Madonna - Like A Prayer [Official Music Video] | Music Reaction

[@jonclingan193]

The hand cuts is referencing stigmata, religious theme, racism, black lives matter back in 1989, Madonna always decades a head of the others. Legendary

[@horaciogonzalez3734]

Jon Clingan Madonna is Leyendary🙌

[@jackiegoodspeed1849]

Not blm. Blm are Muslims.

[@1bwash]

It's insane how if you released this exact video today it would not only be labeled as "timely" but it would also be controversial.

[@colinmackillop]

That wasn’t Madonna being stabbed. She witnessed another girl being stabbed and saw that the black guy who came to the girls rescue was wrongly arrested for the murder. She has the vision in her sleep in the church and knows she has to go to the police and let them know the truth. - I love your Madonna reviews.

[@graphiquejack]

He was talking about her hands getting the stigmata with the dagger she found in the church, I think

[@colinmackillop]

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure he thought the other girl was Madonna as he talked about her dying. Easy mistake to make - both have dark curly hair and the video is quite complex upon first viewing. I get it now as I’ve watched it approximate 72 million times.

[@blkluv100]

His girlfriend even pointed that out.

[@aquablushgirl]

@@graphiquejack He also said about the couch and thought it was Madonna being attacked. It is not meant to be her, she is witnessing an attack that the black man is wrongfully accussed of committing.

[@alice-pi3st]

Madonna dared to put a black Christ in the clip....talks about racism and in fact in 1989 when no one was talking about it ...it is not accidental that madonna is a LEGEND

[@polyprinz]

That was not Christ, that was Saint Martin de Porres.

[@Hibbs4Prez]

That kiss on the lips with a black male was also pretty bold too considering what a huge superstar she was, arguably the most famous and idolized white woman in the world. Don't think that much of the "controversy" that followed was strictly about religious images and burning crosses. many people who hated to see her kissing a black guy just hid behind those reasons .

[@jonevan580]

The brilliant part of these lyrics is that Madonnas name means ‘mother of Christ’ so her name literally is ‘like a prayer’. So in a way only Madonna can sing the lyrics ‘when you call my name it’s like a little prayer’ with the intended meaning.

[@MsSera21]

Madonna is an legend. In the literal, not hyperbolic sense of the world. A modern pop icon.

[@fabiobrand539]

this song always makes me cry. It is one of the most beautiful songs in the universe. ❤️🕊

[@Matuteilcapo]

Iconic song, Iconic video, Iconic artist!! The Queen.

[@Vertigotheatre1]

It's painful when people completely miss the point of a very simple and powerful video.

[@thomasdileo]

Thought the same thing

[@sousamina]

New generations... sad.

[@LORILBKTX]

Or we can give them a little help on understanding something they might have missed?! The reaction was good! Some people just see differently ♥️

[@jackiegoodspeed1849]

@@LORILBKTX No they're blind. We must help them. They think they must teach us. Lol.

[@jax547]

@@sousamina you act like it was understood when it came out lmao

[@davidb9261]

Duality is a key factor in much of Madonna's work.. The song compares religious ecstacy and sexual ecstacy. The video is a church play based on police racial profiling /brutality.. Very relevant to today.

[@SulymarieSoto]

Thats bs and diabolical

[@michaelotazu]

The ' Sleeping Beauty' school of thought has got to be the weirdest interpretation for this song and video that I have heard in decades!

[@kristianberg4264]

I am quite confused on that myself and it is so sad, that the younger generation can’t put this video together. How does the racism in this video go over everyone’s head?

[@Mania28]

Was thinking the same. Madonna got attacked by Cristian groups for showing Stigmata which is basically the marks on Christ’s hands due to being nailed on the cross. And the white man who stabbed the girl but then the black guy turned up and got prosecuted for it was to do with social injustices and prejudices that black people face. These two are clueless at reading music videos. And the burning crosses were a reference to religion being all controlling.

