them in those emphasized guitars), it's super fun and funky like a night at the disco. "Pray for Spanish Eyes" is a return to the Latin music she had played with on True Blue. It's no "La Isla Bonita" but she's really perfected that sound, and it's a nearly flawless piece that further adds to the remarkable diversity of this album. We end the album with Prince on the guitar for two minutes. Fun outro. I don't care much for it though and would probably shut it off here. I have a rule when reviewing albums. Whenever I come across an album with 8 or more tracks, and I can say something very positive and regard as memorable nearly every single track, it signifies nearly flawless album, and I must give it the full 5 stars. My only real general complaint is the length of the tracks. I really enjoyed most of them so didn't mind, but she's really stretching her tracks at 5 minutes a piece. Cutting most of them by a minute and getting rid of "Promise to Try" would result in a more refined 40-minute record.
5/5. As much as I hate to admit it, this is a great album. NO, it is not in the same league as some others that I have given a 5/5 rating to, but It IS deserving of it.
Heck yeah. This is some good music. Didn't realize Prince was so involved either. Favorite tracks: Like a Prayer, Oh Father, Express Yourself
Overall I did enjoy this album, even if I didn't enjoy all of the tracks. The hits are all good, and there's a few good deep cuts too (e.g. Till Death Do Us Part).
Can't beat a bit of Madge.
Loving Madonna
10
Um dos álbuns mais icônicos e importantes de toda a música pop. Esse é o disco mais pessoal da Madonna, em que ela escreveu numa época conturbada (pós término do casamento com o Sean Penn), ao mesmo tempo em uma época em que já tinha conseguido sua consolidação como artista com True Blue. Se até True Blue a Madonna se vendia apenas como uma boa cantora pop, com Like a Prayer ela foi além, tanto pelas polêmicas quanto pelo trabalho como um todo (disco, vídeos, turnês), o que resultou com uma iconoclastia em torno de si mesma.
jæja no offense en þetta er fimma, þetta er insane fokkin plata jeeesus christ banger eftir banger
Peak Madge.
Haven't heard this one in a long time. It surprised me how good it was. I thought it was just a bunch of pop hits, but the music is good. 5/5
Spicy spicy Madonna is sexy and fun!!
Fantastic from start to finish
Madonna is one of my all-time favorite artists.
Listened 28/9/21
Мадонна! Тут практически без слов. Отличный альбом для того времени и сейчас тоже было приятно слушать. Провокативный, революционный, как и сама Мадонна собсна
Such earwigs. Good earwigs.
Truly one of the great pop albums of the 80s. This is where her career began to be examined in new light. Great vocals and pop songwriting as a whole. Fantastic work by Prince in the background.
Tancava un poker de 4 triomfs seguits, del millor que va donar el pop a la década dels 80. I ho va fer de la millor manera possible, amb el disc més ambiciós, millor produït i amb millors composicions de tots. No hi ha tema dolent (que el menys bo sigui el tema amb Prince, l'altre gran ídol pop dels 80, ja és significatiu). La portada, l'icònic vídeo del tema titular, l'olor a perfum a l'obrir el disc, i un seguit de hits incontestables li van fer tancar la década com la reina que ja era. Mai més tornaria a ser igual, però a aquestes alçades, tampoc calia....
Love this album
Madonna – Like a Prayer is a surprisingly rich and ambitious pop album. I expected some iconic singles, but I was impressed by how much is going on throughout the record — gospel influences, funk, rock guitars, big choruses and very personal songwriting. Not every track hit me equally, but as an album it feels bold, varied and much deeper than I expected.
06/25 Pretty good. Can't hear the title track without thinking of Deadpool
A pretty consistent record with personal lyrics and diverse musical styles. You can hear Prince's hand in this and that's not a bad thing. Sometimes I am even reminded of Phil Collins's middle 80s work.
1989 was a hell of a time to be alive—especially if you were thirteen and soaking in pop culture like a sponge. It may have been the peak of my cultural awareness as both a kid and an American. The theaters were packed with Back to the Future Part II, Batman, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, while the radio belonged to Madonna, Prince, Janet Jackson, Fine Young Cannibals, Phil Collins, and Tom Petty. It felt like culture was firing on all cylinders. At thirteen, I didn’t fully understand the collision of spiritual devotion and sensual desire in the title track of Like a Prayer, but even then it was obvious Madonna knew exactly what she was doing—crafting a perfect pop song while setting off every parental alarm bell imaginable with the music video. That didn’t stop me from sneaking in viewings on MTV whenever my parents were gone. Despite how unavoidable Madonna was at the time, she barely existed in my household, so I never sat down with the full album until now. And honestly, it was a fun listen. I wouldn’t put it on the same groundbreaking level as Rhythm Nation 1814, but Like a Prayer still sounds like a pop icon at full strength—confident, provocative, and fully aware of the power she had.
