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American Life (Madonna)
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Verses:
F#m F#m5+ C# Bm
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Chorus:
F#m C#m C#m2 Bm Bm2
______ ______ ______ ______ ______
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(F#m)
Do I have to change my name? Will it get me far?
Should I lose some weight? Am I gonna be a star?
F#m
I tried to be a boy I tried to be a girl I tried to be a mess
C# Bm
I tried to be the best I guess I did it wrong that's why I wrote this song
F#m
This type of modern life? Is it for me?
This type of modern life? Is it for free?
F#m
So I went into a bar Looking for simpathy A little company
C# Bm
I tried to find a friend It's more easily said It's always been the same
F#m [5+] [5+]
This type of modern life Is not for me
[5+] [5+]
This type of modern life Is not for free
F#m C#m
American life
F#m C#m
I live the American dream
Bm C#m
You are the best thing I've seen
Bm C#m
You are not just a dream
F#m
I tried to stay ahead I tried to stay on top I tried to play the part
C# Bm
but somehow I forgot just what I did it for and why I wanted more
F#m [5+] [5+]
This type of modern life is it for me?
[5+] [5+]
This type of modern life is it for free?
F#m [5+] [5+]
Do I have to change my name? Will it get me far?
[5+] [5+]
Should I lose some weight? Am I gonna be a star?
F#m C#m [2]
American life
F#m C#m [2]
I live the American dream
Bm [2] C#m
You are the best thing I've seen
Bm [2] C#m
You are not just a dream
Bm [2] C#m
Bm [2] C#m
F#m
I tried to be a boy I tried to be a girl I tried to be a mess
[5+] [5+] [5+]
I tried to be the best I tried to find a friend I tried to stay ahead
[5+]
I tried to stay on top
F#m [5+] [5+]
Do I have to change my name? Will it get me far?
F#m [5+] F#m [5+]
Should I lose some weight? Am I gonna be a star?
F#m [5+]
Ah Ah Ah Ah
F#m [5+]
I'm drinking a soy latte I get a double shotte
It goes right through my body And you know I'm satisfied
I dropped my mini cooper And I'm feeling super-duper
Yo they tell 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 the bodies And you know I'm satisfied
I'm digging on the isotopes This metaphysic's shit is dope
And if all this can give me hope You know I'm satisfied
I've 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?
······
When a chord variation is specified between square brackets,
change rapidly from the chord to its variation and back.
stefano j attardi (attardi.org)
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
HIYA Wanna Be |
#1 by HIYA at Mar 17, 1971 at 8:52 PM EST |
| Yeah, this song is about all these things celebrities do, desperately, to stay in the spotlight long after their mediocre career. She says it with proper disgust, because all this stuff she mentions isn't like her at all. Oh wait, it is just like her and she did all of these stupid things, because otherwise she has no talent or value. Just go away already Madonna, you're old. | |
|
No Picture
Reece Wanna Be |
#2 by Reece Brown at May 13, 1971 at 10:31 PM EST |
| Very sad but beautiful song. It's about Christopher Flynn, her mentor, and Martin Burgoyne, one of her friends from the early '80s, who both died of AIDS. | |
|
No Picture
randy Professional |
#3 by randy taylor at Jul 11, 1971 at 4:39 AM EST |
| I think when she sings "I guess I did it wrong ... 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]" she really tips listeners off as far as the meaning goes. | |
|
No Picture
J_ROC Lead Player |
#4 by J_ROC at Sep 4, 1971 at 3:40 PM EST |
| thanks for postin that, and after reading it, i think i'll go take a listen! | |
|
No Picture
Colleen Average |
#5 by Colleen Shmeltin at May 17, 1973 at 10:27 AM EST |
| American Life. Basically its her view on what the U.S has become, the way of life, expectations, etc. | |
