This is the best music video of all times. Not because it has some kick ass choreography. Not because the top models look great. Not because the outfits are shocking. Not because Madonna has the greatest singing voice. This is the best music video of all times because this is the best representation on how we really are. We worry about the amount of milk and sugar in our coffees, we worry about our weight, we worry about the way we dress, we worry about everything but our fellow humans. War is real, people are killing people. Still. After more than ten years this video still applies. The best selling female artist in the history of mankind criticizes our patriotic minds and all she gets is hate? Something is awfully wrong here. You go, Madonna. You go, everyone sharing her point of view.
Well, I suppose it is good to see Madonna finally gaining a bit of social awareness in 2003, but you do realize, don't you, that there were plenty of artists who had been expressing the same ideas and feelings in songs and videos long before Madonna made this video, and doing so in much more sophisticated, subtle and artful ways? Are you familiar with the work of Laurie Anderson? Or Neil Young? And it very much contradicts her whole career up to this point, where now she seems to be criticizing the materialistic lifestyle which she previously had so emphatically celebrated and in fact built her career upon. But yeah, her anti war video statement is somewhat effective.
Edward Rosenthal I agree with your first paragraph, but it's more of a myth that she built her career on materialism. She chose to sing 'Material Girl' because she wanted it to be a satirical view of rich societies at the time and still today, but many people didn't understand that meaning and labeled her as a material girl, an image she has tried to shed for decades. She probably made this to try to help people understand what she was really talking about, but it flopped completely, sadly. EDIT #1: You're partly correct, though. Madonna said in 2003, '"[The song] was like a trip down memory lane, looking back at everything I've accomplished and all the things I once valued and all the things that were important to me. What is my perspective now? I've fought for so many things, I've tried so hard to be number one and to stay on top, to look good, to be the best. And I realized that a lot of things that last and the things that matter are none of those things."' She had built her career on materialism after she realized she couldn't get people to understand what Material Girl had been intended to do.
Flop Tour That's your personal spin on the song, and it's a little peculiar. I'm talking about how Madonna instinctually was rebelling against the peace, love, hippy ethos of the 60's into the 70's seeking spiritual enlightenment and rejecting materialism. Plus she came along right as Regan's insane conservative American Capitalist bullshit was taking over, so her music was about shameless self interest and personal excess, which I suppose is the connection to Lindsey Lohan you're talking about.
Moon.star.XXX i coulden't agree more. madonna hase always been a material girl, but now she expressed wisely and in a smart way our life by this video, this is just a real peice of art.
Nobody in the music industry has ever been as brave and risk-taking than Madonna. None could ever talk about war so explicitly and criticize it like that but her. Madonna is more than an artist!
Yes! I was in the first or second grade when I did this and unfortunately never stuck with acting/modeling. Madonna requested me later to be in another music video but I declined being young and stupid. Its really ironic that I'm in this video because I'm actually now serving active duty in the US Navy.
I didn't see what was so controversial about this until the end. It was a bit disturbing, but what Madonna was trying to show us was the reality of war and it's effect on people and their reactions. Pretty powerful message if you ask me.
+Saint Traughber True. Madonna altrough her music and speeches always had the courage to defend what she believes. Just remember Like a Prayer video (racism), Justify My Love video ABC interview or Live To Tell performance on Confessions Tour.
M does not care; she says what she thinks. Even if it means losing the airwaves like with this video. She's a true artist, a real person, the last star ever.
Ahhhh I know you prob mostly have wigs in your head, but they have been doing drone strikes in the middle East and North Africa for the last 8 years....
I always get goosebumps when I watch this video. It's provoking and shocking and sad. 10 years have passed and it's still one of my all time favorite videos!
18 years have passed now. What do you think of its impact now? This all seems so innocent compared to what we've become as a nation. I hope it doesn't get worse.
Madonna made the biggest mistake of her career when she bowed down to pressure and didn't release this video - a mistake she's still paying for now. This was the right video for the song, it was the right time for the "war = fashion show" statement, and people NEEDED to see it. This would have been one of the most iconic things Madonna ever did - the song would have had the impact it was supposed to, and people would actually have been made to think and talk about this aspect of "war". It might actually have done some good. Instead, they bowed down to pressure (for the first time?), the message was lost, the damage to her reputation and career was done, and most people still have never seen it. Such a shame. What happened to "I don't have to apologize for anything"? (And this was when the "bad Madonna times" really started.)
they wouldn't have aired it.... that's why... she needed something they could air... she already took hit to bottom line to make this kind of album... she understandably didn't want Dixie Chics like backlash..
Luca G, you have a good point about her having children to protect, but I don't believe that was the entire reason she made this decision. I think it was also fear of a Sex-like backlash like john christopher said. It's the same reason the tour turned into a lame "greatest hits" show - again, as john christopher said, it was at least partly about the "bottom line". I wouldn't be surprised if her husband had something to do with it as well - we all know he had a negative influence on her. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I would have done anything differently in her position - it's just a shame this message wasn't seen by more people, because it was spot-on and could have gotten people talking about these issues much earlier than they did.
There was a backlash against another artist making openly critical remarks against the Bush administration (one of the Dixie chicks?) re Iraq . Madonna has individually never shied away from making bold statements.. she had two small kids and didn't want to put them at risk unduely through any ensuing fallout - so changed the video (she said something to that effect in an interview at the time). it is an excellent video though that makes a statement.
I doubt any of these young 'Artists' will have the balls to even make a statement! She summed up our sad reality in a less than 5 minutes video and the world has been failing to understand it for centuries. A truly amazing woman,.
this video and song sum up the sad reality that we live in right now... most people are clueless and don't know what really happens in the world or simply chose to ignore if it's not affecting them directly.. I don't believe in any religion but I hope that justice will at least be served because it is unfair for most people what they go through! peace x
+Skeletonguns9 I can't help but think the scenes where the people are physically burning at the end are partially influenced by the events of Vietnam, but also by fictional films such as the horrific 1980s BBC WW3 film: Threads.