no le tenía mucha fe pero me gustó
Love Song with Prince was fun
80 singles filling the album, big fan
It’s some of the best pop music the 80’s had to offer. I think my favorite thing about this album is the uniqueness of most of the tracks especially the baroque pop songs near the back half of the record. I do think some songs go on a little too long for with not a lot going on to warrant them to go so long but other than that it’s a very beautiful LP. Fav tracks: Like a prayer, Love song, till death do us part, cherish, and dear Jessie
Ok I understand why she’s so famous now. I imagine this had and still has a chokehold on the people when she dropped this. Whole album is outstanding
Not Madonna’s strongest, but still a solid 4. She ain’t no vocalist but i can hear influence to at least 3 modern pop singers in only this album so
Queen of pop for a reason! Love ❤️ madge me. Like MJ shes always been a part of my life with 3 sisters always playing her growing up. Like a prayer and express yourself is how you start an album! Killer songs on here know doubt, but gotta say there is a few meh filler songs too. Cherish is lovely and oh father is a forgotten madonna classic, but why the fuck is dear jessie on here it sticks out like a sore thumb and doesn't suit the album at all.Anyway yeah madonna is class!
Fabulous. Like A Prayer is one of the best pop songs ever, with an iconic video. Doesn’t quite reach a 5 because there are a couple of weaker tracks and the Prince song doesn’t really fit, however I have listened to this about 5 times today and may have to revisit The Immaculate Collection
I've loved this since I was a kid, but it sure hits harder when you're an adult who actually understands the content. There's some heavy shit on here! Promise to Try still makes me tear up, and Til Death... is chilling underneath the sunny sound. I remember not liking Love Song back then because I didn't like Prince's voice - forgive me, I was a child, and I've learned the error of my ways. Is the production dated in some songs? Yes. But the hits are massive and the deep cuts are, well, deep. Good job, Madge.
Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989) This was a great listen and a fantastic introduction to Madonna's craft, marking my first time diving into one of her full-length projects. You can clearly hear her maturity as an artist here; the album makes a genuinely successful attempt at being deeply introspective without abandoning the core identity of what made Madonna who she is. While the back half of the record wasn't quite as engaging as the first half, it was still a decent experience. The title track, "Like a Prayer," was an immediate standout. I recognized it right away from the massive choir version used on the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack. I also truly connected with "Promise to Try," which features incredible lyricism and serves as an absolute highlight for me. Prince's influence on "Love Song" was another great element that distinctly stood out. As for the other tracks, "Express Yourself" and "Till Death Do Us Part" on the front half, along with "Cherish" and "Oh Father", the sole track on the back half that was good enough to pull me in—were all strong enough to warrant plenty of future revisits. It lands a very solid 4/5.
This album has some high highs and low lows. Overall it's mostly positive. Madonna has cemented herself as a pop icon for a reason. It's unfortunate that "Like a Prayer" is the clear standout and the rest of the album never reaches that height again.
soooo fun. really enjoyed myself -- there are a lot of bangers on here besides the famous ones. there are also some that drown in 80s shmaltz, but overall the experience was net positive.
I love old Madonna music
Not too bad, a bit dated
Almost a 5. It is a travesty that Madonna does not have more than 3 albums on this list. This is not her best album but it is still an excellent one. The big singles are great but so is "Spanish Eyes" and "Act of Contrition." Listen to the BANDSPLAIN episodes about Madonna!!
No. 194 Never listened to this whole record before. Not gonna lie, it POPS
Really solid album, a bunch of bangers on this one
Solid, fun pop! She was pretty cool!
I started really enjoying this and thought maybe it would be a 5, but the more I listened the more it didn’t appeal to me the same way. I’ve never been a fan of 80s music but this almost aligned with today’s pop music which I generally enjoy. 3.75
It rips. Honestly idk what they were cooking with in the studio for this, but it sounds immaculate, kinda maximalist at times, super optimistic and hopeful, very groovy. Love how each of these songs really settles into its main hook and keeps building on it or making slight variations throughout.
A pop album with genuine care that went into it.
Fun pop album what can I say
I thought all the songs, minus a couple were pretty good, I had only heard the title track before but liked most of what I heard.
Hade ingen koll på albumet i helhet sen innan men svårt att ett popalbum är mer befogat denna lista än såhär. Toppen!
