American Life - masterpiece or mistake?
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- Опубліковано 13 тра 2024
- American Life, Madonna’s ninth studio album, was released on the 21st of April 2003 and is arguably Madonna’s most divisive album from her legendary career. In the years before its' release, Madonna’s music career had been riding high. But this imperial phase was to come to an abrupt end with with the release of American Life. Over the years it has become a firm fan favourite but at the time many considered it to be a flop.
The world had altered dramatically in the two and half years since her last album, Music’s release. 'American Life' was produced and released against the backdrop of a tense atmosphere in the US, a country still trying to recover from the September 11th attacks and a government planning a war with Iraq.
So why exactly, wasn’t the album a commercial success? What does the producer Mirwais think of the title track today? Which other female singers did Madonna invite to perform with her at the 03 VMAs? Why did Madonna decide to withdraw the 'American Life' video? And is the album really a masterpiece or was the whole era a mistake? This mini-documentary explores these questions and more.
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00:00 Introduction
00:46 Background
03:12 Making the album
04:50 American Life (single)
08:53 American Life video
11:45 Hollywood
12:44 2003 VMA’s
13:52 Nothing Fails
15:07 Love Profusion
15:50 Die Another Day
17:10 Album Analysis
Don't forget to check out my last video about Pink's Missundaztood album • How Pink became a supe...
To me the album was ahead of its time, lyrically and sonically. That kind of sound was so good and different. Let’s not forget it also gave us ‘Nobody Knows Me’ and ‘Mother and Father’ which are amazing. I think people mocked her and didn’t take her seriously because they thought she was taking a stance on politics amidst a context of war and of course a woman (especially Madonna) doing that in the 2000s was poorly regarded. Anyway, what a record!
I agree that it was ahead of its time. Relistening to it see it’s a better album than I originally thought it was, but I’d still rate it among her least successful albums. Higher than Rebel Heart and MDNA? Yes. And probably higher than True Blue, but it’s not beating many other albums for me.
Yeah the first song and video situation overshadowed the rest of the album
@@jonnyharveyand poor selection of singles. As she did with the Erotica/Sex controversy( she threw herself into a new world tour and moved forward fearlessly.
I like that Nobody Knows Me has had a staying power not as a song in itself but as an intercessor in concerts, promos and other ways. It is actually a powerful song that has been reworked in its context over the years.
She did dare to talk about politics. She was censored. Now GaGa, Eilish and Taylor Swift can do that thanks to her.
Masterpiece. The trilogy of Ray Of Light, Music and American Life was a hell of an era.
Yeah they do fit into a trilogy - that’s true
The Nothing Fails-Intervention-X-Static Process sequence is the album's biggest silver lining for me.
😀
My favorite album of hers. American Life is absolutely great and serves what it needs to serve for the purpose of the song. Everything the producer said (the lyrics, the rapping style) is justified. She was just ahead of her time as usual.
yeah that's cool - everyone hears music differently
@@jonnyharveyagreed 💯👍
Love this album always. Slept outside Tower Records to see her perform. M performing at a record store was totally insane at the time. She touched my hand during Hollywood.This era had some of her best/most interesting remixes ever. I wish every track had been officially reworked. The original AL video might not be her most iconic, but its her most important in my opinion.
Oh wow - I'm so jealous. Was that Tower Records in New York in Soho?
@jonnyharvey Yes. Long story long...We slept over the first night to get the wristband. Then slept over again in line for the show the next day. It was terribly organized. If you were at the front of the line for the show, you were at the end of the line for the signing. She ended up leaving with half the line still outside lol. Apparently if you sent them your wristband, they would send you a signed copy of the limited Klein photo book "X-Static Process". I didn't know at the time and still have my wristband😊 The gallery exhibition by the same name shown at the Deitch Project in NYC was amazing. And translated brilliantly for the opening of the RIT. Underrated tour.
In short, it's a Masterpiece. This album would have been better "received" if it was (1) called Intervention instead of American Life, (2) released in 2002 with "Die Another Day" as the lead, and (3) (hear me out) only single. To me, it's an introspective album about Madge, and it didn't really need the glitz and glam promo. The mystery would have drawn intrigue and the lyrics speak for themselves. But because big labels want big sales, it definitely didn't "fit" with the mood of the entirety of the album. I still stand by this being a Top 5 Madonna Album, behind Confessions, Music, Ray of Light, and Erotica.
