Madonna - American Life (Director's Cut) Reaction 

Only madonna can make videos like this. and this is why I respect her.

This is one of the most controversial videos Madonna has, and it is one of my favorite ones, the quality is from another world and its timeless cause war till today is not over in several countrys, and its so sad and horrible, but its the reality, MADONNA has a vision and the courage that no woman in the music industry has. And obviosly they censure her, but i love her and respect her for speak out loud of this important subjects that hurt you as a human.

NOBODY ever did before or since a video so powerful. She pulled the video mainly because she was afraid for her children. Radio stopped playing her anyway.

The original video that aired didn’t end with the grenade landing on the runway. It originally ended with a Bush impersonator catching the grenade and lighting his cigar on it. The original video only aired about 3 times before she removed it because of people threatening the lives of her children

Fun fact if you listen closely throughout the entire song Madonna never closes the word American Life. Instead she says American LIE, Which changes the entire meaning of the song

As a filmmaker myself, I have always appreciated artists who use their art to express their feelings and thoughts even if it's not popular. Madonna has always excelled at this. This song was her statement of that time period and the politics around then. Very few artists would dare to even speak out, let alone make a song and video like this. This was a damaging turning point for her career as far as radio airplay. Though she had a great success on the past two albums, the pulling/refusal to play this song on the radio really did hurt it's impact. The album in my opinion is amazing. One of her best for me. I hope you all get to hear gems like Nothing Fails, Intervention, and Xstatic-Process. Love how much you were affected by this Brenda. You wear your heart on your sleeves. We are hear for that type of honesty. Love you guys!

Madonna said that her fans are intelligent…..I agree.

I love all in this Madonna's era, Art Cover album, the Reinvention Tour. All Song in American Life talk about American Dream. I Love you girls! ❤❤❤ kiss. Argentina

She was life threatened, she thought in her children that's why she pulled the video out. She was almost cancelled in the US (once more). As you can see she always speaks her mind no matter what, even if that means to put her career in risk. Even today she's banned in several radios in the US.

As someone in my 40's, I love that someone that knows what was going on can articulate what was going on and how brave it was.

This video is so damn powerful. She had pulled it because of death threats to her and her family. Plus the Iraq War. There are several versions. The ending had been scrapped with the cigar part. It had two lookalikes, Bush and Saddam Hussein sitting next to each other.

A true artistic statement...shocking and moving

You both ladies should be getting more and more subs. This channel is a must!

The people on the sidelines in the audience represented that wealthy, elite, corporate, military industrial complex people, the media, and the American people who, at the time, ATE IT UP as entertainment when you’re right, it was the civilians, children, and soldiers that were making the sacrifices.

Love this song and video! Folk Electronica. The funny thing I remember about this song is that so many people, including fans, swore up and down that Madonna’s rap was supposed to be serious and taken seriously 😂 She was mocking things and rap was/is big in America. She was taking the piss and as usual, people thought she had lost her mind rapping about Soy Lattes. 😂 There are so many great tracks on this album. More people need to check it out. Thank you again for your take, ladies. 🥰🥰

You may recall that George W. Bush's response to a reporter's question about what regular people can do in response to 9/11 was "You can go shopping". This video and song are a condemnation of the vulgarity of what the American Dream has become and that its achievement is on the backs of regular people in other countries who are the victims of the militaristic policies of the United States so that the US can reign supreme and we can have our lattes, superficial lifestyles and fashionable clothes. I believe that this album is one of Madonna's best. At the time, it was widely panned, but its reputation has improved tremendously since then. Once again, Madonna is an inconvenient truth teller and ahead of the curve. Not surprised at your reaction or the impact the video had on you both. Thanks for the commentary and reaction. You are both the best!!!

This was one of the best reactions I’ve ever seen, this was so real and I’m so glad and touched that this video moved you. That was her whole point. The war, racism, homophobia, hate all around the world and then there’s the Rich government and all those kind of people living their luxurious lives and profiting of it all. Some People thought she was promoting violence with the video, absolutely the opposite, she was and still is, such a genius and such a trail blazer. There has never really been another artist, at least with her level of fame and power, that has used their platform like this. This is why she is who she is. Still to this day there’s so many causes she’s is a voice for and she has become hated for it by many but she has always stood up for what she’s believed in. Incredible woman. Nobody like her and nobody will ever be like her again. She’s kind of the last of the true music icons.

