He finally expresses himself.
Madonna, 64, released the original video for her 2003 song “American Life” this week – bloody war footage and all that.
Twenty years ago, the premiere of the music video “Life” coincided with the starting of the war in Iraq. While the song itself wasn’t political – as a substitute it flirted with the materialism that accompanies pop superstars – the video contained an anti-war statement.
Wearing military attire, Madonna attends a war-themed fashion show where dancers are injured, limbs are detached, and realistic war footage flashes on the screen.
The scenes depict frightened and bloody children, burning people, blood, guts and bombings.
![Madonna finally releases controversial, gory music video for](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000010265246.jpg?w=1024)
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But that was all cut from the video for the first release – a rare guessing moment for provocative art from Material Girl.
She justified in April 2003: “I even have decided to not publish my latest video. It was recorded before the war broke out and I do not think it’s appropriate to release it now.”
“As a consequence of the unstable situation in the world, and out of sensitivity and respect for the armed forces that I support and pray for, I don’t want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this film,” she added.
The 2003 version turned out to be Madonna’s reasonably dull singing, as various flags appeared on a green screen behind her, even though it was all the time known that there was a more intense video.
One infamous scene that has been circulating the web – but clearly missing from the latest release – showed George W. Bush lookalike catching the grenade that Madonna throws at the end of the video.
![Madonna finally releases controversial, gory music video for](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000010265248.jpg?w=1024)
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But in the 2023 release, the video ends with a ticking bomb on the catwalk.
The song infamously showcases the singer’s rap skills as she boasts of drinking soy lattes, driving a Mini Cooper and surrounding herself with an ever-growing entourage.
“I’d like to specific my extreme standpoint / I’m not Christian or Jewish / I’m just living the American Dream / And I just realized that nothing is what it seems,” she adds.
The Post contacted Madonna’s representatives for comment.
Madge will begin the North American leg of her “Celebration” world tour in Vancouver on July 15.
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Ticket proceeds from the Nashville stop on December 22 are to be donated to transgender organizations in accordance with Tennessee’s law against drag queen performances.
In keeping with the report, Madonna desires to do every part to return to her natural appearance before concert events.