+Soso It wasn't banned, Madonna pulled out the video because the war started and she felt that her message was not going to come across, "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."
This video was way ahead of its time (even though it was totally in context of whatever was happenin then).. brilliant concept..its sad people didnt support it then!
+Viraj Surve umm,wat was happening then is STILL happening now in those SAME countries. america just cant stop fuckin' up other countries to get wat it wants
She should have just had the balls to release this. In the US she would have been public enemy #1 at first, but then starting the next year as attitudes shifted (and Green day came along with AI) she would have been seen in such an incredible light for doing this.
dioioego omg why people are so aginst her age, who said she have to give up her lif ebecause she is 55? she still enjpy her life, her sexuality so what
This is not just a videoclip, It's a manifesto. Madonna at her best. This should have been the videoclip release not the other one. Anyone who thought this had to be banned or censored was/is a hypocrite. War is just a show... sad but real
Imust confess I didn't like this album in the 2003 but the 2 videos were amazing and now that I am listening the album again, I realize that it was too much for that era.
This is AMAZING! SO MUCH BETTER than the version that was actually released! Bad timing SUCKS cuz this video would have been a masterpiece if it was released like this.
Agreed, its quite twisted and disturbing. Madonna stated in an interview at the time that she pulled it out of respect for the US troops alongside concerns for her children and husband at the time Guy Ritchie potentially suffering or being targeted by the severe backlash in the USA. Madonna has never cared about being attacked/slagged off, even with the 80's playboy photos leak/Sex book, she was more bothered about her dads reaction than what the media thought of it. LOL
It's a shame that the United States didn't want to accept the reality of their invasion to Irak. Since this video Madonna was boycotted in the United States and the radio didn't play her songs and that's why she never had another number 1 song in that country, the most representative case is Hung Up that was a number 1 around the world but in US it only get to 7.
This was pulled before anyone saw it.This song flopped at US radio because it was a horrendous piece of shit. It killed the album. The COADF singles didn't do well here because they didn't fit US radio, at all. As soon as she recorded something US radio friendly, "4 Minutes," it did well here.
yes she almost ruin her carrier in us because of american life. but the dixy chicks also was boyccot on the radio but i dont wanna miss this album its amazing
the album is amazing, maybe we can skip the 'rap' part, but it was very dareful this video, tongue-in-cheek to bush goverment and how american sees the war as some kind of entertainment!
PDC1987 No, it wasn't because the album sucked, imo (and many other people) Americna life is one of her bests, the reason it flopped in the US is because everyone knew she was going to criticize the bush regime, so they destroyed and boycotted the album.
leo01987 yes just like dicksis chicks( sry i dont know exacly the name of this country girl band but they where around when madonna bribngs this album out) they have critzies bush in many televison interviews and many radio station boycotted them. its funny that usa fight in other country for demokatrie but in usa you can not tell what you thinking ( sry my english is sooo bad )
They need to get this song back out on the airwaves and back to the top of the charts in every major global market. The song is much more relevant now than it was back then (even though it was still relevant at the time). Anorexia, Bulimia and other issues to do with body image have gone nowhere, in fact they're fairly common because of the rise of photoshop and social media. As for war, well we see it every day on the news in Syria but it's become the norm so much that it no longer shocks us. This is why Madonna made this video. To wake us all up and make us realise that our own daily lives are nothing compared to the bigger picture.
Madonna will never turn her hair dark again. She became toooo safe after this album because she is desperated for gain success in US again, but she is permanently vetoed from US radios after AL, so no matter what she does, no matter Hung Ups, duets with Justin Timberlake, or trying to be a 12-years old girl with MDNA
Madonna es una de esas artistas que ya no volverán, que no tiene miedo a decir lo que piensan, en este video dejó muy en claro que no vive cegada por la "Vida perfecta" del americano patriota, recuerdo que en 2003 MTV Latinoamérica no censuraba este video lo pasaban a cualquier hora, esto creó en mi un criterio, luego parece que la prohibición llegó a cualquier pais que lo transmitiera y pasaban el aburrido de las banderas, sin duda un video de este calibre jamás se volverá a ver porque ahorra con el uso de las redes sociales los de doble moral son los primeros en quejarme y ofenderse, cuando son ellos los que causan esta manifestación de descontento. Sin duda, pido a Dios que no volvamos o estemos pronto en una situación igual o peor. Pero el mensaje es claro y contundente.
I prefer this original, because it's so amazing. She should have kept the original, but since people wet themselves over something that isn't gumdrops and fairies, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have worked out.
There was a time when Madonna would have stuck two fingers up at everyone and released what she wanted regardless of how it shocked other people. That's the Madonna I miss.
Mania28 I believe she withdrew this video because of her children. Most mothers and fathers would understand her decision. I vaguely remember her saying somewhere that she would have risked it if not for them. Still we can enjoy and admire and be genuinely moved and shocked by the original here on UA-cam. For now anyway...
Cecily Macnamara you're right she said that in an interview it was only to protect her children, if she didn't have them she would've definitely released it and i wish she did. it would've topped the controversy of erotica
Had never seen this version and I love Madonna. I was too young this came out and did not develop my taste in music until much later. But WOW, I love her message. If it had been released in the youTube age and not in the time cable tv ruled music videos then this video would not have been pulled. True respect points earned.
Despite the horrendous rapping, this song and video was pure genius. This was the Madonna I loved. The in your face political queen of pop. American Life was such an underrated album. The album flopped because it wasn't commercial pop compared to her previous albums.
