Posted October 28, 20231 yr 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'?
October 28, 20231 yr Author 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
October 28, 20231 yr 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 !
October 28, 20231 yr I'd agree it perhaps should have been the lead, but definitely at least 3rd instead of 'Love Profusion'. What a stunning song!
October 28, 20231 yr Author 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.
November 2, 20231 yr 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.
November 3, 20231 yr 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.
November 3, 20231 yr 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.
November 5, 20231 yr Author 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.
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