Madonna - Mother & Father (Live Acoustic 2003)

written & produced by Madonna & Mirwais | from the album American Life (2003) | vhs transfer & additional audio mixing by sonicboy19 for [absoluteretro]

[@charmelizabeth8584]

I like Madonna this way, away from the glamour, down-to-earth.

[@richardconn2012]

she looks beautiful and natural ..american life was really good

[@onesong2001]

Don't say that. She'll be doing shampoo commercials next

[@andrewphillips6309]

People hate on Madonna because they're Jealous!! She's amazing and she has an amazing voice!! This is amazing!!

[@francogallinacimaglia8802]

@@babymario2099 the fact you like an artist doesnt make you hate another, it should be normal for someone to like more than one artist, but we are so obsesed with things like "she is the queen" or "she will never be the Queen" that make us become stupids and not being objective.

[@fnb8171]

Not jealous

[@EmaRosell98]

She's MADONNA!!!

[@jaygee6738]

@@EmaRosell98 and now she is the beast that ate madonna. or as I call her now.. Moodonna.

[@rodrigoalberto4171]

Just like most of the italians and italian descendants, she has a powerful voice, but she doesn't always use her voice as well as she did in this performance. Sometimes she messes up everything, but I love her anyway😅

[@kostatsimiklis6617]

Decades later, this is one of her most impressive vocals...so natural, raw and beautiful.

[@darkvaper2010]

This is flawless and beautiful. .this the real Madonna. .

[@absoluteacw]

Deep down Madonna loves performing like this. I believe it's what she has always wanted to do. She suits dark hair. She looks lovely.

[@fomalhauto]

it's her natural hair color she looks best with that hair color

[@marisolmarisol6848]

ESTÀ PRECIOSA MADONNA!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@zendayolo2403]

she absolutely can sing

[@babymario2099]

Minh Thái Yes She Definitely Can Sing

[@j.c7719]

Of course she can. You simply can’t record 14 studio albums if you can’t sing, it requires a technique and a knowledge that people who claim successful recording artists can’t sing, don’t have.

[@ChrisAmerica1]

Defining a "great vocalist" is very subjective. Madonna's voice is passionate and full of raw emotion in it's delivery. She has a beautiful melodic tone that is distinctly hers. If you listen to her albums you will find that her songs convey a lot of sentiment and emotion that many artists can't come close to. It is the same debate you hear about artists like Bob Dylan or Todd Rundgren. If you openly listen to their delivery they have a unique, powerful, sound that is signature & original.

[@sonicboy19]

Exactly! Well said.

[@uzairlatif8377]

It is a good voice.

[@G9dance]

💯

[@mercadopopcola6192]

I love her Voice!!

[@mattthompson6281]

it's sad that american life didn't go far..this is an amazing song..

[@klauxgigi1476]

It is... But she should put the acoustic version on the album... Don't like the official version...

[@alejandrojuarez9721]

It's not sad, It touched us all

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

It's also sad Madonna hasn't kept her acoustic side going for longer!

[@onesong2001]

@@ClassicTVMan1981X I'm surprised she kept it up as long as she did. She was never good at it.

[@AlexeBriand2002]

@@onesong2001you’re obsessed with her even though you hate her. it’s pathetic.

[@drakason]

See, she can sing. She's not the best singer, but she can hold her own.

[@magdeleenvaneersel7315]

And without autotune!

[@diegoandres2906]

It's true she is not the best singer, but she has a great voice and a characteristic one... and there are other singer that are far worst and nobody says anything

[@MVUK358]

@@diegoandres2906 Very true. She has a very characteristic vocal tone, indeed. It's strongly emotional and displays a lot of vulnerability and passion. There are a lot of technically strong vocalists, including on many TV singing competitions, but the majority of them do not have that emotional and unique quality to their voices.

[@facundogrondona9346]

I disagree...In arts, there are not best and worst, just art! Imagine a painter, a musician..She is big, and unique, that is the fact

[@moh4651]

she is the best singer

[@fernvnd0]

This song becomes so sad in this version

[@Bry77]

The song IS sad 😂

[@strangercoz]

One of the most underrated CDs from her; by far, this is my favorite song. Madonna can really write ballads.

