'' Because in Catholicism you are a born sinner and you're a sinner all your life. No matter how you try to get away from it, the sin is within you all the time. It was this fear that haunted me; it taunted and pained me every moment. My music was probably the only distraction I had '' - Madonna
When Madonna understood that as she is growing up , her core audience is growing with her . She felt the need to attempt something new and different as she wanted the sound of her new album to indicate what could be popular in the music world . She had certain personal matters on her mind that she thought could be the musical direction of the album. For lyrical ideas of the title track, she chose topics that until then had been personal meditations never to be shared with the general public. Thoughtfully, she sifted through her personal journals and diaries, and began considering her options. She said : '' What was it I wanted to say? I wanted the album and the song to speak to things on my mind. It was a complex time in my life. '' . " Like a prayer " was released by Sire Records as thelead single from the album on March 3 , 1989 . The song was written and produced by Madonna and Patric Leonard , " Like a prayer " denoted a more artistic and personal approach to songwriting for Madonna , who as I said earlier felt like she needed to cater more to her adult audience .
The narrative of Madonna's video clip " Like a prayer " is about a woman witnesses the rape and murder of a woman . She stands by and doesn't help that lady while black man who didn't commit a crime goes to help . When police arrive and the black man is safely accused of the crime . The woman who was only looking and for some reasons couldn't help runs off to church where she sees a statue of a black man who looks exactly like that man who wanted to help lady who was raped and killed . The woman utters a prayer and the saint is seen crying , She then lies on the bench and falls into a dream where a woman catches her and throws her back , telling her to do the right thing . While she is still dreaming , the statue comes back to life , kisses her on the forehead and walks out of the church . The woman than takes a knife and cuts her hand with a knife . When the dream ends she goes to the jail and tells the police that the black man is innoent . They believe her words . The video ends with the entire cast taking a bow and the curtains closes .
Race is very noticably represented in this video clip throught a black saint and Madonna is represented as having a relationship with this black man which could have caused controversery at that time . The black man is also accused of a crime that he did not commit , but the police didn't want to even ask him as he was black and in those times black people were represnted as a lower class and they were not respected and treated the same way as white people were . Madonna's video clip can be compared to the film " The green mile " which was released in 1999 , which is only a bit later than " Like a prayer " . We notice how black people were treated in those days and how unfair the police and the people were . The burning cross was also very offensive to black people as it was a sign of the KKK supporting white power .
Representation is also a crucial factor in this music as it really affects race , religion and sexuality . The lyrics " Like a prayer " can be seen and understood in many different ways . Usually either sexuality religion or both . However we see that the music video explores the relationship between the two but also it shows issues of race . The lyrics of this song can also be interpreted in different ways , either literal or sexual . So , for example " I am down on my knees , I wanna take you there " , this line could be perceived as a sexual act or an art of a prayer . It has two meanings . But looking at how she is dressed , which is not really appropriate for going to church and for praying , as when you are in church , you are not only with femails but also with mails and her cloths is a distraction for others and it is not suitable and appropriate .
Towards the very end of the music video the audience see some evidence of ritual celebration , so that for example there is a choir in a church and madonna as dancing with them . This is a suggestion for us as the audience that there is a happy ending .
Racism does not only apply to black people , but to women as being a femail as well , as the objectification of women is shown when a woman is raped by a gang of men and as we know that Madonna saw it , why did she not help her ? Why did she not stop them ? Was she scared to appear in the same situation and that's why she didn't stand for that girl ?
Peligion plays one of the most important parts in this video and takes a really important place . In this video the audience see Madonna pick up a knife and leave a cut on both of her hands . This is a representation of Jesus , so that it gives an impression like she is touched by God . This might as well be really offensive to Christians as it would have been viewed as a lack of reverence for a God .
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