"American Life"
Single by Madonna
from the album American Life
B-side(s)	"Die Another Day" Calderone & Quayle Afterlife Mix
Released	March 2003 (digital download) April 8, 2003 (US) April 14, 2003 (Europe)
Format	Digital download (US) CD single (Worldwide) Vinyl single (UK)
Recorded	London, England
Genre	Pop / Electro
Length	4:57
Label	Maverick, Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Madonna Mirwais Ahmadzaï
Producer(s)	Madonna Mirwais Ahmadzaï
Peak chart positions
#1 (United World Chart, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Japan, Switzerland) #2 (Argentina, Greece, Spain, Sweden, UK) #3 (Finland) #6 (Latvia) #10 (France) #37 (U.S.)
Madonna singles chronology
"Die Another Day" (2002) "American Life" (2003) "Hollywood" (2003)
Audio sample
Info (help· info)

"American Life" is a pop song written by American singer-songwriter Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï for Madonna's ninth studio album American Life (2003). The song's lyrics are a criticism of the American lifestyle. The song was released as the second single in the spring of 2003 (see 2003 in music) (preceded by the release of "Die Another Day" in 2002), and although it failed to match the chart success of past Madonna singles, "American Life" is considered to be a worldwide success as it reached number one in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan^{[citation needed]} and Switzerland, the top ten in Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia, and the top forty in the United States. The song is also well known for its controversial music video which denounced President George W. Bush and the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (720x720, 98 KB)American Life is the second single by singer Madonna from the album American Life, released in 2003. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as simply Madonna, is a six-time Grammy[1] and one-time Golden Globe award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... American Life is the ninth studio album by pop singer Madonna, released on April 22, 2003 by Maverick Records. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Die Another Day is a 2002 spy film. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... // A digital download (also known as a digital single or a paid digital download) is an official and legal music single available for purchase through an online store. ... A CD single is a music single in the form of a compact disc. ... It has been suggested that Childrens gramophone records be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ... Electropop (also called Technopop) is a form of synth pop music that is made with synthesizers, and which first flourished from 1978 to 1981. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Maverick Recording Company, is an American record label owned and operated by Warner Music Group, and distributed through Warner Bros. ... Warner Bros. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Mirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known simply as Mirwais, is a Paris-based record producer and songwriter. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... // A record chart, also known as a music chart, is a method of ranking music according to popularity during a given period of time. ... The United World Chart is a worldwide chart issued every week by Media Traffic, using both sales (digital and physical) and airplay to determine the most popular albums and singles in the world. The United World Chart uses the same system as the Billboard Hot 100, in which the tracking... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as simply Madonna, is a six-time Grammy[1] and one-time Golden Globe award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... James Bond theme chronology The World Is Not Enough (1999) Die Another Day (2002) You Know My Name (2006) American Life track listing Mother and Father (9) Die Another Day (10) Easy Ride (11) Die Another Day was the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded... American Life track listing American Life (1) Hollywood (2) Im So Stupid (3) Hollywood is the third single from Madonnas ninth album American Life, released in 2003. ... Image File history File links AmericanLifeSample. ... Image File history File links AmericanLifeSample. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ... The term singer-songwriter refers to performers who both write and sing their own material. ... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as simply Madonna, is a six-time Grammy[1] and one-time Golden Globe award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... Mirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known simply as Mirwais, is a Paris-based record producer and songwriter. ... An album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. ... American Life is the ninth studio album by pop singer Madonna, released on April 22, 2003 by Maverick Records. ... Lyrics are the words in songs. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... See also: 2003 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2003 Record labels established in 2003 // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It... A music video is a short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music, most commonly a song. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ...

Song information

The song was co-written and co-produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï. Mirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known simply as Mirwais, is a Paris-based record producer and songwriter. ...

"American Life" was first released on April 8, 2003 in the U.S. and on April 14 in Europe. The song premiered on radio worldwide on March 24, the same day that it was sent out as an official digital single by mail to American fans who purchased the MP3 on Madonna's official website. The song received remixes by some of the most known in the business, including mixes by Missy Elliott, Peter Rauhofer, Felix da Housecat and Paul Oakenfold. April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // A digital download (also known as a digital single or a paid digital download) is an official and legal music single available for purchase through an online store. ... For other uses, see MP3 (disambiguation). ... Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia), better known as Missy Elliott, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, MC, and record producer. ... Peter Rauhofer is a remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. ... Felix da Housecat Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings in Chicago, Illinois) is a House music DJ and record producer. ... This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedias quality standards. ...

