Keep It Together

"Keep It Together" is a song by American singer Madonna from her fourth studio album, Like a Prayer (1989). It was released as the album's fifth (sixth overall) and final single in the United States, Canada and Japan on January 30, 1990, by Sire Records. In the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, "Dear Jessie" served as the album's final single and "Keep It Together" was not released there. Written and produced by both Madonna and Stephen Bray, the main inspiration behind the song was Madonna's relationship with her family—whom she dearly missed after her divorce from Sean Penn in 1989. The song was dedicated to the American band Sly and the Family Stone, and its lyrics deal with the realization of how important Madonna's family has been to her life. A pop, funk, deep funk and R&B song consisting of an upbeat rhythm and groove, "Keep It Together" features instrumentation from percussion, banjo and a conga. "Keep It Together" received generally positive reviews from music critics upon release, with some reviewers alluding that it was simply Madonna's take on Sister Sledge's 1979 hit "We Are Family". Commercially, "Keep It Together" was a success, reaching a peak position of number eight on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and US Billboard Hot 100, while topping Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. In Australia, it reached the top of the ARIA Singles Chart as a double A-side single with "Vogue". Madonna has performed "Keep It Together" only on her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour, where it was the closing song of the set list. The staging of the performances was inspired by the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange and during the introduction, Madonna sang a verse from Sly and the Family Stone's 1971 hit "Family Affair". Background and release When Madonna started work on her fourth studio album, Like a Prayer, she was already in an emotional state of mind, following her divorce from Sean Penn, her 30th birthday, and unfavorable reviews for her acting endeavors. She had certain personal matters on her mind that she thought could be the musical direction of the album. Madonna realized that as she was growing up, so was her core audience. Feeling the need to try something different, she wanted the sound of her new album to indicate what could be popular in music. However, being raised as a Catholic, Madonna felt guilty about the failure of her marriage. She said, "Because in Catholicism you are a born sinner and you are a sinner all your life. ...