[@AshaBlack]

Sadly it's coz the younger people now are only exposed to throwaway trash mostly and so anything beyond that is hard for them to really truly comprehend and appreciate to the core

[@erickgustin496]

I choked on my drink when I heard the sleeping beauty reference. That’s F*ing STIGMATA!

[@JM-ss6uy]

@@kristianberg4264 couldn't agree more. It is really rather bizarre that Disney is being referenced here. I saw this video when I was 7 years old and understood it🤷‍♂️

[@troyrodriguez8540]

I remember I was living in Dominican Republic when this video was about to air and the entire country stopped right at 12 noon to watch it. It was so controversial and there was such a message in it that the entire country talked about it for over 2 years. They even created a radio station based on Madonna. It was iconic really.

[@justynajustyna2110]

I'm cultural expert and I had a faculty about religion and pop culture. Madonna was one of the main subjects;) Like a Prayer: music video is about racism. Mostly. Song in my opinon is about orgasm and its similarity to religious experience. Love your Madonnas reaction, we need more;D Justify my Love, Secret, Express Yourself, Take a Bow, Die Another Day, maybe some Confession on a Dancefloor... Keep going and thank You;)

[@butchbrewer4923]

The director said she wanted to explore parallels between religious and spiritual ecstasy

[@sousamina]

Madonna is a Maria Magdalena on this video i mean... i love the message

[@EAB82]

It is one of Madonna's signature songs for sure. Still sounds fresh to this day

[@sebastianhall6554]

This was1989, it’s about interracial relationships, police brutality towards the black community , she was so special

[@tallerpororlando]

This video is about racism. With all the "Black lives matter" around, is inexplicable how many youtubers, even the black ones, don't see it in their reactions. Maybe that explais why the racism is a great problem in the world. The people doesn't see it, you don't see it.

[@inquiringminds782]

@Trevon Womack bruh did you miss the police officer who thought that HE stabbed her but it was the other guy who hid.

[@kristianberg4264]

I agree, it saddens me that anyone today and especially the black reactors do not understand the racism message in this video, I mean I not seen one who even knows the significance of burning crosses. Someone is not doing their job and teaching the newer generations about the past.

[@jlol]

I must admit this song a masterpiece. All time classic. Your reactions are amazing. You guys are intelligent

[@b.b.4010]

Yeah there is so much symbolism and storytelling in this video one of the reasons I love Madonna you should react to her “Oh Father” video. Absolutely beautiful 🖤

[@charlesr63]

Remember the title is “like “ a prayer, she witnessed a crime and she’s struggling with how to proceed. She realizes the event as a religious experience “like a dream to me “ and exonerates the innocent man. Madonna was as usual ahead of her time with this theme and she lost her Pepsi contract because of the burning crosses in this video.

[@jackiegoodspeed1849]

Powerful powerful video. Thank you Madonna.

[@powerkubrick4788]

React to her Super bowl halftime show ✌️✌️

[@FellDownTheCornHole]

@@Raphael-lh5ml 💀💀💀

[@marcossolanoherrera8901]

MADONNA = QUEEN LEGEND ICONIC UNIC REINVENTION

[@Strepentijger]

Masterpiece song legend Madonna!

[@Latinguy314]

This is about standing up for your fellow man and your beliefs. Being true to yourself.

[@brendenc8376]

Madonna telling the world BLM, 31 years before the rest of the world caught up... 💚

[@tapanim6576]

I really enjoy your Madonna reactions. Keep them coming.

[@javipalmer877]

The controversy that followed this video was huge...around the world... 1989! You definitely should react to God Control, please!!