Yes maybe that marketing plan would actually have worked better. Interesting opinion. But a pop career depends on a continuity of hits.
Like a Prayer and True Blue are incredibly important albums.
yay another madonna video 🤩🤩
Nothing Fails is my fave song from this album, I think with a shift in direction this album could have had a Frou Frou - Details type of vibe and been more well received and remembered
I would have loved more guy sigsworth on the album! He truly makes magic with Madonna. But yes, totally agree. I was a huge Frou Frou fan in 2003 and that different "indie" sound holds such a special place for me. I wish her label didn't push sales and all that and allowed her to fly under the radar for once.
okay I'm googling Frou Frou
Nothing Fails is brilliant. And yes a feature with Frou Frou would have been brilliant!
@@jonnyharvey Frou Frou def deserves their flowers and praise after all these years, aside from the Indie music fans scene the album isn't talked about as much and is by far Guy's best work, it will always be pinnacle of electronica for me
Excellent. Excellent!! Another brilliant video. Love the context you provided at the start and all the detail throughout. I also like that you share your opinion about the subject matter, makes your content all the more engaging. Great editing too. I remain a HUGE fan of your work. I look forward to your next video.
thank you 😀😀
The rap was totally an ironic parody of American Music and the lyrics in the rap are a deliberate mockery of the whole notion of being a big rich pop star and using a rap which is the medium for such an artist. People didn’t get that. I think it is a perfect union of form and intent creating art.
yeah people didn't get the irony.
I personally loved it from the very start and still listen to it today, I can see why it wasn't commercially successful (similar to Madame X which I also really love) but I'm sure in time people will recognize how creative it really is.
Madonna’s lyrics don’t just SEEM tagged on last minute to Me Against the Music. They literally were. You can hear the original Madonna-less version if you listen to Britney’s performance at the 2003 NFL kick-off. I’m confident that’s how it would have sounded if Madonna never joined
Oh thanks for that - I'll have to listen to it now.
At the time i remember being disappointed in the song but listening now i feel its good. Its not like amazing but its not bad either idk. Theres definitely worse especially now lol
Thank you for the video, it was awesome. Nothing fails is one of my favourites as well (I had it as a ringtone once...I know, I know ::)
thank you 😀😀
I love the format and easy layout of your videos, can’t wait to see more content!
Thank you 😀
Hollywood would be considered so much better if it was her lead single, likewise girl gone wild on mdna- but can understand the superbowl theme with give me all you’re lovin.
I love American life album, maybe not at the time! It’s such a nice chill and honest record 😊
yeah sometimes it's nice to listen to her more pared back
It’s a terrible single to me.
Agreed. I loath Give me all your lovin.
I would have released:
1. Hollywood (April 2003)📸✨️
2. Love Profusion (July 2003)🥀🌴
3. Nobody Know Me (November 2003)🕶😵
4. American Life (March 2004)🇺🇲💣
Such a great video. Thank u for keeping educating us!!
Thank you 😀😀
This was a great video! I never knew much about this era growing up. Thank you!!!
😀😀
Loved it then & especially now!
EXCELLENT VIDEOS & great songs 🔥
It’s a masterpiece and my second favourite album next to Madonna’s equally perfect debut! The remixes & Re-Invention Tour all help to knock this one out of the park.
I think just the same : my favorite are AL and her 1st album
This is one of her best albums. I would have chosen ‘Nothing Fails’ with an epic video as the first single though. But the album is a masterpiece just like Erotica and Like a Prayer.
yes such a shame Nothing Fails never got the video treatment
I love the concept of the album and her intent. Dont think its her best but not her worst either. Mother and Father is an underrated standout.
it's such a sad song
AWESOME VIDEO JONNY😘
Great job putting it together 👍🏽
Thank you 😀😀😀
@@jonnyharvey I wonder if fans like American Life better than Madame X. What do you think?🙂
@@vangelissopamena Madame X seems to have a lot of fans. I definitely prefer AL
@@jonnyharvey Same. There was more ‘light’ in her music back then 🙂
I still playing that album as badly as back in 2003. One of her top 5.
