The American Dream by Generation

The American Dream by Generation

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Analysis of the Song American Life by Madonna



This song written by Madonna in 2003 is all about the modern American Dream and how it’s no longer what it used to be.  The lives we live today are so drastically different due to the values society finds important in our modern lives compared to life in the past.

She mentions all of the activities she’s involved in and all the materialistic things she has in her life to ensure she is seen as someone of importance and valued in her community.  America has become enthralled with material goods because a person’s status is derived from how much “stuff” they have.  

The line towards the end of the song that says, “Do you think I’m satisfied” really impacted me because I’ve noticed people tend to get a false sense of happiness when they have material things or are seen as important people, but at the end of the day does any of that really matter?  I’ve been through a lot in my life and learned many lessons that have changed the way I see things. I value people and my relationships with them, the little things in life are truly what matter.  It’s not the things you have, but the people you have in your life to share them with that will be most important in the end.    








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 [American life]
I live the American dream [American dream]
You are the best thing I've seen
You are not just a dream [American life]
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 [American life]
I live the American dream [American dream]
You are the best thing I've seen
You are not just a dream [American life]
American life
I tried to be a boy
Tried to be a girl
Tried to be a mess
Tried to be the best
Tried to find a friend
Tried to stay ahead
I tried to stay on top

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

Uh, uh, uh, uh
I'm drinkin' a soy latte
I get a double shotie
It goes right through my body
And you know I'm satisfied
I drive my mini cooper
And I'm feeling super-duper
Yo they tell me 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 their bodies
And you know I'm satisfied
I'm diggin' on the isotopes
This metaphysics 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 a 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



No comments:

Post a Comment