One day, while recording of the title track was going on at Johnny Yuma Studios, Leonard went to pick up his daughter Jessie from school. Since his wife was out of town, he brought Jessie to the studio. Madonna, who was initially angry with Leonard for his late arrival, struck up a rapport with Jessie. She commented: "It was like as if I was my mother and was me. We were playing in our backyard again." Witnessing their connection, Leonard approached Madonna with a song he had written for his daughter, titled "Dear Jessie". Madonna changed some of the lyrics and agreed to record the track for "Like a Prayer"; it was finished within the next three days.