[@OneDamnBoy]

it's my favorite album i guess there are no skin songs, it's kinda weird, but on most of her cds there are songs that i really don't like like ILNY and jump on COADF

[@annneru]

I don't like album version. It's impossible to listen to her vocoded voice. Why has she done that to her best songs from that era? I blame Guy Ritchie on everything. Maybe he's told her something like "it's not cool that you make people feel, just make people think".

[@domenicozappone9664]

Say what you want about her not being a perfect singer, but artists can touch you heart in so many different ways and her voice is so distinctive and personal that it changes you. Queen of pop.

[@emmanuelgarciaespana7532]

"American Life" is one of my most favourites Madonna's albums.❤

[@NadaSurferTube]

same. 💚

[@patriciacampbell4564]

I'm so disenchanted to read the negative comments about Madonna. Although there was obviously something that attracted these people here. It's always the women who get it - they get all the stigma attached to them, even the strong, clever ones like Madonna, who is an inspiration to us all. Personally, I find that there are people out there who are yet to fully understand the female species. It's misogyny. And some women don't like strong women. I love Madonna, and I love this song and video. Even although she 44 in this video, she looks like a wee young lassie. Stunning : D

[@cecilymacnamara1228]

Especially the strong, clever ones as they are the most threatening to insecure men and to women who have internalised that misogyny. Misogyny is not men who hate women; rather it is a deeply ingrained cultural psychosis which posits that women are lesser human beings than men. Which is why so many women as well as men suffer from this delusion. It's like a poison in the air we breathe rendering us all susceptible to it. Madonna is a force of nature and her intelligence and honesty are a thing to behold. And cherish. I love this song too. Promise to Try, part 2.

[@marka8537]

Her documentary, I think it was a series, was less than enchanting, so I can understand some people’s negativity. I still like her though 😅

[@sumitajagtap4557]

I can't stop crying each time I hear her singing this song. "Oh Mother why aren't you hear with me.. "! OMG it's painful. Love you Madonna. Love and respect for u from India. 😍🙏

[@diosamonstruosa3213]

I love her. She's like an espiritual mother for me

[@kbee]

Wow. She's amazing. One of her best performances. Beautiful vocals.

[@DevTheDandy]

This right here for me ...its Fucking everything❤ for those of us who lost a parent at a young age..that pain💔 Thank you Queen for helping us on our path

[@estebanpersa]

HER VOCALS ARE REALLY GOOD WHEN SHE'S NOT DANCING.. SHE SHOULD DO THIS KIND OF PERFORMANCES MORE OFTEN

[@tirde]

She is a true artist.... what an amazing performance!

[@segamai]

It's like she's strumming my heartstrings instead of that guitar. She might not have the most impressive voice but who cares when what she does with it is so phenomenal.

[@kennyp9616]

+segamai Powerful technical voices are ten a penny where Madonna's voice is instantly recognizable and so distinctive.

[@robertbuick3908]

I don't wanna do a sob story but my mum killed herself just before American life came out. It has helped me and my siblings get through that. Even so much i sang nothing fails at my sisters wedding as part of my speech. In so many ways Madonna helped me through even though she didn't know it

[@melodyvalentine8779]

​@@robertbuick3908Oh my god, that's horrific. I'm so sorry to hear that and I hope you're doing ok now. I dread the day my mam, or my dad, dies. I can't imagine how bad it must be when a parent does that, you're poor mam must have been suffering badly to do that 😢 and it's not a "sob story" it's just your story, it's your reality. Don't ever feel like you have to justify telling people what happened to you. How old were you when that happened? My mam lost her own mother at just 18, 7 years before I was born, and it breaks my heart for her. It was so sudden aswell. I so badly wish I could bring her back. Nobody should ever have to lose their mother so young. There's never gonna be a good time, you're never ready, but at least if they're in their 90s or something you haven't got to go your whole adult life without them.

[@vivigarotoesperto1855]

I am speechless, completely and absolutely speechless ! My God, Madonna simply rocks in this performance, her voice is beautiful and I am feeling delighted for having watched this ! She's magnificent !