Same here! Always one of my go-to albums when I want to hear some Madonna ❤
Same the fuck here! Man this album helped to save my spirit. I sing along to certain tracks like “Intervention” and just cry! It’s like singing to my inner child
Thanks for another great video!
Hollywood is my favorite song and video of the album.
thank you 😀😀
This is definitely in my top 3 Madonna albums, maybe actually number 1 based on how many of the tracks I play most frequently. I didn't know it was originally going to be "Modern Life." I wonder if the album might have succeeded more if it had been called that.
yeah that was the original name of the demo
Brilliant analysis, this was the last Madonna "CD" I purchased & the last time I could listen to one of her albums from back to front!
thank you 😃😃
This album is so important to me I was 18 when I discovered it in 2010 and it got me through some hard times/emotions. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion.
With the way the world is right now, the way the fears we all dresd each day, geakth worries and reasons why we all suffer so much with mental emotional health ....madonna hit it hard in American Life and just incredibly hit the pulse and 21 years later its important more than ever before ....incredible album ❤️🖤
I love how thorough your videos are. Keep up the good work 🙂❤
Thank you 😀
I’m glad you didn’t let the latte verse in that rap slide 😂😂😂 that line alone probably helped undermine the album’s performance
it's left a lasting impression 😂
Beautiful cat you have. I like the way her vocals were recorded for this album -- like she's really close to the mic.
Thank you 🐱🐱 Interesting observation about the vocals - you must have a good ear
This is my favorite Madonna album.
Me too
It is perfection ❤❤
Its not perfect and thats what makes it best
Same
@@miroklimek9596 Very true. ❤
I fell in love with the album overseas during my tour in Japan. So different and I loved it even w/o the videos (I was on deployment and wifi wasn't as prevalent as it is today). Imo some of her best work besides her earlier work.
out of all the things that she has done this is one of my favorites! definitely in my top five favorites ❤
omg I love "Nothing fails". It should have been a single
I think it was in a few countries & there was tabloid reports about a video. I love that song too.
Masterpiece! And the proof is that even 20 years after its original release, the lyrics and criticism on the album are still contemporary!
Yes the themes are still relevant
Well my dad said this was a great album! I remember him playing it when I was little
My absolute favorite album of Madonna’s!!!!! That was high school for me and this album was fantastic
early 2000s memories
I was thinking back on it, and by god, this album really was a deep companion to me at that time. I was a gay black kid, nerdy but about all the kinds of things that classic white nerds were not talking about or overlooked, I was going through stages of disillusionment, I had bad acne, I had strong desires that were being suppressed by parents and the culture around me, I wanted to be accepted and loved and seen so badly, and at 16 I found myself in a situation where I was sexually violated, which I kept secret for years because of the shame and I had few outlets where I felt like I could arrive with my whole self, and I just remember this album, among others, but this album in particular lifting my spirits…better yet, carrying me away. As I listen to it again 20 years later and sing along to it, I can’t help but cry! It’s like, fuck
I survived! and can talk about this album that helped me along the way!
I remember listening to this album for the first time (a few months ago hehe) and being a bit confused about the overall sound of it. Like you said, it's very different from Madonna's typical or previous sounds.
Yes maybe it just wasn't what many people were expecting.
Man this album I could listen to on loop back to front and front to back, as well as the album that came out after this one where she had that hit “hung up” confessions on a dance floor I think?!
yeah I think it stands up to repeated listens
Madonna encounters listeners as musican and not as a blonde Pop-Diva. It`s an album for listening. Music and lyrics are more important on American Life than on any other album. It`s the music, why I`m Madonna fan. My favorite song on AL is Love Profusion. And I love Madonna with brunette hair.
Yeah she looked gorgeous with the brunette hair
The best Madonna is brunette Madonna
People tend to forget that George Michael also faced a huge backlash with Shoot The Dog, and I am sure that will also have influenced M's decision to pull the AL video (although Michael wasn't half as big then, you never know, I feel like Madonna could have identified with that more because they were peers). She could see how deeply damaging the media and government could be, she knew the risks.