Has some great pop hits like the title track - overall enjoyable with a good beat
Half of it is really good, the other is a bit weak. Overall a decent album though.
Pretty good. nothing bad at all. I wouldn't mind if a song from this album played in Walmart. I could listen to the album again. It could honestly fit in with what I usually listen to every now and then.
I reaaly love this album. Underrated joyas 💎
I bought this album in 1989 but haven't listened to it for nigh on 30 years. Great pop songs that still stand up. The only dud is the Prince track which sounds exactly like every other 1980's Prince track and ruins the vibe slightly. 4½
Surprisingly enjoyable.
Surprised by how much I enjoyed it
I walked into this one with a residual attitude thanks to Beyoncé telling me about all the dick she rides (lady, I don't know you like that and I don't want to know you like that). It's evaporated. This album goes surprisingly hard for pop. I'm impressed. Some very interesting imagery choices and personal backstories wedged between some pretty standard pop stuff. Let's take an inventory: sex as a spiritual experience (sure, why not when the song is this much of a powerhouse and you're not describing your genitals as "skittles"), girl power anthem (ok), experimental duet with Prince (neat), domestic abuse, grief and loss and childhood trauma, heartbreaking ballad putting the AIDS epidemic on full blast at a time when every government was sweeping it under the carpet. Hell of a statement.
Listening to Like a Prayer in 1989 must have been a mind-blowing experience. It holds up!
Madonna really was that girl. Lots of surprisingly challenging lyrics and confrontations. I think Madonna's strength is in her singles, but that's not to say the songs are bad. I actually like most of the songs here. Tracks like 'Oh Father' give you a better sense of who she is, and that one in particular really grabbed me. The hits off this album are just great, 'Like a Prayer' is probably her best song period. Great stuff, and the genre mixing with the choirs and the twisting of the religious symbolism really works well. Madonna really was pushing the boat at the time with this, lots of people hated her for how she expressed herself (pun), and that's a testament to her ability as a performer. Great foundation for the progression of pop as we know it today. Fav track: Like a Prayer
Happy nice album slay Madonna
I forgot that Love Song features the incomparable and always iconic Prince. This feels like the album when Madonna starts to become less pop star, more artist.
I liked the previous Madonna album and enjoyed this one too.
Haha from Deadpool
This album brings back fun MTV, youth experiences and times.
nog leuke pop, soms wel minder liedje 3.5
I have heard Madonna I have not listened to Like a Prayer I have heard the Singles. Like a prayer and cherish hold up as great track. The rest of the album is pretty good. I had no idea she worked with prince. This is a great pop record.
Dear Jesse was way too Disney-fied for me. But overall a front half heavy loaded pop record. The back half slides down a bit but overall not too bad
my queen
Good old school album, like a lot of Madonna
I under appreciated this album at the time 4/5
Not sure how I didn’t know about the Prince and Madonna collab. Also when the choir comes in towards there end of Like A Prayer *chefs kiss*
- “that crazy white lady from the 80s” - I enjoyed this quite a bit - truly girl music -
As the kids like to say, this album SLAPS.
Title track is iconic and a total banger. It's a nice album, surprisingly introspective and I like how the final track parallels the first title one. Overall, cool. 8/10
I've always loved Madonna but somehow I'd never listened to this full album. It's great. Definitely sounds like one of her first attempts to sound "mature" and you can hear a preview of what she would sound like throughout the 90s. Her most overtly soul / r&b inflected album (even some gospel elements). This is like a spiritual cousin of George Michael's Faith -- oversexed pop star makes a record about religious devotion as a metaphor for all the ways their sexuality is related to true love and, therefore, has been misconstrued or misunderstood.
Très sympa, jamais écouté Madonna je m'attendais à un truc plus pop actuelle mais c'est vrai que c'est relativement vieux. Like a prayer est un immense banger et le reste est bien
Day799 - it’s doesn’t seem like this is over thirty five years ago. the three singles were just monster hits
I was pleasantly surprised! 4!
