The Prayer (Bloc Party song)
Encyclopedia
"The Prayer" is the first single from Bloc Party
's second album A Weekend in the City
, except in the U.S.
where it is the second single as "I Still Remember
" was the first song to be released in North America
. It was released by Wichita Recordings
on 29 January 2007 and is the band's highest charting single worldwide. The lyrics deal with drug use in nightclubs and party environments.
Frontman Kele Okereke
says he was inspired to write the song after hearing Busta Rhymes
' song "Touch It
". He also described the song as having a "crunk
-like" effect.
A cover version of "The Prayer" by KT Tunstall
is included in Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 2
, and on her single "If Only"
.
in nightclubs and parties. The song deals with the effects of such drugs on the human body through the eyes of an addict, who asks, "Is it so wrong, to want rewarding?/To want more than is given to you?".
for the song was released on 5 December 2006, and was directed by Walter Stern
, also known for directing videos by Massive Attack
, The Prodigy
and most notably the The Verve
's "Bitter Sweet Symphony
". In the video, all members of Bloc Party are at a nightclub
(which, in reality, is Café 1001, Dray Walk, Truman Brewery, London
). It follows them throughout the night even though they do not appear to be doing much. Okereke is the only one who actually gets up and goes around. The other members just sit around while Okereke goes off on his own journey, whilst cigarette burn effects and other visual distortions appear.
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
's second album A Weekend in the City
A Weekend In The City
A Weekend in the City is the second studio album by British indie rock band Bloc Party. It was recorded at Grouse Lodge Studios in Westmeath, Ireland, in mid-2006 and was produced by Jacknife Lee. The record was refined and mixed at several locations in London at the end of 2006...
, except in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where it is the second single as "I Still Remember
I Still Remember (song)
"I Still Remember" is a song by Bloc Party from their second studio album A Weekend in the City. The song is the first U.S. single and is the second single in the Britain from the album. The single was released in Britain in two 7" formats as well as a CD version. The B-sides are "Atonement", "Cain...
" was the first song to be released in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It was released by Wichita Recordings
Wichita Recordings
Wichita Recordings is an independent record label located in London, founded in 2000 by Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Its most notable signees are Bloc Party, The Cribs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Her Space Holiday, Los Campesinos! and Peter Bjorn and John...
on 29 January 2007 and is the band's highest charting single worldwide. The lyrics deal with drug use in nightclubs and party environments.
Frontman Kele Okereke
Kele Okereke
Kelechukwu "Kele" Rowland Okereke is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the indie rock band Bloc Party.-Early life:...
says he was inspired to write the song after hearing Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
' song "Touch It
Touch It
"Touch It" is a rap/hip-hop song by Busta Rhymes which contains a sample from "Technologic" by the electronic band Daft Punk. Released as an official single on May 13, 2006, it was the first single from Rhymes' Aftermath/Interscope debut, The Big Bang...
". He also described the song as having a "crunk
Crunk
Crunk is a music style that originated in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-to-late 1990s and gained mainstream success around 2003–2004. Performers of crunk music are sometimes referred to as crunksters. An archetypal crunk track most frequently uses a drum machine rhythm, heavy bassline, and...
-like" effect.
A cover version of "The Prayer" by KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
is included in Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 2
Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 2
Radio 1's Live Lounge: Volume 2 is a collection of live tracks played on Jo Whiley's Radio 1 show. The album is the second in a series of Live Lounge albums. It consists of both covers and the bands' own songs...
, and on her single "If Only"
If Only (KT Tunstall song)
"If Only" is an alternative rock song performed by Scottish singer KT Tunstall. The song was written by Tunstall and Jimmy Hogarth for Tunstall's third album Drastic Fantastic . It was released as the album's third single in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2008...
.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song deal with the use of club drugs such as MDMA and KetamineKetamine
Ketamine is a drug used in human and veterinary medicine. Its hydrochloride salt is sold as Ketanest, Ketaset, and Ketalar. Pharmacologically, ketamine is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist...
in nightclubs and parties. The song deals with the effects of such drugs on the human body through the eyes of an addict, who asks, "Is it so wrong, to want rewarding?/To want more than is given to you?".
Music video
A videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song was released on 5 December 2006, and was directed by Walter Stern
Walter Stern (director)
-Music videos:Stern began his career directing music videos at Control, a small production company based in London.In 1993, he moved to Stigma where he first directed a promo for the band The Prodigy...
, also known for directing videos by Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
and most notably the The Verve
The Verve
The Verve were an English rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong later became a member. Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to shoegazing and space...
's "Bitter Sweet Symphony
Bitter Sweet Symphony
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a song by English alternative rock band The Verve, the lead track on their third album, Urban Hymns. It is based on music from an Andrew Loog Oldham adaptation of a Rolling Stones song, "The Last Time". It was released on 16 June 1997 by Hut Recordings as the first single...
". In the video, all members of Bloc Party are at a nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
(which, in reality, is Café 1001, Dray Walk, Truman Brewery, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
). It follows them throughout the night even though they do not appear to be doing much. Okereke is the only one who actually gets up and goes around. The other members just sit around while Okereke goes off on his own journey, whilst cigarette burn effects and other visual distortions appear.
Charts
| Charts (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
4 |
CD: Wichita / WEBB118SCD (UK)
7": Wichita / WEBB118S (UK)
- in gatefold sleeve which houses second 7"