Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1994
Prayer for the Dying
Buy Prayer for the Dying now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Prayer for the Dying
| cover = Seal prayer for the dying.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Seal
| album = Seal
| B-side = "Dreaming in Metaphors" (piano version)
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
* 5:30 (album version)
* 4:16 (single version)
| label =
* ZTT
* Sire
| writer =
* Seal
* Isidore
| producer = Trevor Horn
| prev_title = Violet
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = Kiss from a Rose
| next_year = 1994
| misc =
}}
"'Prayer for the Dying'" is a song by British musician Seal and Augustus Lundell "Gus" Isidore. It was released on 9 May 1994 as the lead single from his 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 re-issued as a double A-side with "Don't Cry" in the UK; this release reached number 51 on the UK chart.
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 Seals wonderful, unique vocals. His prayers, it seems, are about to be answered." James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, 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."
Alan Jones from 'Music Week' rated the song three out of five, 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." 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."Sinclair, David (7 May 1994). "Pop Singles; Recordings". 'The Times'.
Music video
A music video was made to accompany the song, directed by Scottish director Paul Boyd.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'
# "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'
# "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'
: 'US CD and cassette single'
# "Prayer for the Dying" 4:15 (4:16 on UK 7-inch)
# "Dreaming in Metaphors" (piano version) 5:02
* 'US 7-inch single'
:A. "Prayer for the Dying" (album version) 5:28
:B. "Prayer for the Dying" (Divine Spirit Mix) 4:34
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1994 singles
Category:1994 songs
Category:1995 singles
Category:Music videos directed by Paul Boyd
Category:Seal (musician) songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Trevor Horn
Category:Songs written by Seal (musician)
Category:ZTT Records singles
Buy Prayer for the Dying now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 1994