[@wagnergomespereira4334]

Watching in 2020 and it still makes me cry. The lyrics, the way she puts her voice damn. I almost can feel her pain!

[@sonicboy19]

Must we always compare female singers? Isn't there room for all different kinds of female talent? Madonna has always been honest about her shortcomings as a vocalist, but she makes up for it other areas. Gaga is a great vocalist, and I don't compare her to Madonna because they are two vastly different artists, each bringing something different to the table. In any case, I respect your opinion and thank you for sharing your views.

[@rebelblue]

All the ignorant people, who say that Madonna cant sing, are delusional haters. She have truly beautiful voice ♥

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Same for those who say she can't play guitar!

[@onesong2001]

@ClassicTVMan1981X she can strum 5 or 6 chords and if she was 10 years old in her school play I'd give her a big round of applause. If this is what you call playing then you're right but I expect a lot more from someone who plays professionally

[@richardconn2012]

gaga " what madonna does is very different to what i do ..i write and produce my songs and i play instruments " ,.oh look heres madonna playing a guitar on a song that she wrote and produced

[@fomalhauto]

yeah ...I read that stuff pissed me off Madonna learned to play drums,guitar,keyboard before she was famous

[@miguelfreitas8517]

“I wouldn't make that comparison at all. I don't mean to disrespect Madonna . . . she’s a nice lady. And she’s had a fantastic, huge career. She’s the biggest pop star of all time. But I play a lot of instruments. I write all my own music. I spend hours and hours a day in the studio. I'm a producer. I'm a writer. What I do is different." the full text, it doesnt seem like she's trashing madonna

[@fluorescenticon101]

She sings so high! I love this. Beautiful, light and delicate.

[@ternitamas]

"I have compassion for myself in retrospect"

[@eliotin11]

Once I read “Madonna can put an entire show on the stage, sadly she can’t sing live and playing an instrument at the same time”. I had to laugh out loud, and then posted this video in response to that, there’s nothing more comfortable than delicacy in a punch. ❤️

[@onesong2001]

I would say she can't play, period

[@sahasrarachakra1]

​@onesong2001 and who are you? I know you are nobody but do you have a last name?

[@holywater9425]

Why so many people are obssesed with her vocal range? Music is not about it, its about emotions, and feelings. She is apsolutely able to convey everything and anything from the songs she sings, live or from studio versions!

[@alanliddell2281]

This Is...Heartbreaking...

[@scclimbergirl]

I have ALWAYS loved Madonna. She is so much more than the queen of pop. She's just... the queen. I stumbled her after stumbling onto clips of Britney's POM tour. Britney is a sweetie and she did some amazing things but she doesn't sing live and her dancing/show just feels lackluster to me. I immediately thought of Madonna and how she still kicks ass both vocally and performance wise. I'm so glad I found this clip. Her concert was the best concert I've ever been to and I doubt anything will ever top it.

[@NNLauritaSweet]

I love LOVE her voice

[@sevegnani]

She has such an angelic and emotional voice. Oh God! I wish I could hug her! She is special to me!

[@imeeguri]

Agree

[@RebelHe4rt]

One of Madonna's biggest strengths is how she can deliver emotion to her performances, she will always be my favourite artist. Theres a connection on so many levels 😍

[@ghost_emre_a7710]

Madonna can sing and she can play the guitar. The haters can eff off.

[@AxidentWorldVideos]

As children it is difficult to understand why a parent disappears .. the death of a person is not understandable even for an adult .. I have tears in my eyes when I think about how much Madonna suffered the death of her mother .. she was too young to understand and too young to lose a mother.

[@kbee]

Transcendental...! One of her best performances ever. She looked and sounded amazing. I really love the album version of this song but this version just blows me away and breaks my heart at the same time!

[@mercadopopcola6192]

SHE ALWAYS MISSED TO HAVE A MOTHER MOTHER... tHAT´S WHY SHE DID IT ALL,SHE HAD NOTHING TO LOOSE!! NOTHING!! AND SHE WON!!

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Yes, she lost her mom (also named Madonna) in 1963, at age five (her mom was 30).