There’s an interview special with Matt lauer on RU-vid where she explains why she pulled it.

We're back at that time now too. Song fits well. The entire album American Life is great. 2003. Check out "Nothing Fails" from American Life .

Es una de las canciones más fuerte para mí, líricamente hablando.

Knew this one would be intense but you broke it down beautifully. The glamourization and commodidization of war. Brenda's mature perspective (i think we're probably about the same age) and remembering the general sentiment at that time really helps in unpacking all the layers here and realizing the outrage this would have engendered. Madonna said the fact that she now had her children's safety to consider was what made her decide to pull the video....an unprecedented move for an artist who'd never censored herself before.

I became a fan of Madonna because of this song. 😢 Girls, I know you normally react to singles and music vídeos, but PLEASE listen to Nothing Fails for this album. It is one of the most beautiful of her songs

Wow! I never seen the full uncut video before until now. So good! Wow!!!!

The Prophet Madonna.

Love your honest and raw reaction to the video. Personally, I've always watched this video and visited the American Life era with regret for Madonna b/c I truly feel that's when she lost the American audience. She lost them once after Erotica but got them back with Ray of Light and Music. Then she lost them again and really never recovered. But hearing your reaction truly makes me appreciate what Madonna was on a mission to do here and call out so much of what's "wrong" with our culture and government. She threw sales and charts out the window and just wanted to say what she felt needed to be said. And that's what has made Madonna Madonna and if anything, that will be her greatest legacy. She definitely fared better in her career after this period than the Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) did, but not nearly to the degree she had earlier in her career. And that will also be one of her greatest aspects of her legacy.

Hye Brenda and Emily. There is no words to say.... Just our eyes for crying, just our brain for thinking.... and common sense.... This video was made in 2003.... but is still topical news...... Madonna is the first to show the reality of our world, of the dark side of humanity, and I love her so much for fighting against it. War is not a TV show we see seatting on a couch with popcorns, war is the most horrible invention who kills everyday innocents peoples.... Thank you Madonna, even if in 2003 the radio ignored you for that.... (American Life was a success in France, it was the country the album and singles works a lot.) We are all human beings with two arms, two legs.... shouldn't matter the rest..... Sorry but I am always upset with this subject. With kindness and hugs for you, and all humanity. Your little frenchy!

One of her most underrated songs, videos and albums. IMO. This was genius and so ahead of it’s time ( at the time) the whole album was a masterpiece. Only Madonna would do something so controversial but always to get an important message across. She’s such an amazing artist ❤

There is no other artist capable of transmitting so much information in such a direct, intelligent, impactful and courageous way as Madonna. Thank you ladies❤❤

NADONNA IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE SHE'S DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE ❤

Entertainment becomes news and news become entertainment.

This video is one of the most powerful things she has ever done. She rightly shows there are no winners in a war and it’s the innocent who suffer. I remember the era as well Brenda. It was at times chilling and society felt more desensitised to what was going on. Everyone is someone’s child/brother/sister when all is said and done. It felt and feels now as if we haven’t learned from WW1 and WW2 when we should know better. She pulled the video as was concerned about the impact on her children, the first and only time she has backed down. Her care for children shines and she is one of the few with the backbone to constantly highlight the human cost. Your review was very touching , considered and thoughtful. If only our politicians had your empathy x

Another great reaction ❤❤ Art is to provoke emotion , reaction and reflection. She did make the right decision to withdraw this edit. Great insights from two intelligent individuals ❤❤

There are more director's cut versions of this video with different endings and edits. but you got the gist of it :) it's a tough video and song. i always tear up at the end of the video. and madonna's career in the u.s. was kind of over after this. half year earlier she had her last top 10 billboard 100 song with Die Another Day. After that she only achieved it thrice until today.

This video has already gone down in history, for several reason, as it usually is with Madonna but it truly is a piece of art that says something extremely important.

