'American Life' was the lead single to Madonna's ninth studio album, released digitally in the US in March 2003 and physically the following month. The song merges squelchy electro with dreamy acoustic guitar and lyrically provides commentary on the American Dream following the events of 9/11, the emergence of reality TV and celebrity culture obsession. It received largely negative reviews from critics who particularly took issue with the middle-8's rap where Madonna lists off all the people that work for her. The song did, however, achieved Top 10 positions in most of its charting countries, including #1 in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland and #2 in Greece, Spain and the UK. In the US, it only reached #37, making it Madonna's worst performing lead single since 'Everybody' failed to chart in 1982.

 

The official music video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and made a anti-war statement, featuring Madonna at a military-themed fashion show with real life footage of war intertwined. It drew a lot of controversy, particularly as the US invasion of Iraq had begun between the video shoot and its planned release. Madonna pulled the video out of respect to the US army and believing the true message of the video would be lost given the circumstances, and instead a video that just featured Madonna in front of a backdrop of alternating flags was released.

 

20 years on, what are your thoughts and memories of 'American Life'?

 

My remaining memory is it being set for #1 all week and the shock of it being blocked at the last minute!

I just remember all the outrage going on at the time, trying to download the og video on Napster etc.

 

This and Hollywood stalling at #2 weren't shockers as such. Disappointments maybe, but with a pulled video and Madonna pussying out? What do you expect.

I remember being in college at the time and non fans really enjoying this song!, ‘Im not a christian and im not a jew’ - this lyric was praised.

 

I remember there was lots of backlash about her trying to rap!

 

I just think if Nothing Fails / Hollywood was released first she would have another number 1 hit in her catalogue.

 

Tje headcleaner remix and felix da cat remix is much better than the original!

What kept American Life from going to No.1 in the UK?

I remember thinking the video was really bad I don’t know there was a scrapped version so was like “is that it?” The song was instantly catchy though .

What kept American Life from going to No.1 in the UK?

 

Room 5, and very marginally.

It's such a amazing video. I truly love it.

Not her best album but a good album.

 

I must revisit it.

 

Nothing Fails is such a beautiful song.

Original uncensored video is now on Madonna's YouTube channel!

 

Although I'm not keen on the album as a whole, I do like the single a lot.

It felt like an odd choice at the time, with something like Nobody Knows Me being much more accessible.

But AL is a good song and one of my faves of the era. I actually love the (apparently intentional) bad rapping.

 

The flag video was rubbish though.

 

 

I've watched the uncensored video so many times since it's been uploaded. That final minute is brutal and still packs a punch no matter how many times you watch it.; the real life footage really drives home the reality of war and how it's the civilians, not the governments, that always suffer. Madonna crashing through the stage and driving into the crowd laughing like a maniac is really chilling too. The whole concept is really strong and I love Madonna's look in the video, her brunette hair really suits her and she just looks so fierce.

 

I've got a new found love for the song itself too. Mirwais' production is genius - the spiky, squelchy electro is quite confrontational whilst the softness of the acoustic guitar gives a false sense of security and the jarring transition between the two almost puts you on edge. Very suitable for the subject matter.