Studio Album · No. 9
American Life Songwriting Credits by Madonna
Produced by Madonna, Mirwais Ahmadzaï · Engineered by Mark "Spike" Stent
Maverick / Warner Bros. Records
FolktronicaElectroclashElectropop
Complete Artist
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Madonna carries a lyricist or composer credit.
11 trackswritten by Madonna
0 tracksoutside writers
Madonna's roles on this album
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
11
Tracks
6
Lyricists
3
Producers
5 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2003
Released
Data Insight
American Life is one of Madonna's most tightly authored albums, co-produced throughout by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï and largely co-written by them, with an acoustic-meets-electronic sound built around lyrics about fame, war, and disillusionment with the American dream. Mirwais co-wrote eight of the 11 tracks. The other three brought in outside co-writers: Guy Sigsworth and Jem Griffiths on 'Nothing Fails,' Stuart Price on 'X-Static Process,' and Monte Pittman on 'Easy Ride.'
American Life, released April 21, 2003, is Madonna's most politically outspoken studio album, a direct critique of American consumerism, celebrity culture, and the Iraq War, released at the height of the conflict. Madonna co-wrote all 11 tracks, eight of them with Mirwais Ahmadzai. The album was preceded by controversy when she pulled the video for the title track due to its military imagery. Commercially mixed, it reached number one in several countries but underperformed in the US relative to expectations.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
American Life
#37
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming) |
| 2 |
Hollywood
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming) |
| 3 |
I'm So Stupid
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais AhmadzaïMark "Spike" Stent | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming) |
| 4 |
Love Profusion
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming, Backing Vocals) |
| 5 |
Nobody Knows Me
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Programming) |
| 6 |
Nothing Fails
|
MadonnaGuy SigsworthJem Griffiths | MadonnaGuy SigsworthJem Griffiths | MadonnaMirwais AhmadzaïMark "Spike" Stent | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming)Stuart Price (Piano)London Community Gospel Choir (Backing Vocals)Michel Colombier (Conductor) |
| 7 |
Intervention
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming) |
| 8 |
X-Static Process
|
MadonnaStuart Price | MadonnaStuart Price | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming) |
| 9 |
Mother and Father
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming) |
| 10 |
Die Another Day
#8
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Programming)Michel Colombier (Conductor) |
| 11 |
Easy Ride
|
MadonnaMonte Pittman | MadonnaMonte Pittman | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzaï | Madonna (Vocals)Mirwais Ahmadzaï (Guitar, Programming)Michel Colombier (Conductor) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 9 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions American Life
When did Madonna release American Life?
Madonna released American Life on April 21, 2003 through Maverick Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album debuted at number one in the United States and several other countries.
Did Madonna write American Life herself?
Yes. Madonna co-wrote every track on American Life, eight of them with Mirwais Ahmadzaï, who also co-produced the whole album with her. The other three have outside co-writers: Guy Sigsworth and Jem Griffiths on 'Nothing Fails,' Stuart Price on 'X-Static Process,' and Monte Pittman on 'Easy Ride.' There are no cover versions.
Who produced American Life by Madonna?
American Life was produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, continuing the partnership they began on Music. Mirwais combined acoustic guitar with electronic programming for the album's sound.
Who wrote Die Another Day by Madonna?
'Die Another Day' was co-written by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï as the theme to the 2002 James Bond film of the same name. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later included on American Life.
How did the single American Life by Madonna perform on the charts?
The single 'American Life' peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, a low chart placement for a Madonna lead single. The album itself still debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
How many copies did American Life by Madonna sell?
American Life has sold around 5 million copies worldwide. It is certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States.
Sources
Wikipedia: American Life (album)
MusicBrainz: American Life (release group)
Cover Art Archive: American Life
Discogs: Madonna - American Life (master)
Discogs: Madonna - American Life (2003 US CD, Maverick/Warner Bros. 48439-2)
MusicBrainz: American Life (2003 US release)
Cover Art Archive: American Life by Madonna