Like a prayer

analysing Madonna's 'like a player'

1. Analysis of Madonna’s Song ‘Like a player’ By Enya McDonnell and Becky Bennett

2. MOTIFS IN THE MUSIC VIDEO Motifs are common characteristics that are conveyed in music videos. There are a range of different motifs that can be present in a music video such as Intertextuality; which is art recognizing itself as art, e.g. like in Madonna’s music video ‘like a player’ at the end of the video she conveys as if it was all a play by presenting a red curtain closing. Ritual celebration; which is usually portrayed in the music video as the artist at a party and lastly, music videos usually have mythical and mysterious places.

3. Mythical and mysterious places Mythical and mysterious places are usually the surroundings for many music videos. For example in ‘Like a Prayer’ the video is mostly set inside a church and the surrounding area is a grave yard at night. This could be seen as a mysterious place as there is also burning crosses in the backdrop.

4. Fragmentation of the body A common Motif in music videos is fragmentation of the body. This can be seen in ‘Like a Prayer’, as there are many close ups of Madonna’s body for different angles. Close ups are usually used as sexual objectification. Or as seen in the second picture it draws attention to a certain object or body part to emphasize it so the viewers will pay attention to this aspect.

5. Ritual celebration Ritual celebration in music videos usually show black people dancing in a choir and being really happy . This motif is present in ‘Like a Prayer’, where Madonna and a choir are in a church dancing and singing.

6. Controversy in ‘like a prayer’. Madonna's ‘Like a Prayer’ music video has caused a lot of controversy. A controversial scene in ‘Like a Prayer’ is conveyed when Madonna holds a knife on her hands and cuts her hand. This means Madonna is saying that she has been chosen by God. This can create conflict for the viewers as Madonna is suggesting that she is one of the chosen ones.

7. Controversy in ‘like a prayer’ Another aspect of controversy in ‘Like a Prayer’ would be the burning crosses shown in the background. This is a ritual preformed by the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) and it was deemed as controversial as the KKK’s views were not supported by many people.

8. How lyrics inform the narrative Life is a mystery, Everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like home [ Chorus:] When you call my name it's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there In the midnight hour I can feel your power Just like a prayer you know I'll take you there I hear your voice, it's like an angel sighing I have no choice, I hear your voice Feels like flying I close my eyes, Oh God I think I'm falling Out of the sky, I close my eyes Heaven help me [Chorus x2] Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like... [ Chorus x2 (with Choir)] (Just like a prayer, I'll take you there It's like a dream to me)

9. How lyrics inform the narrative The lyrics for this song can be taken literally or sexually. For example ‘I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there’ This could be taken sexual act or religious act. ‘I hear you call my name and it feels like home’ This could be taken as when she enters the church she feels at home.