|
No Picture
Gabe Average |
#6 by Gabe Hawkins at Mar 13, 1974 at 3:41 PM EST |
| This was the deepest song off of the Erotica album. This song is about tow close friends of Madonna died of AIDS. | |
|
No Picture
Steve Wanna Be |
#7 by Steve Smyth at Jan 22, 1976 at 5:50 AM EST |
| I agree with yaywhowee. This song is meant to be sarcastic. But like most sarcasm, it went right over peoples heads. | |
|
No Picture
Dylan Average |
#8 by Dylan Ruiz at Mar 15, 1976 at 7:04 PM EST |
| American Life is the reaction to everything she saw after 911, even though she was in England all of the recording of American Life. She had to re-think to herself whether everything she had done was worth it and wonder if she can go on. | |
|
No Picture
Brennan Wanna Be |
#9 by Brennan unknown at Mar 12, 1977 at 7:52 AM EST |
| Very sad but beautiful song. It's about Christopher Flynn, her mentor, and Martin Burgoyne, one of her friends from the early '80s, who both died of AIDS. | |
|
No Picture
Jer Average |
#10 by Jer at Feb 20, 1978 at 12:39 PM EST |
| very pretty, but sad song | |
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No Picture
Jer Average |
#11 by Jer at May 23, 1978 at 6:32 PM EST |
| 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 This Shit Is For Reels Music? | |
|
No Picture
Max Wanna Be |
#12 by Max Contreras at Apr 21, 1979 at 3:24 PM EST |
| hahahah she tried to be a man she must have grown a doodle i think its still there | |
|
No Picture
Ryan Wanna Be |
#13 by Ryan Carter at Dec 17, 1979 at 9:37 AM EST |
| Yeah, this song is about all these things celebrities do, desperately, to stay in the spotlight long after their mediocre career. She says it with proper disgust, because all this stuff she mentions isn't like her at all. Oh wait, it is just like her and she did all of these stupid things, because otherwise she has no talent or value. Just go away already Madonna, you're old. | |
|
No Picture
spencer Wanna Be |
#14 by spencer mccarthy at Dec 18, 1979 at 8:15 AM EST |
| I agree with yaywhowee. This song is meant to be sarcastic. But like most sarcasm, it went right over peoples heads. | |
|
No Picture
jordan Porreca Lead Player |
#15 by jordan Porreca porreca at Jul 26, 1982 at 3:01 PM EST |
| Ah, Madonna. I love her outlook on everything. | |
|
No Picture
Fat Man Goz Lead Player |
#16 by Fat Man Goz at Dec 30, 1984 at 1:23 AM EST |
| This was the deepest song off of the Erotica album. This song is about tow close friends of Madonna died of AIDS. | |
|
No Picture
|
#17 by at Mar 1, 1986 at 9:10 AM EST |
| Not too many American Life songs here...I think it is her most personal album yet! | |
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No Picture
Hεvard Average |
#18 by Hεvard Banne at Jun 8, 1986 at 1:53 PM EST |
| I hate to keep typing multiple comments, but I'm listening to the rap part now, and it's clearly satire, D4MVP. | |
|
No Picture
Kyle Average |
#19 by Kyle at Jun 24, 1986 at 1:12 AM EST |
| American Life is the reaction to everything she saw after 911, even though she was in England all of the recording of American Life. She had to re-think to herself whether everything she had done was worth it and wonder if she can go on. | |
|
No Picture
batman Average |
#20 by batman chum at Sep 17, 1986 at 12:24 AM EST |
| I think when she sings "I guess I did it wrong ... 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]" she really tips listeners off as far as the meaning goes. | |
|
No Picture
LJ Average |
#21 by LJ at Jul 12, 1990 at 5:38 AM EST |
| hahahah she tried to be a man she must have grown a doodle i think its still there | |
|
No Picture
Maggotkill Average |
#22 by Maggotkill at Aug 6, 1991 at 2:15 AM EST |
| Ah, Madonna. I love her outlook on everything. | |
|
No Picture
chris Wanna Be |
