Pray (MC Hammer song) explained

"Pray" is a song released in August 1990 by Capitol as the third single from American rapper and dancer MC Hammer's third album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (1990). Produced by Hammer, the song heavily samples Prince's 1984 song "When Doves Cry", the first of just a few times that Prince allowed samples of his compositions. The track also interpolates Faith No More's "We Care a Lot".^{[1] [2]} 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.^[3]

"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.^[4] The song was certified gold in the US on November 26, 1990 (with sales over 500,000 copies). The song, accompanied with music videos, 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).

Track listing

1. "Pray" (Slam the Hammer mix) – 8:01 (aka Maxi-Single Remix)
2. "Pray" (Slam the Hammer piano dub) – 5:26
3. "Pray" (Jam the Hammer mix) – 5:00
4. "Pray" (Hit 'Em Hard mix) – 5:25
5. "Pray" (Nail 'Em Down chant) – 4:56
6. "U Can't Touch This" (LP version) – 4:15

^{[5] [6]}

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1990–1991)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7]	5
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8]	7
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	2
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[10]	27
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[11]	3
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[12]	4
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[13]	7
US Cash Box Top 100[14]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (1991)	Position
Australia (ARIA)[16]	56
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17]	75
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18]	59
Europe (European Hit Radio)[19]	86
Germany (Official German Charts)[20]	55

Notes and References

1. MC Hammer | Biography, News, Photos and Videos . Contactmusic.com . May 30, 2015.
2. MC Hammer: Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em : Music Reviews . Corcoran . Michael . . May 17, 1990 . June 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071021014601/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mchammer/albums/album/214027/review/5943181 . October 21, 2007. dead.
3. Web site: American Top 40 with Shadoe Stevens . Webcitation.org . May 30, 2015 . dead . https://archive.today/20091025164600/http://www.geocities.com/at40fantoo/at40/shadoe_1992.html . October 25, 2009 .
4. MC Hammer - Biography . Billboard.com . March 30, 1962 . May 30, 2015.
5. Web site: MC Hammer - Pray Album Reviews, Songs & More - AllMusic . . July 4, 2022.
6. Web site: MC Hammer's Pray (Jam the Hammer Mix) remix by MC Hammer . Who Sampled . July 4, 2022.
7. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 8. 2. 31. January 12, 1991. April 28, 2021.
8. Book: Pennanen, Timo. 2006. Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. fi. 1st. Tammi. 978-951-1-21053-5. Helsinki.
9. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. November 10, 1990. July 25, 2023.
10. Dance Singles Sales. Billboard. November 17, 1990. subscription. July 25, 2023.
11. Dance Club Songs. Billboard. December 8, 1990. subscription. July 25, 2023.
12. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. November 10, 1990. subscription. July 25, 2023.
13. Hot Rap Songs. Billboard. November 24, 1990. subscription. July 25, 2023.
14. Top 100 Singles. Cash Box. LIV. 16. 4. November 17, 1990. April 28, 2021.
15. Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1990. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 28, 2021.
16. Book: Ryan, Gavin. Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. 2011. Moonlight Publishing. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia.
17. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1991. Ultratop. nl. April 28, 2021.
18. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1991. Music & Media. 8. 51–52. 21. December 21, 1991. April 28, 2021.
19. EHR Year-End Top 100. Music & Media. 8. 51–52. 20. December 21, 1991. February 24, 2024.
20. Web site: Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991. GfK Entertainment. de. April 28, 2021.