Pray (MC Hammer song)

"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"
Single by MC Hammer
from the album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em
B-side	"U Can't Touch This" (LP version)
Released	August 21, 1990 (1990-08-21)
Length	5:11
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	MC Hammer, Prince
Producer(s)	MC Hammer
MC Hammer singles chronology
"Have You Seen Her" (1990) "Pray" (1990) "Here Comes the Hammer" (1990)

"Pray" became MC Hammer's biggest hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number two (behind Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time"). 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

US CD single^[5]

1. "Pray" (Slam the Hammer mix) – 8:01
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

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990–1991) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[6] 7 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[7] 13 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 4 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] 14 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[10] 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 5 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[12] 7 Germany (GfK)[13] 4 Ireland (IRMA)[14] 13 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 3 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 3 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] 2 Norway (VG-lista)[18] 5 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[19] 18 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] 10 UK Singles (OCC)[21] 8 US Billboard Hot 100[22] 2 US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[23] 27 US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[24] 3 US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[25] 4 US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[26] 7 US Cash Box Top 100[27] 3

Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[28] 27 Chart (1991) Position Australia (ARIA)[29] 56 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[30] 75 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[31] 59 Europe (European Hit Radio)[32] 86 Germany (Media Control)[33] 55 US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[34] 39

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35]	Gold	35,000^
France	—	25,000[36]
United States (RIAA)[37]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	August 21, 1990	12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Capitol	[citation needed]
United Kingdom	November 26, 1990	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[38]
Japan	November 28, 1990	Mini-CD		[39]