Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Madonna peaks to No.1 in 1989 with her controversial song “Like A Prayer”

The song got Madonna in trouble with the Vatican and Pepsi

Madonna peaks to No.1 in 1989 with her controversial song “Like A Prayer”



Written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, “Like A Prayer” remains to this day Madonna’s one of the singer’s most controversial songs. Featured on her fourth studio album of the same name, “Like A Prayer” was released as a single on March 3, 1989, and it peaked to No.1 on the US Hot 100 on April 22, 1989. The song topped the charts worldwide and was also used by Pepsi back then, however, the company ends the contract when the song became too controversial due to the music video. In the video, Madonna is portrayed as a witness to the murder of a girl by white supremacists. While a black man is arrested for the murder, Madonna hides in a church for safety seeking strength to go forth as a witness. The clip depicts a church and Catholic symbols such as stigmata. It also features a Ku Klux Klan-style cross burning and a dream about kissing a black saint. The Vatican condemned the video, while family and religious groups protested its broadcast. They boycotted products by soft drink manufacturer Pepsi, who then end the contract with the singer. “Like A Prayer” has been considered a turning point in Madonna’s career, with critics starting to acknowledge her as an artist rather than a mere pop star due to the drastic departure from her 1980’s catchy Pop tunes in favor of a more adult-oriented sound.

Look back at the controversial 1989 music video for “Like A Prayer” by Madonna



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