Amo o final desse clipe

That was a really awesome response and conversation. I’ve always felt this was one of the bravest anti-war messages ever put forward by anyone of any standing at that particular time. We, as bystanders, were all expected to just accept that the brutality of war was not just necessary, but should be somehow celebrated. It was deemed dutiful to be patriotic in supporting the atrocities of war…..yet unpatriotic to have the audacity to suggest that it was barbaric, and to be unsupportive in the killing and destruction of thousands of humans. M presented perfectly the glamorisation of war, as well as it being sold to the masses as some kind of grotesque entertainment. The news outlets all vying to show us the very worse footage they could screen, in some twisted believe that everyone would be further encouraged to engage with the war mentality and crimes associated with it. The song perfectly captures the sense of “where do I fit in ” and “who am I” if I think differently from the majority opinion. M, as you know, was by this time in her career was well versed in being torn down for her freedom of speech, and sharing her personal perspective on issues she felt needed to be critiqued, by bringing a different perspective to the conversation. This time may not have been rewarding for M commercially……However, she showed her true metal yet again, in at least attempting to not just sit back and say nothing. For that she was/ is an absolute Heroine.

I dont think she should have pulled the video, it was a brilliant video that turned out to be totally true. It did completely hurt her career in America for daring to speak out. She pulled it because the war started and didnt want to upset the soldiers as she supports them, she just hated war, always has. She still does it today, shes more political than ever and thank god for it.

Congratulations. Only some people really understood the meaning of this video/song. Once again (as always) this is one of the examples where Madonna was criticized because of the shock value, but you nailed it, you understand exactly what she mean with this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Always loving your reactions! Brenda, your crying made me cry. So much to receive from that video and the message behind the lyrics. I’m still waiting on your audio reaction to her frozen remix!

I was already a huge fan at the time, so I was all in when this song and video was released and loved it but it was extremely divisive within the fanbase and created a backlash with the general public. It was a very rough time to be a fan. As you said, the cultural climate at the time was not open to anything anti-war. There's a lot of symbolism in the video and many missed it. Because the video was pulled, many people only knew Madonna did an "anti-American" video, so there was no context.

Great analysis ladies!!

This is my favorite Madonna era and this was such a stark shift in her music. Because of this song, US radio stopped playing her music and hurt her image like you mentioned the Dixie Chicks. US radio never really supported her afterwards.

This was definitely an inflection point in her career, but she is who she is for what she do, not for what she doesn't do. Brave.

Madonna was looking for a reaction like yours Brenda! Being moved to tears on what the political climate was at that time and making a huge statement about it. Thank you ladies for this wonderful in depth reaction. You two are the best!! ❤❤

She pulled the video because it was to be released the week we went to war. She did it out of respect to the military and their families.

What an artist! 🔥

The absolute shock and confusion in your faces when she started rapping 😂 But jokes aside, the controversy and her subsequently having to pull out the video ended up proving the point that Madonna was trying to make in the first place: America’s view of war as something sacred and patriotic instead of barbaric and condemnable is as ludicrous as the reaction of the audience in the video’s fashion show. And Brenda, as others have said here, we really appreciate your insightful commentary and how you wear your heart on your sleeve. That’s what makes your reactions so genuine. ❤

Here for this ❤

Hi ladies! This is what I love about her songs and videos, she is always pushing you to deal with some issues that we all see but nobody talks; is like talking about the elephant in the room….. We were angry, sad and frustrated for what happened (the same we all are now) but the response, that war (and this war) is something that we could not be proud about. Thank you so much for this Emily and Brenda! Lots of love from Barcelona ❤

This is actually the same time, same album that got Madonna pulled from the radio too. She never did achieve the same level of success that she had before this album. It's since been revelled in critical acclaim, but she took a massive hit. Don't get me wrong, she still continued to have MASSIVE success, but she struggled to get radio play, which impacted her ability to get the #1's she deserved. This album is a top 3 Madonna album for me.

I love how the electro-acoustic production on this record mirrors the "consumerism vs authenticity" theme of the lyrics. The whole album plays with that and it wasn't appreciated when it came out, critically or commercially. American Life is wholly underrated!

A political and artistic response to the Bush government. This album is brilliant!!!

She told the whole truth and got demonized for it.

I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say, you’re right I need to watch it a few more times

Madonna was getting threats from the hard right , endangering her husband and two kids. She made the video before the decision to go to war. I think had she still was a single woman, she would not have pulled the video.

