Episode five of Into The Groove is an extensive, detailed look at Madonna’s 2003 album American Life. Released at the beginning of the Iraq War, American Life was the era of Madonna’s career that seemed to go all wrong – the original video for the title track was withdrawn in a storm of political controversy, second single ‘Hollywood’ failed to chart despite an infamous performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, and the album itself was critically panned. Far from the creative failure it was made out to be, American Life is the most famous woman in music laying her soul bare – more personal than even Like A Prayer or Ray Of Light, these eleven songs are a window into the private life of an icon. This episode, Richard Eric investigates the gulf between American Life’s critical reputation and its artistic merit, deconstructs the ways in which this album represents both a breakdown and a rebirth – and looks at the reasons why Madonna herself refuses to allow these songs to fall into obscurity.

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