I'm curious. Please point out the anti-war part. (warning: there are lyrics to American Life here.)

Some Lyrics Website ^ | ?? | Madonna

[honeygrl]

These are the lyrics to the supposedly controversial song American Life.. where is the anti-war stuff?

Do I have to change my name? Will it get me far? Should I lose some weight? Am I gonna be a star?

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, That's why I wrote this song

This type of modern life - Is it for me? This type of modern life - Is it for free? 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 I live the american dream You are the best thing I've seen, You are not just a dream

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?

Do I have to change my name? Will it get me far? Should I lose some weight? Am I gonna be a star?

American life I live the american dream You are the best thing I've seen, You are not just a dream

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 tried to find a friend, I tried to stay ahead I tried to stay on top...

Fuck it... Do I have to change my name? Will it get me far? Should I lose some weight? Am I gonna be a star?

I'm drinking a Soy latte I get a double shot It goes right through my body And you know I'm satisfied, I drive my mini cooper And I'm feeling super-dooper 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 metaphysic's 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 or 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 Christian and I'm not a Jew I'm just living out the American dream And I just realized that nothing Is what it seems

Do I have to change my name Am I gonna be a star Do I have to change my name Am I gonna be a star? Do I have to change my name

[honeygrl]

I'm just wondering what all the controversy is about. Just reading the lyrics it sounds like more of an anti-hollywood song than an anti-war song.

[rvoitier]

The part edited out where she threw a grenade in Bush's crotch was the offending part.

[Calpernia]

The video. Mostly artsy interpretation; however, it is a little disrespectful to our President and Military.

[Asclepius]

I think the controversy focused on footage edited from her video, where she depicts herself tossing a grenade in a Bush-look-alike's lap or something. I have no idea how such an image relates the remarkably incoherent lyrics you cite, but whatever.

Here is a link to the rabbi-Kabbalist who claims to be Madonna's spiritual mentor etc.:

http://www.72.com/aboutauthor/aboutauthor.html

Imagine. Pop-kabbalah. Rabbi Abraham Abulafia must be spinning in his grave at about 78 rpms. Share and enjoy.

[honeygrl]

she does make this statement though on her website..

" 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."

Doesn't sound like she's anti-war to me. I'm just trying to understand the whole thing.

[Calpernia]

There was footage too of our military on the catwalk that wasn't too 'patriotic'; let alone, respectful.

[Calpernia]

I read that in Investors Business Daily too. Regardless of the timing of the making of the video; I'm not supportive of it.

I do like some of her old music. This one, no.

[honeygrl]

"I do like some of her old music. This one, no. "

Yeah me too.. that's why I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. As much as she's always loved controversy, I was very impressed with her pulling the video due to it being offensive. I don't ever remember her caring in the past. I know a lot think she pulled it due to financial reasons but she's made so much money in her life that I can't imagine her really needing more money that bad.

[tet68]

One thing you can say for her is, she learns from others mistakes.....quickly.

Nice recovery donna!

[tet68]

Well, when you consider that the DCs lifetime income just shrunk by about 75% and then consider what that would mean for Madonna, well.

[Mo1]

Doesn't sound like she's anti-war to me. I'm just trying to understand the whole thing.

You think Madonna's not anti-war??

Are you serious?

[honeygrl]

"You think Madonna's not anti-war??"

I just haven't seen anything posted that convincing .. everything I read seems to be about this one song/video which she retracted. Are there other quotes stating that she is against the war that I overlooked? And if she did speak out against the war, did she atleast keep her mouth shut about it during the war?

[risk]

The anti-American, anti-preemption messages are subtle but easy to find.

1. America is a consumer society without real freedom. American consumption is not a worthy cause to defend with offensive military actions. Find this in her talk about riches not making her happy.
2. Sexuality in America is not truly liberated, so how can we export the American revolution when it's incomplete? Find this in her phrases about trying different sexual identities, and the enclosure of women dancers in dirty toilet stalls, trapped before they kick down the doors of WASP oppression.
3. There is no difference between the plight of the Jews and Arabs. Why pick cultural sides? Madonna isn't a Christian, so why should she moralize? "Im not a Christian, I'm not a Jew, ..."
4. Also in that phrase: despite its basis in democracy, American government is all smoke and mirrors and nothing is "quite what it seems." You're not in control. PNAC is, and you'd better watch out. Why else would we attack Iraq?
5. Madonna suggests that you should revolt and change your government with force. She suggests that you start with a grenade thrown at the president. It's OK to do this with a vanity lighter instead of live ordnance as long as your will is conveyed.
6. And finally, the real blasphemy: American might is tantamount to fascism. Find this suggestion in Madonna's Nazi-like uniform.

How soon we forget that without America, the Germans and the Japanese would be fighting over who would be the slave masters in America.

It's not the artists who set us free, it's those "mean" soldiers who lay down their lives. Even for Madge.

[honeygrl]

"The anti-American, anti-preemption messages are subtle but easy to find. "

The things you list though are things you personally read into it. When I read the lyrics, I see more of an anti-hollywood message rather than anti-american government. I think the words are written so that anyone can interpret them to the meaning they want from the song. That makes it easier for everyone to relate to her song which usually makes songs more popular. Of course, if you just dislike her you will read in a message that you dislike because you don't want her to be on the same side you are. I'm not saying that's a bad thing.. just something that almost everyone would do. I saw the clip of the video where she throws the grenade into the lap of the Bush impersonator and it could have a different meaning than the obvious.. grenade symbolizing how people attack Bush and him using it to light his cigar symbolizing how the attacks on him don't hurt him one bit. Can you see that side of it as well?

[risk]

Yes, I can see that side of it. I also think you're taking a pollyannaish take on her work. It's wild, it's intense, and it's an attack on American capitalism. You could entitle it, "A Capitalist Eats the Rich" if you liked. But that's not important! That it sells is important. Then she can keep the hollow life she sings about, the one where she has her own jet and personal trainers but still isn't happy.

I'm saying that Madge is no ideolog. She and her cohorts figure out what will stir us to buy her media (either directly or the advertising and other lucrative airtime) and that's what she does.

She knew this video and song would trigger the kind of attention you and I are paying her right now, and so that's what she did.

By the way, I like the music and enjoyed "deconstructing" it a few weeks ago when it came out. I also defend her right to produce anti-American material.

I think Madge takes a lot of inspiration from a particularly virulent meme: Leni Riefenstahl.

We only saw the good things, we didn't know the bad things were to come.

[risk]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/884357/posts