Hollywood ● (2003) ● 'American Life'

 

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To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Madonna's ninth studio album American Life, Song of the Week brings you the four official singles from that era...

 

Background

Continuing the American society theme, Ahmadzaï-produced, second single Hollywood talks about the fantasy and obsession of fame and fortune and the reality of the celebrity lifestyle, particularly focusing on Hollywood - a place identified for a place dreams are made. During an interview with Q Magazine, Madonna commented on the influence for Hollywood: "Before it happens you have all kinds of notions about how wonderful celebrity is and how much joy it's going to bring you. Then you arrive... In America, more then any other place in the world, you have the freedom to be anything you want to be. Which is all well and good, but it only works if you have a value system and we seem not to have one anymore. It's whatever it takes to get to the top, and that's what you gotta do."

 

Despite receiving better comments than first single American Life, Hollywood still had many mixed opinions: some complimenting the message it gave out and it's "punky", "sunny" and "catchy" sound whilst others criticised the "lazy lyrics" and that it was a "disappointment" on the album and among Madonna's singles. Hollywood's chart performance again reflected this as it's reasonable start - Top 10 in the UK, Italy, Spain and Canada - was soon short lived. UK sales of 60,000 copies meant Hollywood overall performed worse than American Life, however was still chosen over this to appear on Madonna's 2009 compilation album Celebration.

 

The music video to Hollywood continued the much-desired famous lifestyle, showing Madonna dancing whilst cameras flash, undergoing botox injections, stylists fussing with her hair and paying homage to American superstars. However, this caused outrage from Guy Bourdin's son, Samuel, who accused Madonna of copying his fathers work, namely when she spreads her legs onto of a TV. This wasn't the most talked about event from this single though, that went to the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards performance which sparked reactions from both the media and celebrities. The music ceremony began with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera singing Madonna's Like a Virgin - in tribute to 20 years since her controversial performance of the song at the MTV Awards - who was joined by Madonna who sang Hollywood. Madonna proceeded to kiss her female collaborators before Missy Elliot joined in the performance with her song Work It. The performance was listed as one of the sexiest music moments by Blender Magazine and the number one opening moment for MTV.

 

Hollywood was also performed at the American Life Promo Tour and the Re-invention Tour.

 

Opinion

I prefer this to American Life and I feel it is more radio-friendly due to the pop-y feel to it, however the lyrics and vocal effects makes me rank it low-ish in Madonna's singles discography. I still like it though and enjoy listening to it on the album. Also, like the previous single, the message it's promoting is great and the MTV performance has to be one of my favourites, due to the sexiness of Christina and one of the rare moments Britney sings live!

 

Versions

Radio Edit [3:42]

Calderone & Quayle Glam Mix [9:22]

Deepsky's Home Sweet Home Vocal Remix [7:34]

Into the Hollywood Groove [1:14]

Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duck Mix [7:09]

Oakenfold Full Remix [7:01]

The Micronaunts Remix [6:25]

 

Videos

Official Music Video:

 

2003 MTV Video Music Awards performance:

 

If you have any requests for Song of the Week, feel free to PM me or SweetCandy! Also, I've added links to previous Songs of the Weeks below, so if you missed one, please do comment in them.

 

Songs of the Week

Week 1: I Know It

Week 2: Bad Girl

Week 3: Jump

Week 4: Sky Fits Heaven

Week 5: Causing a Commotion

Week 6: Die Another Day

Week 7: Dress You Up

Week 8: Frozen

Week 9: Ray of Light

Week 10: Drowned World/Substitute of Love

Week 11: The Power of Goodbye

Week 12: Nothing Really Matters

Week 13: American Life

Week 14: Hollywood

I would say up until 2010/11 this was my favourite Madonna song. Up until that point I only had a handful of her recent albums and the song was full of nostalgia for me on account of being responsible for making me a fan. I remember watching her Jonathan Ross and TOTP performances during the promo tour and being wowed.

 

Nowadays it's nowhere near my favourite and I burned it out a bit but I still think it's a fabulous song, and of course terribly underrated. Truly dreadful music video mind.

 

Edited April 15, 201312 yr by Jark

By far and away the best thing to come out of the American Life era, always loved this.

I quite enjoyed the American Life album, though it was mostly forgettable. Hollywood is by FAR the standout track on it though. So poppy in the right places, and those sudden shifts throughout always get to me :wub:

I hate the video , like the song , but love the remixes !!!

 

Should have been the first single!

 

All remixes from this era were better than the album version

Great song, really wanted her to perform this live on every tour since the RIT but she hasn't yet, lets hope she does on the next one lol. I agree with Vibe the maxi single remixes are all perfect I love them.

I've had this on repeat since I woke up today. Such an iconic song and very underrated. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere for ages.

 

I don't think there's anything I hate about how this was handled. Perfect production, amazing video, greatest performance of all time (VMA's) and one of my favourite remixes ever.

Edited January 5, 201510 yr by ♡ Heezus Froot ♡