Pray

MC Hammer

About Pray

"Pray" was the third single released from MC Hammer's third album, Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em. Produced by MC Hammer himself, the song heavily samples Prince's smash-hit song, "When Doves Cry", the first and one of the few songs legally sanctioned by Prince to incorporate samples of one of his compositions. The track also samples Faith No More's "We Care a Lot"."Pray" became Hammer's biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number two (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 number one 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. 


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That's word,we pray(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 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

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MC Hammer

Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), better known by his stage name MC Hammer (or simply Hammer), is an American rapper, entrepreneur, spokesman and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s. Remembered for a rapid rise to fame, Hammer is known for his hit records (such as "U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit 2 Quit"), flamboyant dance movements, choreography and trademark Hammer pants. Hammer's superstar-status and entertaining showmanship made him a household name and hip hop icon. He has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. more »

2 fans

Written by: STANLEY KIRK BURRELL, PRINCE R. NELSON

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Pray" is a song by American rapper MC Hammer, also known as simply "Hammer". Born Stanley Kirk Burrell, MC Hammer has had a notable influence on hip hop culture and is mostly remembered for his catchy tunes and energetic performance style.
Song Credits
The song "Pray" was written by Hammer, Felton Pilate and James Earley. The production was done by MC Hammer himself alongside Felton Pilate which further enhanced the song's popularity due to their creative elements.
Album Association
"Pray" is included in MC Hammer's third album, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em", which was released in 1990. This album sold more than 10 million copies, solidifying it as one of the most successful rap albums of all time.
Chart Performance
"Pray" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it MC Hammer's biggest solo hit. It also scored a top spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts and reached the top 10 in multiple countries internationally, proving its global appeal.
Music Genre
"Pray" belongs to the hip hop genre, also tapping into elements of pop-rap. It exhibits a sound characteristic of early 90s hip hop music, featuring heavy use of samples, synthesizers, and drum machines.
Song Sampling
The song prominently samples Prince's "When Doves Cry" and Faith No More's "We Care A Lot", blending elements of pop, rock and hip hop. This unique blending of styles is a notable aspect of MC Hammer's music.
Music Video
The music video for "Pray" is known for its high-energy choreography and the prominently featured "Hammer dance". The video, directed by Rupert Wainwright, was popular on MTV and is widely recognized as a classic in hip hop music videos.
Awards and Recognition
Although "Pray" didn't win any specific music awards, it played a substantial part in earning MC Hammer a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1991, as it was one of the standout tracks on the "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" album.
Impact of Song
The song "Pray" helped solidify MC Hammer's status as a mainstream artist, further boosting the popularity of rap and hip hop genres worldwide. It also paved way for more use of sampling in the music industry, showcasing its creative potential.
Legacy
Today, "Pray" is considered a classic, and is still beloved by fans of MC Hammer and 90s hip hop. It holds a significant nostalgia value, reminding audiences of the energy and originality that characterized the music of that era.

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    "Pray Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/36527908/MC+Hammer/Pray>.

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