@@MARTPOP right 😭 like i don't think it's necessarily supposed to sound good, it's kinda like the rap on Mother and Father, but i love it and it's so camp
The rap was intentional! Why dont Americans get this??? She was poking fun at herself! AKA consumerism & the cult of celebrity. She was saying look, i have all this and im not happy. Had she rapped in a more elite manner, it would have come across as privileged. It was ALL intentional
por los que vienen sobre la recomendación de Pablo Agustin, que aplaudo por cierto, este es uno de los videos musicales mas poderoso en la historia, en 2003 MADONNA expresa su sentir con su trabajo acerca de un gobierno norteamericano y un sistema infernal en el que vivíamos y seguimos viviendo, donde se nos satisface con morbo, lujos, pero ignoramos el costo de esto, y es la vida de seres inocentes, MADONNA grito al mundo que el único terrorista temible es el gobierno norteamericano, mientras la prensa y el mundo sólo se divierte con sus guerras, este video tiene mucha historia y representación gráfica de la crueldad humana vestida en moda, es un video que lo tienes que ver y volver a ver para entender lo que este mundo es, a MADONNA este video le costo mucho, a partir de este video, MADONNA fue vetada, bloqueada y amenazada de muerte por no apoyar a su gobierno, mi forma de ver el mundo cambio gracias a este video, ojala les sirva de algo a quienes lo vean.
Gente, eu tô em choque! Nunca tinha visto essa versão. A versão que eu vi foi uma que a MTV Brasil só pode exibir ao longo de um único dia, daí eles ficaram passando de hora em hora o dia inteiro, mas o final não era essa loucura toda. Que clipe chocante. Madonna arrasa, humilha e destrói. Não é à toa que é a RAINHA DO POP!
Eu lembro que em 2003 (quando o clipe saiu), era uma versão dela com a boina e as bandeiras de diversos países ao fundo, apenas. Essa versão passou uma única vez e logo foi censurada.
EL ALBUM MÁS CONTESTATARIO DE MADONNA, EL MÁS PROFUNDO, EL MÁS PERSONAL (DESPUÉS DE RAY OF LIGHT) Y DESGRACIADAMENTE EL QUE MENOS VENTA TUBO!! NO ENTIENDO PORQUÉ!! AMERICAN LIFE UN GRAN DISCO !!
Great video, unfortunately so real: all powerful people just watching the war as it were a show...they just scream when the bomb falls over them but if not, they can even applaud or laugh in front of the war show...
El video y la canción son bastante complejos, la letra que define a la sociedad estadounidense como cegada por las televisoras e indolente frente a los asesinatos en la invasión de Irak, aparte el video demuestra esa barbaridad !! puff Madonna tuvo los ovarios de criticar a su propio país, es de admirar
Andrew Phillips You're absolutely right. Same in 1984 with Like a Virgin live performance on MTV, public felt shocked with such sexual display. With Express Yourself (89) the feminists groups fiercely attacked Madonna for considering the video a female submission representation, when it's exactly the opposite: woman empowerment. Madonna's book-photos SEX (92) left its mark, many M's fans & morality associations criticized what they considered to be pornography, instead of what it is: a woman openly talking about sex & fantasy. With the book released before Erotica album (92) M was punished by a lot of fans & the album sales express that: "only" 5 million sales. This has been a constant in Madonna's career: the Blond Ambition (1990) the Vatican appealed to a boycott in the Rome show. In Toronto (Canada) was threatened with arrest due to Like A Virgin masturbation performance but Madonna was even more bold in that performance :) Justify My Love video was only shown on MTV "late night". American Life, M was very criticized by Americans, specially the Milliliters felted insulted, since then it seems to exist a kind of a boycott to M's albums.
Gina Sousa Branco I love her because she doesn't do what's 'right' she does what she thinks is right and I will always stand by her because I think she's amazing!!
Increible video.. Esos son huevos de Madonna de expresarse y decir las cosas como son mas alla de ser una simple artista de la música.. por eso y mas creo que ha revolucionado siempre el mundo con su música y valor… cosa que ninguna de las otras que me digan se atreven... que lastima que en esa época censuraron ese video tanto así que hasta hoy veo esta versión…
She may not be the best selling at the moment, she may not be the greatest voice, and she may not be the kindest person, but she is a degree above all other pop divas because of things like this...anyone of them probably will ever have the guts to do something so audacious and relevant like this. Such a shame nowadays she delivered herself into things like throwing shades on other new singers who copy her, making generic pop music, getting into those dumb "Je suis Charlie" and Tidal shit, but she is still amazing and timeless.
+Vladimir Raineri If any of today's artists (and I mean those who haven't been around as long as Madonna) have the guts to do this, or at least attempt it, it would be Lady Gaga.
She IS the best selling female of all time and its now 2023, she has donated over $100 million to HIV AIDS charities & research, she has built schools & hospitals in Africa and donated money to the homeless in Detroit & kids with cancer across the world... what have you done thats more kind?? She also HAS a great voice.
I just can't understand those people that think that singers like Gaga, Beyoncé or Rihanna give a real message. They say Madonna is old and doesn't sell anymore, but what's really important about Madonna is not her sales (which, by the way, are far away from any other female singer), but her influence and impact on society. Now, that's an artist.
Of course. Madonna has always evolved has an artist. She brought to her music the real life: women empowerment, religion, sexuality, racism, politics, war, human rights, different kind of love. Madonna will always be on her own game
this video is a masterpiece is satirical heaven but she manage this amazing she was going to drop this video and after 9/11 and the war she decided to change it for the flag which represented unity she is a queen .. she is the queen
Rodar Producciones final la bomba cae en manos del presidente George W. Bush y es en realidad un encendedor y lo prende para fumar su cigarro. Busca en google: George W. Bush american life madonna y veras una imagen :)
el arte puede resultar impactante y en este caso lo es, mostrando lo que sucede en la actualidad, Madonna lo expresa y deja claro su forma de ver y sentir esta realidad, y la comparto.