[@udrisx1923]

From memory, they added the theatrical "twist" at the end so as not to be subjected to direct censorship, there it had just argued over details like the black jesus, the crucifixes on fire ... And thank you for sleeping beauty, you made my day

[@cgc007wqw88yo]

React to The confessions tour. EPIC OPENING

[@caioborges5774]

OMG thanks to reaction to my indication, love you guys 🖤 Brazil says Hello

[@alfonsoromario3078]

I love this song. I remember the Live 8 concert in 2005

[@turnedaround4954]

I have seen so many reactions to this by young people and stopped watching them because nobody young seems to understand this video. I really thought you two would but alas you didn't. It amazes me- I saw this when I was 10 years old and got it immediately 🤷‍♂️

[@jjmm9066]

This was her first step into serious subject matter as an artist mixing the sacred and the profane, faith and sex, contrasting them with the reality of hypocrisy and injustice and hate in the world. Her marriage had just ended and she was rawly expressing her optimism in the face of sorrow that things would be set right by being herself as an artist.

[@kristianberg4264]

Well, the first step was Papa Don’t Preach and a woman’s right to keep her child or not.

[@max-es7iu]

MADONNA, Only and One Queen of Pop.

[@franklinantoniolooarosemen9613]

Hola, buenas tardes a todos, "Like a Prayer", un clasico para toda la vida, este video destaca muchos aspectos, La injusticia, el racismo, el amor entre algo prohibido y la religion vista desde diferentes puntos de vista, esta joya musical fue tan controversial en aquel tiempo que hasta el Vaticano lo culpo de blasfemico y un acto de sacrilegio pero estas criticas a Madonna la hicieron mucho mas famosa y fue como apagar un incendio con combustible, por eso Madonna es y sera no solo la Reina del Pop, sino tambien la Reina de la Controversia, otro punto que quiero destacar es que el personaje que aparece en el video no es un Jesus Negro, es San Martin De Porres, el Santo de la escoba y la humildad, busquen su biografia y sabran quien fue San Martin De Porres, gracias, un abrazo y bendiciones para todos desde Panama.

[@ds-gu3yk]

react to Madonna - God Control

[@frankdoalburquerque2588]

Classic, idk how to describe this music masterpiece, by far one of the greatest tracks ever produced in music history!

[@MrJ0NE5]

Your @Madonna reactions are some of the best I’ve ever seen and heard. Great you guys can see what’s really happening here ❤️❤️❤️

[@NocturneSoul]

Like a Prayer uses a literary genre called "mystical poetry". The mystical poetry depicts the relationship between a person and God as a romantic and even erotic relationship, where God is the "beloved" and the person is the "lover". Mystical poetry was born within the Sufi writers (Sufism is the mystical side of Islam), being Rumi one of the greatest poets. He wrote several poems where he addresses to God as his "beloved". Later on, the mystical poetry was adopted by Christian poets, being Saint John of The Cross the most important one. He also wrote poems addressing his love for God as a burning desire of becoming one with his "beloved". In this video Madonna illustrates 2 of Saint John's most famous poems: "The Dark Night of The Soul" and "Burning Flame of Love" in which he describes his passion for God as if he was surrounded by burning crosses. It's a very mystical and almost erotic poem from a saint to his God. Like a Prayer is a mystical song and the video illustrates that, and it also contains a social commentary about racism and injustice. Of course the catholic church missunderstood the message and accused her of blasphemy because she was kissing a black saint in the church and dancing in front of burning crosses, and talking about God in an erotic way, so the Vatican excommunicated her.

[@servicedogkyzanna1761]

When this video came out, it was banned in multiple countries, and the Vatican had massive issues with it, as well. I do believe, if I remember correctly, that MTV shelved it for a time, as well, due to the controversy.

[@antoniomorales2393]

After most my rough days, even good ones, I always check to see if you guys posted. It’s become part of my routine. You’re doing great tingz ❤️

[@MrRubenWil]

How do go from muggings and burning crosses to Disney? Gmf...lol

[@FindingMadonna]

The meaning behind this one is pretty straightforward. She witnesses a crime and a black man is wrongly accused. She seeks refuge in a church and ultimately decides to do the right thing and go to the police. There's obviously lots of symbolism (the burning crosses represent the KKK/racism, the stigmata on her hands symbolize martyrdom, and judgment is symbolized by the church/court). I personally think she fell asleep on the pew and dreamt the whole thing with the statue coming to life - you see her "wake up" at the end and go to the police. She also kisses the black saint (because why not?) and everyone lost their shit over it in at the time and Pepsi pulled out of their advertising deal with Madonna (she kept the money). Sad that 30 years later, we're still dealing with racist cops.

