Nothing Fails ● 20 years on - BuzzJack Music Forum

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Nothing Fails ● 20 years on

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Liam.k. View member profile	28th October 2023, 08:25 AM Post #1
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 51,069 User: 12,472	oIiykBUPYWI 27 October 2003 saw 'Nothing Fails' sent to US radio as the third single to be released from 'American Life'. The song began as 'Silly Thing' co-written by producer Guy Sigsworth and singer Jem; Madonna accepted it, adding her own lyrics and producing it with Mirwais. 'Nothing Fails' was hailed by critics as an album highlight and likened to 'Like a Prayer' due the use of a gospel choir. Despite the praise, it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, although did enjoy success in Italy and Spain where it placed #7 and #1 respectively. A music video was planned, reportedly Kabbalah-themed, set in Israel and featuring actor Michael Douglas, but was scrapped over safety concerns. 20 years on, what are thoughts on 'Nothing Fails'?


Liam.k. View member profile	28th October 2023, 08:50 AM Post #2
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 51,069 User: 12,472	Definitely an album highlight for me. The production is beautiful and understated enough to leave Madonna's vocal open bare and she really sells the vulnerability. I've said many times before that I wish this had been given a full-scale release. I think I read about the idea for the music video before but forgot about it, a shame one never materialised. I discovered the original demo today, performed by Jem (who sings 'They' which I remember being a radio staple as a kid): zmpE0mv8P9w


vibe View member profile	28th October 2023, 01:06 PM Post #3
BuzzJack Platinum Member Joined: 31 August 2010 Posts: 8,901 User: 11,763	Should have been first single !! Would have been a hot especially in the UK! With Hollywood and American Life nearly reaching number 1 this could have done !


Jessie Where View member profile	28th October 2023, 01:12 PM Post #4
Break the tension Joined: 7 March 2006 Posts: 89,715 User: 51	I'd agree it perhaps should have been the lead, but definitely at least 3rd instead of 'Love Profusion'. What a stunning song!


Hotlady View member profile	28th October 2023, 02:24 PM Post #5
BuzzJack Enthusiast Joined: 18 October 2007 Posts: 1,079 User: 4,586	Wow. That's amazing. I just love it a lot.


Liam.k. View member profile	28th October 2023, 06:03 PM Post #6
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 51,069 User: 12,472	I think it would have been pretty big if released as lead single, but it's hard to imagine anything other than a shock statement piece like 'American Life' opening the album. It would be like 'Deeper & Deeper' being the lead single to 'Erotica'. It just wouldn't be the Madonna way.


neill2407 View member profile	2nd November 2023, 10:28 PM Post #7
BuzzJack Enthusiast Joined: 22 September 2022 Posts: 829 User: 159,650	Nothing fails never made a big impact on me. I’m not sure what would have done well from American life. While it’s not a bad album, it lacks killer tracks.


spiceboy View member profile	3rd November 2023, 12:03 AM Post #8
BuzzJack Platinum Member Joined: 6 September 2017 Posts: 12,139 User: 39,568	I think it would have been a better single than Love profusion but tbh I don't think anything would have been particularly big after AL and Hollywood on that album. It's a great album and one of my fave Madonna ones but it's very understated without the killer hits she was known for. It would have been interesting to see how it would have performed as a potential lead single.


blacksquare View member profile	3rd November 2023, 12:05 PM Post #9
BuzzJack Gold Member Joined: 25 July 2016 Posts: 4,399 User: 23,471	A classic Madonna single that never was — it's a shame they didn't see the reaction to 'American Life' and immediately pivot to something that showcased the softer and introspective side of the album.


Liam.k. View member profile	5th November 2023, 03:50 PM Post #10
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 51,069 User: 12,472	QUOTE(neill2407 @ Nov 2 2023, 10:28 PM) Nothing fails never made a big impact on me. I’m not sure what would have done well from American life. While it’s not a bad album, it lacks killer tracks. Yeah this is true, I know a lot of fans would have had Nobody Knows Me as a single but I personally don’t see it working as one, much as I like it.