The Prayer (Bloc Party song)

Infobox Single
Name = The Prayer


Artist = Bloc Party
from Album = A Weekend in the City
B-side(s) = "We Were Lovers", "England", "Version 2.0"
Released = start date|2007|1|29
Format = CD, 7"
Recorded = 2006
Genre = Indie rock
Alternative rock
Length = 3:44
Label = flagicon|UK Wichita - WEBB118
flagicon|USA V2
Writer = Bloc Party
Producer = Jacknife Lee
Certification =
Chart position =
* #4 (UK)
* #12 (Australia)
* #43 (Lithuania)
Last single = "The Pioneers"
(2005)
This single = "The Prayer"
(2007)
Next single = "I Still Remember"
(2007)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = A Weekend In The City
Type = studio
prev_track = "Waiting For The 7.18"
prev_no = 3
this_track = "The Prayer"
track_no = 4
next_track = "Uniform"
next_no = 5

"The Prayer" is the first single from Bloc Party's second album "A Weekend in the City", except for in the US where it will be the second single from the album ("I Still Remember" was the first US single from the album). It was released by Wichita Records on 29 January 2007. It can also be heard on the band's MySpace page.

Lead singer Kele Okereke says he was inspired to write the song after hearing Busta Rhymes' song "Touch It". [ [http://www.blocparty.net/theprayer.html BlocParty.net - The Prayer ] ] Okereke also described the song as having a "crunk-like" effect, which he revealed in a number of interviews in October 2006 concerning information on the new album. The song has been used in the video game Project Gotham Racing 4 and (the "Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix" version)

Music video

A music video 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 is, in reality, Café 1001, Dray Walk, Truman Brewery, London). [cite web |url = http://www.dazeddigital.com/features/bloc-party-behind-the-scenes/ |title = Bloc Party - Behind the Scenes |accessdate = 2008-05-01 |author = Baal, Iphgenia |date = 2006-12-27 |publisher = "Dazed & Confused" ] It follows them throughout the night even though they do not appear to be doing much besides looking around. 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 distort the film.

Track listing

CD: Wichita / WEBB118SCD (UK)

#"The Prayer" – 3:46
#"We Were Lovers" – 4:14
#"The Prayer [Phones Metal Jackin' Remix] " – 5:03

* Phones remix by Paul Epworth

Remixes Promo CDM: V2 (UK)

#"The Prayer [Break & Silent Witness Remix] " – 5:42
#"The Prayer [Phones Metal Jackin' Remix] " – 5:03
#"The Prayer [Para One Remix] " – 6:04
#"The Prayer [Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix] " – 4:17

7": Wichita / WEBB118S (UK)

#"The Prayer" – 3:46
#"England" – 4:15
* in gatefold sleeve which houses second 7"

7": Wichita / WEBB118SX (UK)

#"The Prayer" – 3:46
#"Version 2.0" – 3:21

Digital downloads

#"The Prayer [Para One Remix] " – 6:03
#"The Prayer [Break + Silent Witness Remix] " – 5:42
#"The Prayer [Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix] " – 4:18
#"The Prayer [Hadouken! Remix] " – 2:37

Cover versions

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".

mallville

This song was used in Smallville season six trailer (Episode 18-21) on April-May 2007. [cite web |url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNPt5pq-aoA |title = Smallville Season 6 Trailer (Episode 18-21) |accessdate = 2007-03-29]

References