"whaddya mean it's not in the computer?!?!" 4/5
My 100th Album! Yay! I've never actually heard this album in full before. I didn't even really hear the title track until a few years ago, my mom HATES Madonna. Like, truly hates her. From what I've heard of her, I have a bit of a mixed opinion, but her music is just generally fun. 1. Like A Prayer - Iconic and fun! Not a fave of mine, but I get it. I do think that it's a minute too long, if i'm being honest 2. Express Yourself - This is fine, it's fun. Idk why it's reminding me of Barbie for some reason? 3. Love Song - Eh, not my vibe 4. Till Death Do Us Part - Ooooh this is pretty! I really like this one! 5. Promise To Try - 6. Cherish - Fun and cute! I really like this one! 7. Dear Jessie - Kate Bush cloudbusting synths, slay. This one is just fine. 8. Oh Father - might grow on me 9. Keep It Together - This one is fun 10. Spanish Eyes - 11. Act of Contrition - oh, this is creepy lol. Kinda gave me a headache Overall, a pretty fun album. I can see why it's on this list. I can see why she got to the level of fame she was at, and still kind is to this day. I'll probably come back to this every now and then, I found a good handful of fun pop songs to play!
i'm more of a ray of light but this still cool. every song on here that prince worked on is my favorite
first listen i'm very pop illiterate but i didn't know how iconic this is
There are a few duff songs in here but this gets 4 stars because the great songs carry this album on their own. Particularly Oh Father. Early Madonna for the win.
The album where Madonna showed the world that she was a serious artist who was in it for the long run. While it isn't as catchy as her first couple of albums it still has some genuinely huge songs on it, and I enjoy the more personal lyrics on this record, as depressing and shocking as they sometimes are. Not my favorite Madonna album, but still a damn good one.
The great, great Madonna. Not just my lady, but our lady. I will never forget her masterful Super Bowl performance in which she sang the opening song of this album, which was stuck in my head all day after I listened to it on my morning commute. A powerful album against which I have very little.
Three hits. Pretty solid time in Madonna's career.
I feel that this is diverse, some of the songs are profound and the melodies are very catchy. Like a prayer is obviously a hit, but there are others here like Express Yourself and Cherish. I also think there are a couple of dudes, and it is a bit more of the same for Madonna
great record, full of great songs, very recognisable
Madonna's best album. Fight me.
Primer álbum entero que escucho de la queen. La verdad que la clava al ángulo en eso del pop. Un toque largo, pero la tiene atada. 7/10
This felt like Prime Madonna. I can’t believe I’m saying this about Madonna but this album is great throughout. Honestly nothing I can pick out as a sore point.
Like it or not, Madonna was popping in the 80s. This is that, and even if some of the songs run long for ear-worm pop songs, it's still mostly just a high energy, fun time. There are so many quirky sounds and instruments used in this album that make me wish stuff like it was still prevalent today. Highlight: Like a Prayer Highlight #2: Express Yourself Highlight: #3: Cherish Lowlight: Spanish Eyes Surprise Hit: Dear Jessie
Sounds perfectly 80s without that horrible 80s production? Madonna, how did you do it??
As well as capturing the emotional chaos of her marriage, Madonna delved into her Catholic girlhood and family dynamics with some Freudian pop song-writing. Producer Pat Leonard was the yang to Madonna’s yin, his deeply melodic music providing the ballast for her vivid lyrics. The standout song here is the iconic title track, with its fiery gospel choir, arunaway bass line and the lyrical celebration of the sacred and profane. Top Quality Pop.
Look, I like bongo drum based albums as much as the next girl, but sometimes you need Madonna in the morning.
OK I hate to admit it but this was kind of a bop And speaking as a fan of hard-core rock, "Like a Prayer" is one of the most perfect songs ever
Man, this thing was so big! I was a little too young for it, but she and this album were everywhere!
Starts off strong with a couple of big hits. Till Death Do Us Part is a heartbreaker juxtaposed by a fun staccato instrumental. A very good 80s pop album. 3.5/5.
Misschien was het de zon, maar oh wat was dit gezellig. Heb best genoten. Was het super sterk? Nee! Maar wel gewoon leuk!
Madonna says fuck situationships
dipt een beetje rond cherish maar wat een lekker album !!
Late 80s Pop, in one of Madonna's last good albums (though I prefer True Blue). The title track is the strongest here, with Express Yourself coming in second both in terms of sequence and quality. Other noteworthy mentions: Cherish and Oh Father. The rest of the album, sadly, is hit and miss, with great production value, but song quality all over the place. Still, for the aforementioned songs, this is a 3.5/5.
Some filler. Most of the album is decent, no real hidden gems. The 3 singles Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, and Cherish are top notch songs. Of the album were the level of these songs it would get 6/5 stars.
Wow. How have I never just listened to Madonna before? Super catchy tunes that were well written, well produced, and just generally really solid, I had a lot of fun listening to her sing about (only some dysfunctional) relationships and the resulting emotions. Felt like listening to the blueprint for modern pop stars. Favorite tracks: Like a Prayer, Cherish, and Spanish Eyes. Definitely gonna be revisiting this one. 8/10, four stars.
