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]

Quick Facts Single by MC Hammer, from the album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em ...

"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)

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"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).