"American Life" is the lead single and title track from Madonna's ninth studio album. The lyrics of the pop, techno and folk song contain political and religious views of the singer, who questions the superficiality of modern life and the illusion of the American dream, especially during the presidency of George W. Bush.

Touching on sore points in American society, "American Life" aroused American listeners and was heavily criticized by critics, resulting in the single reaching only #37 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, however, the single was very successful, reaching the top of the charts in Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan and Switzerland and number 2 in the UK.