I have been reading Madonna's autobiography this week on the insistence of my wife. It has made me think more about the person and her music, rather than just the image that she projects. Living with a pretty serious Madonna fan means that I have access to most of her album releases, so I had a look through and listened to most of them, and I have decided that this album is probably my favourite. It was released 14 years ago in 1989, at a time when Madonna was at her most deliberately confrontational. So many people were shocked by the images portrayed in her videos, but when I look at them now they just seem so tame compared to some of the images we find ourselves presented with on a day to day basis, and at the time I think she was singled out because we were having a glut of seemingly wholesome soapstars thrust into the music world, and Madonna stuck out like a sore thumb because she actually had something to say.
The title track 'Like A Prayer' is a classic track, but one which caused many problems for Madonna. She was criticised by the church and religious people the world over, and even many of her less devoted fans felt that she had crossed the line of decency, but it was only a song after all..and a good one at that! The mix of rock, pop and gospel works very well here, and the slow building verses lead to the chorus which is now known all over the world. It is
a song I never tire of, and is certainly one of the high points of her long career, and in my eyes when she was at her most attractive with her brunette curls.
'Express Yourself' is song which encourages the women to trample on us poor men. It is a song which rouses even the most withdrawn of women that I know. Some great lyrics, but the simple ones always work the best such as 'don't go for second best baby, put your love to the test'. Oh how true that is! A good solid pop song which has dated very well, and once again it had the powerful video to match and this made sure that the song was listened to by more than just devoted fans, because the video gripped people at every given opportunity.
A collaboration with Prince is probably one of the least likely duets that I would have predicted, but on 'Love Song', Madonna and Prince create a breathy, sensual and very sexy track, and although it was not a commercially praised track, I think it is one of the high points of this album. It oozes attitude, but it is so hard to put it into one category, so I will just say that it is a ballad with a hard edge, and some very clever lyrics, which when they are sung by two stars of this magnitude then they are always going to sound tremendous.
Madonna is a pop artist, and that never could be denied, but I would never had put any of her tracks in the 'bubblegum pop' genre until I heard the catchy 'Til Death Us Do Part'. It is an upbeat tale of a couple who have fallen out of love and trying to make the best of a bad situation, which mirrored Madonna's own personal situation, as her marriage to Sean Penn had crashed and burned not long before this album was released. As this was the case, I am surprised that the album only had this song which touched on the subject of the split.
Most fans will know that Madonna's mother died when she was young, and the track 'Promise To Try' is a tribute to her. A beautiful ballad, which lets us see Madonna open up a little. The words, the music and the mood make for a very powerful track. For me, there are certain songs which remind me of hot sunny summer days, and 'Cherish' is one of those. Another update pop tune, which has also dated very well. Like some of the songs I have mentioned, this also had an unforgettable video, and featured a beautiful child on an idyllic beach with Madonna and her cropped blonde hair.
'Dear Jessie' is a song which I love if it catches me in the right mood, but if I am feeling even the slightest bit irritable then it grinds on me big time! It is the kind of song I would play to my daughter and I just know that she would love it! There has already been a song for her mother on this album, and there is also one for her father. 'Oh Father' is not a tribute though, and it paints a very dark picture of a childhood without a mother. Here I think Madonna's voice is at it's best. The songs starts off sounding very much like Dear Jessie, but then the piano kicks in, and the tempo slows down, the mood darkens, and a song which always affects me rises out. The lyrics are so telling...'you can't hurt me now, I got away from, I never thought I would, you can't make me cry, you once had the power, I never felt so good about myself. It is strong stuff, but so so good, and the musical arrangement only adds to the strength of the track. A classic.
In case that has left you feeling a bit flat, then 'Keep It Together' is the perfect antidote. A well tried formula of pop and simple lyrics proves to be a winner time and time again, and this track is no exception. It is about the bond that families have, and how you need to make sure that you keep your family close as they are 'gold'.'Pray For Spanish Eyes' is very much in the same vein as La Isla Bonita, although it is notably slower, and in case you had not guessed by the title, then it has a big Mediterranean influence in it, but it just not hit the spot where I am concerned, and at times, especially the chorus, Madonna sounds quite hoarse. Final track 'Act Of Contrition' is the lowest point on the album, and it is a shame it was included. It is a mix of talking....backwards, and this means that the album does not end on the high that it should.
There you go, that is my take on this album. I love it, and as many of you know, for a rock fan those are hard words to say, and I would urge you to buy it even if it only for 'Like A Prayer' and 'Love Song'. Since then, I think on 'Music' has even come close to the standard set by this album.
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Considered by many to be the Material Girl's most mature effort of the 1980s,Like a ... more
Prayerupped the ante of controversy with its gospel-infused title track and the singer's emotional confessions throughout. It also unveiled the hit "Express Yoursel...
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Considered by many to be the Material Girl's most mature effort of the 1980s, Like a ... more
Prayer upped the ante of controversy with its gospel-infused title track and the singer's emotional confessions throughout. It also unveiled the hit "Express Your...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Feb 15th, 2003
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