"Pray" became Hammer's biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at #2 (kept from the top spot by Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time"), becoming a Top-20 hit in nine countries. The track helped make Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em the #1 album of the year. In the U. S., the song was certified gold on November 26, 1990, with sales over 500,000 copies.
This hit single (accompanied with music videos) became one of Hammer's most popular songs and has appeared on several compilation albums, including Greatest Hits, Back 2 Back Hits and The Hits. It also appeared in Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990). The word "pray" is mentioned 147 times during the song, setting the record for the number of times a song title is repeated in an American Top 40 hit.
Pray
MC Hammer Lyrics
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We got to pray
Just to make it today
I said we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray(pray)
We got to pray
Just to make it to pray
That's word,we pray
All my life I wanted to make it to the top
(That's word,we pray)
Some said I wouldn't
They told me no,but I didn't stop
(That's word,we pray)
Working hard,making those movies everyday
(That's word,we pray)
And on my knees every night,you know I pray
That's word,we pray(pray)
Ah,yeah,pray(pray) we got to pray
Just to make it today
I said we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray(pray)
We got to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
Now I just think that you
Can do what ever you want
(That's word,we pray)
I'm bustin' these rhymes
Making this money and I won't
(That's word,we pray)
Forget my people or may town or my ways
(That's word,we pray)
And on my knees.every night I'm still gonna pray
That's word,we pray(pray)
Ah,yeah,pray(pray) we got to pray
Just to make it today
I said we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray(pray)
We got to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
Time and time and time and time again
(That's word,we pray)
I kept on knocking,but
These people wouldn't let me in
(That's word,we pray)
I tried and tried and tried and tried to make a way
(That's word,we pray)
But nothing happened till that day I prayed
That's word,we pray(pray)
Ah,yeah,pray(pray) we got to pray
Just to make it today
I said we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray(pray)
We got to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
Childrem dying,oh,so fast from this or that
(That's word,we pray)
Needing that money
Smoking that dope and doing that crack
(That's word,we pray)
Ten years old stand outside
Better look out
(That's word ,we pray)
Dead and gone,necer had a chance
What's it all about?
That's word,we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
I need to pray(pray),ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
That's word,we pray( x3)
That's word,we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
I need to pray(pray),ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
On a mission start to doubt.here we go
(That's word,we pray)
Kicking back,read these words we need to know
(That's word,we pray)
Living high,living good,living long
(That's word,we pray)
Take a minute,bust a prayer
And you're good to go
That's word,we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
I need to pray(pray),ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
We're sending this one out to the Lord
(That's word,we pray)
And we thank you and we know we need to pray
(That's word,we pray)
Cause all the blessings that are good they come from above
(That's word,we pray)
And once again we want
To say "thank you" to the Lord with all our love
That's word,we pray(pray) ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
I need to pray(pray),ah,yeah,pray
We need to pray
Just to make it today
That's word,we pray
That's word,we pray(pray,pray) (x4)
That's word,we pray
In "Pray," MC Hammer emphasizes the importance of prayer in his life, and how it has helped him to overcome obstacles and achieve success. The chorus repeats the phrase "That's word, we pray," which emphasizes the solemnity and sanctity of prayer. The song opens up with Hammer sharing that he had always wanted to make it to the top, but people had told him that he wouldn't be able to do it. However, he refused to give up and continued to work hard, and he attributes his success to his faith and prayer. The song goes on to discuss various struggles people face, such as poverty or drug addiction, and how prayer can help people to persevere and overcome these difficulties.
One of the interesting things about the song is that it was released at a time when rap music was still controversial and not widely accepted by mainstream audiences. Hammer's clean image and positive messages made him one of the first rap artists to achieve significant mainstream success. Additionally, the song's music video features a diverse cast of people from different races, ages, and walks of life, which was unusual for that time.
Another interesting fact about "Pray" is that it sampled a song called "When Doves Cry" by Prince, who was notoriously protective of his music and rarely allowed his songs to be sampled. Hammer personally requested permission from Prince to use the sample, and the two had a friendly relationship.
Despite its positive message, the song has been criticized for being overly simplistic and repetitive. Some have argued that it presents prayer as a solution to all problems, which ignores the complex socio-economic factors that contribute to poverty and other issues. However, others have praised the song for its uplifting and inspirational message.
Chords: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the chords as they are not specified in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
That's word, we pray(pray,pray)
The words 'we pray' are the essence of the song and are constantly repeated to emphasize the need to pray for a better future.
We got to pray
Prayer is not optional; it is a necessity if one wants to succeed in life.
Just to make it today
Everyday poses different challenges that can only be overcome with prayer.
All my life I wanted to make it to the top
The desire to achieve one's dreams is the driving force behind the need to pray.
Some said I wouldn't They told me no, but I didn't stop
There will always be naysayers who doubt one's abilities, but perseverance and prayer can lead one to success.
Working hard, making those movies every day
Success requires hard work and dedication to one's craft.
And on my knees every night, you know I pray
Prayer is a personal and intimate act, and one can pray anywhere, including on their knees.
Now I just think that you can do whatever you want
Believing in oneself and one's abilities is crucial to achieving success.
I'm bustin' these rhymes, making this money and I won't forget my people or my town or my ways
Success should not come at the expense of one's values, community, or culture; one should always remember where they come from.
Time and time and time and time again, I kept on knocking but these people wouldn't let me in
Life can be difficult and obstacles can stand in the way of success, but prayer and persistence can overcome them.
But nothing happened till that day I prayed
Prayer can be the catalyst for positive change and progress towards one's goals.
Children dying, oh so fast from this or that, needing that money, smoking that dope and doing that crack
The world can be a harsh place, and prayer can offer hope, especially in situations of poverty and addiction.
Ten years old, stand outside, better look out, dead and gone, never had a chance, what's it all about?
Tragedies can impact even the innocent and most vulnerable, but prayer can offer comfort and solace.
On a mission start to doubt. Here we go, kicking back, read these words we need to know
Life can get overwhelming and doubt can creep in, but taking a moment to be still, pray, and reflect can center and refocus one's goals.
Living high, living good, living long, take a minute, bust a prayer, and you're good to go
Success should not only be measured financially, but also by one's wellbeing, and prayer can ensure both.
We're sending this one out to the Lord and we thank you and we know we need to pray
The ultimate recipient of prayer is God, and gratitude should always accompany prayer.
Cause all the blessings that are good they come from above, and once again we want to say 'thank you' to the Lord with all our love
Recognizing that all good things come from God should inspire one to pray and express gratitude for blessings received.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STANLEY KIRK BURRELL, PRINCE R. NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind