American Life

About

"American Life" is the ninth studio album by American singer Madonna. It was released on April 21, 2003, by Maverick and Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï and incorporates references to aspects of American culture. Conceived as a concept album, it addresses themes related to the American Dream and materialism, contrasting with the image associated with Madonna during the 1980s following her 1984 Billboard Hot 100 number-two single "Material Girl". Musically, "American Life" combines elements of folktronica and eurotechno, with influences from acoustic music. Upon its release, "American Life" received mixed reviews from music critics, some of whom described it as stylistically inconsistent and challenging to listen to due to its production. In later retrospective assessments, critics have offered more favorable evaluations, often highlighting its lyrical themes and conceptual ambition. The album reached number one in 14 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and charted within the top five in many other territories. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of one million units in the United States and by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for 300,000 units in the United Kingdom. It was the 32nd best-selling album of 2003 and has sold approximately five million copies worldwide. The album received two nominations at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004. Four singles were released from "American Life". The title track, "American Life", was issued as the lead single and received largely negative critical responses at the time of its release. It reached number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and peaked at number two in the United Kingdom, while entering the top ten in several other countries. Its original music video, which included imagery related to war and violence, was withdrawn and replaced with an edited version. The second single, "Hollywood", did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, marking Madonna’s first single to miss the chart since 1983. The third and fourth singles, "Nothing Fails" and "Love Profusion", achieved limited commercial success, although all four singles reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Prior to the album’s release, "Die Another Day" was issued to promote the James Bond film "Die Another Day"; it peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart. Madonna promoted "American Life" with a brief promotional tour in April and May 2003. At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, she performed a medley of "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood" with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott. The performance attracted significant media attention. The album was further supported by the Re-Invention World Tour in 2004, which grossed approximately $125 million and was the highest-grossing tour of that year. The tour was documented in the film "I'm Going to Tell You a Secret", which was accompanied by a live album of the same name.

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