Ekki minn tebolli en eðalpopp. 3,5
Second half fades a bunch but she’s got a style and tracks you already love
Absolute classic pop -- Madonna is as confident here as she is wry
very 80s
Good job Madonna!! 4
Brings back memories of walking through the mall wasting time as a teen
Forgot about the Prince collaboration. Pretty solid pop album more enjoyable than I remember it, but I had to listen to it once a week in the shop I used to work in for all the months it was in the charts.
it's madonna ✨
I'm an 80s pop fan and this was one of the biggest of that era. The singles from this one are still in heavy rotation all these years later, that should tell you something.
Icon of the 80’s-90’s. Diva from the start. Good music, although at times likes to push the edge.
bom tirando o ÓBVIO que os singles são PEDRADAS, achei que seria melhor, viu. algumas são PICAS, outras acabam se estendendo demais... mas ainda assim, foi divertidissimo!!!!! till death do us apart eh bem massa hein pqp
The title track is one of the best pop songs ever. The rest of the album isn’t anywhere near as good, but there are still many well crafted songs here. The only songs I dislike are the Prince duet + tracks 9 and 11.
There are a few bangers on this album. Okay, there is a dud or two but it’s catchy pop from start to finish. Maybe a few of the songs could be a minute shorter, but I’m nitpicking. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.
One of the best pop albums of the 80s. It's also Madonna's best album. It doesn't seem quite as strong to me now as it was when it came out. It's a high 4, not quite to a 5.
Classic Madonna! I like it!
First of all, fuck Sean Penn. Second, damn, Madonna, you really needed to get that shit out, I’m happy for you and sad that happened. This is a really good pop record, if occasionally eye-rolling in how dated it is. Not every song is the best, but every song is solid and well written, with some punching you in the solar plexus. And while I was prepared to just go down the middle, she adds a little wild experimental edge right at the end hinting at what was to come in the 90s. This is a hell of a record, one that rides the line of Top 40 hits with personal lyrics in a really good blend. Good stuff, even if coming from a rough place.
Mix of songs I would enjoy if I was attracted to men, and strange choices that I either hate or love.
Enjoyed this more than expected. Still not a big fan of "Express Yourself", but it's not terrible. Did not expect as much input by Prince! That was a welcome surprise to say the least.
Similar to how the creepiness of "like a child, you whisper softly to me, you're in control, just like a child, now I'm dancing" is immediately erased by the brilliance of "like a dream, no end and no beginning, you're here with me, just like a dream, let the choir sing!" .... the brilliance of the title track (& Express Youself, sure) are immediately outweighed by the rest of this album being forgettable, mushy ballads. But I listened to Like A Prayer 5 times yesterday which really has to count for something. 3.5
I love Madonna. Like a Prayer is so iconic and this album was such a great time. I did listen to this album on a run which I will say isn’t the best place for it lol. I’m now proud to say that I’ve listened to a Madonna album all the way through.
Like all early Madonna albums it's great singles and the filler. But the singles are superb
Great pop! Sadly, some fillers on here, but even the fillers are better than some of the stuff I’ve listened to on this journey through sound so far.
Some of this suffers from the fact that having lived through the heyday of this album I have heard these songs far, far too many times. I was VERY surprised on Love Song to hear the fact that this was very assuredly a duet with Prince. How did I not know about this in 1989?!
Now this is Pop well done!
The two hits are the cream here, but there a few unexpected treats, too. Madonna was certainly expanding her musical horizon beyond the pop of the time, so I’ll round up.
Late 80s pop goodness
hell yeah. she da best
Another nostalgic one for me. I don't remember listening to the whole album before, but I like the variety and will listen to this one again.
Repeat
The bangers are really good - low four. I’m rounding up because of good memories
I will say it, OG Madonna kicked arse
Bet good album, fun and catchy
Some bangers on this, proper 80s pop tastic from my childhood. Some not so good “album tracks”
Blast from the past, great
4/5
The opener, the title track, is obviously a fucking banger. I shouldn't be too surprised but there's a ton of good, catchy pop on here and some variety to keep it interesting. Not a lot of lowlights or filler, pretty amazing for a 51-minute 80s pop record. Just a tick beneath what I would need for a first listen 5. Cherish, Oh Father, and Keep It Together were the culprits. Overall though, bravo.
