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Nothing Fails

{{Short description|2003 single by Madonna}}

{{Good article}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Nothing Fails

| cover = Madonna - Nothing Fails.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Madonna

| album = American Life

| B-side = "Nobody Knows Me"

| released = October 27, 2003

| recorded = 2002

| studio = Olympic (London, UK)

| genre = * Pop

| length = 4:48

| label = * Maverick

| writer = * Madonna

| producer = * Madonna

| prev_title = Me Against the Music

| prev_year = 2003

| next_title = Love Profusion

| next_year = 2003

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|1={{YouTube|oIiykBUPYWI|"Nothing Fails"}}}}

}}

"Nothing Fails" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her ninth studio album, American Life (2003). Written by Madonna, Guy Sigsworth and Jem Griffiths, and produced by the singer along with Mirwais Ahmadzaï and Mark "Spike" Stent, it was released as the third single from the album on October 27, 2003. Originally demoed as "Silly Thing", "Nothing Fails" is a love song which has acoustic guitar chords and a gospel choir appearance. Lyrically, the song discusses a lover who is the one, and how their meeting was not just chance. A number of remixes were done, including one on Madonna's remix album Remixed & Revisited (2003).

The song received generally positive reviews, with music critics praising it as one of the best tracks from American Life, while others compared it with Madonna's previous single "Like a Prayer" (1989), as both songs feature a gospel choir. "Nothing Fails" was released in the US in hopes of attaining sales from American Life. However, it did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the second single from the album to fail to chart in the US. Nevertheless, the song reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs and Hot Singles Sales charts. The single also reached number one in Spain and the top ten in Canada and Italy.

Although initially reported on the contrary, no music video was filmed for "Nothing Fails". The song was performed during a promotional tour for American Life in 2003, along with other songs from the album and her past hits. One of these performances was shown by MTV in a special named Madonna on Stage & on the Record. It was also performed during Madonna's sixth concert tour, the Re-Invention World Tour (2004), with Madonna alone on stage singing the song accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Many reviewers noted that Madonna in the performance was a "solitary figure" as it was herself alone playing the acoustic guitar.

Background and recording

File: Guy Sigsworth.jpg

According to Lucy O'Brien, author of Madonna: Like an Icon, the main concept of American Life was about "nothing". This was evident in the titles of the songs like "Nobody Knows Me", usage of "no" in "Love Profusion", as well as "Nothing Fails". Usage of the negative tone led Madonna to be sarcastic on people's assumptions about her and emphasize about her knowledge of romantic love. "Nothing Fails" began as a humble track that musician-producer Guy Sigsworth wrote for his wife. He asked singer Jem Griffiths to collaborate with him and during their first collaborative session, they wrote a song called "Silly Thing", inspired by Sigsworth's wife. He said: "I never write love songs, but I was moved to write one for her. I've never had a problematic relationship with her, there's not been a lot of drama. But I wanted to write something naive and honest."{{harvnb|O'Brien|2007|pp=267–268}} The demo, which was reminiscent of an offbeat folk song, was later played for Madonna, who loved it and changed parts of the song, including the title. In September 2012, Sigsworth leaked the original version of "Nothing Fails", describing it as a "work-in-progress demo of a song I originally wrote with Jem, and which later became 'Nothing Fails', co-written and recorded by Madonna. It's over ten years old".{{cite web|last=Backer|first=Camille|url=http://www.hardcandymusic.com/2012/09/guy-sigsworth-shares-the-madonna-nothing-fails-demo-silly-thing-sung-by-jem.html|title=Guy Sigsworth Shares the Madonna 'Nothing Fails' Demo 'Silly Thing' Sung by Jem|publisher=Hard Candy Music|date=September 26, 2012|access-date=January 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104210911/http://www.hardcandymusic.com/2012/09/guy-sigsworth-shares-the-madonna-nothing-fails-demo-silly-thing-sung-by-jem.html|archive-date=January 4, 2014}} On "Nothing Fails", Griffiths said:

"When I actually heard it I was so shocked, [be]cause it was the first time I believed [my career] was actually going to happen. And to hear Madonna singing it was like, oh my [God], so bizarre. My mom keeps calling me whenever it's on. She'll go to shops in the UK and hold the phone up to the thing and I'm like, 'They're going to arrest you.'"{{cite web|last=Moss|first=Corey|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485819/jem-sans-holograms-readies-debut.jhtml|title=Jem Out To Make People Forget All About The Holograms|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|date=May 17, 2004|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014202709/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485819/jem-sans-holograms-readies-debut.jhtml|url-status=dead}}