#23 by chris valverde at Jun 25, 1992 at 7:06 AM EST |
| obviously no one understands what this song really means it's 50% sarcasm (especially the 'rap') and 50% what america has become | |
|
No Picture
john Average |
#24 by john at Apr 8, 1993 at 2:33 PM EST |
| I think most of you have the song meaning a little twisted. She's saying, "Look at this lifestyle: it's materialistic, it spreads ignorance and it's selfish. Why did I get caught up in that? I'm glad I'm over it now. Since I've been released from the bonds that have once oppressed me, here's a song about my struggle and why you shouldn't make the same mistakes." At least that's how I see it. | |
|
No Picture
klown Rhythm Player |
#25 by klown at Dec 24, 1995 at 2:13 AM EST |
| thanks for postin that, and after reading it, i think i'll go take a listen! | |
|
No Picture
Charlie Average |
#26 by Charlie Fletcher at Feb 6, 1996 at 10:27 AM EST |
| this song is about how she tried to be something that she's not. then, she realized that what she was trying to be isn't all that great anyway. oh, and non-Madonna fans need to quit commenting on her pages, because you will never covert Madonna fans over to your evil ways. | |
|
No Picture
Dominic Badass |
#27 by Dominic Smith at Jul 20, 1996 at 6:31 AM EST |
| HAHHA! what the fuck! why is bein a 'star' so important. She has no fucken clue There is more to life than being famous. She doesn't know any better. I want her to fall down some stairs while dressing like a teenager.. i would giggle if she broke her hip. | |
|
No Picture
J_ROC Lead Player |
#28 by J_ROC at Jun 7, 1997 at 5:35 PM EST |
| obviously no one understands what this song really means it's 50% sarcasm (especially the 'rap') and 50% what america has become | |
|
No Picture
Eric Average |
#29 by Eric at May 25, 2000 at 12:20 PM EST |
| Not too many American Life songs here...I think it is her most personal album yet! | |
|
No Picture
eric Rhythm Player |
#30 by eric christian at Aug 31, 2000 at 3:59 AM EST |
| HAHHA! what the fuck! why is bein a 'star' so important. She has no fucken clue There is more to life than being famous. She doesn't know any better. I want her to fall down some stairs while dressing like a teenager.. i would giggle if she broke her hip. | |
|
No Picture
Alexander Wanna Be |
#31 by Alexander Taule at Nov 28, 2000 at 1:11 PM EST |
| this song is about how she tried to be something that she's not. then, she realized that what she was trying to be isn't all that great anyway. oh, and non-Madonna fans need to quit commenting on her pages, because you will never covert Madonna fans over to your evil ways. | |
|
No Picture
J_ROC Lead Player |
#32 by J_ROC at Mar 25, 2002 at 5:25 AM EST |
| I hate to keep typing multiple comments, but I'm listening to the rap part now, and it's clearly satire, D4MVP. | |
|
No Picture
Zach Wanna Be |
#33 by Zach Pain at Jul 8, 2002 at 7:18 AM EST |
| American Life. Basically its her view on what the U.S has become, the way of life, expectations, etc. | |
|
No Picture
_Heretic_ Wanna Be |
#34 by _Heretic_ at Jan 20, 2003 at 3:02 AM EST |
| 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 This Shit Is For Reels Music? | |
|
No Picture
Collin Average |
#35 by Collin at Apr 5, 2003 at 1:12 PM EST |
| very pretty, but sad song | |
|
No Picture
Austin Wanna Be |
#36 by Austin Skitowski at Mar 26, 2007 at 1:08 PM EST |
| I think most of you have the song meaning a little twisted. She's saying, "Look at this lifestyle: it's materialistic, it spreads ignorance and it's selfish. Why did I get caught up in that? I'm glad I'm over it now. Since I've been released from the bonds that have once oppressed me, here's a song about my struggle and why you shouldn't make the same mistakes." At least that's how I see it. | |
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