Task 2 - Research Into Existing Products: Maddona (Like A Prayer)

Madonna released "Like A Prayer" in 1989. The video depicts Madonna as a worshipper of Christ; later showing her envisioned as an Angel, who appears to show complete devotion to the religious icon, showing an underline sensual tone to her worshipping of God.

Life is a mystery (The opening lines offer some ambiguity to who is calling her name. Whoever it is calling her name, however, provides her with a comforting amount of reassurance)
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name    
And it feels like home

[Chorus 1]
When you call my name (As depicted in the video heavily, Madonna portrays herself as being an actual"Madonna", idolised by Jesus and the members of the Gospel church also)
It's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees
I want to take you there
In the midnight hour (Referring to twilight, more commonly used as a reference to sexual activity. Again linking sexuality, with spiritual power)
I can feel your power
Just like a prayer
You know I'll take you there

[Verse 1]
I hear your voice
It's like an angel sighing (Throughout the video Madonna makes constant reference to her submissive worship to Jesus, the 'sighing' again creating the sexual gratification between herself and Jesus. Upon release of the video, this sparked outrage as many devote Christians were appalled at how Madonna has managed to sexualise Christianity and its key religious figures) 
I have no choice
I hear your voice
Feels like flying
I close my eyes
Oh God, I think I'm falling (Upon realising she was dreaming, she resorts back to her devotion to Christ to save her, which was who her dream was about. Reinforcing her devotion through both her positive and negative thoughts revolving around God)
Out of the sky
I close my eyes
Heaven, help me

[Chorus 1]

[Verse 2]
Like a child
You whisper softly to me
You're in control
Just like a child
Now I'm dancing
It's like a dream
No end and no beginning
You're here with me
It's like a dream
Let the choir sing

[Chorus 1][x2]

[Bridge]
Life is a mystery (During the Bridge, Madonna created even more controversial topics for her depiction of the Christian Cross burning, as she dances in the foreground. However, despite how many negative reviews the music video received, Madonna made 5 million from her promotion with Pepsi from just one adverstisment) 
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home

[Chorus 2]
Just like a prayer
Your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me
You are a mystery
Just like a dream
You are not what you seem (At this point in the video, again Madonna depicts herself as the Virgin Mary, however, her provocative clothing and dancing suggest otherwise. Dancing inside a primarily black Gospel church, to whom the negative response for the video was highest with) 
Just like a prayer, no choice
Your voice can take me there

[Bridge]
Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me

[Chorus 2]

[Outro]
Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me


Upon the release of "Like A Prayer", the pope himself spoke up about the controversial video which interlinks sexual connotations and religion together; calling to boycott Madonna's videos and forbidding her to enter the Vatican. Music Videos reviewers such as (Phil Kloer) have condemned her work for exploiting the Catholic religion as a whole, using the KKK (Burning crosses) to fuel the viewership of the video. However, another reporter from USA Today (Edna Gundersen) sees it as "She saves someone. What is the big deal behind it?".