Madonna has finally released the original music video for “American Life,” despite shelving it 20 years ago due to its gruesome content.
The five-minute video began seemingly normally, with the models walking down a runway in army costumes while Madonna sang about life in the spotlight.
But later the models were joined by war victims, whom they began beating as blood splattered on the runway.
The audience, made up of smug-looking fashion-goers, laughed as the violence continued—even as bloody bodies dragged around the stage without limbs.
Then, pictures of actual war victims began flashing on the screen before Madonna rushed out from behind the scenes in a tank and killed the crowd with a grenade.
The purpose of the lip-smacking video was to be a commentary on the then ongoing American invasion of Iraq, blending haute-couture with the brutality of war.
However, facing backlash before the video was released, Madge decided to release a highly censored version of the “American Life” video instead.
At the time, he explained that he thought the original version was “filmed before the war started” and that although it was broadcast abroad, it “wouldn’t be appropriate for it to be aired”.
“Due to the volatile situation of the world and my sensitivity and respect for the armed forces that I support and pray for, I don’t want to offend anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video,” he said.
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However, the intrepid pop star seems to have left a few controversial moments from the final install—like when someone who looks like George W. Bush catches a grenade and eventually lights a cigarette with it.
The Queen of Pop will embark on “The Celebration Tour” this summer, commemorating her forty years in music.
It’s unclear what crazy costumes and provocative performances she’s prepared for the 53 shows.