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, produced by the singer and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, features references to many parts of American culture. The album is a concept album, with themes panning the American Dream and materialism. These themes reject the reputation Madonna held in the 1980s, earned by songs such as her 1984 Billboard Hot 100 number-two hit, "Material Girl". American Life is a folktronica and eurotechno album, influenced by acoustic music.
A Nord Lead synthesizer was initially used for recording "Hollywood" but Ahmadzaï faced problems with it.
The album's cover was inspired by Guerrillero Heroico (above), a famous image of Argentine guerilla leader Che Guevara.
Madonna and her dancers performing the album's lead single and title track, "American Life", on the Re-Invention World Tour
Madonna performing American Life's ninth track, "Mother and Father", during the Re-Invention World Tour
"American Life" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It is the title track from her ninth studio album American Life (2003), and was released digitally as the lead single from the album on March 24, 2003, by Maverick Records. It is a pop, techno and folk song written and produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï; the lyrics to "American Life" feature violent transitions and a political and religious view from Madonna. She questions the shallowness of modern life and the American Dream during the presidency of George W. Bush. Towards the end of the song, Madonna raps, naming the people who were working for her.
Madonna and her dancers performing "American Life" on the Re-Invention World Tour (2004)
Madonna crashes the fashion runway while riding on a Mini Cooper, in the original "American Life" music video