[@brucebannerlondon190]

NEVER gets old! No truer words!

[@MsHEDONIST]

Madonna's character witnesses a crime; a group of white men killing a woman and a black man who runs to her to help gets arrested for the crime. Madonna's character scared runs and hides in a black church. She falls asleep and dreams about the black Saint coming to life, getting stigmata in her hands, feeling wrongfully persecution about the black man. She wakes up to choir practicing and decides to go to police and tell the truth. The video was very controversial in 1989. Pepsi had to pull back the 5 million dollar commercial after three airs and the full sponsorship for her then upcoming tour. Even the Vatican condemned her. It was about the racial injustices that we still have today. Burning crosses represents the white supremacy we still deal with today. This video is a masterpiece . And right on point; some rumor says that the song is about fellatio. It's been talked about for decades , but I don't believe it personally. I do remember reading that she wanted lyrics to be alike like the Psalms in the Bible, I do believe that rumor. A fun fact; Madonna's vocals were recorded in one take and it's the one that we listen to. Beautiful

[@luangustvo]

React to Madonna - Papa Don't Preach

[@oscardelgado1075]

Yes please, one of my all time favorites songs and videos

[@tonymatrisin4328]

Cherish too

[@heyhey6547]

Queen of pop

[@dudedandify]

yes! i love u guys. more madonna!

[@DanielVeVideos]

I cant wait to them to react to erotica by madonna

[@vistoria2936]

The best review I've seen. Madonna should watch this vídeo.

[@karlochamorro7885]

Interesting reaction. Madonna witnessed a murder and the wrong person (who happens to be black) being arrested, she runs into a church since she is torn between telling what she witnessed or staying quite. she falls asleep and in her dreams her consciousness wants her to confess which is how she ends up at the police station to tell her side of the story. There is also an underlined racism sceneerio where a black man is arrested for a crime he didn't commit. There's a lot of religion and racial symbolism in this (back in the day controversial) video. I did enjoy your attempt into breaking down the video. Sleeping beauty was a bit out there 😊.

[@DinoTechTurboCharge]

Exactly what the video is trying to say, innocent man gets long accuse of A crime. He didn’t commit, Madonna as a witness. Has a decision to tell the truth or let an innocent man go down. A crime he didn’t commit.

[@madonnamatt73mlvc16]

Love watching your Madonna reactions guys ❤️❤️❤️

[@morningnapalm1519]

You are correct about the double meaning. The song is loaded with double meanings as it equates sexual ecstasy with spiritual ecstasy; the experience being "like a prayer" and not an actual prayer. I think this double meaning is lost in the music video, which takes the theme in another direction entirely.

[@carlheese]

Madonna's always been a master in double entendre. Remember the film Reservoir Dogs how the guys discussed and dissect her songs at that time. She could've gone with the sexual tone with the blow job thing but she was smart to go the spiritual side as she well knows it's got more legs..

[@geekbox3643]

Um dos melhores videos da Madonna.

[@glosbrummie]

Back when this was released in 1989 it caused major controversy and was banned from MTV - Madonna also lost the Pepsi Commercial deal she had at the time - although they let her keep the money. Back in the 80's, black religious figures, mixed race relationships and burning crucifixes were seen as very controversial and although nobody bats an eye now - this video was ground-breaking and caused huge divisions due to the religious themes

[@samgyupshi]

She was so ahead of her time!

