Wikipedia:Featured topics/Like a Prayer

Like a Prayer is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on March 21, 1989, by Sire Records. It was met with universal acclaim from music critics, who praised the songwriting and recognized Madonna's increased artistic merit. Commercially, the album was an international success, reaching the top of the charts in 20 countries, including the United States and United Kingdom. Six accompanying singles were released, with the title track becoming her seventh number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100; second single "Express Yourself" peaked at number two. With the singles' music videos, Madonna furthered her creativity and became known as a leading figure in the format. The music video for "Like a Prayer" led to significant religious controversy, using Catholic iconography such as stigmata and burning crosses, and leading the Vatican to condemn it. The video for "Express Yourself" was the most expensive video at the time of its release. The album was promoted on Madonna's ground-breaking Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. At the end of the 1980s, following the release of the album, Madonna was named artist of the decade by several publications.