American Life for me was Madonna stepping into genuinely sincere artistic expression. Sure, we had ROL which has deeply personal lyrical themes, but it was still a highly curated album. AL seemed more organic, more urgently personal, and more sincere in its desire to spread some *ahem* Light.
I felt so proud to be a Madonna fan because it felt like this was the new trajectory. For an authentic and meaningful future.
But it flopped, and she went on to create her most crafted album, almost a concept album, COAD. This also included her personal messages and desire for a better world. She had the same message and urgency but with a pure pop veneer. It gives us a glimpse at Madonna's vision and her skill.
American Life is my favourite Madonna album. It's got a very personal place in my heart because of my young age and being completely obsessed with M. RIT was also the first tour I had ever seen and it was transcendent. It's a very special album and a very special time for me.
I forgot about 'Shoot the Dog'- that was in 02. Yes he did get a real backlash for it. Nice to hear that the album connected with you in that way 😀
@jonnyharvey that was removed from the US version of Patience.
At that time, the US supported the war at the time, now 20 some odd years later, that view is now unpopular especially with Gen Z.
X Static Process and Intervention are probably my favs from the album!! The songs American Life, Nothing Fails, and Nobody Knows Me also had some hot remixes ❤️❤️🩷
It's such a personal album for me. My mother has just passed away and I was listening to Easy ride and Mother and father on repeat and eventually fell in love with the rest of the album.
Lol at 16:27 😂
oh I'm sorry to hear that. Nice to hear you found those songs comforting
Mother and Father acoustic
Masterpiece imo
This album is when I was first introduced to her and I was obsessed
It’s a real fan favourite 😀
This album gave us the vma 2003 performance with Britney and Christina. Even though I forgot about this album and songs, that performance would forever be iconic😍
The album is way better than that cheap moment.
@@taintedlife2618 yeah lol okay if you say so
So initially I thought the album was a big mistake, however that summer while on holiday in Greece the person overseeing the music around the pool had this album on repeat constantly. Needless to say after a week my opinion changed massively, I just don’t think it’s a obviously masterpiece. I do think it was a massive mistake not to release the original American Life video as it adds a lot more context and depth to the lead single.
I feel like this album was kinda ahead of its time. You see, about 20 years later general public actually favours more introspective, moodier and "spiritual" popstars over more "traditional", plastic artists that people tend to associate with pop music. That's why people such as Taylor Swift, SZA, Lana Del Rey or Olivia Rodrigo are some of pop music's most prolific names right now - they write songs about THEIR lives, their experiences, psychological struggles etc. Meanwhile, at the time of American Life's release that wasn't the case. Pop music was dominated by acts such as Britney, Jlo, Christina Aguilera or Jessica Simpson who, for the most part, offered danceable pop music that didn't touch upon more serious subjects... Now, as for the record itself, I loved it when I was 15-18 and I was starting my journey with Madonna - I firmly believed it was my fav record of hers. However, right now, as I'm pushing 22, I don't know what to really think about it. I still really like it and appreciate it but I'm not certain whether I would describe it my all-time favorite Madonna album.
yes pop wasn't in a moody, introspective place in 2003
honestly my fave album!
😀
I’ll say it’s a masterpiece I feel a combo of the misplaced marketing/ promo and America/western society’s obsession with wanting opluets and escapism in a time of tragedy is the reason for its flop status, I always tell that Madonna have always been a alternative artist stuck in a mainstream pop superstar body she’s much better when she’s making more experimental, alternative, introspective based music as suppose to music that is trendy and popular in todays culture hence her run from 1989-2005 (like a prayer, erotica, bedtime stories, ray of light, music, American life and confessions on a dance floor) is top notch unmatched. She’s honestly no different than the likes of prince, Kate bush, Annie Lennox and Bjork in terms of her artistry but her pop superstar status is what separates her from them
I guess so but Madonna always wanted the commercial success and the fame and to be on top.
@@jonnyharvey that’s true actually I think Madonna thing was blurring the lines of what specific artist to be and how you are recognized/celebrated you are for it I feel she always more leaned into being a alternative artist but have the recognition of being a pop star
An excellent album then and now
Mother and Father with sound evolving with each second, coming down to that hyperpop glitchy crescendo is just ahhh perfection *chefs kiss*
Yeah it does have its fan. I loved it when she performed it on tour
I bought this album when it was released all those years ago. Listened to it like 3 times. Only started listening to it again a few years ago when us Madonna fans got involved in #justiceforbedtimestories and interest in American Life resurged and have been listening to it ever since. I love it!!
