Like a Prayer
Released: 1989

Like a Prayer

by Madonna

The 170th greatest album of all time

Like a Prayer, released in 1989, finds Madonna moving toward more personal songwriting and a broader sonic palette, blending pop and dance-pop with synth-pop, electronic production and pop rock elements. The title track uses a gospel choir and organ to inject spiritual textures, while other songs combine synthesizers and drum machines with live guitars, horns and soulful backing vocals. The album is characterized by its juxtaposition of secular and religious imagery and a more mature, varied sound than her earlier work.