THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

774-Madonna-Like a Prayer.

1989-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 4.17.’Once your a Catholic, your always a Catholic, in terms of feelings, or guilt, and remorse, and whether you’ve sinned or not.Sometimes I’m wracked with guilt when I needn’t be, and that to me, is left over from my Catholic upbringing. Because in Catholicism you are born a sinner, and you are a sinner all of your life. No matter how you try to get away from it, the sin is within you, all the time.’ MADONNA.

By 1989 Madonna’s career was in the balance, she had just had two films spectacularly fail, both critically, and commercially, it was three years since her last successful Album ‘True Blue,’ and her marriage had broken down.She realised that her fan base were growing up, and if she was to survive, she would have to take her career in a different direction (see also best songs 587.)

Before ‘Like a Prayer’ was officially released ‘Pepsi’ signed Madonna to a $5 million endorsement deal, which included a two minute commercial that would debut this song.The song was released the day after it aired worldwide to approximately 250 million viewers.It was also added to the MTV playlist, but instead of using scenes from the commercial, it showed Madonna witnessing a brutal crime, and taking refuge in a church. She shares an interracial kiss, gets stigmata on her hands, and dances in front of burning crosses.The Vatican condemned it, while religious groups protested it’s broadcast. They boycotted products by ‘Pepsi,’ forcing them to drop Madonna from their promotions, but still having to pay her.

‘Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone, I hear you call my name, and it feels like home.’