American Life cover art

  Studio Album · No. 9

American Life Songwriting Credits by Madonna

2003 Maverick / Warner Bros. Records 13 tracks 50 min

Produced by Madonna, Mirwais Ahmadzai  ·  Engineered by Mark "Spike" Stent

Maverick / Warner Bros. Records FolktronicaElectroclashElectropop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Madonna carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
13 trackswritten by Madonna 0 tracksoutside writers
Madonna's roles on this album

Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer8%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

13
Tracks
4
Lyricists
3
Producers
5 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2003
Released
Data Insight

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

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
American Life #37
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
2
Hollywood
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
3
I'm So Stupid
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
4
Love Profusion
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
5
Nobody Knows Me
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
6
Nothing Fails
MadonnaMirwais AhmadzaiJoe Henry MadonnaMirwais AhmadzaiJoe Henry Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
7
Intervention
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
8
X-Static Process
MadonnaStuart Price MadonnaStuart Price MadonnaStuart Price Madonna (Lead Vocals)
9
Mother and Father
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
10
Die Another Day #8
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
11
Easy Ride
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
12
Yours
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)
13
I Answer
MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai MadonnaMirwais Ahmadzai Mirwais Ahmadzai Madonna (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 4 contributors

M
Madonna
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album13 written
MA
Mirwais Ahmadzai
Writer · Producer
On this album12 written
SP
Stuart Price
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
JH
Joe Henry
Writer
On this album1 written

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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 with Mirwais Ahmadzaï. The pair also produced the album together, with no outside writers or 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 Cover Art Archive: American Life by Madonna