I appreciate the lady with the green sweater for their input.

I think it was a perfect example of numb Americans watching the horror that exists in the world and looking at it as a show rather than reality. Madonna is always thought provoking in her lyrics and visuals. She was really brave for putting this out at that time. It was a scary time in the US.

The most important thing is at the expense of those who achieve the American dream

The video and song were certainly in response to the post-9/11 world we lived in, and the reality of war for profit/hate for profit. Madonna's rap was her rattling off all of the blessings she'd been given in life, but refusing to be satisfied with simply having her success but ceasing to speak out against the atrocities being done in our names around the world. Its a powerful statement, and she absolutely owned it.

You REALLY SHOULD listen to each new album BEFORE you watch the videos. That way, you’re not only giving yourself the opportunity to hear the lyrics and music separately but also giving yourself the chance to hear the songs that weren’t singles/videos.

I believe that Brenda summarized everything about the American dream in a very simple way to understand. I love it when she says "fuck it", as if that was something that had been stored inside her for a long time and she needed to get out how much it bothered her. As for the video, it is more focused on the American military invasions and how this is destroying the rest of the world to support this American dream. At least that's how I get it. Hugs girls and I come here to ASK people not to release spoilers for the music videos before the react, please.

You should watch the interview and tv special where she speaks with Matt Lauer (eh, I know) about this video and the inspiration behind this song and album.

Hi I think many of us appreciate both of your thoughtful reactions to this polarizing video. ❤❤ Thanks also for being open minded . 🙂

I can understand why you would not want to watch this video again, I could feel your emotional reaction to it. I was getting emotional listening to you. The song itself is amazing and I would encourage you just to listen to the song, so you can really absorb the lyrics without the distraction of the video. I have been waiting for you both to react to this Album, as it was controversial and divisive and she lost a lot of her US fans in response to this album from what I understand. Many radio stations stopped playing her as a result. As an Australian it was less divisive on a political level, however I think a lot of people did not like the style of this album or the political messages. I think they just found it too serious. Personally I think it’s a masterpiece. I agree that Madonna is being self critical as well as critiquing society’s values. I’m looking forward to your response to Hollywood. There are so many powerful and beautiful songs on this Album.

Anti-war through and through, it was around the Iraq invasion and Madonna was effectively blacklisted for being anti-war, proved in case of Iraq like so many she was right, should never have been invaded. The song lyrics talk about how we strive for a perfect American Life but in reality it's not all it's cracked up to be

This album as a whole is so good

Jack Nicholson and Meryl streep.. is in the clip

Shocking and moving. A great reaction as always … and you can imagine the concern for Madonna to pull a video off (I believe the concern was due to threats or safety of her children) so I respect that, but you know it’s got to be huge if Madonna, out of all artists pulls a video. This alum is actually one of my favourites, and there are some songs (not singles, sadly) that have her most honest and broken down haunting lyrics. I do hope at some stage you ladies can do full album reactions - this is an album you would want to hear. Sending you both light and love.

WellI was a little like Emily the first time I watched this, I didn't understand the whole context of the song and the video, but Brenda took it all in and was moved to tears 🥹 Great reaction. This was also Madonna's last album under her own record label "Maverick", the first one was Erotica, so I think she really did justice to all that creativity freedom.

Great reaction.

At the end of this video a smirk George Bush look alike picks up the bomb and it's a lighter. People went after Madonna for her rapping but if you thinking about it Madonna rapped on Erotica. She has expressed no regrets since she was just being sarcastic . You ladies got it right. lot's of people just look at it as her looking for controversies . Love your comments, thank you. by, the way the Dixie chicks went after George Bush in a live concert . Remember, the twin towers had just gone down

Easily one of her best videos. It was directed by Jonas Åkerlund. I remember watching this 3 times in a row on MTV Latin America before it was pulled out. She received so much hate in the US during this era because of the anti-Bush message and everything about the war in 2003. People were so sensitive after the 911. She’s always been a visionary, ahead of its time messenger. Love this and I adore the single. Such a clever video showing awful war scenes and yet some news channels don’t have a problem with it. The intensity and message was clear.