She is not only the queen because of her beauty, great music and talent but because being the diva that she is and still addresses big social issues and she is the voice of those that cannot be heard. Viva queen Madonna
Un vídeo épico , donde se hace una fuerte critica al gobierno de George W. Bush el peor de la historia de Estados Unidos , de echo se tuvo que sustituir por el de la edición con las banderas mundiales, si no , no iba ser transmitido en los canales de musica , es decir fue censurada , luego estados unidos dice que en su gobierno hay libertad de expresión algo que es falso, y mas bien a Madonna le salio barata la censura, porque grupos como Dixie Chicks ,si fueron vetados por 2 o 3 años, solo por salir en la portada de rolling stones criticando a Bush ,pero bueno así estamos en el mundo
President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize - the bloodiest president. Limp puppet of the ruling elite of the country. Freedom of speech in the United States no longer exists.
Madonna or anyone who works for her. AS ALWAYS, you are far ahead of the times. That is one of your gifted qualities. American Life. Banned Video. NOW is the time to release it. Just as your original is. Your warning will be more clear to the dumb Amerian life we are now in. Thank you for you. Always.
The rap has more common place once you've finally seen the original music video. This really does paint a picture of what war is to homeland Americans. Not for all Americans, but definitely to those who find humor and entertainment in war.
![Madonna - American Life - Director's Cut (Official Video) [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bZAMiK6ROZA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Madonna - American Life - Director's Cut (Official Video) [4K]](/img/tr.png)
![Madonna - Hung Up (Official Video) [HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EDwb9jOVRtU/mqdefault.jpg)
![[柴犬ASMR]曼玉Manyu&小白Bai 毛发护理Spa asmr](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0TsXQ7z2Dh4/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the best music video of all times. Not because it has some kick ass choreography. Not because the top models look great. Not because the outfits are shocking. Not because Madonna has the greatest singing voice. This is the best music video of all times because this is the best representation on how we really are. We worry about the amount of milk and sugar in our coffees, we worry about our weight, we worry about the way we dress, we worry about everything but our fellow humans. War is real, people are killing people. Still. After more than ten years this video still applies. The best selling female artist in the history of mankind criticizes our patriotic minds and all she gets is hate? Something is awfully wrong here. You go, Madonna. You go, everyone sharing her point of view.
Well, I suppose it is good to see Madonna finally gaining a bit of social awareness in 2003, but you do realize, don't you, that there were plenty of artists who had been expressing the same ideas and feelings in songs and videos long before Madonna made this video, and doing so in much more sophisticated, subtle and artful ways? Are you familiar with the work of Laurie Anderson? Or Neil Young?
And it very much contradicts her whole career up to this point, where now she seems to be criticizing the materialistic lifestyle which she previously had so emphatically celebrated and in fact built her career upon. But yeah, her anti war video statement is somewhat effective.
Edward Rosenthal Tahrue DAT!!!
Edward Rosenthal I agree with your first paragraph, but it's more of a myth that she built her career on materialism. She chose to sing 'Material Girl' because she wanted it to be a satirical view of rich societies at the time and still today, but many people didn't understand that meaning and labeled her as a material girl, an image she has tried to shed for decades. She probably made this to try to help people understand what she was really talking about, but it flopped completely, sadly.
EDIT #1: You're partly correct, though. Madonna said in 2003, '"[The song] was like a trip down memory lane, looking back at everything I've accomplished and all the things I once valued and all the things that were important to me. What is my perspective now? I've fought for so many things, I've tried so hard to be number one and to stay on top, to look good, to be the best. And I realized that a lot of things that last and the things that matter are none of those things."' She had built her career on materialism after she realized she couldn't get people to understand what Material Girl had been intended to do.
Flop Tour That's your personal spin on the song, and it's a little peculiar. I'm talking about how Madonna instinctually was rebelling against the peace, love, hippy ethos of the 60's into the 70's seeking spiritual enlightenment and rejecting materialism. Plus she came along right as Regan's insane conservative American Capitalist bullshit was taking over, so her music was about shameless self interest and personal excess, which I suppose is the connection to Lindsey Lohan you're talking about.
Moon.star.XXX i coulden't agree more. madonna hase always been a material girl, but now she expressed wisely and in a smart way our life by this video, this is just a real peice of art.
Nobody in the music industry has ever been as brave and risk-taking than Madonna. None could ever talk about war so explicitly and criticize it like that but her. Madonna is more than an artist!
Except she pulled it at the last minute so she didn't really take the risk with this which was a shame.
@@aaronhalliwell7108 maaaan, that was four years ago lol. And you're absolutely right.
@@aaronhalliwell7108 When you have crazy peolple menacing your family there's a difference
Good times. I had fun that day modeling in the video. Madonna was super nice.
Wow.. is that kid really you? Haha.. you're such an icon on it :))
Yes! I was in the first or second grade when I did this and unfortunately never stuck with acting/modeling. Madonna requested me later to be in another music video but I declined being young and stupid. Its really ironic that I'm in this video because I'm actually now serving active duty in the US Navy.
RoddyChannel i had no idea I was such an icon in this. This is news to me!
Omg ,that's so cool!, I wish I could had been in a Madonna video :/ hahathat's cool tho,
WOW! Lucky Man, epic video!
I didn't see what was so controversial about this until the end. It was a bit disturbing, but what Madonna was trying to show us was the reality of war and it's effect on people and their reactions. Pretty powerful message if you ask me.
The funny thing is Madonna herself said that footage was from the news, this was been shown daily in American and worldwide tv.
The original ending was also cut off. There showed Bush picking up the grenade and lighting a cigar with it
Neocons did not appreciate it if seems.
I can't see rihanna, Beyonce, Lady gaga or anyone having the guts to do this...
+David Ibarra Agree !!
+Saint Traughber True.
Madonna altrough her music and speeches always had the courage to defend what she believes.
Just remember Like a Prayer video (racism), Justify My Love video ABC interview or Live To Tell performance on Confessions Tour.