I remember this!! The album went to number 1 again. I took screenshots lol! That’s def a good ass album and I love American Life too. It’s very dancy, pop electronica folklore. It’s an acquired taste. My fav songs are Hollywood, I’m So Stupid, Nobody Knows Me, Love Profusion, Die Another Day, Nothing Fails.
@@AllThingsAnime2 You’re right it is a good ass album! OMG I took screenshots too!!! Lol those are my favourite songs too, plus Intervention! My all time favourite Madonna song is Take A Bow!
Masterpiece! In my Top 3 Madonna albums. Nothing fails was a huge highlight in this album. I’m still mad at her for not making a music video for it and for only releasing it as a single in very few countries :(
'Nothing Fails' is *such* a beautiful record! I love everything about it ❤
one of my favourite ever M songs
Such a cathartic album so deep. When she performs tracks from American Life at her shows, it's another element from the album, thanks to her creative big budgets n live compositions of those songs.
Hey I like when she does them & she plays guitar
As far as I am concerned, Bowie 🐦 is my 👑 and hero, 🙏, and Madonna is my 👑 and goddess 😍😊.
I was never a Madonna fan in my life. I accidentally found out about this album and it made me fall in love with her. Crazy right?
Ray of Light was the album which converted me
I love this video and I love your cat too. Please have him or her on future videos.😊
Thank you 😀😀That’s my cat Gizmo - he’s 10 years old & he isn’t always willing to be on camera. But of a diva
My friend: First when you patted your cat very suddenly it was sooo cute! Now, a fact and then an opinion: First and foremost, I really liked the socio-political and economic context in light of which American Life was born. I would have added though that 2003 was the year when the Y2k aesthetics ended! That would have been worth mentioning. Also, did you know that Madonna actually planned an mv for "Nothing Fails"? She wanted it to be filmed in one of the most politically charged and unstable region in the world: Palestine or for some Israel. Just imagine if she did, I can guarantee you she would have been cancelled with no return to the music scene ever since. As far as the album is concerned, yes, it is a very experimental album (Madonna wanted to break into the mainstream music with a new sound she already developed in RoL and M, so we will give her that), second the philosophical aspect of the album (hyperreality, irony of the American Dream, consumerism, market value, self-deprecation in the ironical sense) did not sit well with the American public simply because the US general public misses the point of the album. However, with this album, Madonna is being dishonest: first she accumulated wealth and then she realized that it is not good bla bla, and her argument behind annulling the video is BS. I am not convinced.
Yes I read that about Nothing Fails but I read it from a tabloid source so I wasn’t sure if it was true. They said Michael Douglas was going to direct it
@@jonnyharvey Great job my friend!
@@mohamedanisferchichi2071 thank you 😀😀
Nice video essay! Still my favorite Madonna album of all time! It was too experimental for the general public. When it comes to art, I’m in the minority, but I often prefer originality and a statement over sounding good. Die Another Day is still I think her best MV. So badass and love the Jewish references. When you talk about the line “do I have to change my name” from the title track as being picking out a stage name; I’ve never interpreted it like that. I always thought she was referring to immigrants and minority groups in America having to change their native names to something more “white” to get opportunities. The album is very shallow and deep at the same time, and that’s a quite complex thing to achieve and is hard to replicate. P.S. I will defend the AL rap forever. It’s the perfect climax to the song and camp af.
Thank you 😀😀 Yes the rap is so camp - it is quite enjoyable in a kitsch way now.
This album didn't go all the way in any matter. The "american life" theme is barely in the album. She didn't go all the way in the viedos either, and it kind of felt inconclusive. I love Nobody Knows Me, though.
there were only 3 songs about the album's main theme
Brilliant review.
Thank you😀
Stunning album. The original American Life video was Hunger Games way before hunger games was a thing. Look at the audiences reaction to the violence on the catwalk. Way ahead of it’s time.
