Do I have to change my name?
Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight?
Am I gonna be a star?
[Verse 1]
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
It's why I wrote this song
This type of modern life, is it for me?
This type of modern life, is it for free?
[Verse 2]
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)
[Verse 3]
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?
[Refrain]
Do I have to change my name?
Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight?
Am I gonna be a star?
[Chorus]
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 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
Fuck it
[Refrain]
Do I have to change my name?
Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight?
Am I gonna be a star?
[Break]
Ah, fuck it
Ah, fuck it
Ah, fuck it
Ah, fuck it
[Verse 5]
I'm drinking a soy latte, I get a double shoté
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 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 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 of 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 livin' out the American Dream
And I just realized that nothin' is what it seems
Do I have to change my name? (American life)
Am I gonna be a star? (I live the American Dream)
Do I have to change my name? (American life)
Am I gonna be a star? (I live the American Dream)
Do I have to change my name?
(American life, I live the American Dream)
(American life, I live the American Dream)
(American life, I live the American Dream)
(American life)
About
“American Life” is the lead single and title-track of Madonna’s ninth studio album. A pop, techno and folk song, its lyrics feature political and religious views from the singer, who questions the shallowness of modern life and the illusion of the American Dream, specially during the presidency of George W. Bush.
By touching sore spots of American society, “American Life” enraged American listeners and was heavily criticized by reviewers, which led the single to peak at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the single did well outside the US, reaching the top of the charts in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan and Switzerland, and #2 in the UK.
Two music videos were shot for the song, both by Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund, who has worked with Madonna before. The first version featured the singer at a military-themed fashion show, with an amused audience applauding the bloodshed of the war; the video ended with Madonna throwing a hand grenade at George W. Bush. Prior to its release, the video caused controversy regarding its political, racial and religious implications, leading Madonna to release a statement explaining its concept:
I feel lucky to be an American citizen for many reasons – one of which is the right to express myself freely, especially in my work. I understand that there have been reports about my upcoming video ‘American Life’ in the media – much of which is inaccurate. I am not Anti-Bush. I am not pro-Iraq. I am pro peace. I have written a song and created a video which expresses my feelings about our culture and values and the illusions of what many people believe is the American dream – the perfect life. As an artist, I hope that this provokes thought and dialogue. I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view.
After the 2003 invasion of Iraq started, Madonna cancelled the release of the original music video, because of the political climate of the country at the time, and released another version, much softer, featuring her in front of a backdrop of flags from around the world. She explained:
I have decided not to release my new video. It was filmed before the war started and I do not believe it is appropriate to air it at this time. Due to the volatile state of the world and out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
“[The song] was like a trip down memory lane, looking back at everything I’ve accomplished and all the things I once valued and all the things that were important to me. What is my perspective now? I’ve fought for so many things, I’ve tried so hard to be number one and to stay on top, to look good, to be the best. And I realized that a lot of things that last and the things that matter are none of those things.”
I feel lucky to be an American citizen for many reasons – one of which is the right to express myself freely, especially in my work. I understand that there have been reports about my upcoming video ‘American Life’ in the media – much of which is inaccurate. I am not Anti-Bush. I am not pro-Iraq. I am pro peace. I have written a song and created a video which expresses my feelings about our culture and values and the illusions of what many people believe is the American dream – the perfect life. As an artist, I hope that this provokes thought and dialogue. I don’t expect everyone to agree with my point of view."
Source: MTV (2003)
- 1.American Life