[@oscardelgado1075]

Please react to Madonna papa don't preach video, I think it was her very first controversy video because the message

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

It has multiple meanings, love,racism,religion

[@steven-yu3tu]

You guys are usually quite perceptive, gotta say you were all over the map on this one 🤪. I still enjoyed the video and your reaction though. To fully appreciate what you missed, you should read the comments and maybe a quick google search and rewatch the video with that in mind.....it will all click for you. Still giving you a 👍 because I like your channel.

[@aleky_sundae98]

ty for the reaction!!

[@mschirmersf]

Prince was on guitar for this track and Act of Contrition(album closer).

[@tangerine4665]

The wounds on her hands are a reference to "stigmata", and the burning crosses to KKK. I think.

[@arielwinns]

Look! the song is in itself a ballad which takes christian references just like "Like a virgin" did back in 1985. This is the reason why the video portrais a love relationship between Madonna and a black jesus in a church. Unfortunatelly, the religious reference became stronger over the years overshadowing some double interders like "Im down on my knees, I wanna take you there"

[@paulmckee6072]

Please do Express yourself 🥰🥰🥰

[@heyheyhey6006]

100k subs wow!!!! congrats

[@mggs5505]

The video was a fable. Addressing the idea of having the conviction to do the right thing. It also addresses the problems within the world like racism, sexuality and the delusion of religion. The song, like many of Madonnas' other songs, are a mash of different relatinships she's drawn from her own life. It's basically about how euphoric love is, so much so it's like a relgious experience.

[@mpourmpoulithra2011]

reaction to Madonna I Don't Give A feat Nicki Minaj Madonna MDNA Tour

[@ryne4714]

I think you guys missed the whole racism and social justice aspect- Madonna witnessed the woman being harassed by a white man, the black man comes to help, and then the cops arrive. And Madonna goes to get the black man out of jail at the end because he did nothing wrong. Also, the symbolism of the black man as a mannequin who is behind bars in the church. That represents black men in the prison system.

[@kyleellis7865]

This was a highly controversial music video when it came out in fact Madonna had a Pepsi contract that she got paid a lot of money for and when she released this video Pepsi cancelled her contract 👎🏻

[@12theplace]

React to justify my love next

[@NandoDisco]

Theres a heavy dose of racial inequality themes here. A black man wrongfully accused of a crime, a black jesus, burning crosses (The KKK would burn crosses on black peoples front yards), the all black church choir. God, she had balls back then.

[@DinoTechTurboCharge]

Exactly on the point, Madonna character was a witness. Who she witnessed a woman got attacked and stabbed by white gangs, the black man so Anne heard the situation and try to help the dying or dead victim. But got wrong the accused of the crime when the police showed up, Madonna character only ran away because she had to choose between. Telling the truth about the what really happened, or keep her mouth shut and let an innocent man take the fall of a crime he didn’t commit. So the video was showing, what she should do. In the end, she set the man free.

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

Powerful song and video

[@jonclingan193]

It's stigmata when she cuts her hands, UK number 1 1989. It was classes as scandalous back then, Madonna is legendary

[@pablobianchi8284]

Love madonna .saludos de desde uruguay

[@pedroalexandre9109]

Legend Brasil 🇧🇷

[@Guy-lo3ld]

Good work on your reactions! I like how both of you attempt to interpret her work. I think you will find videos such Justify My Love, Oh Father and her latest videos such as God Control and Batuka very interesting. Madonna is a fascinating artist!

[@troyrodriguez8540]

Guys you are wrong. This was the beginning of BLM. The message in this video is essentially to tell her story of saying “you are blaming the wrong person” and then she stand by him. Watch the video again and you will understand.

[@ratchetcow7916]

Loved the reachion! Could we get The Power of GoodBye next from the same album ”Frozen” was?