"Nothing Fails" was produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, with an additional production by Mark "Spike" Stent. The recording sessions for American Life started at late 2001, then was put on hold as Madonna filmed Swept Away in Malta and starred in the West End play Up for Grabs. She returned to the Olympic Recording Studios in late 2002 and finished off the sessions.{{harvnb|O'Brien|2007|p=266}} The mixing for the track was done by Mark "Spike" Stent at the Westlake Recording Studios at West Hollywood, California, while Tim Young did the mastering of the song at Metropolis Studios in London. Michael Colombier did the string arrangement with Geoff Foster acting as the strings engineer, conducting at AIR Studios. For the instrumentation featured in the song, Ahmadzaï played the guitars, and Stuart Price played the piano.

Composition and remixes

{{listen

| filename = Madonna-nothing fails.ogg

| title = 'Nothing Fails' (2003)

| description = A sample of the song's chorus, backed by an acoustic guitar, with Madonna singing "I'm not religious".

| format = Ogg

| pos = left

}}

"Nothing Fails" features an acoustic guitar introduction, which is a recurring theme of American Life.{{harvnb|Rooksby|2004|p=63}} The guitar is accompanied by a "light" drum section and low-pitched vocals from Madonna and also features a cello in the first part of the song, while gospel music comes in at the later half.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/738450791.html?dids=738450791:738450791&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18%2C+2004&author=Ari+Bendersky+for+RedEye+ARI+BENDERSKY+IS+A+REDEYE+SPECIAL+CONTRIBUTOR&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Discovering+a+Jem+%3B+Welsh+singer+gets+boost+from+Madonna%2C+Dave+Matthews&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411162631/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/738450791.html?dids=738450791:738450791&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18,+2004&author=Ari+Bendersky+for+RedEye+ARI+BENDERSKY+IS+A+REDEYE+SPECIAL+CONTRIBUTOR&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Discovering+a+Jem+;+Welsh+singer+gets+boost+from+Madonna,+Dave+Matthews&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2013|title=Discovering a Jem ; Welsh singer gets boost from Madonna, Dave Matthews|first=Ari|last=Bendersky|date=November 18, 2004|access-date=February 22, 2013|work=Chicago Tribune}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing, "Nothing Fails" is written in the time signature of common time with a moderately slow tempo of 92 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of B-flat major with Madonna's voice spanning from F3 to B♭ (musical note). The song follows a basic sequence of Gm–F–E{{music|flat}}–B{{music|flat}}–Gm as its chord progression.{{cite web|last=Ciccone|first=Madonna|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0047462|title=Digital Sheet Music – Madonna – Nothing Fails|year=2003|publisher=Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing|access-date=May 31, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424195037/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0047462|url-status=live}}

Lyrically, the song discusses a lover who is the one, and how their meeting was not just chance, a reference to the "tree of life" is made during the song while Madonna makes denouncements of religion by singing "I'm not religious" but she wishes to pray. Bill Friskics-Warren, author of I'll Take You There: Pop Music and the Urge for Transcendence, described the lyrics as consisting of double entendre, talking about both spiritual and sexual rebirth.{{harvnb|Friskics-Warren|2006|p=71}} The London Community Gospel Choir, led by Nicki Brown, recorded backing vocals for the song.{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-05-06/music/so-many-lives/|title=So Many Lives|last=Winter|first=Jessica|date=May 6, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2013|work=The Village Voice|publisher=Village Voice LLC|archive-date=May 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522094638/http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-05-06/music/so-many-lives/|url-status=live}} The strings engineer for the choir, Geoff Foster, recalls that the group consisted of "a bunch of great singers giving it loudly, it was impressive." According to Rolling Stone and The Advocate, the song glides from a lean arrangement and then reaches its peak with the gospel chorus, which resembles that of Madonna's single, "Like a Prayer" (1989).{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7WQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62|last=Flick|first=Larry|title=All-American Girl|date=April 15, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2013|journal=The Advocate|publisher=Here Publishing|volume=887|issn=0001-8996|page=62}}