I didn’t like quite a lot of it musically, but lyrically and thematically it’s deeper than I’d expected, especially in its religious allusions. There’s some absolute schmaltz on here (eg the one about princesses and leprechauns) but also some pretty dark/challenging stuff re domestic and parental abuse. Plus the overt but subverted religious references. The Act of Contrition at the end was weird but actually quite clever, I thought.
Like a Prayer is definitely a classic. The album cover is stunning, and as someone who’s always a sucker for religious themes and imagery in art, I think that aspect deserves far more appreciation. Prince’s contributions are fantastic. “Like a Prayer,” “Express Yourself,” “Love Song,” and “Cherish” are all solid tracks, but honestly, I didn’t care much for the rest of the album; it felt a bit too juvenile/disjointed at times.
Solid album. I knew the 3 big hits: Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, Cherish. I was surprised that Like a Prayer has so many more plays than the others (~700M versus ~15M). Also interesting that the album version of Express Yourself is different than the version I remember from MTV -- the album has more horns. Some of the other songs started growing on me, like Dear Jessie and Oh Father and Spanish Eyes.
The singles do a lot of work, seriously solid pop songs that are impossible to forget. The rest of the album varies from forgettable to deeply dated to actually interesting (serious Prince vibes courtesy of his involvement I'm guessing on 'Love Song') - but it's never boring. I'd argue she never got better than this but I'm not sure that's true. She certain maybe never got more purely poppy than this, tho.
This was an excellent album. We’ve all heard the title track, which is a great, great song. And certainly Express Yourself and Cherish harken back to younger Madonna and her upbeat pop brilliance. Both are very good songs, even if I wouldn’t seek either one out. There’s a lot more to like on here. For me, the best of the rest is Keep It Together, which is a great tune that reminds me a lot of those late 80s / early 90s jams from groups like New Edition. There’s some other more mature songs on here, which Madonna has always had in her bag (starting with songs like Papa Don’t Preach), and frankly I prefer to the more poppy songs. Excellent back to front. Not amazing, but really good.
Back when pop music actually meant pushing the boundaries and making quality music with the best talent available. Look at the personnel on this thing for proof. Excellent transitions between moods and sounds. Fantastic record with so much to latch onto. While listening it is quite often you think to yourself, "shit every modern female pop star really has been influenced by her haven't they"
Opening song is a banger, all time pop classic. She’s got pipes. Reminds me of childhood even tho it came out 10 years before I was born. Express yourself is another banger. Love song is really interesting. I like the production a lot, not very catchy tho. I like til death do us part, great production again and much catchier. Really good story telling/songwriting. Promise to try is pretty good, really good songwriting, a little too melancholy for my liking. Cherish is another classic that reminds me of both childhood and my retail days. PTSD from the BJs receiving dock. Banger nonetheless. Production is so good on dear Jessie. Good not great song, kinda cheesy? Lyrics. This song was not made for me, simple as that. Really cool transition Into oh father. Another song with great production. This is a good song all around. Keep it together is pretty good, more 80s than the rest. Catchy tho. Madonna is a great song writer. Shines through again on Spanish eyes. Really cool ending with act of contrition. This is worth another listen, I think second time around would get an even better score. After first listen, I give it 4.1 stars
Un clásico. Un disco que todo el mundo debería escuchar y no las mierdas con autotune
Fan, trodde det skulle vara mycket sämre. Eller snarare att just jag inte skulle gilla det. Like a prayer är ju bra. Sen kommer tre rätt dålig låtar. Men sen vänder det. Det blir bättre när det är lite mer avskalat (mindre renodlat 80-tals sound). Särskilt Cheish är bra (trots lite 80-tals(o)ljud). Hon sjunger jävligt bra, aldrig tänkt på det tidigare. Keep it together är sen inte så bra, men med spanish eyes lyfter det lite igen. Landar nog på en fyra i slutet då, för det som jag inte riktigt diggade är inte så pass dåligt att det sänker.
Riktigt bra popskiva. Många hits och de flesta låtar jag inte hört sen tidigare höll också bra nivå. Fyra med mersmak!
While this definitely isn’t in my wheelhouse it’s easy to see why Madonna was a 80’s hit machine. 4/5
Amazing album that redefined pop at the time!
The lows on this could've made it a 3, but when there are songs as strong as the pop bangers are on this I have to boost it up
Highlights "like a prayer" and "till death do us part"
4/5, a ton of bangers on this thing man but I don't think it's perfect... probably a solid 4.5 but i dont wanna round up so 4 it is
aside from the last song not a single one is bad, album overall is very good
Wowowow
poptasti
Good
Eigentlich drei Sterne aber weil Like a prayer so bang gibt's einen extra
I actually knew Madonna before this!