I’ve never seen the Hunger Games but I will take your word for it
There is a penchant for wanting to tear somebody down before giving them a fair hearing. Outside of her core audience Madonna will immediately face that wall of resistance. Its simply unforgivable of her to be this successful and still going in the eyes of many. In 2003, the early "anti war" imagery of the album killed the record before it even got going. Funny really considering Erotica suffered purely because of the imagery from the Sex Book, at the expense of some great pop music being appreciated or discussed. I will admit I was a late listener to American Life and like Erotica I feel its a shame that some great songs are/were overlooked. Thankfully brighter days were ahead with Confessions on the Dancefloor two years later. Fab video as always Jonny x
Thank you 😀😀😀
It didn't go down well with me on first listen back in the day because I was expecting a standard Madge album but repeated listens revealed the brilliance and artistry of the record. Hands down one of my favorite Madonna albums of all time. Not a single bad song in the mix. Felt more personal to me than anything else she had ever done. I loved the electro/folk vibe and I even came to love the rap. The only true mistake was putting Die Another Day on it. Didn't really fit in and seemed to be used as a ploy just to generate attention since the album was lacking in potential radio hits. And the cover art was a bit of a turn off ...initially. She had to have know people would not be snapping it up with that cover art OR the title! The video controversies of the first two singles were a tough blow for the album. I remember thinking "Man, Madonna can't catch a break with this album". Rolling Stone recently named it one of the worst albums of all-time by a big pop star. Way off base IMHO. She was more than entitled to do something experimental and in the end she delivered a masterpiece!
American Life is a criminally underrated album. It’s very cohesive and a great body of work but I think its biggest flaw is not having a hugely beloved single like nearly all of her other albums.
I also wish Madonna changed the order of her releases. If Hard Candy came out in 2003 it would have been ahead of the Timberlake/Nelly Furtado albums and Madonna would have sounded fresh and innovative instead of chasing a sound
Confessions was perfect as is. It was ahead of Gaga and the dance pop sound returning to dominance in the US instead of R&B pop of the early 2000s.
2008 should have been American Life when Americans were fatigued over the war and economic recession. Or even later during the Trump presidency
yes if only those release could've been swapped but that's life
Timberlake Timbaland is such a scar on her catalogue. The album has some good songs but bad collaboration in general
And I wish I could go back in time and buy Bitcoin at $1. Madonna hired Timbaland because she was trying to get Justin and Nelly’s sound.
The best thing about Madonna is that she just makes the work she wants to and let's the chips fall where they will afterwards. Her relationship is with the work not the audience which gives her the freedom to fulfill her needs as an artist
Also my favorite Madonna album. Listen to it all the time still. Also American Life is more relevant than ever. ❤❤
Do one with Music era, that's where i begin to be in love with her, in my teens, please
I will do at some point. Madonna videos always take so long - there is much to cover
This is half a folk /country music album and Madonna’s voice is just perfect for that kind of music
Yeah not too big or booming. It does suit her voice
It's not country at all 😅
It's called folktronica
Absolutely ahead of it’s time . One of her best works . But one of her worst marketing eras …
yes the marketing messed things up.
In light of Madonna healing from a bacterial infection I implore you listen or watch some of her work. She really has an outstanding catalogue videography and tours. Pay this woman some respect for her contribution not only to pop, but to music and art in general.
My favorites on American Life are Intervention and Mother and Father. Particularly love the live television interview/ acoustic version of Mother and Father on the Matt Lauer show.
This album … has helped me to get my shit together when I need to on my own … it still does … key word HELP!!!! thank you Madonna … at the time of the album’s release the establishment was trying its best to make it unpopular and ruin it
my fav Madonna album
😀
@@jonnyharvey If I had to remove one song from this album that would be "Die another day" 😂
Had she released Hollywood instead as the lead single and perhaps leaned away from the controversy; I think it would’ve been another hit. I personally love “Love Profusion”.
Yeah I think Hollywood would’ve been a better choice as the lead single
One of my fav ❤
MASTERPIECE. My fave Madonna album
I would love to see you make a video of Janet Jackson's era during the DAMITA JOE album - Wardrobe Malfunction meltdown. She paid an even higher price (and bigger career fallout) and she hadn't even made a political statement at the time. Bring It On! 😉
Yeah I'll definitely do that at some point - can you believe it's coming up to twenty years next February?