A remix version for the song, "Jackie's In Love In The Club Mix", done by DJ Jackie Christie, was made available as one of the exclusive tracks of the American and European maxi-single release of the song. She maintained Madonna's vocals and the gospel choir appearance, commenting that "I was asked to remix 'Nothing Fails' [...] I wanted it to be a mainfloor mix with a big choir breakdown so you felt the magic of the Madonna and the choir, like church."{{cite web|url=http://www.madonnatribe.com/idol/jackie.htm|title=Madonna Tribe Interview: Jackie Christie|publisher=Madonna Tribe|access-date=January 7, 2012|archive-date=February 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214131435/http://www.madonnatribe.com/idol/jackie.htm|url-status=live}} Peter Rauhofer's remix of the song was added along with the remixes of the follow-up single, "Love Profusion".{{cite magazine|last=Paoletta|first=Michael|title=Investors No Longer Trust The DJ|date=February 21, 2004|access-date=February 14, 2013|magazine=Billboard|page=32|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32|volume=116|issue=8|issn=0006-2510|location=New York}} Another version, the "Jason Nevins Mix", was included on Madonna's 2003 remix album Remixed & Revisited. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic commented that on this remix, Madonna sounds as if she is out of step with the music of 2003.{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r669349|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic ((( Remixed & Revisited {EP} > Overview )))|last=Thomas Erlewine|first=Stephen|date=November 25, 2003|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=August 12, 2009}}

Critical reception

File:Robert Christgau.jpg deemed "Nothing Fails" and "Mother and Father" the highlights from American Life.{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=madonna|title=CG Madonna: American Life|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|access-date=January 19, 2010|publisher=Robert Christgau Official Reviews|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606103847/http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=madonna|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}]]

"Nothing Fails" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. O'Brien listed it as a "hymn of devotion" and "the most majestic song on American Life". She complemented the "dramatic, theatrical air" of the song and noted that the addition of the choir made the song revelatory and ecstatic. J. Randy Taraborrelli wrote in his book, Madonna: An Intimate Biography, that although the album was not a strong, cohesive package, "Nothing Fails" stood out as one of the few gems.{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2008|p=403}} In a review for the album as a whole, Michael Paoletta from Billboard called it a highlight of American Life, describing the song as "tear-inducing".{{cite magazine|last=Paoletta|first=Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37|title=Madonna – American Life|date=April 26, 2003|access-date=January 7, 2013|magazine=Billboard|location=New York|issn=0006-2510|volume=115|issue=17|page=37}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Ken Tucker called it "lovely" and named it, among other songs from the album "refreshingly – hell, shockingly – earnest".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,444558~4~0~americanlife,00.html|title=American Life Review: Madonna|last=Tucker|first=Ken|date=April 25, 2003|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 29, 2011|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010101142/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,444558~4~0~americanlife,00.html|url-status=dead}} Alexis Petridis from The Guardian praised its choral finale.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/apr/11/popandrock.artsfeatures|title=Madonna: American Life|last=Petridis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|first=Alexis|date=April 11, 2003|work=The Guardian|access-date=January 19, 2010|location=London|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113081846/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/apr/11/popandrock.artsfeatures|url-status=live}}

Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani labeled it one of the moments of greatness on the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-confessions-on-a-dance-floor/674|title=Madonna: Confessions on a Dance Floor|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|date=November 4, 2005|work=Slant Magazine|access-date=September 29, 2011|archive-date=October 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019062533/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-confessions-on-a-dance-floor/674|url-status=live}} Ian Youngs from BBC Music gave a positive review for "Nothing Fails", writing that less is more when it comes to Mirwais' electronic tricks.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2963929.stm|title=Madonna's dull Life story|publisher=BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation|first=Ian|last=Youngs|date=April 21, 2003|access-date=August 4, 2012|archive-date=August 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813092558/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2963929.stm|url-status=live}} Johnny Davis from NME commented that "only 'Nothing Fails' and 'Intervention' dip beneath the frenetically poppy, with neither a 'Ray of Light'-style glitterball stomper, nor a big ballad to act as a breather".{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/madonna/7079|title=Madonna 'American Life'|last=Davis|first=John|date=April 29, 2003|work=NME|access-date=January 19, 2010|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013052/http://www.nme.com/reviews/madonna/7079|url-status=live}} Josh Tyrangiel from Time found Madonna's singing in "Nothing Fails" as relaxed and woeful, consisting of "plenty of soul".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2047362,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130084040/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2047362,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2012|title=This (Sad) American Life|last=Tyrangiel|first=Josh|date=May 5, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2013|magazine=Time}} A review in the Telegram & Gazette complimented the song for successfully blending between the "spiritual and the sensual".{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FADA2DC4C2A22DE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=A repentant Madonna is a bore|first=Donna|last=Boynton|date=May 4, 2003|access-date=February 18, 2013|work=Telegram & Gazette|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010626/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FADA2DC4C2A22DE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}} Jon Pareles from The New York Times believed that "Nothing Fails" was able to raise sentiments likened by other people and was prone to introspection, unlike other Madonna tunes.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/18/movies/critic-s-notebook-madonna-s-real-art-getting-attention.html|title=Madonna's Real Art: Getting Attention|last=Pareles|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|date=April 18, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2013|work=The New York Times|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529133335/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/18/movies/critic-s-notebook-madonna-s-real-art-getting-attention.html|url-status=live}} Stephen Thompson of The A.V. Club considered the song "emotionally resonant", but characterized the introduction of a choir as "busy".{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/madonna-american-life-1798198475|title=Madonna "American Life|last=Thompson|first=Stephen|date=April 23, 2003|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion, Inc|access-date=January 19, 2010|archive-date=January 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105231035/http://www.avclub.com/articles/madonna-american-life,12006/|url-status=live}}

