Song of the Week ● Nothing Fails

Posted April 21, 201312 yr

Nothing Fails ● (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

The only track on American Life to be written by Guy Sigsworth and Jem Griffiths, 'Nothing Fails' was originally titled 'Silly Thing' - a demo which used Griffiths vocals and was inspired by Sigsworth's wife: "I never write love songs, but I was moved to write one for her...I wanted to write something naive and honest". It was later altered, including the title, by Madonna who loved it. 'Nothing Fails' was released as the third single in the US and selected European countries as an attempt to gain more sales for parent album American Life after under-performing, controversial singles 'American Life' and Hollywood'. It received minor chart success, reaching the Top 10 in Italy, Canada and Spain (where it reached number one) but missed the Billboard Top 100 and American Life didn't have any significant boost. However, it reached number one on both Billboard's Hot Dance Songs for airplay in clubs and single sales.

Reviews for 'Nothing Fails' were much more positive than the previous two singles, being dubbed one of the best on the album and a reflection of Like a Prayer due to the gospel choir usage at the end. However some disapproved of this, with Stylus Magazine stating "nothing she has to say here has quite the power 'Like a Prayer' once did; the same old song, over 10 years later, just doesn't cut it anymore".

'Nothing Fails' was performed live at both the American Life Promo Tour and Re-invention Tour - the latter showed Madonna playing an acoustic guitar in front of a backdrop, which critics described her as a "solitary figure".

Opinion

This holds a place in my Top 3 of the album; the more stripped back songs were certainly the highlights on American Life. Had 'Nothing Fails' been promoted more and a music video had been filmed, I think this would have helped the era more. The intention was there due to the reason for it's release, but that's obviously no good if it doesn't get the "single treatment". The Re-invention Tour performance is another fine example of how beautiful Madonna's vocals are when it comes to ballads.

Versions

Album Version [4:49]

Radio Edit [3:46]

Radio Remix [3:59]

Jackie's In Love in the Club [7:28]

Nevins Big Room Rock Mix [6:44]

Nevins Global Dub [7:45]

Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix [8:24]

Peter Rauhofer's Lost in Space Mix [8:36]

Tracy Young's Underground Dub [8:36]

Tracy Young's Underground Mix [7:29]

Videos

Audio version from the album American Life:

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Re-invention Tour performance:

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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