Like a Prayer (album) and reflective, at times heavily laden with psychic trauma. You might consider "Like a Prayer" to be [Madonna]'s "Misfits"...or her hour in the confessional box". Sal Cinquemani, from "Slant Magazine", described the album as "a collection of pop confections layered with live instrumentation, sophisticated arrangements, deeply felt lyrics, and a stronger, more assured vocal." The review concluded by declaring "Like a Prayer" "one of the quintessential pop albums of all time. Barry Walters from the "San Francisco Examiner", named the album "[Madonna]'s best and most consistent collection yet [...] the album [where Madonna] crosses the line between craft and inspiration.
Like a Prayer (song) Prayer" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number three on March 19, 1989. The next week it reached the top of the chart, and stayed there for another four weeks. It was present for a total of 22 weeks on the chart, and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipment of 70,000 copies of the single. "Like a Prayer" was also the top-selling single in Australia in 1989. In New Zealand, the song had a similar run as in Australia, by debuting at number three on the RIANZ Singles Chart, and reaching number one