ANALYSIS OF MADONNA

MOTIFS IN THE MUSIC VIDEO

Motifs are common characteristics that are present

in music videos. There are many different motifs that

can be present in a music video such as

Intertextuality; which is art recognizing itself as art,

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.

MYTHICAL AND MYSTERIOUS PLACES

Mythical and mysterious places are usually the

setting for many music videos. 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.

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. 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.

RITUAL CELEBRATION

Ritual celebration in music videos usually show black

people dancing and being happy. This motif is

present in Like a Prayer, where Madonna and a choir

are at church dancing and singing.

CONTROVERSY IN LIKE A PRAYER.

Madonna's Like a Prayer music video caused a lot of

controversy. A controversial scene in Like a Prayer

would be when Madonna holds a knife on her hands

and cuts her hand. This means Madonna is saying

that she has been chosen by God.

CONTROVERSY IN LIKE A PRAYER

Another aspect of controversy in Like a Prayer would

be the burning crosses in the background. This is a

ritual preformed by the Ku Klux Klan and it was

deemed as controversial as the Ku Klux Klan’s views

were not supported by many people.

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 aloneI hear you call my nameAnd it feels like...[Chorus x2 (with Choir)](Just like a prayer, I'll take you thereIt's like a dream to me)

HOW LYRICS INFORM THE NARRATIVE

The lyrics for this song can be taken literally or

sexually.

For example ‘Im 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.