[@Sigfrid421]

I love how she sings at 4:30, she has a beautiful unique voice

[@fomalhauto]

@@HausofTiffany-pf2bs yeah I understand it happens with age I liked the raw,soulful Madonna before Evita stuff

[@juangea395]

Sometimes music it's not just a great voice... And a work of art doesnt need to be done with the best brush

[@codezero7981]

there's a sadness and vulnerability in her voice that can be fully appreciated in this acoustic version.

[@JDita90]

I love when she sings in this high pitch. Its very angelic.

[@heidiemalave2822]

Almost 10 years later I hear this song...brought tears to my face. Wow!

[@sahasrarachakra1]

2023 and I'm bastille at awe.

[@luporm70]

Great! Simply intimate, her voice sounds really nice and the lyrics are very beautiful. Madonna is not only a spectacular entartainer but also a very good songs writer...she can sing when she is acustic or unplugged and has not to dance. She's a complete artist...her voice fits any kind of music.....This is called Talent

[@MakoKanoGato]

The lyrics are so pretty...

[@patsystone34]

I love this Madonna and miss her... She's so genuine here, humble even. Looking at her now, makes me sad. Her voice is lovely, frail and raw at the same time. American Life is imo a masterpiece and massively underrated. .. ❤️🙏

[@LucasVieira-uh7vo]

She sounds vocally out of shape nowadays, sadly...

[@patsystone34]

@@LucasVieira-uh7vo And not only her voice is out of shape...

[@est6661]

@@patsystone34 she’s literally 65, why do you expect her to be the same person she was twenty years ago?

[@agstinacueva1673]

​​@@patsystone34 you wish you could do the things madonna is doing today at her age. Loser.

[@DaniloFSilva-gf2kt]

I love how powerful the lyrics are in this song. I'm watching this in February 2016 still. I love her and she might not have a strong voice but she is so consistent at what she does. She is very good at what she does!!!. Let her be, people. She paved the way of pop. She is a pioneer in many concepts.

[@psykickg]

She was so genuine and earthy and sweet here.

[@candyperfumeboi76]

One of her most underrated albums

[@shepardwilde4701]

This song deserved to be a single …big hit !

[@melodyvalentine8779]

To the people who put videos of her messing around with electric guitars on stage, like trying to play behind her back etc, obviously don't realise she's not being serious. This was nearly 20 years ago and she's going from an F major to a D minor in time. It takes some people a couple of years to properly learn to play barre chords. Shes improved loads here from when she performed Don't Tell Me in about 2000. I imagine she's a very good guitarist now. I'd like to see an updated version of her performing this just on her own with no second guitarist. I know for me it was in my second year of playing i really started to feel like I was getting good enough to just say "yeah" when people asked if I could play the guitar, instead of saying "well, a little bit, i can strum through a few chords" I have to say though, i was guilty of thinking she couldn't really sing too great, but she can. I think this was a beautiful performance, simple but effective. As I say, I'd love to see her playing now and see what she's learned in the past twenty years.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

I also like her Gibson SJ-200, the one she plays here.

[@melodyvalentine8779]

@@ClassicTVMan1981X how much do you reckon she paid for that?

[@melodyvalentine8779]

@@ClassicTVMan1981X I just bought myself a Taylor GS Mini before Christmas and I love it. It's 3/4 sized so I find it much easier to play than a full sized guitar with just having little hands. Barre chords are so much easier! I only paid £350 for it as it was used but it's in mint condition. Well worth the money. Me dad's got a National Steel but I don't know how he paid for it, a least a couple of grand though, so I can only imagine how much celebrities pay for their instruments. Especially custom made ones.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

@@melodyvalentine8779 My guess is $2,003.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

@@melodyvalentine8779 And, the reason why the (S)J-200 is my favorite acoustic guitar is because so many other pop, rock, folk and country legends have played it, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, John Lennon, George Harrison, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, Emmylou Harris and Ronnie Wood.

[@Bry77]

This era was so pure. She looks so true.

[@celesterosenrooney2610]

Very real song! I appreciate her pain!

[@spurdeswolfes2522]

This is a LOVE Song to her own Mother ---------------------------------------- and my eyes are wet now again. I think, it`s VERY HARD to loose your Mother -------- when you´re 6 Years old. Its always hard to loose your Mother ;-((( In every Age. Always.

