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"American Life" is the lead single off Madonna's ninth studio album American Life.
Background
Madonna is an American success story who is skilled at manipulating the media and making good business decisions. She has taken many risks in her music and her image, and while many have proven very successful, this song wasn't a commercial success. The song is a criticism of the American way of life as being selfish and materialistic, and how while Madonna has achieved the typical American Dream, she's not sure this is what she wants.
Composition
The song starts with Madonna's voice multi-tracked questioning – "Am I gonna be a star?", "Should I change my name?" – the lyrics develop into what is a complaint about modern-day life. The repeated acoustic guitar riff "adds a touch of pathos" to the song. The lyrics accompany a "punchy octave synth figure" synchronized with a drum and bass beat. "American Life" is written in the time signature of common time with a moderate tempo of 102 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of F-sharp minor with Madonna's voice spanning from C3 to B4.
Music Video
Original Video
SOME SCENES MAY BE TOO EXTREME!
| Music Video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | February 6-7, 2003 |
| Length | 5:10 | |
| Director | Jonas Åkerlund | |
| Production Co | N/A | |
| Choreographer | N/A | |
| Filmed | N/A | |
| Location | LA | |
| VEVO views | 1+ Million Views | |
Edited Video
| Music Video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | April 16, 2003 |
| Length | 5:10 | |
| Director | Jonas Åkerlund | |
| Production Co | N/A | |
| Choreographer | N/A | |
| Filmed | N/A | |
| Location | LA | |
| VEVO views | 6+ Million Views | |
Lyrics
Do I have to change my name?
Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight?
Am I gonna be a star?
I tried to be a boy,
I tried to be a girl
I tried to be a mess,
I tried to be the best
I guess I did it wrong,
That's why I wrote this song
This type of modern life - Is it for me?
This type of modern life - Is it for free?
So, I went into a bar looking for sympathy
A little company - I tried to find a friend
It's more easily said it's always been the same
This type of modern life -Is not for me?
This type of modern life -Is not for free?
American life
I live the american dream
You are the best thing I've seen,
You are not just a dream
I tried to stay ahead,
I tried to stay on top
I tried to play the part,
But somehow I forgot
Just what I did it for
And why I wanted more
This type of modern life - Is it for me?
This type of modern life - Is it for free?
Do I have to change my name?
Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight?
Am I gonna be a star?
American life
I live the american dream
You are the best thing I've seen,
You are not just a dream
I tried to be a boy,
I tried to be a girl
I tried to be a mess,
I tried to be the best
I tried to find a friend,
I tried to stay ahead
I tried to stay on top...
Fuck it...
Do I have to change my name?
Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight?
Am I gonna be a star?
I'm drinking a Soy latte
I get a double shot
It goes right through my body
And you know
I'm satisfied,
I drive my mini cooper
And I'm feeling super-dooper
Yo they tell I'm a trooper
And you know I'm satisfied
I do yoga and pilates
And the room is full of hotties
So I'm checking out the bodies
And you know I'm satisfied
I'm digging on the isotopes
This metaphysic's shit is dope
And if all this can give me hope
You know I'm satisfied
I got a lawyer and a manager
An agent and a chef
Three nannies, an assistant
And a driver and a jet
A trainer and a butler
And a bodyguard or five
A gardener and a stylist
Do you think I'm satisfied?
I'd like to express my extreme point of view
I'm not Christian and I'm not a Jew
I'm just living out the American dream
And I just realized that nothing Is what it seems
Do I have to change my name
Am I gonna be a star
Do I have to change my name
Am I gonna be a star?
Do I have to change my name
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