Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Warner Bros.
Topics: Madonna, Music, Entertainment, Celebrity
Rachel Lang
Topics: Madonna, Music, Entertainment, Celebrity
Madonna pulled her a controversial music video in 2003 after worrying it was going to attract the wrong type of attention.
But now, after two decades, she's finally released it in fully.
News Corp states the Queen of Pop's video for her 2003 single 'American Life' was set to be 'perhaps her most notorious music video' in her whole career.
The video premiered on her YouTube channel this week and has been remastered into 4K goodness.
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And, considering the US was on the cusp of invading Iraq at the time it was meant to be originally released, we too see why she canned it.
Be warned, it is graphic. And there's a ton of swearing, too. Don't say we didn't warn you.
For someone who is no stranger to controversy, the video marks one of the few occasions Madonna bowed to pressure from those baying for her blood.
The clip, a graphic commentary on the then-imminent US invasion of Iraq, was officially nixed on April 1, 2003.
"I have decided not to release my new video," she said at the time, as per MadonnaTribe.
"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."
While the song was an introspective look at her own experience with fame and fortune, the graphic commentary on America's involvement in the Middle East was shelved.
It featured graphic shots of previous war campaigns, including bombs being dropped and people being maimed.
It showed the singer on stage at a fashion show as people were being blown apart by explosives and the audience seemingly taking delight in the violence.
So, it's no surprise it was dropped.
It was replaced with a hastily-put together music video that showed the pop icon singing in front of flags of various countries.
And, speaking of countries, the 64-year-old is about to embark on a massive world tour that looks back at her career.
'Madonna: The Celebration Tour' will take fans on her artistic journey through four decades of her music and pays respect to the city of New York where her career in music began.
When the tour was originally announced, Madonna issued a statement, as per Reuters.
"I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for," the pop icon said.
The tour will mark the anniversary of her debut single and to celebrate her career as a pop, music, and fashion icon, spanning from her 1983 self-titled debut album to 2019's Madame X.
The tour will hit up 35 cities around the globe, kicking off the mammoth tour with Vancouver on July 15.