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“American Life”
“American Life” cover
Single by Madonna
from the album American Life
B-side "Die Another Day" Calderone & Quayle Afterlife Mix
Released March 2003 (digital download)
April 8, 2003 (US)
April 14, 2003 (Europe)
Format Digital download
CD single
Vinyl single
Recorded London, England
Genre Pop / Electronica / Hip hop
Length 4:57
Label Maverick, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Madonna
Mirwais Ahmadzaï
Producer Madonna
Mirwais Ahmadzaï
Madonna singles chronology
"Die Another Day"
(2002)		 "American Life"
(2003)		 "Hollywood"
(2003)
Alternate cover
UK CD1
UK CD1
UK CD2
UK CD2
UK Promo remixes singles
UK Promo remixes singles
Audio sample
Info (help·info)

"American Life" is a pop song written by American singer-songwriter Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï for Madonna's ninth studio album American Life (2003). Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American American Life is the ninth Studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on April 22 2003 by Maverick Records A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of 7 inch Vinyl records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s Die Another Day is a 2002 film the 20th in the James Bond series, and the fourth and final film to star Pierce Brosnan as fictional MI6 Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. A CD single (abbreviated to CDS) is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single A gramophone London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary Electronic music designed for a wide range Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Maverick Recording Company, is an American Record label and the record company division of entertainment company Maverick. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both Mirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known as Mirwais, is a Paris -based record producer and songwriter In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American " Die Another Day " is the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded by Madonna. " Hollywood " is the second single from Madonna 's ninth album American Life, released in 2003 Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Singer-songwriter is a term that refers to Performers who write, compose and sing their own material including Lyrics Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American Mirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known as Mirwais, is a Paris -based record producer and songwriter An album or record album is a collection of related audio or Music tracks distributed to the public American Life is the ninth Studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on April 22 2003 by Maverick Records The song's lyrics are a criticism to the American way of life. Lyrics (in singular form Lyric) are a set of words that accompany music either by speaking or singing The American way of life is an expression that refers to the " Life style " of people living in the United States of America.

The song was released as the second single from the album in the spring of 2003 (see 2003 in music), and although it failed to match the chart success of past Madonna singles in the United States, "American Life" is considered to be a worldwide success as it reached number one in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, and the top ten in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. See also 2003 in music (UK Musical groups established in 2003 Record labels Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

The song is also well known for its controversial music video which denounced President George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq. A music video is a Short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music most commonly a Song with lyrics George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia It was listed as #9 in Blender magazine's list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever". Blender is an American music Magazine that bills itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more" [1]

Contents

Song information

The song was co-written and co-produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï. Mirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known as Mirwais, is a Paris -based record producer and songwriter

"American Life" was first released on April 8, 2003 in the U. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. S. and on April 14 in Europe. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in The song premiered on radio worldwide on March 24, the same day that it was sent out as an official digital single by mail to American fans who purchased the MP3 on Madonna's official website. Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a Digital audio encoding format using a form of Lossy data compression The song received remixes by some of the most known in the business, including mixes by Missy Elliott, Peter Rauhofer, Felix da Housecat and Paul Oakenfold. Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1 1971 is a five-time Grammy Award -winning American rapper, singer, Songwriter, and Peter Rauhofer is a Remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings Jr on August 27, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois Paul Oakenfold (born 30 August, 1963 in Greenhithe, Kent, UK) is a Record producer and a popular trance

The single cover that was released on April 8 was different from the original cover artwork. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Initially, an image of the single was released to the media showing Madonna holding a machine gun. For other uses of the phrase see Machine Gun (disambiguation. The doctored single cover featured the same picture, but minus Madonna holding the gun. [2]

Madonna performed "American Life" on the MTV special, "On Stage And On Record", and also on her 2004 Re-Invention Tour. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. The Re-invention World Tour was the sixth world Concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna, visiting North America and Europe

Chart performance

Before its release "American Life" was aggressively marketed by Madonna's record label, Warner Bros. Warner offered the song as a maxi or two-track single, and also released it as a digital download, the first Madonna single to be made available in this format. In the U. S. the song performed rather weakly, perhaps due to Madonna's criticism of the invasion of Iraq. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia The digital single sold an encouraging 4,177 copies in its first week of release, allowing it to debut at number ninety on the Billboard Hot 100, but only managed to peak at number thirty-seven on the Hot 100 and stayed within the top forty for just a week. On the Hot 100 Singles Sales, the single peaked at number two and it peaked at number sixty-one on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. The Hot 100 Singles Sales (also known as Singles Sales) is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. The Hot 100 Airplay is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.

On the U. S. dance chart, the single performed much better, rising to number one on both the Hot Dance Singles Sales and Hot Dance Club Play charts; the number-one position on the Club Play chart marked her twenty-ninth time at the summit. Hot Dance Singles Sales (formerly known as Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales) is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States Billboard 's Hot Dance Club Play chart (also known as Club Play Singles, and formerly known as Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance/Disco Internationally, the single achieved much greater success, going to number two in the UK and top ten in Australia, and all the way to the top in Canada and Japan. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.

