"Pray" is a song released in August 1990 by Capitol as the third single from American rapper and dancer

MC Hammer Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), better known by his stage name MC Hammer (or simply Hammer), is an American rapper known for hit songs such as "U Can't Touch This", "2 Legit 2 Quit", and "Pumps and a Bump", flashy dance movements, e ...

's third album, ''

Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' is the third studio album by American rapper MC Hammer, released on February 12, 1990 by Capitol Records and EMI Records. Produced, recorded and mixed by Felton Pilate and James Earley, the album was made on a s ...

'' (1990). Produced by Hammer, the song heavily samples

Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...

's 1984 song "

When Doves Cry "When Doves Cry" is a song by American musician Prince, and the lead single from his sixth studio album '' Purple Rain''. According to the DVD commentary of the film '' Purple Rain'' (1984), Prince was asked by director Albert Magnoli to write a ...

", the first of just a few times that Prince allowed samples of his compositions. The track also interpolates

Faith No More Faith No More is an American Rock music, rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before September 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist ...

's "

We Care a Lot ''We Care a Lot'' is the debut studio album by American Rock music, rock band Faith No More, originally released in 1985 and distributed through Mordam Records. On the original vinyl release, the band is credited as Faith. No More. on the album ...

". 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 ''American Top 40'' (abbreviated to ''AT40'') is an internationally radio syndication, syndicated, independent song countdown radio programming, radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds, and Ron Jacobs (broadcaster), Ron Jaco ...

'' hit. "Pray" became MC Hammer's biggest hit on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, where it peaked at number two. The track also became a top-40 hit in multiple countries, and helped make ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' the number-one album of the year. The song was

certified gold Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...

in the US on November 26, 1990 (with sales over 500,000 copies). The song, accompanied with music videos, has appeared on several

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...

s, including: ''

Greatest Hits A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be creat ...

'', '' Back 2 Back Hits'' and ''

The Hits The Hits was a music video Television channel, channel broadcast in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, Ireland, owned by Box Television. On 15 August 2008 it was rebranded as 4Music. Overview and availability The channel showcased a ra ...

''. It also appeared in '' Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie'' (1990).

Track listing

US CD single # "Pray" (Slam the Hammer mix) – 8:01 # "Pray" (Slam the Hammer piano dub) – 5:26 # "Pray" (Jam the Hammer mix) – 5:00 # "Pray" (Hit 'Em Hard mix) – 5:25 # "Pray" (Nail 'Em Down chant) – 4:56 # "

U Can't Touch This "U Can't Touch This" is a song co-written, produced, and performed by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released in May 1990 by Capitol Records as the third single from his third album, ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' (1990), and has been con ...

" (LP version) – 4:15

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Authority control 1990 singles 1990 songs Capitol Records singles MC Hammer songs Songs written by MC Hammer