80er, aber nicht alle songs sind gut gealtert - spärliche instrumentalisierung oder romantischer klangteppich findet sich hier neben hitparadensongs. detail am rand: Love Song mit Prince .. co-written, co-produziert, und co-performed!
"Like a Prayer" represented Madonna's move from 80s pop to more serious material. The lyrics are drawn from personal experience, with a general theme of sexuality clashing with Catholic guilt. The music builds on this theme with choirs and echoing sounds reminding the listener of a (mostly) empty cathedral. I could do without the more ballady filler but there are definitely a some standard setting tracks on there, especially the title track, "Express Yourself" and the Prince duet "Love Song". Madonna may have started as a mere dime a dozen pop star and may now be the butt of jokes but this album is a reminder that she was once a master of her genre.
Ein zwei Songs weniger hätten es kompakter gemacht, dann wäre es eher eine 5
3,64 - Komischerweise ist das Duett mit Prince der Tiefpunkt eines ansonsten grandiosen Pop-Albums, das allein durch das Titellieds schon eine gute Bewertung verdient. Highlights: Like A Prayer, Express Yourself
The first two tracks are among her best ever. The duet with Prince is alright, but it's less than the sum of its parts. There's a solid run of tracks from Cherish through Keep It Together. In that stretch, Dear Jessie and Oh Father are almost prog-like and remind me of some of the pop-ier 2010s Steven Wilson stuff (Hand Cannot Erase-era). Act of Contrition is a pretty cool soundscape-y thing with what appears to be Prince doing an extended shred-fest of a guitar solo in the background. Overall, this is probably 4 stars.
Every day's a school day - I never realised Hung Up was referencing Madonna's duet with Prince. Maybe the reason I'd never heard Love Song before is because that track is less than the sum of its parts - for two of the 80s most provocative pop stars, they don't have much chemistry – but the rest of this is Madonna at the top of her game.
Surprising and fun listen. Though it might lose some steam for me around the three quarter mark, this album is very well produced and thought out. It seriously stands out as excellent Art Pop alongside the likes of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love or even Peter Gabriel's So.
Not bad
Great album 👌. Forgotten how good she was in her pomp
This was pretty good overall. Very much pop music, but she can sing and the production was pretty fun. I enjoyed all of the instruments and electronic sounds. "Love Song" is surprisingly the least listened to song on this album (besides the outro) and I really enjoyed this song and the Prince feature! Dear Jessie, is also a fun and catchy track that sounds so quintessentially of this time period. Respect to Madonna, I can definitely see feeling late 80's cool listening to this at a party or night club.
While there are a few bangers everyone knows, the rest of the album is just solid. The non-single tracks just never reach the same heights. I do find it funny looking back on how much I wore out my cassette single of “Like a Prayer” as a kid, and my dad never once thought to stop me from constantly blasting a song about a blowjob.
This album holds up a lot better than I thought it would. The Prince song is VERY Prince. The album gets a little weak toward the end but still excellent pop.
Really enjoyable.
Outside of the three heavy hitters, I found this average. That said, the impact on pop culture of the title track between the airplay and the (in some circles) controversial video cannot be denied.
Probably not the album to listen to if you have daddy issues, let alone big daddy in heaven issues. Still, this was when Madonna ruled the airwaves and the public eye. Overall there is a surprising amount of variety and style-collision here which made for a good listen. I do think the back half of the record starts to lag, right around Dear Jessie/Oh Father tracks. But the high rating is deserved based on the front half of the album alone.
Started out reeeeally strong for me but kind of dropped off after Cherish. 3.5 and rounding up because 80s Madonna was 🔥
Real talk. I am giving this 4* on the strength of the first two tracks alone. Didn't really love the rest of the album. 3.5/5
I'm not a big fan of pop music, but I can see why so much of it is so successful. Madonna is a style icon and, in my opinion, she makes mostly good pop music. And that's also the case with this album. It features a few classics of the genre. The rest of the tracks are pleasant to listen to. A very catchy and polished album. But maybe I'll listen to it again. 4/5
Great memories of the hitsexpress yourself, like a prayer, cherish .. never heard the rest but it was typical 80s Madonna !! The song with Orince was very cool
First album on this website. This music would be really fun to play while making love. Great music, truly wonderful, just listening to this album really remind me just how important Madonna was to creating modern pop and how justified it is that her music is credited for paving the path for so many wonderful singles-hit artists, which is surprising given how amazing this whole album is. I cannot overemphasise how great this music is, but this album is not something I would currently listen to often. Perhaps I should. Car ride music absolutely, and a trendsetter. All of this album is stupidly good, maybe the problem is that I am listening to it on my own instead of with a ladyfriend. I like Madonna. 4/5
HELL YEAH MADONNA (solid but the only majorly noteworthy song is like a prayer)
I grew up in the 80s in a household that mostly listened to Motown with the occasional Beatles and Billy Joel thrown in. As such I thought I would only recognise the title track on this album. Turns out I’ve heard a lot of them before somehow. Guess they were just out there in the culture of the time. I am firmly a rock fan but there is no denying this is the perfect pop record. Oh and Prince shreds on some tracks so winner.
