Like a Prayer (album) authors Santiago Fouz-Hernández and Freya Jarman-Ivens commented that "the video portrayed the deconstructive gender-bending approach associated with free play and self-reflexivity of images in postmodernism." Author John Semonche explained in his book "Censoring sex" that with "True Blue" and "Like a Prayer", Madonna pushed the envelope of what could be shown on television, which resulted in increase of her popularity. Notes Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. !scope="row"|Worldwide Like a Prayer (album) Like a Prayer is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Madonna, released on March 21, 1989 by Sire Records. Madonna worked with Stephen Bray, Patrick
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