[@zyonelzin4865]

If u see something say something and she did,,,,and he was let go Awesomeness

[@Madarauchiha8666]

React to Ray of light, such a masterpiece 💫

[@CG68810]

Although Madonna has the greatest videos ever, and an endless catalog of brilliance, you are choosing some of the best. I like your analysis of them and without previously seeing them, overall you are pretty much correct. Looking at these videos now seems relatively harmless, but flashback 30 years and our world/country was much less accepting of these topics she sang about and showed such as sexuality, interracial relations, religion, and women's liberation. It also goes to show you that although we have progressed, 30 years on we are still dealing with the same bullshit, from the same backward minded and repressed people. She truly kicked the door in on these topics and was vilified by so many because of it. Although many people nowadays see Madonna more as a sideshow, she was /is the most influential female music artist ever in her impact on society and her music.

[@ANDREW-yl1ee]

Eso es arte parcero

[@muse9050]

Such an incredible video and song, double entendre, so much symbolism and suggestion.. Religious ecstacy and sexual ecstacy and racial injustice, racial profiling.. The innocent black man goes down for the white man's crime.. References to systemic racism, the ku klux klan, the church, court anfd judgement yes but here more Sanctuary and revelation/inspiration.. She finds the strength, the courage there and in a dream to speak out the truth and release the innocent man.. The juxtaposition of Jesus as an innocent man punished for 'others' sins.. A black Jesus, an interracial kiss, the sexual references, the spiritual references and the symbolic references and iconography.. There is layer upon layer in this and it caused a shit storm.. So ahead of her time and brave gutsy artist. I love her

[@Wolverine72]

From Australia ❤️❤️❤️

[@kakumei77]

Do Nothing Really Matters by Madonna!!!

[@Latinguy314]

You should react to the original music video commercial that aired in-between The Cosby Show. After the real video aired Pepsi dropped her.

[@numbersandsports4206]

Those tats are fire man. Note to people getting tatted, get as much black in them as possible. It lasts longer and shows so much better on skin. Color is cool too but make sure there is black in there somewhere.

[@evanstyllianos9307]

Prince playing the guitar in the opening of the song.

[@antoniojr.sabjapelai9849]

"Like a Prayer" begins with some strange unacredited "Prince" guitars. In the lyrics, Madonna introduced liturgical texts that are used during the Sacraments, alluding to her Catholic upbringing but playing with the context and giving way to sexual innuendo. In the video Madonna witnesses the murder of a woman by white men, but the crime is blamed by a black man who is arrested, which is why Madonna runs to a church apparently looking for strength so she can go to the police and tell her version of the facts.

[@nateguipe3981]

Finally a reaction that made sense. It frustrates me that other people just couldn't get the message of the song and the video.

[@Hugo-fs9sf]

Tons of symbolism in this video. It is one of her best. Kudos to the director, Mary Lambert, for filming Madonna witnessing and trying to make sense of so much, "like a child". All in two little shots. And kudos to the social justice message too ✊ Succinct.

[@Ericjoshua107]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Cellophane from FKA Twigs. Love you guys!

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

The piercing of the hands are called the stigmata

[@keegancassidy83]

Open your heart madonna music video , like a virgin live from blonde ambition tour video

[@dockster69]

Prince did the opening guitar riff btw

[@holywater9425]

You have to react to Like A Prayer live performance from Blond Ambition 1990

[@Ib2207]

C’mon guys, you really need to react to Sine From Above by gaga and elton. + I love Like A Prayer 😍😍👌🏻

[@Matheusalvess10]

Please react Madonna feat nicki and M.I.A - give me all your luvin

[@sashabertold3731]

This particular song could've ended her career but it didn't. The video was a huge scandal back in the day, even the pope condemmed it and the racism issue portrayed in it. Madonna was so ahead and still is!!

[@chrisduran]

In think you guys need to eat something and watch it again.

[@MsHEDONIST]

Just subscribed because I love your Madonna reactions; here are some requests: Vogue, video and MTV Awards 1990 - Music - American Life Director Cut - Hung Up - God Control - Dark Ballet the last two are from her 2019 album Madame X. Thank you for your reactions. And I think it's time for Madonna to get a Playlist on your channel.