Like A Prayer Analysis

Like A Prayer

Throughout Madonna’s music video there is a series of motifs seen in many music videos, these include:

. Fragmentation of the body

. Violence

. Ritual Celebration

. Mythical and magical creatures

Bright Lights

Music Videos often have shots into bright lights, sun or fire. This shot from Madonna’s Like A prayer video shows a burning cross which not only fits the common motifs but is highly controversial.

Violence

There are often themes of extreme violence, hell and war. Here we can see men raping and killing a young woman while Madonna watches.

Fragmentations of the Body

Fragmentation of the body is seen in almost all music videos and can be seen here in Madonna’s video. There is a close up of Jesus’ eyes crying and his hand, this is to show how he is feeling and his gentle nature as his hand is holding flowers.

Mythical and Mysterious

Often the mythical and mysterious can be seen such as gothic mansions or make believe places. Madonna can be seen in heaven, clearly a magical place as there is no proof of its existence.

Ritual Celebrations

Ritual celebrations such as parties are seen most often within music videos especially today. This is also seen in Madonna’s music video in which they are having a religious celebration by singing and dancing.

Impossible Sequences

Impossible Sequences like fast/slow motion shot, special effects and animation are commonly used in music videos. Here we can see a slow motion shot from the beginning of Madonna’s music video used to emphasize the fact that this is a flashback.