Instead of praising "Nothing Fails", Chuck Taylor from Billboard said that the song "illustrates everything that makes [American Life] a grind".{{cite magazine|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34|title=Madonna - Nothing Fails|date=November 8, 2003|access-date=January 7, 2013|magazine=Billboard|location=New York|issn=0006-2510|volume=115|issue=45|page=34}} Ben Ratliff from Rolling Stone compared it negatively to "Like a Prayer" and commented it is much closer to what she's become good at: the idea of transfiguration through love, declaring that the difference in 2003 is she doesn't have the ambition.{{cite magazine|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|title=American Life|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/american-life-20030422|access-date=April 14, 2012|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 22, 2003|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203212220/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/american-life-20030422|url-status=live}} Stylus Magazine also compared it negatively to "Like a Prayer", calling it "an off-hand denouncement of religion" and stating that "the same old song, over 10 years later, just doesn't cut it anymore".{{cite web|last=Howard|first=Ed|title=Madonna – American Life|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/madonna/american-life.htm|access-date=January 7, 2013|work=Stylus|date=September 1, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517060814/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/madonna/american-life.htm|archive-date=May 17, 2008}} Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times found the lyric "I'm not religious" to be "confusing and befuddling", as Madonna references Jesus Christ and Satan in other songs on the album.{{cite news|url=http://www.jimdero.com/News2003/Apr20Madonna.htm|title=Madonna sounds spent on this 'American Life'|date=April 20, 2003|access-date=February 18, 2013|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|author-link=Jim DeRogatis|work=Chicago Sun-Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235235/http://www.jimdero.com/News2003/Apr20Madonna.htm|archive-date=December 2, 2013}} [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FA98B79343B1265&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001044/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FA98B79343B1265&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=December 3, 2013 }} Jude Rogers from The Guardian called it a "quiet, gospel-dazzled jewel" from American Life, placing it at number 48 on her ranking of Madonna's singles, in honor of her 60th birthday.{{cite web|last1=Rogers|first1=Jude|author-link=Jude Rogers|title=Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked!|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/16/every-one-of-madonnas-78-singles-ranked|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 26, 2018|date=August 16, 2018|archive-date=August 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825094934/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/16/every-one-of-madonnas-78-singles-ranked|url-status=live}} Chuck Arnold from Entertainment Weekly listed "Nothing Fails" as the singer's 29th best single, calling it "a triumph - creatively not commercially - that goes from stripped-down earnestness to churched-up gloriousness".{{cite magazine|last1=Arnold|first1=Chuck|title=Madonna's 60 best singles, ranked|url=https://ew.com/music/2018/08/15/madonnas-60-best-singles-ranked/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 28, 2018|date=August 15, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912021912/https://ew.com/music/2018/08/15/madonnas-60-best-singles-ranked/|url-status=live}}