[@ginasousabranco5637]

45 yrs old Madonna looks exactly as in her 19 yrs old photos

[@andrewphillips6309]

Absolutely amazing performance!!

[@Mia-de8xf]

I love this era because we got to see her more as a brunette and she was very down to earth in her interviews.

[@Ripleypuff]

If only more people could see how really talented she really is.. 🫶

[@joshin436]

Time goes by so fasst!!!! This came out in 2003, 10 yrs now isn't it? I love "American Life" album, I feel like M has gone folks in this album, and i love it, the lyrics of this album is amazing. Too bad the critics didn't get it. Love this song, I'm glad she sings this song in her tour.

[@FuLlRoCk7575]

jo shin Your comment is almost 4 years old :(

[@ghost_emre_a7710]

Now 8 years :o

[@candyperfumegirl]

It's been 20 years almost....

[@jotashock]

Una artista icónica. Acá podemos escuchar su voz en vivo sin autotune 😍

[@mathiidk1908]

Esta presentación en una clara demostración que Madonna si canta y no necesariamente necesita el autotune como dicen sus haters❤️

[@jotashock]

@@mathiidk1908 exactamente 🔥💖🔥

[@noaccount7595]

If people don't hate you that means that you ain't doing something right Madonna does not give a fuck if people like her or hate her she is not going to stop living her life just because people don't like her she really doesn't give a fuck who likes her she's a Leo and Leos will always rule the world

[@manourense]

This is part of Music History.Epic.

[@matthewbaxter5856]

She has a great voice-very distintive and evocative-you dont have to do vocal gymnastics to be talented!

[@fomalhauto]

I agree also she has been able to sing multiple genres I love her versatility

[@griff404]

American life was such a good album.

[@supastar4812]

I Really WISH she would colour her hair Brown again & keep it brown. She looks Amazing & sooooo much better with dark hair.1 of my all-time favorite performances of hers by FAR. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox .

[@pushss]

The Best Live Vocals Madonna I love this Acoustic and I think that she have the power of love..............

[@0512d1d]

This is amazing now she is herself she loves and shows her true self. what a wonderful woman and person ❤ 💖 a great energy. It is so sad that why always bad things happen to good people I understand her pain very well. She need someone that really cares

[@johndisette8308]

Love her more than I can say, I cherish the 4 minutes I got to meet her in Montreal, Quebec. Best 4 min of my life......

[@nolitaaa71]

Wow... here Madonna is so pure. Inside and out. I'm impressed.

[@andreluizfr]

Madonna is soooo important and precious

[@kcwoods5759]

Wow great song lady

[@matheusfulco4051]

Best version of this Song!

[@ViniciusSantos-nc7fe]

E sempre tem um idiota pra dizer que a Madonna não canta. Mas não se dá ao trabalho de procurar lives como esse, entre outros em que a voz dela está linda. Ela tinha e tem uma voz bonita. Não é a melhor das vozes, mas é uma voz única e que se encaixa perfeitamente no que ela quer passar através de suas músicas. Aliás, a Rainha é mais do que voz.

[@reginaldoconceicao1766]

Falou tudo. Muita admiração por essa mulher ❤👏👏👏👏👏👏👑

[@brunolopes8661]

Madonna morena, era a Madonna mais foda.

[@hidetoshikimura5205]

It's　very very nice. I had met you at Cannes Movie Festival in France.about 25 yeas ago.My daughter stayed in next your door.When I went to meet her for breakfast,1met you being running style with 3men(maybe guardsman) every morning. After knowing your real substance,.I.respected you and I have being one of fan.I have "Evita CD and VIDEO with much care. My daughter is singer, song and and writer. in Japan.

[@AK-ee4wv]

Raw Talent!

