Express Yourself

American singer-songwriter Madonna's fourth studio album, Like a Prayer, contains the song "Express Yourself" (1989). On May 9, 1989, Sire Records issued it as the album's second single. The song was included in the greatest hits compilation albums Celebration and The Immaculate Collection (1990). (2009). The first song Madonna and producer Stephen Bray worked together on for Like a Prayer was "Express Yourself." The song was an homage to the American funk and soul group Sly and the Family Stone and was written and produced by them. The song's primary source of inspiration is female empowerment, which exhorts women to constantly express their true thoughts and to never settle for less than their best.

Express Yourself is a bouncy dance-pop and deep funk song with accompaniment from handclaps, percussion, and drum beats. The chorus is backed by the sound of a horn section. Throughout the song, subtexts are used to discuss rejecting worldly pleasures and only accepting the finest for oneself. Critics gave Express Yourself favorable reviews, praising it for its hymn to freedom and support of women and all oppressed minorities as well as for its message of gender equality. The song achieved its highest commercial peak at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to become Madonna's ninth number-one hit on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.

Artist: Madonna

Released: May 9, 1989

Genre: Dance-pop, deep funk