I had fun and it makes me yearn for an outfit a la Robin Sparkles
I like this album. It’s grandiose and sounds great. Not my usual listening. Madonna tended to respond to trends rather than create them, but like Bowie was aware of them before a lot of people. This record reminds me of a lot of the sounds we heard in the late 80s. This is probably a good time capsule of what was popular in 88/89. The songs tend to be too long, and like most big pop stars, the singles are the best songs. Like a Prayer itself is epic sounding. I’m probably being too generous, because it isn’t a perfect album, but it’s more enjoyable than a lot of records on this list.
I absolutely love the title song Like A Prayer. I also enjoyed Express Yourself and Cherish.
With "Like a Prayer", Madonna seemingly set out to create her 'serious' album. The album gets off to a stellar start with the title track being one of the best pop singles of the 1980s. "Express Yourself" is a dance anthem that showcases what Madonna does better than anyone, while "Cherish" is buoyant classic pop. All three tracks were undeniable hits, and for good reason. Beyond these iconic singles, however, the album is somewhat fragmented. The stylistic leaps—from balladry to the folk-tinged pop and funk collaborations, contribute towards a lack of cohesiveness and for me get in the way of the album’s flow. As a product of its time, the 80s production holds up quite well. However, after not listening to it for a long while, the sound, particularly the vocals, can feel a little thin in places, a contrast to the fuller sound my memory recalled. I much prefer Nile Rodgers production on "Like A Virgin". In the end, Like a Prayer is a good album with some excellent peaks and is a pivotal moment in Madonna's discography. Four stars. Would I listen to this album again? Yes. Would I buy this album? I did. 1- "Like a Prayer" (5/5) 2- "Express Yourself" (5/5) 3- "Love Song" (4/5) 4- "Till Death Do Us Part" (3/5) 5- "Promise to Try" (3/5) 6- "Cherish" - (5/5) 7- "Dear Jessie" - (3/5) 8- "Oh Father" - (3/5) 9- "Keep It Together" - (4/5) 10- "Spanish Eyes" - (3/5) 11- "Act of Contrition" - (3/5) Total - 41 Average - 3.73 90/1001
Thanks to this exercise to remind me that “Love Song” exists.
Well this was easy I grew up listening to Madonna this isn’t 1 of my favorites but it’s a good album !!
Like A Prayer - Madonna First thing I noticed about Madonna's third album Like a Prayer is that the production is not dated at all like a ton of albums released in the 1980s - in fact it could have come out yesterday or next month so kudos on that- so many 1980s albums are ruined to my ears by garbage production but Like a Prayer is wonderfully produced. The songs are fun, dance pop music that had me moving a great deal more than I usually do on an early Thursday morning on a day that I'm working overtime. Shockingly (to me anyways) I enjoyed Like a Prayer enough that I would add it to my collection as prior to listening to it I just knew Madonna from her singles, and I will explore her back catalog as summer turns to fall.
I always meant to listen to this. Great album a lot of good songs
This album has some of Madonna’s greatest singles (out of a long list of amazing singles). Queen of Pop, for real.
Not the best of the older Madonna, previous work is more nostalgic to me. Why this album and not True Blue? Really just singles stand out here, but Madonna deserves 4/5
Madonna’s famous pointy bra was actually a take on a fancy dress costume Len Houmous wore to Lionel Blair’s birthday party in ‘78. He was a female tin man from wizard of oz. Madonna and Lionel were such close friends! 4.4 2/11 Express Yourself
iconic behavior 4/5
Poppiklassikoita! Kyllä iso M aina pystyy muuttumaan hieman levyjen välillä! 4/5
The front side of this album is pretty stacked with hits: Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, and Cherish. There's some good stuff on the back half that I've never heard, though. Oh Father is really good.
Not my preferred music certainly but I understand why people have been so obsessed with Madonna for so long.
Love her voice
Good just not for me
Like a Prayer is a perfect pop song. The rest of the album is also solid.