Before the Hollywood video you MUST WATCH this two specials. The first is this intimate MTV concert where she sings songs from the American Life album and a classic. There’s is also an interesting interview inside and fans questions and more stuff. You need to watch this extended version from MTV 2 since she did one extra song and there is more stuff that wasn’t aired on the main MTV channel ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bFgNT1xjCZo.htmlsi=S-YNMNUqOyYtFwio Then you have to watch this MTV Special where she talks about the American Life video and Kaballah ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8g--MA-ufxI.htmlsi=Pb9yZSmcZf7Sc0oI

There is a RU-vid created called Todd in the Shadows and he made a very good video about this album and about this song specifically.

Well, she did vote for Al Gore 🤷 This one was inspired by the Bush administration. Wait til you see this in the Reinvention tour! I like when Madonna gets political. No Fear. Great review ladies. Have an awesome day! ♥️ Edit: Dixie Chicks dared to speak out against Bush’s war in Iraq

Thanks for your heartfelt reaction. I believe Madonna retracted this video through fear of retaliation towards her children... as after 9/11 it was such a different time and the idea of being anti-patriotic was abhorrent to most. I think its the only time I can think of that Madonna has bowed down to the possibility of a negative reaction... but i totally get it! The images of war and of children being caught up in it are still sadly so relevant today 😔 This video is still a great work of art as its makes us think... i always thought that this video was a commentary on life pre and post 9/11. That America viewed war as an insignificant thing until the granade (or 9/11) was dropped on its own soil. Thanks for your reaction which was as moving and thoughtful as ever. ❤❤

Living through the aftershock of 9/11 was so traumatizing. I was at a friends barbeque and they played 'Where were you when...?' and 9/11 came up. Everybody went through their stories and when they got to me I started telling my story as normal but found myself getting more and more upset and my voice got pitchy and higher. Before I know it, full blown tears started flowing. I was so embarrassed even though they assured me it was totally ok to respond like that. I grew up in Allentown, PA. I was in the 8th grade and more and more kids were leaving throughout the day. By lunch time, the cafeteria was quieter than usual with half the kids gone. Teachers who were usually friendly were cold. By 8th period, we wanted answers. Then our principal, a normally emotionless, stoic woman, spoke over the intercom. "All after school activities are cancelled today. Planes have crashed..." Her voice broke and cut away. Realizing she had been crying, we turned to our teacher, Mrs. Quinter, who ironically was our history teacher. She then told us what horror took place. After a short pause of us taking in the information, some girls in our class started to freak out. You see, New York City is not too far from Allentown, PA at all. Many people would commute to work in the city by taking a charter bus. They were called Beiber Tourways. The bus station was located in Wescoesville, PA just across from Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom. I remember sitting on the red vinyl booths of the diner people ate at while waiting for their bus. People had these flip books that were monthly passes. The reason my classmates were freaking out was because their parents worked in the towers. So we were there all day with this information being kept from us only to be told at the last second. I'll never forget how my one classmate, Jaime P, reacted. She was a really pretty mixed girl and really tall. curly hair and very popular. She let out a weak cry, slowly brought her forehead down to her desk and outstretched her arms to the side, palms up and kept them there. She was unwillingly relinquishing any hope of their survival. Her older brother did not make it.

I always think I see Sofia Loren in the crowd. Such a brave, brazen and bold video..

Yaaay 🥳 American life era ! Have a fab time ladies - it’s going to be an awesome ride 🙌🏻 the album is one of her best , completely ahead of its time and well respected especially later on in her career. It’s a very important record. By the way I got down on the rabbit hole (😝) after the Madonna in matrix conversation found two version on which part she got offered.. version one was Trinity (!) played by Carrie-Anne Moss and in version two SWITCH popped up played by the brilliant Belinda Mcclory.. But really , only Madonna knows the answer as there’s no real trails in this investigation . Whatever I found are more likely speculations by fans and industry experts 😌🌷

Glad you got this one over with, you can relax now for a long time . So brave of her to do it even if it shocked us or not SOMEONE had to speak up, not only the Dixie Chicks but of course Madonna did and when she goes for it you know she totally does. In fact Its a shame that the original isnt available but the end was tongue in cheek sat front row President Bush look alike catches her hand grenade and lights Saddam Hussains Cigar with it then the screen goes Black. It was shown but then cut out to be less political. Then even this version she just didnt feel easy with it with death threats and her little kids. War for entertainment and money can make people a fortune, others make it in a different way but once youve got everything you want you still cant pay to stop wars when others are profiting. All you can do is rebel. So she does. The song ended up a flop in the US. No real video. Its actually a great song and video; just hard to handle. (love you guys x)