Loved hearing your take on this album. For me it's resonates very deeply, I think it is a defiant genious of an album. I like that she really wanted to do something radically different with this album. It's the album that I still listen too the most and its comment on american culture is still so relevant today,I think it was ahead of it's time and people were not ready for this one. But it is a darlky ironic masterpiece of an album.I love the sound Mirwias gave the whole album.I love the Icon album artwork too. "Nothing Fails" is a stand out track and a brilliant song by Madonna.(matt)
yeah NF is my standout track too
@@jonnyharvey Jonny what is your favourite Madonna album of all time or albums?(Matt)
masterpiece! even iconic Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso referenced the song “X-Static Process” in one of his songs!
Simmmm 🇧🇷🇧🇷
@rafaelf.3732 @yvizinha what song is it?
@@jasf87 ‘Diferentemente’
I didn't know that - will have to google.
Incredible album in a very turbulent time in the USA.
Thank you again for another great video. Like many, I found the album a bit underwhelming when I first bought it but it has grown on me. There wasn't a catch "melody" from any of the tracks (even Die Another Day), now I appreciate the album more. Madonna (in general) has a very ironic, sarcastic sense of humour. Irony is totally lost on many in the music industry - look at "Material Girl" - most see that as Madonna's great song lauding the success of money in the 80s - it is the total opposite- the whole track is ironic (look at the beginning of the video) - similarly with the AL rap. I am also going to be controversial. I hate the overuse of the "vocoder" and "autotune". I am not a huge fan of Mirwais production for that reason. I love Madonna's voice when it doesn't sound like its being manipulated. Finally as someone else pointed out George Michael was effectively cancelled in USA mainstream music - a) for his sexual preferences and the way he expressed them and b) for Shoot the Dog c) for not being as young as he used to be - ALL outrageous of course, but I am sure Madonna could see the parallels there!
thank you 😀😀 Yes good points there. I do like vocoder but not so much with Madonna and folk influenced music. I think 'Shoot the Dog' was the year before, 2002 (well it came before AL) so I'm sure Madonna was also conscious of that
Oh Johnny! I have been waiting for this video (that is to say, your video on this topic!)... this music video (the original music video for the title track) was the peak of my Madonna fanship. It came out while I was in highschool. I'm American. My political awakening happened because my Junior year high school history teacher was a hardcore German communist who really aggressively pushed us to question capitalism, the government, and the military industrial complex. I feel like I won the lottery. He introduced me to Karl Marx when I was 16. I owe that man my life for helping me see the light see so young.
But anyways, while I *DETEST* people who purity test others and require morality litmus tests to publicly like things, Madonna is about as anti-Marxist as they come, and is proudly, and unabashedly pro-capitalism.... BUT... what really connected with me at 16, and what really still connects with me, is that she rejected *imperialism* in the face of media consensus saying such a position was morally bankrupt. I knew, back then, thanks to having sane parents, a great teacher, and common sense, that invading a foreign country which *at the time we had no reason to suspect was involved in 9/11, and ultimately, obviously, ended up having NOTHING to do with it,* was a heinous thing to do, and was clearly, SO CLEARLY, a huge payout to the military industrial complex, and had NOTHING to do with 9/11.
I am *legitimately* grateful for this album, and I don't think I'd be the same person today without it. I don't care how stupid that sounds to anyone else. I feel like without my teacher from high school, and without this album, I would never have gained the confidence to stand up for what I believe is right even when it's wildly unpopular. Today in 2023, I find myself again in this same position, but against people who I never expected to have to speak out against.... but either way, Madonna really did play a HUGE role in giving me the courage to do that, and if I'm being honest, to this day I kind of channel her energy when I tell someone to f*ck off lol. Her self-assuredness is intoxicating.
Edit: I thought you might like to hear a funny story. So like I said, I grew up in a cow town in America, and after that VMA performance, I printed out a photo of Britney and Madonna kissing and put it on the cover of my binder, and purposely carried it around facing outwards. I like to think I was channeling Madonna's energy back then lmao. It definitely upset people, but this was just a bit too modern for the administration to feel comfortable enough to tell me I couldn't do it. Just a couple years earlier at my high school, some gay kid was beaten into a coma by some cowboy crew, but there really was this strange shift in the early 2000's where people started realizing maybe being gay didn't mean beating you to a pulp was justifiable lol.