The single cover that was released on April 8 was different from the original cover artwork. Initially, an image of the single was released to the media showing Madonna holding a machine gun. The doctored single cover featured the same picture, but minus Madonna holding the gun.^[1] April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ...

Madonna performed "American Life" on the MTV special, "On Stage And On Record", and also on her 2004 Re-Invention Tour. This article is about the original U.S. music television channel. ... Madonna, Re-invention World Tour 2004 Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (born August 16, 1958), simply known by the stage name Madonna, is a pop singer considered by many to be the queen of popular music. ...

Music video

Original version

Madonna in the original version of "American Life" music video.

The controversial music video was shot on February 6 and 7, 2003 at Los Angeles Center Studios in Los Angeles, California by Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund. While she made sexually and religiously explicit videos in the 1980s and 1990s, Madonna started incorporating violent images in the 2000s starting with "What It Feels Like for a Girl" and "Die Another Day". For "American Life", she took it to a new level by focusing on politics and attacking United States President George W. Bush's attack on Iraq. Image File history File links Americanlifem. ... Image File history File links Americanlifem. ... A music video is a short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music, most commonly a song. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... Jonas Ã…kerlund (born November 16, 1966 in Bromma) is a Swedish film director, most known for making music videos. ... The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... The 2000s are the current decade, spanning from 2000 to 2009. ... What It Feels Like for a Girl is a song by American singer Madonna from her 2000 album Music. ... James Bond theme chronology The World Is Not Enough (1999) Die Another Day (2002) You Know My Name (2006) American Life track listing Mother and Father (9) Die Another Day (10) Easy Ride (11) Die Another Day was the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...

The video is built around Madonna, as an army sergeant major (see image on left), with a female legion of troops at a fashion show. It ends with Madonna and the troops getting into a MINI Cooper and crashing it into the catwalk. While the audience is watching in shock, Madonna hoses down the paparazzi with a water cannon, reaching a climax with fast-moving war images until Madonna throws a hand grenade which is caught by a President Bush lookalike, who transforms the grenade into a lighter to light his cigar. As soon as the storyline of the video leaked to the press, it was heavily criticized. It went so far that Madonna felt it necessary to issue a statement: "I feel lucky to be an American citizen for many reasons - one of which is the right to express myself freely, especially in my work. I understand that there have been reports about my upcoming video "American Life" in the media - much of which is inaccurate. I am not Anti-Bush. I am not pro-Iraq. I am pro Peace. I have written a song and created a video which expresses my feelings about our culture and values and the illusions of what many people believe is the American dream - the perfect life. As an artist, I hope that this provokes thought and dialogue. I don't expect everyone to agree with my point of view. I am grateful to have the freedom to express these feelings and that's how I honor my country". This article is about a military rank and position. ... The BMW or New MINI is a car produced by BMW since 2001. ... For the 2006 game, see Paparazzi (game). ... For the alcoholic beverage sold in New Orleans, see hand grenade (drink). ...

Due to the political climate of the country at the time, most notably the backlash on the Dixie Chicks after they made some anti-war comments, Madonna later changed her mind on that "freedom of speech". On April 1, 2003 one day after the video was first shown on a few European and Latin American music channels, Madonna pulled the video and released a statement explaining why: "I have decided not to release my new video. It was filmed before the war started and I do not believe it is appropriate to air it at this time. Due to the volatile state of the world and out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video".[1] The Dixie Chicks are a country/rock music trio from the United States comprising Emily Robison, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A European is primarily a person who was born into one of the countries within the continent of Europe. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...

Edited version

After pulling the original video, Madonna then released a performance-only edited version that premiered on April 16, 2003 on VH1. This version, which many have criticized, only contains the footage of Madonna as a general, but this time performing in front of flags instead of flames and images of war. A different version was shown as a backdrop to her performance of the song on The Re-Invention Tour. The chief difference was the alteration of the final scene to display George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein together. No new footage was filmed for the edited version. is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994) is an American cable television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently part of the MTV Networks division... Re-Invention Tour was a seven-country concert tour by Madonna starting in May 2004 which featured music from the beginning of her career to her 2003 album American Life. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was the fifth President of Iraq and Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council from 1979 until his overthrow by US forces in 2003. ...

