The Prayer
Bloc Party Lyrics


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Lord, give me grace
And dancing feet
And the power to impress
Lord, give me grace
And dancing feet
Let me outshine them all

Is it so wrong to crave recognition?
Second best
Runner up
Is it so wrong to want rewarding?
To want more than is given to you?
Than is given to you?

Tonight make me unstoppable
I will charm, I will slice,
I will dazzle them with my wit
Tonight make me unstoppable
And I will charm, I will slice

I will dazzle I will outshine all

Standing on the packed dance floor
Our bodies thrown in time
Silent on the weekdays
Tonight I claim what's mine

Is it so wrong to crave recognition?
Second best
Runner up
Is it so wrong to want rewarding?
To want more than is given to you?
Than is given to you?

Tonight make me unstoppable
I will charm, I will slice,
I will dazzle them with my wit
Tonight make me unstoppable




And I will charm, I will slice
I will dazzle I will outshine all

Overall Meaning

In "The Prayer," Bloc Party explores the theme of the desire for recognition and success in one's life. The singer asks for grace and dancing feet, representing the ability to navigate the world with ease and charm. However, it's quickly revealed that the singer's true desire is to outshine everyone else, to rise above being second-best or a runner up. They want to be rewarded for their hard work and given what they feel they deserve. They want to be unstoppable, to dazzle and charm everyone around them.


The lyrics also touch upon the idea of ownership over one's success. The singer claims what's theirs on the packed dance floor, suggesting that they're ready to take control of their own destiny and make their mark in the world. The repetition of the chorus, "tonight make me unstoppable," highlights the urgency and desperation of the singer's desires.


Overall, "The Prayer" is a powerful commentary on the human desire for success and recognition. It's a call to arms for those who want to be recognized for their hard work and talent, and a reminder that success often comes to those who are willing to fight for it.


Line by Line Meaning

Lord, give me grace
Asking for help from a higher power to achieve something desired.


And dancing feet
Asking for physical abilities to help achieve the desired outcome.


And the power to impress
Asking for charisma and social abilities to help achieve the desired outcome.


Let me outshine them all
Expressing desire to succeed and be recognized as better than others.


Is it so wrong to crave recognition?
Questioning whether it is acceptable to desire recognition for one's accomplishments.


Second best
Being unsatisfied with being only a runner-up.


Runner up
Being unsatisfied with being only a runner-up.


Is it so wrong to want rewarding?
Questioning whether it is acceptable to desire a reward for one's efforts.


To want more than is given to you?
Questioning whether it is acceptable to desire more than what is offered or given.


Tonight make me unstoppable
Expressing determination to succeed and be unstoppable in achieving one's goals.


I will charm, I will slice,
Describing the tactics that will be used to achieve success.


I will dazzle I will outshine all
Expressing confidence that the desired outcome will be achieved by being better than anyone else.


Standing on the packed dance floor
Describing the setting in which the desired outcome will be achieved.


Our bodies thrown in time
Describing the dancing movements matching the beat.


Silent on the weekdays
Describing the mundanity of everyday life.


Tonight I claim what's mine
Emphasizing the importance of success in the current moment.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, ONErpm, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Russell Lissack, Gordon Moakes, Kele Okereke, Matt Tong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@GoneWithTheWinCom

One of the most underrated and best Indie bands the UK has ever produced, I love so many Bloc Party songs, hope they keep coming back with such amazing songs.

@takumi7931

traps is an amazing song, they still have it after this time

@Bawitdabadabangdadang

Bloc Party were huge in the indie scene at the time! Unfortunately the UK music scene is now obsessed with pushing Stormzy and absolute garbage rap/grime music instead of genuinely creative stuff like this!

@burnbobquist8999

A weekend in the city was an extrodinary album. One of the best album of the 00s.

@rianakanthi6752

And its B side🔥

@Braydog101

This song man. Something about the hopefulness of the lyrics contrasted with nervous behavior and fleeting escapism of drugs is too true. Going out always treads the same territory. Anticipation, hopefulness, brief happiness, coming down, reality. Weekend in the city does these themes justice. I love you bloc party. x

@joaosousa5435

You said everything :0

@leonardo25gabriel

Silent Alarm is a masterpiece, but the lyrics and the themes aborded in Weekend in the city just hit so much. (SA themes hits too, but AWITC is kinda different)

@elizabetht458

Wow. Intensely well put

@Braydog101

@@elizabetht458 Weird synchronicity. I went out last night and woke up to this comment while hungover.

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