Music video

Original version

Madonna in the original version of "American Life" video.
Madonna in the original version of "American Life" video.

The controversial music video was shot on February 6-7, 2003 at Los Angeles Center Studios in Los Angeles, California by Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund. A music video is a Short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music most commonly a Song with lyrics Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Jonas Åkerlund (born November 16, 1966 in Bromma) is a Swedish Film director, best known for making Music videos While she made sexually and religiously explicit videos in the 1980s and 1990s, Madonna started incorporating violent images in the 2000s starting with "What It Feels Like for a Girl" and "Die Another Day". The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 " What It Feels Like for a Girl " is the third and final single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her 8th studio album Music " Die Another Day " is the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded by Madonna. For "American Life", she took it to a new level by focusing on politics and attacking United States President George W. Bush's war on Iraq. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics.

The video is built around Madonna, as an army sergeant major (see image on left), with a female legion of troops at a fashion show. A Sergeant Major is a rank or appointment in many militaries around the world It ends with Madonna and the troops getting into a MINI Cooper and crashing it into the catwalk. Mini (styled as MINI) is a British automotive brand owned by the German BMW Group that has produced a redesign of the traditional Mini While the audience is watching in shock, Madonna hoses down the paparazzi with a water cannon, reaching a climax with fast-moving war images until Madonna throws a hand grenade which is caught by a President Bush lookalike, who transforms the grenade into a lighter to light his cigar. Paparazzi is a plural term ( paparazzo being the singular form for Photographers who take unstaged and/or candid photographs of Celebrities As soon as the storyline of the video leaked to the press, it was heavily criticized. It went so far that Madonna felt it necessary to issue a statement: "I feel lucky to be an American citizen for many reasons - one of which is the right to express myself freely, especially in my work. I understand that there have been reports about my upcoming video "American Life" in the media - much of which is inaccurate. I am not Anti-Bush. I am not pro-Iraq. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. I am pro Peace. I have written a song and created a video which expresses my feelings about our culture and values and the illusions of what many people believe is the American dream - the perfect life. As an artist, I hope that this provokes thought and dialogue. I don't expect everyone to agree with my point of view. I am grateful to have the freedom to express these feelings and that's how I honor my country".

Due to the political climate of the country at the time, most notably the backlash on the Dixie Chicks after they made some anti-war comments, Madonna later changed her mind on that "freedom of speech". The music group Dixie Chicks were mired in political controversy after comments made by one of the band members about the 2003 Iraqi war and George W The Dixie Chicks are a multiple Grammy Award -winning Country music group composed of three women Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, and Emily On April 1, 2003 one day after the video was first shown on a few European and Latin American music channels, and on a prime time special on the Nine Network in Australia, Madonna pulled the video and released a statement explaining why: "I have decided not to release my new video. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney It was filmed before the war started and I do not believe it is appropriate to air it at this time. Due to the volatile state of the world and out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video. "

Edited version

Madonna in the edited version singing in front of flags.
Madonna in the edited version singing in front of flags.

After pulling the original video, Madonna then released a performance-only edited version that premiered on April 16, 2003 on VH1. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television This version, which many have criticized, only contains the footage of Madonna as a general, but this time performing in front of flags instead of flames and images of war. A different version was shown as a backdrop to her performance of the song on The Re-Invention Tour. The Re-invention World Tour was the sixth world Concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna, visiting North America and Europe The chief difference was the alteration of the final scene to display George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein together. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 No new footage was filmed for the edited version.

Warner Bros. had confirmed that the unedited "director's cut" "American Life" video (in other words, the original pulled version) would be a bonus on the DVD of I'm Going to Tell You a Secret, which was released in June 2006, however, when the DVD was released in America, the "American Life" video was not included. I'm Going to Tell You a Secret is a documentary following pop singer Madonna on her successful 2004 Re-Invention Tour, chronicling Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. This last version pursues all the content of the first one, but the ending is different and more violent. After Madonna's MINI Cooper reaches the catwalk and the singer starts to throw water on the paparazzi, legless and war-injured models start to crawl on the stage, helped by two nurses with their clothes full of blood. These images are mixed with actual war cameos, scenes of the fashion crowd laughing at it all and the sound of bombs and missiles covering the song. And when Madonna throws the grenade, it falls right on an empty part of the catwalk, and the singer's images on the big screen puts the hands on the ears.