Girls please react to one of MTV's best specials where Madonna presents American Life MTV On Stage & On The Record

This video shows the insanity of war in general, with people in the audience laughing and applauding all the violence on the catwalk. The rest of the album is nothing like this, so deep and emotional. There were only a couple of video's made for this record, but 'Nothing Fails' which is fantastic and released as a single never had one unfortunately, such a great song, could have been a classic Madonna hit. My two other favorites of the album are non singles "X-tatic Process' and "Intervention'.

This music video almost cancelled M in America. Radios stopped playing her, and its follow-up single was her first song to not chart at all in the US. I'm in Australia, we were critical of the knee-jerk "War on Terror" so it struck a chord here. I dont recall the revised video being played here, I think we still had the original video (but it ends with Bush lighting his cigar with the grenade-lighter, and kissing Saddam Hussein).

The American life...is nothing what it seems....Madonna had BALLS to put this out and she risked her whole career for HER opinion. Back then everybody in the USA applauded Bush to invade Iraq...and her video was a mirror to that...to present the war on the catwalk and the stage and everybody is applauding the show....because also in real life eveybody was applauding Bush and the invasion... Her songs and the album from then on, were pulled from the radio..from then on Madonna was kinda "csncelled" in the USA...but not in europe and with Confessions and Hung up she made a huge comeback in europe...but not in the USA...she could never recover in the USA from then on TILL the Superbowl in 2012 and her Mdna Tour...and America embraced her again. Also, during "American life" she was living in england. So thats why the critisicm in the USA was even higher while the reviews in europe were much better. But still..the album didnt had huge sucess overall as i agree with the point..that with "War Subjects" you shouldnt make money. Like U2, Dixie Chicks, Bruce Springsteen...she was not alone with this kind of "Music Politics"....but we shouldnt forget that MADONNA always had political subjects in her songs, LGBTQ Subjects, femal pregnancy in Papa Dont Preach or Female Empowerment in Express Yourself ect ext... Nontheless, the album grew on me in time, it had wonderful songs like Love Profusion or Mother and Father, X Static Process, Nothing Fails... She did a similar video "shocker" with "God Control" from Madame X, which aswell is one of her most powerful clips about Gun Laws in the USA...HIGHLY recommend that one!

I really wish all Madonna-reacting youtubers started reacting to American Life "Bush version" instead of director's cut. After all it was the Bush version that Madonna herself approved and released to the world (well, Europe). The Bush version has a way better editing, less amount of unnecessary bloody images and contains a poignant yet tongue-in-cheek and kind of ironic (Madonna's favourite word ;)) ending.

It is a very aggressive music video weirdly hilarious and dark

Hi ladies... I'm the 1st one ❤

Solo Madonna podia darnos este tipo de video y aunque fue cancelado en su momento dijo muchas verdades que hasta el dia de hoy sigue sucediendo

fue el primer album que compre de madonna y la conoci, es un buen album, las letrs son muy profundas y sus mensajes, madonna guapisima, una era dorada,, mis 16 años 2003, todo mundo discutia sobre este video y el sigueinte hollywood asi como el beso y la gira cuando se convierte en la mujer con lla gira mas taquillera, que año de triunfos

Hi, there are different versions of this video, my favorite is the one with Saddam and Bush. Madonna made several alternate endings to the video to get it aired, but when she received death threats for her children, she decided to withdraw the video. It was the first time this had happened.The video that was put in rotation was just Madonna singing with the background of all the flags of the world

Strongly recommend the Matt Lauer interview for an in depth discussion of the video.

