She’s finally expressing herself.
Madonna, 64, this week released the original video for her 2003 song “American Life” — bloody war footage and all.
Twenty years ago, the release of the “Life” video coincided with the start of the war in Iraq. Though the song itself was not political — instead, it flirted with the materialism that comes with pop superstardom — the video made an anti-war statement.
Dressed in military garb, Madonna crashes a war-themed fashion show, where dancers become injured, limbs are detached, and real-looking war footage flashes across the screen.
The scenes feature scared and bloodied kids, people on fire, blood, guts, and bombings.
But all of that was cut from the video for its initial release — a rare moment of second-guessing provocative art from the Material Girl.
She reasoned in April 2003: “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,” she added.
The 2003 version turned out to be a rather boring sing-along by Madonna as different flags appeared on a green screen behind her, although it was always known that a more intense video existed.
One infamous scene that floated around the internet — but was noticeably missing from the new release — showed a George W. Bush look-alike catching the grenade Madonna throws at the end of the video.
But in the 2023 release, the video ends with the bomb ticking on the catwalk.Â
The song infamously shows off the singer’s rapping skills, as she boasts about drinking soy lattes, driving a Mini Cooper, and being surrounded by an ever-growing entourage.
“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,” she adds.
The Post has contacted reps for Madonna for comment.
Madge is set to kick off the North American leg of her “Celebration” world tour in Vancouver on July 15.
Ticket proceeds from the stop in Nashville on Dec. 22 are slated to go to transgender organizations, following Tennessee’s law against drag performers.
Madonna is also looking to do whatever it takes to get her natural appearance back ahead of the shows, according to a report.
