Upon its release, “American Life” received heavily negative reviews by music critics, with Billboard criticising Madonna’s rapping, and Blender naming it the ninth worst song of all time.
Commercially, "American Life" peaked at number one in Canada, Denmark, Italy, and Switzerland. It also reached the top ten in Australia, where the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awarded the song a gold certification. The single debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, while it peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for eight weeks. "American Life" is the first song ever to enter the US charts solely through internet sales.
American Life
Madonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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 (American life)
I live the American dream (American dream)
You are the best thing I've seen
You are not just a dream (American life)
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 (American life)
I live the American dream (American dream)
You are the best thing I've seen
You are not just a dream (American life)
American life
I tried to be a boy
Tried to be a girl
Tried to be a mess
Tried to be the best
Tried to find a friend
Tried to stay ahead
I tried to stay on top
Do I have to change my name
Will it get me far
Should I lose some weight
Am I gonna be a star
Uh, uh, uh, uh
I'm drinkin' a soy latte
I get a double shotie
It goes right through my body
And you know I'm satisfied
I drive my mini cooper
And I'm feeling super-duper
Yo they tell me 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 their bodies
And you know I'm satisfied
I'm diggin' on the isotopes
This metaphysics 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 a 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
The song "American Life" by Madonna is a commentary on the emptiness of American consumer culture and the pursuit of fame and success. In the opening verse, Madonna asks if she needs to change her name, lose weight, or be something she's not to achieve her goals. She then reflects on her attempts to fit into different boxes - trying to be a boy, girl, mess, and best - only to realize that she still doesn't feel fulfilled. The chorus repeats the phrase "American life" over and over, emphasizing the idea that the American Dream is not necessarily what it's cracked up to be.
In the second verse, Madonna goes to a bar looking for sympathy and company, yet realizes that this type of modern life is not for her. She then repeats the chorus, emphasizing her disillusionment with the American Dream. The bridge of the song features Madonna singing about the various material possessions she has acquired, including a mini cooper, a lawyer, a butler, and a jet. Yet, even with all of these luxuries, she questions if she is truly satisfied.
The final verse of the song features Madonna expressing her personal philosophy - that she is neither Christian nor Jewish, but simply living out the American Dream. However, she ends on a note of ambiguity, wondering if she needs to change her name or be a star to fully realize her dreams.
Overall, "American Life" is a critique of the superficiality of American culture and the empty pursuit of fame and material possessions. Madonna questions whether this type of modern life is truly fulfilling and emphasizes the need to look beyond the superficialities of American consumer culture to find true happiness and satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I have to change my name
Do I need to change who I am in order to achieve my goals?
Will it get me far
Is changing my identity an effective way to advance in this world?
Should I lose some weight
Do I need to change my appearance to be successful?
Am I gonna be a star
Is becoming famous the key to happiness and fulfillment?
I tried to be a boy
I experimented with different identities to see which one would give me the best chance at success.
I tried to be a girl
I experimented with different identities to see which one would give me the best chance at success.
I tried to be a mess
I tried to be unconventional and unpredictable to stand out from the crowd.
I tried to be the best
I strived to be the most successful and accomplished person I could be.
I guess I did it wrong
My attempts to succeed didn't lead to the happiness and fulfillment I expected.
That's why I wrote this song
I wrote this song to express my dissatisfaction with the societal pressures and expectations placed upon me.
This type of modern life
The expectations and norms of society in the modern era
Is it for me
This type of modern life
Is it for free
Is this the kind of life that suits me, and is it truly free, as in liberating and fulfilling?
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
I went to a bar seeking comfort and companionship, but found that the loneliness and dissatisfaction with my life is a repetitive pattern, and it's not the life for me.
American life (American life)
I live the American dream (American dream)
You are the best thing I've seen
You are not just a dream (American life)
The American life promises success, fame, and happiness, but it's not what it seems, and it's 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
I tried hard to succeed and stay on the top, but lost sight of my reasons and motivations, and began to question if this lifestyle is really meant for me, or if it truly offers the freedom and happiness I seek.
Uh, uh, uh, uh
I'm drinkin' a soy latte
I get a double shotie
It goes right through my body
And you know I'm satisfied
I drive my mini cooper
And I'm feeling super-duper
Yo they tell me 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 their bodies
And you know I'm satisfied
I'm diggin' on the isotopes
This metaphysics 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
Through my privileged lifestyle, I try to find satisfaction and happiness through physical pleasures like coffee, luxury cars, and attractive people, as well as through intellectual and spiritual pursuits, but despite having a team of staff members to cater to my every need, I still wonder if I'm truly satisfied.
I'd like to express my extreme point-of-view
I'm not a 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
I want to share my unique perspective, which doesn't adhere to any one religion or cultural identity, and seek to live out the American Dream, but through my experiences, I recognize that the life we're seemingly promised is not always what it seems.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mirwais Ahmadzai, Madonna Louise Ciccone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@danielborges2409
2023 and the uncensored version (love it) is still banned... please bring it to life
@MateusHonrado
It's finally arrived on here. - https://youtu.be/bZAMiK6ROZA
@MohammadQadasi
The original version unbanned 2 weeks ago
@a.belladonna8316
2:55 to 3:15 my favorite part.
@remingtongraves
What I do appreciate about this version of the video is that we get more footage of Madonna in that outfit. She looks ffffing fantastic. But the director’s cut is extraordinary and I’m so happy we’re getting it remastered in HD next week.
@stacia922
I don't care what the critics say, this album is great!
@SJ-007
My favourite Madonna album ❤ (It had to grow on me first though)
@Blueluise
Benjmain ol, Alexander
@vertbeke7977
One of the best
@ginasousabranco5637
American Life, were met with criticism for being unpatriotic during a time of war