Chart performance

Following the commercial disappointment of "American Life" and "Hollywood"—the first two singles from American Life—Maverick sent a radio remix of "Nothing Fails" in hopes of attaining sales. The song was sent to Mainstream Top 40 radio on October 28, 2003.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2003/10/21/madonna_in_a_remix_mood/|title=Madonna in a 'Remix' Mood|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=October 21, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2013|work=Boston Globe|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924003734/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2003/10/21/madonna_in_a_remix_mood/|url-status=live}} "Nothing Fails" did not chart in the United States; however, it was a commercial success on the dance charts. According to Fred Bronson, the single release of the remixes of the song debuted at number-one on the Hot Singles Sales and Hot Dance Single Sales chart, on the issue dated December 27, 2003, the same week it also moved up to the top-twenty of the Dance Club Songs chart. "Me Against the Music" by Britney Spears, on which Madonna was featured, and "Nobody Knows Me", both were also present in the top-twenty, making Madonna the only artist to have three songs within the top-twenty on the chart simultaneously.{{cite magazine|last=Bronson|first=Fred|author-link=Fred Bronson|title=Madonna's Dance Moves|date=December 27, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2013|magazine=Billboard|page=73|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA73|volume=115|issue=52|issn=0006-2510|location=New York}} However, the single sold less than 10,000 units according to Nielsen SoundScan, marking one of the lowest totals at the time for a number-one song on the chart.{{cite magazine|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title=R&B Radio Follows Kanye West's Direction|date=March 27, 2004|access-date=February 14, 2013|magazine=Billboard|page=68|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7w8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA68|volume=116|issue=13|issn=0006-2510|location=New York|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216212241/https://books.google.com/books?id=7w8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA68|url-status=live}} At the year-end Hot Dance Singles Sales recap, "Nothing Fails" was at number two position, while "Me Against the Music" and "Love Profusion" were at numbers one and three respectively. Billboard reported that Madonna was the first artist in its chart history to have the top three Dance Sales song.{{cite magazine|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title=Men Prance, Ladies Dance On The Charts|date=December 25, 2004|access-date=February 14, 2013|magazine=Billboard|pages=20, 54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54|volume=116|issue=52|issn=0006-2510|location=New York|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216211540/https://books.google.com/books?id=1BMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54|url-status=live}}

In Australia, Warner Bros. Records released a maxi-CD single of "Nothing Fails". The release was considered an album by ARIA due to the number of different tracks; it failed to chart on the ARIA Albums Chart. However, it did appear on the ARIA Dance Albums Chart at number six. The song also reached the top ten in Canada. In Europe, "Nothing Fails" achieved moderate success on the charts. In Austria, "Nothing Fails" debuted at number 74, and one week later, peaked at number 51, going on to spend six weeks inside the chart. On January 3, 2004, "Nothing Fails" debuted at its peak of number 50 on the Belgian Flanders Singles Chart. However, it peaked at number three on the Ultratip chart of Wallonia. The song debuted at number 16 on the Danish Singles Chart, peaking at number 11 the next week. The song debuted at its peak of number 34 on the French Singles Chart on November 30, 2003. In its second week, the song began its decline, falling out of the chart at number 97, almost four months later. Estimated sales stand at 24,818 units in France.{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Ventes_Sing_10Ans.php|title=Les Singles les plus Vendus de la Décennie (2000-2009)|publisher=Infodisc|access-date=March 26, 2021|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610031320/http://www.infodisc.fr/Ventes_Sing_10Ans.php |archive-date=June 10, 2012|language=fr}} The song had commercial success in Italy, reaching the top ten on its singles chart, and also in Spain where it reached the top of the chart. On the German Singles Chart, the song peaked at number 36.

Promotion and live performances

No music video was filmed for promotion of "Nothing Fails". Initially it was reported by Daily Mirror that Madonna planned to shoot the video in Israel with actor Michael Douglas. According to Polly Graham from the newspaper, Warner Bros. executives were concerned about the singer's safety in Israel, but Madonna was adamant. "Her record bosses are really worried about it. They are trying to talk her around, but she's having none of it. She has told them it makes sense to shoot it in Israel as the Kabbalah originates from there. Madonna is not particularly bothered about her safety and potential risks. She doesn't think it's as bad as it seems."{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/24%2F7%3A+MADGE+DEFIES+THE+BOMBERS.-a0103314781|title=Madge Defies The Bombes|date=June 15, 2003|last=Graham|first=Polly|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=April 15, 2013|archive-date=February 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224040308/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/24%2F7%3A+MADGE+DEFIES+THE+BOMBERS.-a0103314781|url-status=live}} Her then husband Guy Ritchie was also facing difficulty with his project, Revolver, which was rejected by Sony Pictures executives since it contained references to Kabbalah, and they asked Ritchie to re-write the script. Since the video itself would have included symbolism from Kabbalah, Madonna ultimately decided to not film the music video.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/386364131.html?dids=386364131:386364131&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+17%2C+2003&author=Viva+Sarah+Press%2C+Jerusalem+Post+Staff&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=News+of+the+muse&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411161336/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/386364131.html?dids=386364131:386364131&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+17,+2003&author=Viva+Sarah+Press,+Jerusalem+Post+Staff&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=News+of+the+muse&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2013|last=Sarah|first=Vivah|title=News of the muse|date=August 17, 2003|access-date=February 18, 2013|work=The Jerusalem Post|publisher=Mirkaei Tikshoret}}{{subscription required}} These reports were later refuted by the artist during an interview with San Francisco radio station Alice 97.3, where she explained that no music video would be shot for the single.

