The title song on
Madonna's album
Like a Prayer; released in
1989, the song was co-written by
Madonna and Patrick Leonard. On said
album, the song
Like a Prayer is track one and has a
track time of 5:39.
This song is arguably best known for the controversy that is caused when Pepsi decided to use this song to launch a national ad campaign. However, Pepsi executives quickly rescinded on their deal with Madonna, after viewing the video for the song, which contained Madonna seducing an African-American Jesus, and placing herself in the role of the Virgin Mary. Family groups, Vatican officials, among other religious groups criticized the song, and the Pope himself publicly denounced the video as heresy.