M does not care; she says what she thinks. Even if it means losing the airwaves like with this video. She's a true artist, a real person, the last star ever.
+David Ibarra Look for Pink's Dear Mr. President
Илья Чельдиев Oh yes, but Pink is better than Gaga, Perry, etc..
This video is so relevant again.
Ahhhh I know you prob mostly have wigs in your head, but they have been doing drone strikes in the middle East and North Africa for the last 8 years....
who cares about shit hole like middle east if it´s not Israel we don´t care AT ALL
this is why madonna is the best popstar ever
+Mustafa Kuloğlu This & much more
Madonna has balls, for sure, she's a brave and amazing woman
I always get goosebumps when I watch this video. It's provoking and shocking and sad. 10 years have passed and it's still one of my all time favorite videos!
18 years have passed now. What do you think of its impact now? This all seems so innocent compared to what we've become as a nation. I hope it doesn't get worse.
Madonna made the biggest mistake of her career when she bowed down to pressure and didn't release this video - a mistake she's still paying for now. This was the right video for the song, it was the right time for the "war = fashion show" statement, and people NEEDED to see it. This would have been one of the most iconic things Madonna ever did - the song would have had the impact it was supposed to, and people would actually have been made to think and talk about this aspect of "war". It might actually have done some good. Instead, they bowed down to pressure (for the first time?), the message was lost, the damage to her reputation and career was done, and most people still have never seen it. Such a shame. What happened to "I don't have to apologize for anything"? (And this was when the "bad Madonna times" really started.)
the US government must have threatened her family thay's why she did not release it !!!
they wouldn't have aired it.... that's why... she needed something they could air...
she already took hit to bottom line to make this kind of album... she understandably didn't want Dixie Chics like backlash..
Luca G, you have a good point about her having children to protect, but I don't believe that was the entire reason she made this decision. I think it was also fear of a Sex-like backlash like john christopher said. It's the same reason the tour turned into a lame "greatest hits" show - again, as john christopher said, it was at least partly about the "bottom line". I wouldn't be surprised if her husband had something to do with it as well - we all know he had a negative influence on her. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I would have done anything differently in her position - it's just a shame this message wasn't seen by more people, because it was spot-on and could have gotten people talking about these issues much earlier than they did.
There was a backlash against another artist making openly critical remarks against the Bush administration (one of the Dixie chicks?) re Iraq . Madonna has individually never shied away from making bold statements.. she had two small kids and didn't want to put them at risk unduely through any ensuing fallout - so changed the video (she said something to that effect in an interview at the time). it is an excellent video though that makes a statement.
kumada84 you are naive to think it is anything but madonnas choice nothin is her choice
This video was very upsetting for me as a kid. Now i understand the balls that madonna had to put it out.
I doubt any of these young 'Artists' will have the balls to even make a statement! She summed up our sad reality in a less than 5 minutes video and the world has been failing to understand it for centuries. A truly amazing woman,.
And she supports Hillary who kill many people in other country.
exactly some.of the stars have chosen the less shitty president
this video and song sum up the sad reality that we live in right now... most people are clueless and don't know what really happens in the world or simply chose to ignore if it's not affecting them directly.. I don't believe in any religion but I hope that justice will at least be served because it is unfair for most people what they go through! peace x
+Skeletonguns9 I can't help but think the scenes where the people are physically burning at the end are partially influenced by the events of Vietnam, but also by fictional films such as the horrific 1980s BBC WW3 film: Threads.
+He Ba given this was released in 2003,it's probably more about post 9/11,america going to war in afghanistan & iraq.hense y this video was banned
+Soso It wasn't banned, Madonna pulled out the video because the war started and she felt that her message was not going to come across, "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."
true
Really? Do you believe that? LOL... It was a world premiere on MTV, do you think she didnt watch it before? Right!... Same day it was removed.
HOLY FUCKING SHIT !!!!!!!!! WOWZA !!!!! This is the most shocking video ever made by a pop star !!!! WOW
MIA's Born Free is more shocking
@@discodirk48 because its so crap
This video was way ahead of its time (even though it was totally in context of whatever was happenin then).. brilliant concept..its sad people didnt support it then!
+Viraj Surve umm,wat was happening then is STILL happening now in those SAME countries. america just cant stop fuckin' up other countries to get wat it wants
+Soso I agree
Hands down this is Madonna's best video! Just Brilliant and so ahead of its time! No other pop star has had the guts to do something like this!
She should have just had the balls to release this. In the US she would have been public enemy #1 at first, but then starting the next year as attitudes shifted (and Green day came along with AI) she would have been seen in such an incredible light for doing this.
dioioego
No. she doesn't get airplay because she's older and this song was abysmal, it ended her streak.
PDC1987 Why do You find the song abysmal, If You don't mind me asking ?
this album deystroy her carrier in us, still today many radio station dont play her old or new songs.....
dioioego
omg why people are so aginst her age, who said she have to give up her lif ebecause she is 55? she still enjpy her life, her sexuality so what
dioioego
i didnt say you said that, i just said it that many people have so much hate on madonna becuase of her age,
OMG , Such a Masterpiece video !!!
such a reality
and this is why madonna is unique and the queen
Said Marin Lady Gaga should take some notes #queenmadonna
This is not just a videoclip, It's a manifesto. Madonna at her best. This should have been the videoclip release not the other one. Anyone who thought this had to be banned or censored was/is a hypocrite. War is just a show... sad but real
During the first minutes I was like "why was this banned, it's not too much", then I finished the video.
Well, that was scarring.
Marvin Lee the ending is what makes the video worth watching, a gory shocking extravaganza to sum up America
Oh please🤦🏼♂️
Imust confess I didn't like this album in the 2003 but the 2 videos were amazing and now that I am listening the album again, I realize that it was too much for that era.
