Today in Madonna History: August 12, 2003

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On August 12 2003, Madonna was honoured with the Greatest Female Singer Of The Video Age award by VH1 (based on a viewer’s poll).

Today in Madonna History: July 14, 2003

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On July 14 2003, Madonna’s Hollywood was released as the second single from the American Life album.  The song was written and produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï.

Today in Madonna History: June 3, 2003

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On June 3 2003, the Die Another Day movie was released on home video and DVD.  The releases included Madonna’s Die Another Day music video and making-of documentary.

Today in Madonna History: June 2, 2003

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On June 2 2003, Madonna began filming the Hollywood music video in Los Angeles, California.  The music video was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, and portrays Madonna highlighting the highs and lows of Hollywood.

Mondino comments on the concept of the video:

“Some kind of artifice that Hollywood can provide, that is so wide and has a graphic story-line about it as well as some humour about it, and to show the beauty, the scariness, the sexiness and the loneliness that one’s success can be, ’cause everybody’s dreaming about Hollywood, no matter what. The expectation can be very dangerous, and maybe for somebody like Madonna, who might be at a point, to realize that to be on the top is maybe not that important. That’s what I feel about the video.”

Today in Madonna History: May 30, 2003

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On May 30 2003, Callaway Editions announced that Madonna would make publishing history as her children’s book, The English Roses, would be released simultaneously worldwide in 30 languages in 100 countries.

The English Roses is a children’s picture book written by Madonna and illustrated by Jeffrey Fulvimari, which later became a series of children’s books by both artists. The books are about the life of five schoolgirls in London and their problems growing up.

Today in Madonna History: April 21, 2003

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On April 21, 2003, Madonna’s ninth studio album, American Life was released by Maverick Records and distributed by Warner Bros. Records.

The album, produced in its entirety by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, features references to many parts of American culture. The album is considered a concept album, with recurring themes of the American Dream and materialism.

Tracklisting:

American Life
Hollywood
I’m So Stupid
Love Profusion
Nobody Knows Me
Nothing Fails
Intervention
X-Static Process
Mother and Father
Die Another Day
Easy Ride

Today in Madonna History: April 16, 2003

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On April 16 2003, Madonna released an edited version of the American Life video on VH-1.

The edited version (also called the “flag” version) featured Madonna singing in front of a backdrop of ever-changing flags of different countries.