File:Madonna Adi 2 (cropped).jpg.|alt=Image of a blond woman. She is dressed all in black but showing her arms, and wearing a hat of the same color. She is playing an orange-red acoustic guitar while a microphone is to her mouth. She is looking to her right and smiling]]

To start marketing American Life, Madonna embarked on a promo tour. One of these performances, presented at the Total Request Live studios in New York, was shown by MTV in a special named Madonna on Stage & on the Record. Hosted by Carson Daly, she sang "Nothing Fails" and other songs from American Life while answered questions from the audience.{{cite episode|title=Madonna on Stage and on the Record|airdate=2003|series=Madonna on Stage and on the Record|network=MTV|credits=Hosted by Carson Daly}}{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,625833,00.html|title=Madonna Plans to Take Her 'Life' to MTV|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|date=August 4, 2003|work=People|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204717/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,625833,00.html|url-status=dead}} Madonna also performed the song at HMV store in Oxford Street, London, to around 500 people.{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Hugh|date=May 10, 2003|title=HMV? More like a Virgin|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1429669/HMV-More-like-a-Virgin.html|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203141752/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1429669/HMV-More-like-a-Virgin.html|url-status=live}} She wore a black beret, polka-dot blouse, black trousers and heels. The setlist included "American Life", "Hollywood", "Nothing Fails", "X-Static Process" and "Mother and Father" before performing her previous singles "Like a Prayer" and "Don't Tell Me". She also played the acoustic guitar during some songs and played the wrong chords at the beginning of "X-Static Process".

The next year, Madonna performed the song on the Re-Invention World Tour as the first song from the acoustic segment of the concert. She arrived on stage dressed in a black Stella McCartney suit and accompanied by an acoustic guitar to sing the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1487434/madonna-lifts-up-her-kilt-at-tour-opener.jhtml|title=Madonna Twirls Rifle, Lifts Up Her Kilt At Opener|last=Moss|first=Cory|date=May 25, 2004|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|access-date=January 25, 2010|archive-date=January 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106154318/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1487434/madonna-lifts-up-her-kilt-at-tour-opener.jhtml|url-status=dead}} Jane Stevenson from Toronto Sun described Madonna as a "solitary figure", as it was her alone playing the acoustic guitar.{{cite web|last=Stevenson|first=Jane|url=http://madonna.com/news/title/into-the-groove-tour-spoiler|title=Into the groove (tour spoiler)|access-date=January 7, 2013|work=Icon: Official Madonna Website|publisher=Madonna.com|archive-date=February 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224190036/http://madonna.com/news/title/into-the-groove-tour-spoiler|url-status=live}} Bret McCabe from Baltimore City Paper described it as a "warm-up" performance.{{cite web|last=McCabe|first=Bret|url=http://www2.citypaper.com/arts/story.asp?id=7874|title=Swept Away|date=June 16, 2004|access-date=January 7, 2013|work=Baltimore City Paper|publisher=Times-Shamrock Communications|archive-date=January 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109201425/http://www2.citypaper.com/arts/story.asp?id=7874|url-status=live}} During the concert in Ireland, she wore a black coat and was protected by an umbrella while performing the song during the rain.{{harvnb|Timmerman|2007|p=13}} This occurrence was mentioned in the I'm Going to Tell You a Secret documentary, which chronicled the whole tour.{{cite AV media|people=Madonna|title=I'm Going to Tell You a Secret|type=DVD|publisher=Warner Home Video|year=2005|id=9362 49990-2|time=01:22–01:30}}