This is AMAZING! SO MUCH BETTER than the version that was actually released! Bad timing SUCKS cuz this video would have been a masterpiece if it was released like this.
You know how the censors are. I love this video
THE best music video ever made !
Her most powerful and disturbing video
. She pulled it from MTV at the last minute.
Agreed, its quite twisted and disturbing. Madonna stated in an interview at the time that she pulled it out of respect for the US troops alongside concerns for her children and husband at the time Guy Ritchie potentially suffering or being targeted by the severe backlash in the USA. Madonna has never cared about being attacked/slagged off, even with the 80's playboy photos leak/Sex book, she was more bothered about her dads reaction than what the media thought of it. LOL
It's a shame that the United States didn't want to accept the reality of their invasion to Irak. Since this video Madonna was boycotted in the United States and the radio didn't play her songs and that's why she never had another number 1 song in that country, the most representative case is Hung Up that was a number 1 around the world but in US it only get to 7.
This was pulled before anyone saw it.This song flopped at US radio because it was a horrendous piece of shit. It killed the album. The COADF singles didn't do well here because they didn't fit US radio, at all. As soon as she recorded something US radio friendly, "4 Minutes," it did well here.
yes she almost ruin her carrier in us because of american life. but the dixy chicks also was boyccot on the radio but i dont wanna miss this album its amazing
the album is amazing, maybe we can skip the 'rap' part, but it was very dareful this video, tongue-in-cheek to bush goverment and how american sees the war as some kind of entertainment!
PDC1987
No, it wasn't because the album sucked, imo (and many other people) Americna life is one of her bests, the reason it flopped in the US is because everyone knew she was going to criticize the bush regime, so they destroyed and boycotted the album.
leo01987 yes just like dicksis chicks( sry i dont know exacly the name of this country girl band but they where around when madonna bribngs this album out) they have critzies bush in many televison interviews and many radio station boycotted them. its funny that usa fight in other country for demokatrie but in usa you can not tell what you thinking ( sry my english is sooo bad )
They need to get this song back out on the airwaves and back to the top of the charts in every major global market. The song is much more relevant now than it was back then (even though it was still relevant at the time). Anorexia, Bulimia and other issues to do with body image have gone nowhere, in fact they're fairly common because of the rise of photoshop and social media. As for war, well we see it every day on the news in Syria but it's become the norm so much that it no longer shocks us. This is why Madonna made this video. To wake us all up and make us realise that our own daily lives are nothing compared to the bigger picture.
That signature Madonna dip at 3:05 just blasts every performer. So simple yet she does it so dope!
She's so pretty, I love it when she has dark hair, please have dark hair again Madonna!!!!
I was just thinking the same thing
Madonna will never turn her hair dark again. She became toooo safe after this album because she is desperated for gain success in US again, but she is permanently vetoed from US radios after AL, so no matter what she does, no matter Hung Ups, duets with Justin Timberlake, or trying to be a 12-years old girl with MDNA
@@Rhiabbaco you didn't explain why she'll never be with black hair anymore
2:56-3:10 EPIC DANCE MOVES! :D
Right? I love that part!
Slow Dive glad u agree! :D
***** lol
Madonna es una de esas artistas que ya no volverán, que no tiene miedo a decir lo que piensan, en este video dejó muy en claro que no vive cegada por la "Vida perfecta" del americano patriota, recuerdo que en 2003 MTV Latinoamérica no censuraba este video lo pasaban a cualquier hora, esto creó en mi un criterio, luego parece que la prohibición llegó a cualquier pais que lo transmitiera y pasaban el aburrido de las banderas, sin duda un video de este calibre jamás se volverá a ver porque ahorra con el uso de las redes sociales los de doble moral son los primeros en quejarme y ofenderse, cuando son ellos los que causan esta manifestación de descontento. Sin duda, pido a Dios que no volvamos o estemos pronto en una situación igual o peor. Pero el mensaje es claro y contundente.
Such a shame that this flopped. People were too dumb to understand this
Actually it peaked #4 at Top 40 and the album sold 5 million copies, why? Because this was a big step to future to it's time.
It didnt flop, but the media did bash her. But the sales were high.
So true. Great album loved it!
Gael Carrillo the single flopped teribbly
flopped only of boycott from radio/tv! she criticized the presidents war politics! America is not everything but 318 million possible customers.
Stronger than ever in these days!
I prefer this original, because it's so amazing. She should have kept the original, but since people wet themselves over something that isn't gumdrops and fairies, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have worked out.
There was a time when Madonna would have stuck two fingers up at everyone and released what she wanted regardless of how it shocked other people. That's the Madonna I miss.
Mania28 I believe she withdrew this video because of her children. Most mothers and fathers would understand her decision. I vaguely remember her saying somewhere that she would have risked it if not for them. Still we can enjoy and admire and be genuinely moved and shocked by the original here on UA-cam. For now anyway...
Cecily Macnamara you're right she said that in an interview it was only to protect her children, if she didn't have them she would've definitely released it and i wish she did. it would've topped the controversy of erotica
well this is the original after all.
I agree with you 100%!!👍👍👍👍
A critica social é uma mensagem que se deixa a refletir.Só uma arista como a Madonna é capaz de fazer um trabalho esplendoroso como esse
No había visto esta versión. Brutal. Crudo. Real. Lo que vivimos...lo que vemos.
Had never seen this version and I love Madonna. I was too young this came out and did not develop my taste in music until much later. But WOW, I love her message. If it had been released in the youTube age and not in the time cable tv ruled music videos then this video would not have been pulled. True respect points earned.
kool2btrue www.dailymotion.com/video/xz7og2_madonna-american-life-uncensored-video_music
The bravest thing Madonna has ever done. I still LOVE it.
Despite the horrendous rapping, this song and video was pure genius. This was the Madonna I loved. The in your face political queen of pop. American Life was such an underrated album. The album flopped because it wasn't commercial pop compared to her previous albums.