That's lovely to hear the album connected with you in such a profound way & that you try and channel some 'Madonna' in your life today. Loved that story about your folder - that was so brave of you. Thanks for sharing 😀😀
I like it. I’m not her #1 fan, I just really love her music. Sorry if anyone else said it, but DJ Keoki had the American Life rap on his Kill The DJ album! LOVE HIM TOO!
Thanks for reading!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
The album cover was very similar to Kylie Minogues FEVER TOUR 2002 promo pic! Look it up 👌 You should do Kylies Body Language album as it was same year as this album, has couple raps in it aswel must been sound of 2003-2004 hehe👌🔥🎤
Yes I think will do it - it’s coming up to 20 yrs!!!! How did that happen?!?!
@@jonnyharvey I no mate, crazy I was 19 in 2003 lol. But yes looking forwards to your options and thoughts on Body Language... In my opinion I believe Slow is one of her best singles ever and if not on of pops in general best songs, its different yet modern yet it's own stand alone song like nothing else at the time and not to sound silly as it's very new still but I believe she's done it again with PADAM PADAM, I feel like she's done nothing like this since the SLOW era... She's really gone early 2000s but fresh with PADAM PADAM and it's so nice to see her charting so well this far into her career 😃💯👌
Masterpiece
you need to do a video on Witness by Katy Perry, i would love your take.
Do you think I should? There are quite a few on it already
This is a spiritual album. Questioning self and giving meaning to life. This is my favourite Madonna album by far. I think the imagery and war protest muddles the meaning of the album. Without the context of the USA at the time and the war driven music video for American Life, this album is about the self and giving new meaning to a vapid life she created and pioneered (see; Material Girl.)
I wish we could’ve talked more about the meaning of the songs and not the context surrounding the album and lead singles. The message of Nobody Knows Me and I’m So Stupid are a great insight into Madonna’s sense of self. But I understand the visuals, promotion and context are important to discuss but it’s only the surface. The promotion and visuals may have been a mistake (I really would’ve liked different album artwork) but the musical production and lyrical content are a masterpiece to me.
I've always had a soft spot for Love Profusion; both the song and the video bring about a certain odd sense of calm The video imo is one of her best ever, in terms of its lovely aesthetic and of course at how gorgeous she looks. The return to blonde was also a good idea. Hollywood, Nothing Fails or LP would all have been better choices as first singles...but this was also released during a time when the music industry was starting to freak out a bit, that post-Napster/pre-iTunes in between time, so who knows.
Great work Jonny - Always nice seeing your cat pay a visit to the set as well. ;)
Thank you - yeah Gizmo loves the attention 😀
Easy ride est incroyable ❤❤❤
Such a great closer ❤️
This master piece
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As a musican myself Madonna's Rap was really important for me. I would always thought that "Rapping is not a thing for a Pop head like me" but then I've heard Madonna's American Life, and I thought - If she can jump into it, why can't I? Ultimately it's another way of expressing Yourself in the music, and thought maybe You wont be using this often, it is good to have another option to use in You music.
nice to hear that rap inspired someone
American Life is good. Especially when compared to her more modern musical atrocities like Madame X or MDNA.
LOVED IT FROM BEGINING TILL VERY END ❤
I liked it a lot, but I have pretty grim memories of that time. Hollywood was a great single and Nothing Fails was wonderful
Master piece. Not a single track I dislike
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I loved this album since the first time, and I never understood the flop since it's one of her most inspired and personal albums. Far better and more cohesive than Music. Although the title song is really a bad track and Die Another Day seems misplaced there.
yeah they just tagged it on to drive sales
Masterpiece hands down
Masterpiece!! Madonna reveals her true self in a vulnerable way in songs like XStatic Process, Nothing Fails, Easy Ride, Mother & Father and Intervention. I feel like we really get to know the real her... without the "Creamy pop goddess" persona. Beautiful record..... and criminally underrated.
It definitely has its moments. Shame the controversy overshadowed them
My favorite album
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This album has some great songs. “Intervention” and “Nothing Fails” are beautiful.
Album highlights 😀