20 Years of American Life
Madonna released American Life – her ninth studio album – 20 years ago today, April 22, 2003. on Maverick/Warner Bros.
Entirely produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, the album was their second collaboration after Music and the second Madonna record to carry a Parental Advisory sticker.
Perfectly embodying the sense of rebellion of the record, the album and first single artworks were created by French designers M/M Paris using images from the dedicated photoshoot by Craig McDean with Madonna sporting her iconic brunette hairdo.
The eponymous first single – released on April 8 – was immediately the centre of one of the hardest striking controversies of Madonna’s career that eventually led her to pull the video for the song directed by Jonas Åkerlund and to release the following statement:
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.
While an edited version of the video featuring Madonna singing in front of a backdrop made of flags of different countries premiered on April 16, 2003 on VH1, the theme of the original video made a comeback in the second section of Re-invention Tour the following year, with the video backdrop of the live performance of the song using footage from the original videoclip.
To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary, Madonna has just announced that the Director’s Cut of the video will be officially released next week.
Madonna will also honour the life and work of Peter Rauhofer, who created unforgettable remixes for many artists for over two decades by releasing American Life – Mixshow Mix, a vinyl-only 8-tracks EP coming out tomorrow, April 22 for Record Store Day. The EP features 6 brand new edits of Madonna’s favorite commercial and promotional remixes from the American Life era.
01 – American Life (Peter Rauhofer’s American Anthem New Edit)*
02 – Hollywood (Deepsky’s Home Sweet Home Vocal Edit)
03 – Love Profusion (Ralphi Rosario House Vocal Mix)
04 – Nobody Knows Me (Peter Rauhofer’s Private Life Edit)*
05 – Nothing Fails (Peter Rauhofer’s Classic House New Edit)*
06 – Mother And Father (Peter Rauhofer’s Re-Invention Edit)*
07 – Die Another Day (Thunderpuss Club Edit)*
08 – Easy Ride (Tracy Young’s Easy Edit)*
*Previously Unreleased
A portion of sales proceeds will be donated to brain cancer research. On April 17, 2013, it was made public that the late Peter Rauhofer was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He passed away on May 7.
Fans can also celebrate by:
- Buying/streaming the album: madonna.lnk.to/AmericanLife
- Checking out the original remixes out now digitally: m.lnk.to/ALRemixes
- Shopping the anniversary merch: shop.madonna.com
Happy 20, American Life!
Image courtesy of Warner Music Group