Warner Brothers had confirmed that the unedited 'director's cut' "American Life" video (in other words, the original pulled version) would be a bonus on the DVD of I'm Going to Tell You a Secret, which was released in June 2006, however, when the DVD was released in America, the "American Life" video was not included. This last version pursues all the content of the first one, but the ending is different and more violent. After Madonna's MINI Cooper reaches the catwalk and the singer starts to throw water on the paparazzi, legless and war-injured models start to crawl on the stage, helped by two nurses with their clothes full of blood. These images are mixed with actual war cameos, scenes of the fashion crowd laughing at it all and the sound of bombs and missiles covering the song. And when Madonna throws the grenade, it falls right on an empty part of the catwalk, and the singer's images on the big screen puts the hands on the ears. Im Going to Tell You a Secret is a documentary which followed Madonna on her successful Re-Invention Tour, from dancer auditions to rehearsals and opening night all the way through the final show and her visit to Israel in the fall of 2004. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Original and edited versions:

• Director: Jonas Akerlund
• Producer: Nicola Doring
• Director of Photography: Eric Broms
• Editor: Jonas Akerlund
• Production Company: HSI Productions

Chart performance

Before its release "American Life" was aggressively marketed by Madonna's record label, Warner Bros. Warner offered the song as a maxi or two-track single, and also released it as a digital download, the first Madonna single to be made available in this format. In the U.S. the song performed rather weakly, perhaps due to Madonna's criticism of the invasion of Iraq. The digital single sold an encouraging 4,177 copies in its first week of release, allowing it to debut at number ninety on the Billboard Hot 100, but only managed to peak at number thirty-seven on the Hot 100 and stayed within the top forty for just a week. On the Hot 100 Singles Sales, the single peaked at number two and it peaked at number sixty-one on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. The subject of this article is the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ... The Hot 100 Singles Sales (also known as Singles Sales) is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... The Hot 100 Airplay is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ...

On the U.S. dance chart, the single performed much better, rising to number one on both the Hot Dance Singles Sales and Hot Dance Club Play charts; the number-one position on the Club Play chart marked her twenty-ninth time at the summit. Internationally, the single achieved much greater success, going to number two in the UK and top ten in Australia, and all the way to the top in Canada and Japan. Hot Dance Singles Sales (formerly known as Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales) is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... Billboard magazines Hot Dance Club Play chart (also known as Club Play Singles, and formerly known as Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance/Disco) is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs. ...

Charts (alphabetical order)

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry. ...

Certifications

Official versions

"American Life: Remixes" single cover.

Original versions Image File history File links Scan3b. ... Image File history File links Scan3b. ...

1. Album Version
2. Radio Edit (Uncensored)
3. Radio Edit (Censored)
4. Radio Edit (Without Rap)
5. Video Version

Remixes

1. Felix DaHouseCat Devin Dazzle Club
2. Felix DaHouseCat Devin Dazzle Radio Mix
3. Felix DaHouseCat Devin Dazzle Radio Mix (Without Rap)
4. Headcleanr Rock Mix
5. Missy Elliott's American Dream Mix
6. Missy Elliott's American Dream Mix (Clean Edit)
7. Missy Elliott American Dream Instrumental Remix
8. Oakenfold Downtempo Mix/Remix
9. Oakenfold Radio Edit
10. Oakenfold Radio Edit (Without Rap)
11. Peter Rauhofer American Anthem Part 1
12. Peter Rauhofer American Anthem Part 2
13. Rauhofer Radio Mix

• US Maxi-Single

1. American Life (Missy Elliott's American Dream Mix)4:49
2. American Life (Oakenfold Downtempo Remix) 5:32
3. American Life (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix)6:10
4. American Life (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem) (Part 1)10:41
5. American Life (Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem) (Part 2) 9:06
6. Die Another Day (Richard Humpty Vission Electrofield Mix) 6:01

• European Single

1. American Life (Edit With Rap)
2. Die Another Day (Calderone & Quayle Afterlife Mix)

References

For charts and certifications:

• "Chart Performance of Madonna Records - A Compiled History". MLVC.ORG - Charts. link - last accessed on December 19, 2005.
• "Charts". Mad-Eyes Discography. link - last accessed on December 19, 2005.
• "American Life". Top40-Charts. link - last accessed on December 19, 2005.

For official versions: is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• "Remix Index". Madonna Nation. link - last accessed on December 19, 2005.

• Mad-Eyes.net - "American Life" Single Page