Remixed & Revisited is an remix album by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released on November 24, 2003 by Maverick Records and distributed by Warner Bros. Records. The album contains four songs, in remixed form, from her 2003 ninth studio album American Life and a previously unreleased song, "Your Honesty," originally written for her 1994 sixth studio album Bedtime Stories. The other tracks included are the live performance of "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood" on the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards—which ended with Madonna kissing co-performers Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera—and a remix of 1985 single "Into the Groove". The release peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. It received mixed reviews from critics; "Your Honesty" was generally the only song to receive praise. The remix album also marked the closing release under her contract with Maverick Records.
In 2003, Madonna planned to release a special commemorative box set to celebrate her twentieth anniversary in the music business and the release of her first studio album, Madonna, in 1983.[1][2] The plan for the box set was eventually cancelled and Remixed & Revisited was conceived in its place. The compilation contains remixed versions of four songs from American Life and a previously unreleased song called "Your Honesty"; co-written and co-produced by Dallas Austin, the track is from the era of Madonna's 1994 sixth studio album Bedtime Stories.[1][3] "Nobody Knows Me" was remixed by performance artist Mount Sims, Headcleanr mixed "American Life" and "Love Profusion". DJ Jason Nevins remixed "Nothing Fails", while "Into the Hollywood Groove" was created by The Passengerz.[4] On December 9, 2003, Warner Music France released a box set version containing both the remix collection and the original album American Life in a cardboard sleeve entitled Édition Spéciale 2CDs: American Life + Remixed & Revisited.[5]
The medley track "Like a Virgin/Hollywood" was performed during the opening of the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards on August 27, 2003, where Madonna was joined by Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott.[6] The performance started with Spears appearing on stage on top of a giant wedding cake while wearing a wedding gown and veil; she sang the first few lines of "Like a Virgin" before Aguilera appeared from behind the cake and joined her.[7] Madonna then emerged from the cake wearing a black coat and a hat and started singing "Hollywood" before proceededing to kiss Spears and Aguilera on the lips.[8] Missy Elliott came out from a wedding chapel to sing her song "Work It" halfway through the performance.[8] The kiss generated strong reaction from the media. Feminist author Camille Paglia described the moment as great; she noted that the kiss was like Madonna saying to Spears, "I’m passing the torch to you." However, according to her, Spears could not take advantage of the kiss as later her career and lifestyle came under immense media scrutiny and criticism. Paglia said that "[l]iterally from that kiss, from that moment onward, Britney has spiraled out of control. It’s like Madonna gave her the kiss of death!"[9] Madonna commented on the kiss; "I am the mommy pop star and she is the baby pop star. And I am kissing her to pass my energy on to her."[10] This performance was listed by Blender magazine as one of the twenty-five sexiest music moments on television history.[11] MTV listed the performance as the number-one opening moments in the history of MTV Video Music Awards.[12]
The release debuted at number 115 on the Billboard 200. It peaked at number 128 on the Top Comprehensive Albums chart.[13] It also debuted on the album charts of Belgium, in Flanders and Wallonia, and Switzerland.[14] The album charted at fifteen in Italy as a song.[15] It also charted in Finland and Denmark as an EP.[16] According to Nielsen SoundScan, it sold 22,000 copies in its first week and 114,000 copies to date in the United States.[17][18] The Nevins' mix of "Nothing Fails" charted on the Canadian Singles Chart at seven and topped the Hot Dance Club Playchart.[19]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic felt that the presence of a "strong hook and a strong sense of fun" was missing from the compilation, except for the song "Your Honesty", which he declared as the best track despite feeling its beats to be a little outdated. He compared the work of the remixers as "as subtle as a jackhammer, whether it's on the metallic-flaked "American Life" by Headcleanr or the '90s-retro Nevins mix of "Nothing Fails". On all these mixes, Madonna sounds as if she's out of step with the music of 2003". Erlewine also compared Spears' vocals with that of Madonna's during her early days and Aguilera's with that of Cher's.[1] Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone commented that the release "improves upon American Life's standout single "Love Profusion", but the rest botches an opportunity to revive interest on its parent album".[24] Fabian from Daily Breeze commented that Remixed & Revisited "is an amusing collection of novelties."[22] Sarah Crompton from Boston Herald proclaimed the album to be "more fun than her full-length 2003 offering American Life."[21] The Malay Mail said that the remixes from the album are for "true blue Madonna fans."[23]
Jason Shawhan of About.com compared the overall feel of the compilation with that of "a toe being dipped into a bathtub to ascertain temperature"; he was not impressed with the remixes of the songs "American Life", "Love Profusion", and "Nobody Knows Me". The remix of "Nothing Fails" was complemented and was described as "a mutant disco/rock/gospel hybrid that sounds as fresh and relevatory musically as the initial Madonna/Mirwais collaboration on "Music" years ago". He also called "Your Honesty" an interesting outtake.[4] Keith Caulfield of Billboard was impressed with "Your Honesty" and the remixes of "Love Profusion" and "Nobody Knows Me". He said, "Die-hard fans, even those unenamored of American Life will dig this EP."[20] In his book The Essential Rock Discography, Martin Charles Strong called the release "equally dispensible as its parent album".[25]