Original and edited versions:

Track listings and formats

UK 2 x 12" vinyl (W603T2)[3] , US 2 x 12" vinyl (0-42614)[4]
UK Promo CD (The Remixes) (16658-2)[5]
  1. "American Life" (Missy Elliott's American Dream Remix) — 4:49
  2. "American Life" (Oakenfold Downtempo Remix) — 5:32
  3. "American Life" (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix) — 6:10
  4. "American Life" (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 1) — 10:41
  5. "American Life" (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem) (Part 2) — 9:06
  6. "Die Another Day" (Richard Humpty Vission Electrofried Mix) — 6:01
UK CD 1 (W603CD1 9362 42615-2)[6], AU CD 1 (9362-42615-2)[7]
  1. "American Life" (Radio Edit) — 4:27
  2. "American Life" (Missy Elliott's American Dream Remix) — 4:49
  3. "American Life" (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 1) — 10:41
UK CD 2 (W603CD2 9362 42616-2)[8], AU CD 2 (9362-42616-2)[9], JP CD single (WPCR-11541)[10]
  1. "American Life" (Radio Edit) — 4:27
  2. "American Life" (Oakenfold Downtempo Remix) — 5:32
  3. "American Life" (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix) — 6:10
US Maxi-Single (42614-2)[11]
  1. "American Life" (Missy Elliott's American Dream Mix) - 4:49
  2. "American Life" (Oakenfold Downtempo Remix) — 5:32
  3. "American Life" (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix) — 6:10
  4. "American Life" (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem) (Part 1) — 10:41
  5. "American Life" (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem) (Part 2) — 9:06
  6. "Die Another Day" (Richard Humpty Vission Electrofield Mix) — 6:01
US Enhanced CD single (16658-2)[12], EU CD single (5439-16658-2)[13], EU 12" vinyl (W603T)[14]
  1. "American Life" (Edit With Rap) — 4:27
  2. "Die Another Day" (Calderone & Quayle Afterlife Mix) — 8:52

Videos

Videos

  1. Original Version 5:12
  2. Edited Version 3:54


Mixes

  1. Felix DaHouseCat Devin Dazzle Club
  2. Felix DaHouseCat Devin Dazzle Radio Mix
  3. Felix DaHouseCat Devin Dazzle Radio Mix (Without Rap)
  4. Headcleanr Rock Mix
  5. Missy Elliott's American Dream Mix
  6. Missy Elliott's American Dream Mix (Clean Edit)
  7. Missy Elliott American Dream Instrumental Remix
  8. Oakenfold Downtempo Mix/Remix
  9. Oakenfold Radio Edit
  10. Oakenfold Radio Edit (Without Rap)
  11. Peter Rauhofer American Anthem Part 1
  12. Peter Rauhofer American Anthem Part 2
  13. Rauhofer Radio Mix

Charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Argentina 2
Australia ARIA Top 50 Singles 7
Austria Top 75 Singles Sales 7
Brazil 6
Canadian Singles Chart 1
Chile 7
Denmark 1
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2
Finland 3
France Top 50 Singles 10
Germany Media Control Top 50 10
Greece 2
Ireland IRMA Top 50 Singles 8
Italy 1
Netherlands 13
New Zealand 33
Norway Top 20 Singles 9
Romanian Singles Chart[15] 7
Spain Singles Chart 2
Sweden 2
Switzerland Top 100 1
UK Singles Chart 2
U. Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1 1971 is a five-time Grammy Award -winning American rapper, singer, Songwriter, and Paul Oakenfold (born 30 August, 1963 in Greenhithe, Kent, UK) is a Record producer and a popular trance Peter Rauhofer is a Remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings Jr on August 27, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA is a Trade group representing the Australian recording industry The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry S. Billboard Hot 100 37
U. S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales 1
United World Chart 1

Certifications

Country Certification
Australia Gold
France Silver

References

  1. ^ Run for Your Life! It's the 50 Worst Songs Ever! from Blender. com
  2. ^ http://hometown.aol.com/bijouaffaires/americanlife1.html 'Hometown. aol. com
  3. ^ Madonna - American Life
  4. ^ Madonna - American Life
  5. ^ Madonna - American Life (Remixes)
  6. ^ Madonna American Life - Part 1 UK 5" CD SINGLE (370520)
  7. ^ Madonna - American Life
  8. ^ Madonna - American Life (CD 2)
  9. ^ Madonna - American Life
  10. ^ Madonna - American Life
  11. ^ Madonna American Life USA 5" CD SINGLE (244271)
  12. ^ Madonna - American Life
  13. ^ Madonna - American Life
  14. ^ Madonna - American Life
  15. ^ "Romanian Top 100" Please see "Issue 20" of the year 2003

For charts and certifications:

For official versions:

Preceded by
"I Drove All Night" by Céline Dion		 Canadian number-one single
April 26, 2003 (2 weeks)		 Succeeded by
"In da Club" by 50 Cent
Preceded by
"In da Club" by 50 Cent		 United World Chart number one single
May 24, 2003		 Succeeded by
"In da Club" by 50 Cent
" I Drove All Night " is a song written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for Roy Orbison. Céline Marie Claudette Dion ( OC OQ (born March 30 1968 in Charlemagne Quebec) is a Canadian pop Singer The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the US-based music sales tracking company Nielsen SoundScan. Events 1467 - The miraculous image in Our Lady of Good Counsel appear in Genazzano, Italy. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. "In Da Club" is a hip hop song performed by rapper 50 Cent for his commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'. "In Da Club" is a hip hop song performed by rapper 50 Cent for his commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. "In Da Club" is a hip hop song performed by rapper 50 Cent for his commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
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