12 Albums Made Popular by Music Videos: Like a Prayer

[PlayPause 2,714]

Like A Prayer (1989)

Madonna described her fourth studio album, Like A Prayer, as a confessional record with lyrical content that centered around her early life and family. The album — written and produced with musicians Stephen Bray, Patrick Leonard, and Prince — incorporated rock, R&B, funk, and gospel styles into Madonna’s typical pop production. Throughout the ’80s, Madonna’s music video output helped cement her status as a bonafide pop star. When the video for Like A Prayer’s title track was released, it was immediately deemed controversial for its use of religious imagery and depictions of cross burning. “Like A Prayer” became the subject of protests, boycotts, and even lost the singer a Pepsi sponsorship. Regardless of the public outrage, it marked a turning point in Madonna’s career where critics began to consider her a serious artist.

https://www.discogs.com/digs/music/best-music-videos

[Aiwa08 16,292]

32 minutes ago, PlayPause said:

Regardless of the public outrage, it marked a turning point in Madonna’s career where critics began to consider her a serious artist.

I'm not agree. The critics began to consider her a serious artist with True Blue album. With Like A Prayer the critics began to consider her an adult artist.

[Donna 16,883]

42 minutes ago, Aiwa08 said:

I'm not agree. The critics began to consider her a serious artist with True Blue album. With Like A Prayer the critics began to consider her an adult artist.

I think there is truth to both.  I think mostly I remember hearing the critics refer to True Blue as "more mature" compared to her previous two albums.  When Like A Prayer came, she was referred more as someone that wanted to be taken more serious.  Much more grown up, and yes more "adult" oriented. 

[Nowheretohide 251]

I remember that in Italy critics started to consider her as serious recording artist in the 90's ("I'm Breathless", Bedtime Stories, Something to remember...with the obvious exception of Erotica, even if the Girlie Show was the first tour to receive truly positive reviews but unfortunately it did not reach the country )...