Prayer for the Dying

"Prayer for the Dying" is a song by British musician Seal and Augustus Lundell "Gus" Isidore. It was released on 9 May 1994 by ZTT and Sire as the lead single from the singer's second studio album, Seal (also known as Seal II) (1994), reaching number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, it became Seal's first of three songs to peak at number two on the RPM Top Singles chart, becoming his joint highest-charting single in Canada. In November 1995, "Prayer for the Dying" was reissued as a double A-side with "Don't Cry" in the UK; this release reached number 51 on the UK chart. Its music video was directed by Paul Boyd.

"Prayer for the Dying"
Single by Seal
from the album Seal
B-side	"Dreaming in Metaphors" (piano version)
Released	9 May 1994 (1994-05-09)[1]
Length	5:30 (album version) 4:16 (single version)
Label	ZTT Sire
Songwriter(s)	Seal Isidore
Producer(s)	Trevor Horn
Seal singles chronology
"Love Is Powerful" (1993) "Prayer for the Dying" (1994) "Kiss from a Rose" (1994)
"I'm Alive" (1995) "Don't Cry" / "Prayer for the Dying" (1995) "Fly Like an Eagle" (1997)
Licensed audio
"Prayer for the Dying" on YouTube

Critical reception

Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box described the song as a "sultry, smooth-as-silk mid-tempo number". He added, "One of those rare tracks that will work at top 40, rock and adult formats, “Prayer for the Dying” sports a captivating bass line, a nifty, head-bobbing rhythm structure and Seal's wonderful, unique vocals. His prayers, it seems, are about to be answered."^[2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote that the singer "is back with another stunning piece of music, casting aside much of the electronics that characterised his debut album, still with Trevor Horn at the controls though and an instant chart smash."^[3]

Mark Sutherland from Melody Maker stated, "True, "Prayer for the Dying" is a pleasantly sumptuous crooner".^[4] Another editor, Ian Gittins, viewed it as a "mawkish Aids single".^[5] Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song three out of five and named it Pick of the Week, saying, "After a slow start, this builds nicely into an edgy and convincing comeback, with a swirl of sound dominated by that familiar and perfectly measured voice."^[6] David Sinclair from The Times viewed it as "a mature soul ballad with a sinuous funk beat." He explained further, "Couched in a typically lush and large production by Trevor Horn, Seal's message is a spiritual tour de force about crossing bridges, walking on water and life going on, regardless. Rock meets soul to produce a smooth song with a big heart."^[7]

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song, directed by Scottish director Paul Boyd.^{[citation needed]} The video begins with Seal standing in a dark, empty room with multiple doors in the white background. As Seal starts to sing he is then shown from different angles throughout the video in the now brighly lit room.

Track listings

UK CD1 and Australian CD single[8] "Prayer for the Dying" – 4:16 "Dreaming in Metaphors" (piano version) – 5:02 "Prayer for the Dying" (instrumental) – 4:15 "Crazy" (acoustic version) – 3:31 UK CD2[9] "Prayer for the Dying" – 4:15 "Prayer for the Dying" (Eren/Ollie Mix) – 4:57 "Prayer for the Dying" (Psalm dub) – 6:37

UK 7-inch and cassette single[10][11] US CD and cassette single[12][13] "Prayer for the Dying" – 4:15 (4:16 on UK 7-inch) "Dreaming in Metaphors" (piano version) – 5:02 US 7-inch single[14] A. "Prayer for the Dying" (album version) – 5:28 B. "Prayer for the Dying" (Divine Spirit Mix) – 4:34

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1994–1995) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[15] 56 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] 33 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[17] 24 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18] 2 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[19] 35 Europe (European AC Radio)[20] 8 Germany (GfK)[21] 62 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[22] 2 Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[23] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 40 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 13 Scotland (OCC)[26] 17 Scotland (OCC)[27] Double A-side with "Don't Cry" 54 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 49 UK Singles (OCC)[29] 14 UK Singles (OCC)[30] Double A-side with "Don't Cry" 51 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[31] 16 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[32] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[33] 21 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[34] 11

Year-end charts Chart (1994) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[35] 25 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[36] 49 Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[37] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[38] 83

References

1. "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 7 May 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
2. Augusto, Troy J. (11 June 1994). "Pop Singles — Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
3. Masterton, James (15 May 1994). "Week Ending May 21st 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
4. Sutherland, Mark (28 May 1994). "Long Play". NME. p. 33. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
5. Gittins, Ian (4 June 1994). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
6. Jones, Alan (7 May 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles – Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
7. Sinclair, David (7 May 1994). "Pop Singles; Recordings". The Times.
8. Prayer for the Dying (UK CD1 & Australian CD single disc notes). Seal. ZTT Records. 1994. ZANG 51CD, 4509-96442-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. Prayer for the Dying (UK CD2 disc notes). Seal. ZTT Records. 1994. ZANG 51CD2, 4509-96613-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. Prayer for the Dying (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Seal. ZTT Records. 1994. ZANG 51, 4509-96400-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. Prayer for the Dying (UK cassette single cassette notes). Seal. ZTT Records. 1994. ZANG 51C, 4509-96400-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. Prayer for the Dying (US CD single disc notes). Seal. Sire Records. 1994. 9 18138-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. Prayer for the Dying (US cassette single cassette notes). Seal. Sire Records. 1994. 9 18138-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. Prayer for the Dying (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Seal. ZTT Records. 1994. 7-18138.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 31 Jul 1994". ARIA. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
16. "Seal – Prayer for the Dying" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
17. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2565." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
18. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2592." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
19. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 23. 4 June 1994. p. 12. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
20. "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 16 July 1994. p. 26. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
21. "Seal – Prayer for the Dying" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
22. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 14 July 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
23. "Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 24. 11 June 1994. p. 23.
24. "Seal – Prayer for the Dying" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
25. "Seal – Prayer for the Dying". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
26. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
27. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
28. "Seal – Prayer for the Dying". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
29. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
30. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
31. "Seal Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
32. "Seal Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
33. "Seal Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
34. "Seal Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
35. "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
36. "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 25. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
37. "1994 In Review, Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 52. 24 December 1994. p. 19.
38. "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Retrieved 27 August 2010.