Love Song is a song I can take or leave. At the time, Prince and Madonna were pretty much the king and queen of pop music, and it was really something to hear them team up on a duet. Unfortunately, the song has little substance, and Prince overplays his peculiar, distinctive voice and style. Till Death Do Us Part is, in my opinion, the best song on the album. It has meaningful, important lyrics, yet its tempo makes you tap or sway along with the music; it almost moves too quickly, achieving a perfectly vibrant, energetic pace, and the chorus is just wonderful. Promise to Try is a slower song with beautiful lyrics and a graceful sound, offering yet more proof that Madonna is a real singer with great vocal skills. When Cherish was released as a single, I heard it so often on the radio that I eventually came to dislike the song; listening to it again now, though, I realize how great the song really is. Cherish strikes me as possessing a certain air and spirit of 1960s pop music. It's definitely an uplifting song to listen to, with a strong "feel good" quality to it.

Dear Jessie is another example of Madonna's new sound and style on this album. The music itself is rather subdued, placing the song's emphasis on Madonna's lyrical stylings; this calming track is the kind of song I imagine Madonna would sing to her children at bedtime. For emotional content, the striking Oh Father tops the list on this CD; it definitely sounds like Madonna is singing this one right from the heart. The flow between verse and chorus is striking, and the whole song is a delight to listen to. After a string of slow, emotional tracks, Madonna decides it is time to get the place jumping again with Keep It Together (although even this song carries a strong message). Spanish Eyes is another poignant song of beauty and wonder. Act of Contrition is a weird way to end the album, but I like it. The harmonic dissonance of the Like a Prayer choruses, electric guitar riffs, and free-style lyrics is refreshingly different.

This is a really deep album of great substance. For me, this great asset became somewhat of a vulnerability, though. Hearing songs such as Oh Father and Cherish over and over again on adult contemporary radio stations sort of led me to believe Madonna had lost her edge (despite such evidence to the contrary as Express Yourself). In terms of musical structure and delivery, Like a Prayer is vastly superior to Madonna's previous albums; I easily recognize this fact, but, in general, I prefer the fun dance songs of earlier years to the poignant, beautiful music that typifies this album.


The Complete Madonna Guide.   February 24, 2000
Jason Stein (Chula Vista, CA United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Madonna has 7 full length studio albums out there, which one to buy first? Well, they're all great discs, excluding the dated and naive debut. While Like A Virgin and Ray Of Light are definite contenders, I always like it when an artist takes a risk. Madonna did just that in 1989 with Like a Prayer and then did it again in 1992 with Erotica. However, Like a Prayer is tighter, more cohesive than Erotica. Like a Prayer is the first time Madonna expressed deeper emotion in her lyrics, and it was the first time her music was no longer Spice Girlish. Songs about religion, death, divorce, camraderie, childhood, love and self-respect fill this wonderful disc. It's true, as the people before me have attested: There is not a note wasted on this cd, all the tracks are great. Sure, the duet between Prince and Madonna could have been left off, but it adds more flavor to the cd's rich well of songs. It's worth the money to have this in your music collection.


Like A Prayer - Madonna   February 10, 2004
Lena Jawad (North Yorkshire, England, UK)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

WARNING:THIS ALBUM MAY CAUSE TEARS.
On reviewing this album I'll have to agree mostly with what Karen said, but let me add my own opinion.
Like a Prayer is an album about love, honesty, life and death. So whoever you are, however old you are and whatever you do, then I guarantee that this album will definitely contain five or more songs that you will feel strongly connected to.
Madonna writes from the deepest of her heart and pours her love into each and every song.
Although the song that I most treasure is 'Like a Prayer', the song which shouts out to me is 'Till death do us a part'. This song is a depiction of domestic violence and I firmly believe Madonna is a genius for writing such a song about a very serious issue to which alot of people are ignorant, but an important issue that must be stressed and not ignored.
There is not one song I can speak badly off. I think Madonna's intention with this album was to make people think seriously about the issues she brings up (as well as enjoying the music!) and also, I'm sure she wanted to pull a few heart strings- she certainly did that to me!


Madonna grows up   April 14, 2000
Johny Bottom (Jacksonville, NC)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

First of all I'm not a Madonna fan. When this album came out in 89, me and my buds were all hardcore headbanging maniacs. If anyone even knew I had this album, my life might have been over. Why did I buy it? 1989 was a crazy year for me, (left home on bad terms, bitter/sweet first love relationship, experimentation). Anywho when I first heard the song Cherish, I said to myself 'Wow wouldn't it be great to have someone feel that way about me? Then I heard Oh Father, and I had to break down and buy the record. It's not my kind of music, but it really struck me, and I still listen to it now and then (Hey I still headbang too! ) It's very listenable, I espescially like 'Act of Contrition'. The only dive nose tune is the godawful duet she does with Prince. It's so terrible my finger is on the FF button before it even starts. If not for that one tune, I would have given it five stars.


Heaven in my headphones...   June 12, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I honestly believe this is music at its finest. It seems rare that a "pop star" would have the sensibility to write songs of this caliber, but it is truly phenomenal. Even if you hate Madonna, this album could have you doubting those feelings.

The title track is a tumultuous event that stuns and soars with its charging guitars and soulful gospel roots. "Express Yourself" is definitely the anthem for anyone lacking in the self-respect department. "Love Song," the Prince collaberation, has been ravaged by many reviewers but it does have a certain languid appeal that grows over time.

Much of the album is dark and serious, almost mournful. The Catholic vibe is strong here as feelings of possible guilt and regret permeate the frenetic "Till Death Do Us Part" and the Latin lament, "Spanish Eyes."

But as always with Madonna there is a bright side..."Cherish" and "Dear Jessie" are straight from the musical candy store. The former is the epitome of a warm summer love song and the latter is a lullabye about the magic and power of childhood imagination. "Dear Jessie" was the song that struck a target in my heart. If you have children, you will understand.

Despite the grief and yearning of "Oh Father," the song is actually quite uplifting, especially in the chorus. It spins the moral of escaping the cycle of blaming oneself for the emotional (and possible physical) violence inflicted in relationships.

Madonna also doesn't forget her famous sense of ironic humor. In "Act of Contrition," which has some serious kick-ass guitar playing, she recites the ancient Catholic mantra to a backwards play of the "Like A Prayer" track. The song ends abruptly and almost violently bringing an unexpected end to a heavenly experience.