Track listings and formats

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

  • EU 2-track CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=5439 16500 2|type=EU CD single liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
  2. "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix) – 8:24
  • EU CD maxi-single{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=9362 42690 2|type=EU Maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
  2. "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix) – 8:24
  3. "Nothing Fails" (Tracy Young's Underground Mix) – 7:29
  4. "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Big Room Rock Mix) – 6:44
  • European, Australian & US CD maxi-single{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=9362 42682-2|type=EU Maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=9362 42682-2|type=AU Maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=42682-2|type=US Maxi-CD liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix) – 8:24
  2. "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Big Room Rock Mix) – 6:44
  3. "Nothing Fails" (Tracy Young's Underground Mix) – 7:29
  4. "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Global Dub) – 7:45
  5. "Nothing Fails" (Jackie's In Love In The Club Mix) – 7:28
  6. "Nobody Knows Me" (Peter Rauhofer's Private Life Mix Part 1) – 8:07
  7. "Nobody Knows Me" (Above & Beyond 12" Mix) – 8:45
  8. "Nobody Knows Me" (Mount Sims Italo Kiss Mix) – 5:26
  • Nothing Fails / Love Profusion European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=9362 42697 2|type=EU Maxi-CD liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
  2. "Love Profusion" (Album Version) – 3:38
  3. "Love Profusion" (The Passengerz Club) – 7:01
  • US 12" promo vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=PRO-A-101232|type=US 12-inch promo vinyl inlay|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. A1 "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix) – 8:24
  2. B1 "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Big Room Rock Mix) – 6:44
  3. B2 "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Global Dub) – 7:45
  • US 12" promo vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=PRO-A-101245|type=US 12-inch promo vinyl inlay|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Lost In Space Mix) – 8:36

{{col-2}}

  • US, German promo CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=PRO-CDR-101230|type=US promo CD single liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=PR 04322|type=German promo CD single liner notes|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
  2. "Nothing Fails" (Radio Remix) – 3:59
  • US promo 2 x 12" vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Nothing Fails|others=Madonna|id=0-42682|type=US 2 x 12-inch vinyl inlay|publisher=Maverick Records}}
  1. A1 "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix) – 7:38
  2. A2 "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Big Room Rock Mix) – 6:44
  3. B1 "Nothing Fails" (Tracy Young's Underground Mix) – 7:29
  4. B2 "Nothing Fails" (Jackie's In Love In The Club Mix) – 7:28
  5. C1 "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Global Dub) – 7:45
  6. C2 "Nobody Knows Me" (Mount Sims Italo Kiss Mix) – 5:26
  7. D1 "Nobody Knows Me" (Mount Sims Old School Mix) – 4:44
  8. D2 "Nothing Fails" (Tracy Young's Underground Dub) – 8:36
  • Digital single (2023)
  1. "Nothing Fails" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
  2. "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Radio Mix) – 4:00
  3. "Nothing Fails" (Peter Rauhofer's Classic House Mix) – 8:24
  4. "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Big Room Rock Mix) – 6:44
  5. "Nothing Fails" (Tracy Young's Underground Mix) – 7:29
  6. "Nothing Fails" (Nevins Global Dub) – 7:45
  7. "Nothing Fails" (Jackie's In Love In The Club Mix) – 7:28
  8. "Nothing Fails" (Tracy Young's Underground Dub) – 8:40
  9. "Nobody Knows Me" (Peter Rauhofer's Private Life Mix Part 1) – 8:07
  10. "Nobody Knows Me" (Above & Beyond 12" Mix) – 8:45
  11. "Nobody Knows Me" (Mount Sims Italo Kiss Mix) – 5:26

{{col-end}}

Credits and personnel

Credits for "Nothing Fails" are adapted from American Life liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=American Life|others=Madonna|year=2003|chapter=Liner notes|page=14|type=CD|publisher=Maverick, Warner Bros. Records|id=48439-2}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Weekly chart performance for "Nothing Fails"

!scope="col"|Chart (2003–2004)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/A9aqsMk|title=Madonna chart history, received from ARIA on January 24, 2020|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=July 12, 2024}} N.B. This only contains peaks from the ARIA-produced chart era (June 5, 1988 onwards). The High Point number in the NAT column indicates the release's peak on the national chart. "Nothing Fails" was counted as an album on the ARIA chart.

|126

{{single chart|Australiadance|6|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="ariadance"|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040106130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040107-0000/Issue722.pdf|urltitle=ARIA Dance Chart: Week of December 22, 2003}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
{{single chart|Austria|51|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="aut"}}
{{single chart|Flanders|50|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="fla"}}
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|3|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="wal"}}
scope="row"|Canadian Singles Chart (Nielsen){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205/awards|title=Madonna > Charts & Awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=May 13, 2016|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702102456/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205/awards|url-status=live}}