The rapping is my favorite part it's such a guilty pleasure 😂
no she was blackballed
@@MARTPOP right 😭 like i don't think it's necessarily supposed to sound good, it's kinda like the rap on Mother and Father, but i love it and it's so camp
Bye the rap is iconic
The rap was intentional! Why dont Americans get this??? She was poking fun at herself! AKA consumerism & the cult of celebrity. She was saying look, i have all this and im not happy. Had she rapped in a more elite manner, it would have come across as privileged. It was ALL intentional
Madonna, you deserve all my respect.. so brave, so intelligent... so objetive...
por los que vienen sobre la recomendación de Pablo Agustin, que aplaudo por cierto, este es uno de los videos musicales mas poderoso en la historia, en 2003 MADONNA expresa su sentir con su trabajo acerca de un gobierno norteamericano y un sistema infernal en el que vivíamos y seguimos viviendo, donde se nos satisface con morbo, lujos, pero ignoramos el costo de esto, y es la vida de seres inocentes, MADONNA grito al mundo que el único terrorista temible es el gobierno norteamericano, mientras la prensa y el mundo sólo se divierte con sus guerras, este video tiene mucha historia y representación gráfica de la crueldad humana vestida en moda, es un video que lo tienes que ver y volver a ver para entender lo que este mundo es, a MADONNA este video le costo mucho, a partir de este video, MADONNA fue vetada, bloqueada y amenazada de muerte por no apoyar a su gobierno, mi forma de ver el mundo cambio gracias a este video, ojala les sirva de algo a quienes lo vean.
Alan RoE menos mal que no fue a prisión ni nada
De las pocas artistas que refleja la realidad en la música.
THIS IS PURE ART! EMOTIONAL
MASTERPIECE !!!
Gente, eu tô em choque! Nunca tinha visto essa versão. A versão que eu vi foi uma que a MTV Brasil só pode exibir ao longo de um único dia, daí eles ficaram passando de hora em hora o dia inteiro, mas o final não era essa loucura toda. Que clipe chocante. Madonna arrasa, humilha e destrói. Não é à toa que é a RAINHA DO POP!
Eu lembro que em 2003 (quando o clipe saiu), era uma versão dela com a boina e as bandeiras de diversos países ao fundo, apenas. Essa versão passou uma única vez e logo foi censurada.
This video is so underrated.. Madonna can rap and give a message!!! In style.
2017, I think pop music needs to remember that.
EL ALBUM MÁS CONTESTATARIO DE MADONNA, EL MÁS PROFUNDO, EL MÁS PERSONAL (DESPUÉS DE RAY OF LIGHT) Y DESGRACIADAMENTE EL QUE MENOS VENTA TUBO!! NO ENTIENDO PORQUÉ!! AMERICAN LIFE UN GRAN DISCO !!
Great video, unfortunately so real: all powerful people just watching the war as it were a show...they just scream when the bomb falls over them but if not, they can even applaud or laugh in front of the war show...
You summed it up best!
El video y la canción son bastante complejos, la letra que define a la sociedad estadounidense como cegada por las televisoras e indolente frente a los asesinatos en la invasión de Irak, aparte el video demuestra esa barbaridad !! puff Madonna tuvo los ovarios de criticar a su propio país, es de admirar
Alejandro Garnika y digo yo, cuando comentara su idea del vídeo, no le pusieron pegas?
Madonna es italiana
This video fits the song perfectly..I was mad when she pulled it.
AMAZING! I absolutely love this song, its one of my all time favourites!! I love Madonna so much!!
Andrew Phillips On my favorites one too.
Video complete with George Bush:
www.dailymotion.com/video/x8j82l_madonna-american-life-the-uncensore_music
Gina Sousa Branco awesome!! This song is expressing an issue that no other artist would dare to!!
Andrew Phillips You're absolutely right.
Same in 1984 with Like a Virgin live performance on MTV, public felt shocked with such sexual display.
With Express Yourself (89) the feminists groups fiercely attacked Madonna for considering the video a female submission representation, when it's exactly the opposite: woman empowerment.
Madonna's book-photos SEX (92) left its mark, many M's fans & morality associations criticized what they considered to be pornography, instead of what it is: a woman openly talking about sex & fantasy.
With the book released before Erotica album (92) M was punished by a lot of fans & the album sales express that: "only" 5 million sales.
This has been a constant in Madonna's career: the Blond Ambition (1990) the Vatican appealed to a boycott in the Rome show. In Toronto (Canada) was threatened with arrest due to Like A Virgin masturbation performance but Madonna was even more bold in that performance :)
Justify My Love video was only shown on MTV "late night".
American Life, M was very criticized by Americans, specially the Milliliters felted insulted, since then it seems to exist a kind of a boycott to M's albums.
Gina Sousa Branco I love her because she doesn't do what's 'right' she does what she thinks is right and I will always stand by her because I think she's amazing!!
Andrew Phillips Me 2
This is one of her best songs
this video is a masterpiece. thanks for posting it
Pure genius. Such an underrated album
if we can't see by our own eyes, she showed us through all these images and words! Take a bow!!!!
Madonna is amazing! There's nothing more to say.
Increible video.. Esos son huevos de Madonna de expresarse y decir las cosas como son mas alla de ser una simple artista de la música.. por eso y mas creo que ha revolucionado siempre el mundo con su música y valor… cosa que ninguna de las otras que me digan se atreven... que lastima que en esa época censuraron ese video tanto así que hasta hoy veo esta versión…
That was shocking.
*shooketh
Shocking but honest. This is how a war looks like. Burned bodies , blood, dead children.
She sings American Lie. Best satirical video I've ever seen.
um dos momentos mais marcantes da carreira dela... essa música é urgentemente atual!!!
Jonas Ackerlunf made an incrediable work on this one.
Respect for Madonna.
Jonas Ackerlund did this one? Thats cool!