♥

I think the carnage and destruction of the 9/11 attacks profoundly affected Madonna much like everybody else. But America’s response to use it’s superpower military might by first invading Afghanistan in October of 2001 followed by a “shock and awe” air campaign and ground attack on Iraq in March 2003-with the news media saturating their broadcast with more war footage of carnage and destruction most likely compelled Madonna to criticize the war and the general public’s acceptance and seeming indifference to the consequences of these wars. She had always subscribed to the late protest novelist/playwright James Baldwin’s narrative that the role of the true artist in society is “to disturb the peace”-peace here is the metaphor for the established/entrenched norms/attitudes be it ignorance, complacency/apathy, herd mentality and prejudice. She decided to modify the original video after she received death threats to her family-something she likely would not have done if it was only her. Sure this video was graphic and violent to drive home her point and jolt people’s conscience, but not as much more gratuitous and violent as the glorification of war, of mayhem, death, maiming and destruction that the film industry and daily media news have fed the public and profited from that seemed to desensitize and made it like “entertainment” in many people’s minds. In hindsight, Madonna’s anti-war sentiment here which was very unpopular then, proved to be prescient and relevant. According to an in-depth research and study made by Brown University’s Watson Institute on the costs of these wars post 9/11: over 15K direct US military/contractors were killed; over 173K allied troops and local police killed; over 432K civilians directly killed; and between 3.6 to 3.8mil people indirectly killed; with tens of thousands of US military maimed and wounded with many more civilians. The destruction of property was immense. The US military stayed in Afghanistan for 20 years, and 8 years in Iraq and the US gov’t spent an estimated $8trillion of taxpayers’ money through 2022. The aftermath is: the region remains unstable, Iraq is now ruled by a Shia Islam majority that’s leaning to and influenced by Shia Iran, and the Taliban is back in power in Afghanistan. Ironically, after that massive use of US military might and money in Afghanistan and Iraq, Bin Laden, who masterminded the 9/11 attacks was killed by a raid by US special operations in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 (May 1st in the US). Some now say that perhaps this precision use of special ops should have been the US strategy from the beginning rather than resorting to the massive invasion and costly long drawn-out wars in Afghanistan and Iraq post 9/11. Interestingly, Madonna’s album cover for American Life in black and red where she’s wearing a beret was inspired by the stylized black and red iconic photo of Che Guevarra-a global symbol of radical anti-establishment defiance, liberation and freedom. I’m touched by your deep insight and sensitive reaction to this video. Thank you for sharing this with us. ❤😊

It was definitelly a hard time. Or you were with AMERICA or AGAINST. Love this song and video. WAR is CRUEL

Many people would agree M’s career is divided pre American life and post. Many here are commenting accurately that she was quietly banned. Hits she has after that would have been #1 got zero airplay. She was blacklisted as a result of this era but she was also 45. Ageism got strong at this point.

The most shocking thing about the video is that the graphic and sickening images are those that are real and captured by journalists in ongoing wars. M said that when she and Mirwais wrote and recorded the song and then the concept for the video were decided on before America and the coalition had actually invaded Iraq but there was talk of their being war she wanted to put out a message to the Western word saying look this war if it happens whilst it may not be taking place in your back garden this music video shows you what will happen to innocent adults and children. But because by the time the video was edited and ready to be released the invasion had begun and she knew that the news channels and newspapers had enough sickening images in them that she felt it would have been in bad taste to include them in her video. Many of her critics were shocked when she pulled the video herself because they thought she would do anything for shock value but they realised they were wrong. ❤❤

Madonna's message on this video was about how the war was turned into a big spectacle. Like you said in your review, the rich watch it and the poor pay the price. At the moment of shooting the video there was this menace of a war happening and she wanted to tell people to wake up to what was going on, it was not a small thing, not really believing there would be a war. The video came out and shortly after, like two or three days later, the war broke and she decided to pull the video. She talked about it in an interview for AOL (available here in a very poor quality). The hand granade in the end is a symbol of Madonna saying "I asked the hard question. What are you going to do about it?". However this was just in this cut of the video, there is another one on which she throws the granade and it lands on George Bush's lap (or was it Saddam Hussein's?) and it turns out the granade was a lighter, so they light up a cigar with it, meaning she threw in the same question and they just laughed about it.

I actually think the follow up is a much better song. And the video is glorious. EDIT Look out for Italian icon Sophia Loren in the audience of the American Life video, unless those scenes were removed. I can't remember off hand.

Don't worry, the Hollywood video is more fun. ❤

Bit of a long way from You’ll See and One More Chance eh ladies. 😮