| 7

{{single chart|Denmark|11|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="dk"}}
{{single chart|France|34|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="fra"}}
{{single chart|Germany|36|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|songid=5925|rowheader=true|access-date=October 17, 2018|refname="ger"}}
{{single chart|Hungarydance|27|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|year=2004|week=12|rowheader=true|access-date=September 18, 2023|refname="hun"}}
{{single chart|Italy|7|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="ita"}}
scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2004/week-4|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 4, 2004|publisher=Dutch Top 40|language=nl|access-date=September 5, 2023}}
{{small| With "Love Profusion"}}

|2

{{single chart|Dutch100|49|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="dt100"}}
scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100){{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro/top-100-edition.html?edition=409&go=Go|title=Top 100 – Romanian Top 100|publisher=Romanian Top 100|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207112354/http://www.rt100.ro/top-100-edition.html?edition=409&go=Go|archive-date=February 7, 2009|language=ro}}

| 49

{{single chart|Scotland|13|date=20031214|rowheader=true|refname=scotland|access-date=June 12, 2015}}
scope="row"|Spain (PROMUSICAE){{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA64|title=Hits of the World: Spain|date=December 27, 2003|access-date=August 24, 2010|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=115|issue=52|page=64|archive-date=February 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217105945/https://books.google.com/books?id=bA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA64|url-status=live}}

| 1

{{single chart|Switzerland|41|artist=Madonna|song=Nothing Fails|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="swi"}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Madonna|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016|refname="danceclub"}}
scope="row"|US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA52|title=Hot Dance Singles Sales|date=December 27, 2003|access-date=January 12, 2013|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=115|issue=52|page=52}}

| 1

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Year-end chart performance for "Nothing Fails"

!Chart (2004)

!Position

scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (Billboard)

|4

scope="row"|US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)

|2

{{col-end}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release dates and formats for "Nothing Fails"

scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}

scope="row"| United States

| October 27, 2003

| {{hlist|Contemporary hit radio|hot AC radio}}

| rowspan="4"| Warner Bros.

| {{Cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-10-24.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309120248/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-10-24.pdf |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| Australia

| rowspan="2"| December 15, 2003

| rowspan="3"| CD single

| {{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue721.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040106130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040107-0000/Issue721.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2004|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th December 2003|publisher=ARIA|page=25|date=December 15, 2003|access-date=May 16, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

scope="row"| Germany

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Madonna/dp/B0000W61DI|title=Nothing Fails|website=Amazon Germany|access-date=March 28, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107134334/https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Madonna/dp/B0000W61DI|url-status=live}}

scope="row"| United Kingdom

| February 24, 2004

| {{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Fails-1-Madonna/dp/B0000W61DI |title=Nothing Fails 1: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl |website=Amazon UK |access-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107134335/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Fails-1-Madonna/dp/B0000W61DI |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Fails-2-Madonna/dp/B0000ZP2XU|title = Nothing Fails 2|website = Amazon UK}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

Bibliography

{{refbegin}}

  • {{citation|last=Friskics-Warren|first=Bill|title=I'll Take You There: Pop Music and the Urge for Transcendence|year=2006|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|isbn=9780826419217}}
  • {{citation|last=O'Brien|first=Lucy|title=Madonna: Like an Icon|year=2007|author-link=Lucy O'Brien|publisher=Bantam Press|isbn=978-0-593-05547-2}}
  • {{citation|last=Rooksby|first=Rikky|title=The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna|year=2004|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=0-7119-9883-3}}
  • {{citation|last=Taraborrelli|first=J. Randy|title=Madonna: An Intimate Biography|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli|publisher=Pan Books|year=2008|isbn=978-0-330-45446-9}}
  • {{citation|last=Timmerman|first=Dirk|title=Madonna Live! Secret Re-inventions and Confessions on Tour|year=2007|publisher=Maklu Publications Inc|isbn=978-90-8595-002-8}}

{{refend}}

External links

  • [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-new-album-the-life-of-pablo-madonna-fans-accuse-rapper-of-ripping-off-her-nothing-fails-a6869056.html Kanye West new album The Life of Pablo: Madonna fans accuse rapper of ripping off her 'Nothing Fails' cover] on The Independent

{{Madonna songs}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2000s ballads

Category:2003 singles

Category:2003 songs

Category:Gospel songs

Category:Madonna songs

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Songs written by Guy Sigsworth

Category:Songs written by Madonna

Category:Song recordings produced by Madonna

Category:Song recordings produced by Mirwais Ahmadzaï

Category:Song recordings produced by Spike Stent

Category:2004 singles

Category:Maverick Records singles

Category:Warner Records singles