Video of the century. You can't beat this. Try as you might.
Song and video so ahead of their time....
This video is a fucking masterpiece, and SO underrated! I want to see Ariana Grande or Taylor Swift doing something like this (if they dare).
Jonathan Nuñez No other dare.
I was so disappointed when she did not release this video. This is amazing and should have been released anyway. Madonna is the best
Jose Cardenas it wasn't her, it was the company
WAR ISN’T FOR YOUR JOY!! GOOD JOB MADONNA, GOD BLESS YOU QUEEN OF POP 💕
'‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!"
Madonna una de los pocos en decirle en la cara a los preseidentes y papas las verdades ...
Ahora te censuran por ello
This video is perfect. The song one of her best and the album too. She is truly amazing.
She may not be the best selling at the moment, she may not be the greatest voice, and she may not be the kindest person, but she is a degree above all other pop divas because of things like this...anyone of them probably will ever have the guts to do something so audacious and relevant like this.
Such a shame nowadays she delivered herself into things like throwing shades on other new singers who copy her, making generic pop music, getting into those dumb "Je suis Charlie" and Tidal shit, but she is still amazing and timeless.
Vladimir Raineri She is a true artist in her own right and the rest just follows
+Vladimir Raineri If any of today's artists (and I mean those who haven't been around as long as Madonna) have the guts to do this, or at least attempt it, it would be Lady Gaga.
She probably is really kind. The only thing I can think of that was a little unkind was the whole hydrangea business. She just doesn't suffer fools
She IS the best selling female of all time and its now 2023, she has donated over $100 million to HIV AIDS charities & research, she has built schools & hospitals in Africa and donated money to the homeless in Detroit & kids with cancer across the world... what have you done thats more kind?? She also HAS a great voice.
this is why Madonna is queen of queens
20mal geguckt und immer wieder schauer im rücken
That video is so amazing wowww
Once again, she was ahead of our time;)
Babes, you are saving my soul! Love you!
Madonna is a creative genius there will be another one like her.
I love MADONNA! She always send us very storong message!!
ohhh estoy enamorado de este Álbum
MADONNA ERES LA MEJOR CON LOS OVARIOS BIEN PUESTOS,,
Whenever i watch this vid i burst into tears... nobody could do such a great job in 2017 ..
Powerful!! Madonna is so gutsy !
I just can't understand those people that think that singers like Gaga, Beyoncé or Rihanna give a real message. They say Madonna is old and doesn't sell anymore, but what's really important about Madonna is not her sales (which, by the way, are far away from any other female singer), but her influence and impact on society. Now, that's an artist.
Of course.
Madonna has always evolved has an artist.
She brought to her music the real life: women empowerment, religion, sexuality, racism, politics, war, human rights, different kind of love.
Madonna will always be on her own game
Beyoncé has had some good political moments too, Lemonade was great
this video is a masterpiece is satirical heaven but she manage this amazing she was going to drop this video and after 9/11 and the war she decided to change it for the flag which represented unity she is a queen .. she is the queen
Uh , nunca vi el verdadero final :( .. sabes como era?
Rodar Producciones final la bomba cae en manos del presidente George W. Bush y es en realidad un encendedor y lo prende para fumar su cigarro. Busca en google: George W. Bush american life madonna y veras una imagen :)
BEST VIDEO EVER!
I LOVE this song so much!!!
el arte puede resultar impactante y en este caso lo es, mostrando lo que sucede en la actualidad, Madonna lo expresa y deja claro su forma de ver y sentir esta realidad, y la comparto.
Great Great Video, simply AMAZING!
This is terrific!! It should have 1000 times the views!
The topic of the video is so actual. So sad for the world.
I didn't know this version existed. I love it!
Yes. This was the original but it was banned. It was replaced by the flag version.
Jilhoa1 www.dailymotion.com/video/xz7og2_madonna-american-life-uncensored-video_music
Alannis Croft The complete one wuth Bush:www.dailymotion.com/video/xz7og2_madonna-american-life-uncensored-video_music
questo video e' sconvolgente!!!
The best revolutionary video clipe!
She is not only the queen because of her beauty, great music and talent but because being the diva that she is and still addresses big social issues and she is the voice of those that cannot be heard. Viva queen Madonna
Un vídeo épico , donde se hace una fuerte critica al gobierno de George W. Bush el peor de la historia de Estados Unidos , de echo se tuvo que sustituir por el de la edición con las banderas mundiales, si no , no iba ser transmitido en los canales de musica , es decir fue censurada , luego estados unidos dice que en su gobierno hay libertad de expresión algo que es falso, y mas bien a Madonna le salio barata la censura, porque grupos como Dixie Chicks ,si fueron vetados por 2 o 3 años, solo por salir en la portada de rolling stones criticando a Bush ,pero bueno así estamos en el mundo
President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize - the bloodiest president. Limp puppet of the ruling elite of the country. Freedom of speech in the United States no longer exists.
Юрий Деточкин Lol you know nothing about the USA
pollo9500 He knows enough...
pollo9500 He knows enough...
+Coolian Obama bloodiest thant Dad here you have the head of your enemy Sadam ??
Madonna or anyone who works for her. AS ALWAYS, you are far ahead of the times.
That is one of your gifted qualities. American Life. Banned Video. NOW is the time
to release it. Just as your original is. Your warning will be more clear to
the dumb Amerian life we are now in. Thank you for you. Always.
a masterpiece.
The rap has more common place once you've finally seen the original music video. This really does paint a picture of what war is to homeland Americans. Not for all Americans, but definitely to those who find humor and entertainment in war.
If this uncensored version was shown instead back in 2003, maybe we wouldn't be stuck in a permanent age of war.
The glamourizing of war theme crossed with the illusion of the American Dream is so well done.
Best video ever released in the wrong timming ever... when youtube wasn't strong enough to amplify this message...