Studio Album · No. 9
American Life
Produced by Madonna, Mirwais Ahmadzai · Engineered by Mark "Spike" Stent
Madonna wrote 13 of 13 documented tracks
Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Madonna carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
American Life is one of Madonna's most tightly authored albums, co-written and co-produced throughout by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï. The two share writing credit on every track, building an acoustic-meets-electronic sound around lyrics about fame, war, and disillusionment with the American dream. There are no covers or outside writers, making it a fully self-authored statement.
American Life, released April 22, 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 13 tracks 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 13 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
American Life
#37
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 2 |
Hollywood
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 3 |
I'm So Stupid
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 4 |
Love Profusion
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 5 |
Nobody Knows Me
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 6 |
Nothing Fails
|
MadonnaMirwais AhmadzaiJoe Henry | MadonnaMirwais AhmadzaiJoe Henry | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 7 |
Intervention
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 8 |
X-Static Process
|
MadonnaStuart Price | MadonnaStuart Price | MadonnaStuart Price | |
| 9 |
Mother and Father
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 10 |
Die Another Day
#8
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 11 |
Easy Ride
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 12 |
Yours
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai | |
| 13 |
I Answer
|
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai | Mirwais Ahmadzai |