[@d2r84]

Belle en toute simplicité ❤

[@B.E.N.B]

I miss this madonna

[@gagofonic]

Besides singing Madonna has the ability to play several musical instruments. She learned to play drum and guitar from her then-boyfriend Dan Gilroy in the late 1970s before joining the Breakfast Club line-up as the drummer.[265] This helped her to form the band Emmy, where she performed as the guitarist and lead vocalist.[265] Madonna later played guitar on her demo recordings. On the liner notes of Pre-Madonna, Stephen Bray wrote: "I've always thought she passed up a brilliant career as a rhythm guitarist."[292] After her career breakthrough, Madonna focused mainly in singing but was also credited for playing cowbell on Madonna (1983) and synthesizer on Like a Prayer (1989).[264] In 1999, Madonna had studied for three months to play the violin for the role as a violin teacher in the film Music of the Heart, before eventually leaving the project.[293] After two decades, Madonna decided to perform with guitar again during the promotion of Music (2000). She took further lessons from guitarist Monte Pittman to improve her guitar skill.[294] Since then Madonna has played guitar on every tour, as well as her studio albums.[264] At the 2002 Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards, she received nomination for Les Paul Horizon Award, which honors the most promising up-and-coming guitarist.[295]

[@sayitlikeitis.6577]

One of my Very Favorite performances. I Love it & she looks Incredible. I so much prefer her hair Brown. xxxxxxx

[@fomalhauto]

me too since Like A Prayer video

[@33.angelgaelpalmacruz59]

ere was a time I was happy in my life There was a time I believed I'd live forever There was a time that I prayed to Jesus Christ There was a time I had a mother, it was nice Nobody else would ever take the place of you Nobody else could do the things that you could do No one else I guess could hurt me like you did I didn't understand, I was just a kid Oh, mother why aren't you here with me? No one else saw the things that you could see I'm trying hard to dry my tears Yes father, you know I'm not so free I got to give it up Find someone to love me I got to let it go Find someone that I can care for I got to give it up Find someone to love me I got to let it go Find someone that I can care for There was a time I was happy in my life There was a time I believed I'd live forever There was a time that I prayed to Jesus Christ There was a time I had a mother, it was nice Oh, mother why aren't you here with me? No one else saw the things that you could see I'm trying hard to dry my tears Yes father, you know I'm not so free I got to give it up Find someone to love me I got to let it go Find someone that I can care for I got to give it up Find someone to love me I got to let it go Find someone that I can care for My mother died when I was five And all I did was sit and cry I cried and cried and cried all day Until the neighbors went away They couldn't take my loneliness I couldn't take their phoniness My father had to go to work I used to think he was a jerk I didn't know his heart was broken Not another word was spoken He became a shadow of The father I was dreaming of I made a vow that I would never need another person ever Turned my heart into a cage A victim of a kind of rage I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up Find someone to love me I got to let it go Find someone that I can care for I got to give it up Find someone to love me I got to let it go Find someone that I can care for Find someone that I can care for Find someone that I can care for I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to let it go I got to give it up Oh mother, oh father I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up I got to give it up

[@collegeri]

Queen of god dam pop..and nobody knows about this.

[@cheickumarbakayoko4355]

Quel voix magnifique et quel beauté , très simple et émouvant

[@ulrichv.knobloch7142]

Die Version ist super, sehr persönlich, mag ich 😊. I love it!

[@CPWHUNTERGUY]

Beautiful! Madonna's

[@cafe2006]

I love this song, I listen to this all the time from the CD.

[@giamarie2975]

Beautiful vocals 💯👑❌

[@bigga3095]

frist off, MADONNA is a TRUE music artist in her life, she was WAYYY before lady gaga and ect was ever thought up. they all can try to be like Madonna in their lives, but, Madonna is FOREVER!!

[@JUSAGUYNKY]

So beautiful right here!! As always

[@juanalonso7092]

THE BEST

[@GgGg-ui9nh]

talented :-)

[@leandroguedes8342]

My favorite performance vocal ♡

[@adrianobulla7875]

I think she should do an unplugged album. Songs like this, I Miss You, If You Go Away etc...

[@jamiegrazianomorris1081]

Beautiful! American life is such an underated album!

[@danimendozalvmx]

Beautiful lyrics omg!

[@boswellaserrata9180]

Shes brilliant, in career and as a mother

[@magdeleenvaneersel7315]

Beautiful song, beautifully sung.

[@informatist]

Thumbs up if you're watching this in 2017! Underneath all the production work, Madonna really is talented. I hope she continues to keep it real.