Like a Prayer (album) on the book "Music of the 1980s", documented that "Like a Prayer" pushed boundaries by addressing "uncomfortable song topics". Similarly, Annie Zaleski from "The A.V. Club", praised the album for "starting a conversation about religion—which remains one of the most incendiary topics a musician can address. [...] All of this pointed to Madonna establishing herself as a serious artist (emphasis on the "art") who had significant things to say". She also wrote: The album's sustained run at No. 1 buoyed her self-assurance and bravery, and validated that people were willing to follow her even as she transitioned into adulthood. And
Anyone Who Had a Heart (song) "Billboard" reported that the sales tally for Black's "Anyone Who Had a Heart" was nearing one million units. Internationally, Black's version also reached No.1 in Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. In The Netherlands the song reached the No.6 position and in Australia it peaked at No.34. In May 2010, research published by BBC Radio 2 revealed that "Anyone Who Had a Heart" by Cilla Black was the biggest female UK chart hit of the 1960s. Despite the international success and recognition of Warwick's original version, the besting in Great Britain by Black's version has long been a sore point