Drop the "a" from the end of her name . Sorry, she doesn't do anything for me.

Mendalla

I'm not really into her music. I did take a listen and this song reminds me a lot of Madonna's "Express Yourself." One thing I do like about Lady Gaga is her individuality - her sense of style, in particular, is truly unique.

Yeah, I felt the same about Gaga as Madonna. She isn't my cup of tea, but at least she's taking the bull by the horns and carving out a niche for herself instead of being just another cog in the record industry's wheel. However, I have yet to hear a Gaga song that appeals to me whereas there are a number of Madonna songs over the years that I've enjoyed (and just as many that have made me gag - her cover of "American Pie" come to mind).

Mendalla

I like the song . . . I like the music, the beat . . . I like the words.  I wouldn't say I'm a Lady Gaga "fan", but I like her and most of her music.  I applaud her spunk and her ability to make her own way despite what others say.  I would like to see the video for this tune - my guess is it is not out yet?

I was rather grossed out when I saw her dressed in raw meat. I have respect for Madonna compared to Gaga. I like several od Madonnas songs.

Being Vevo, it'll take ages to load, so I'll have to pass on giving it a listen, sorry.

 I think it's baller :D

It's nice to listen to some positive pop.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Okay, I went back and listened to it again, and printed a copy of the lyrics.  I also went on youtube and listened to Madonna's "Express Yourself".  I didn't think there was much similarity myself.

The more I listen to "Born This Way" the more I like it.

"Whether life's disabilities

Left you outcast, bullied, or teased

Rejoice and love yourself today

"Cause baby you were born this way"

As someone who is journeying with a loved one who has a life disability these words brought tears to my eyes.

That's a very positive lyric. Reminds me of the Charlatans singing "You're the weirdo" in response to kids who'd said that to them in their youth. I'm even reminded of Peal Jam singing "Jeremy'd spoken clear as the day. Clearly I remember picking on the boy, he seemed a harmless little f*** " about a boy who committed suicide because of bullying. Very upsetting song. And now the bully was repenting.

OK so I listened to the song and I am reminded of other positive songs I heard in my day.

Eurythmics: Sisters Are Doin it for Themselves

"Now there was a time when we used to say that behind every great man there had to be a great woman.

But in these times of change you know that's no longer true,

so we're comin out of the kitchen cause there's something we forgot to say to you, it's that sisters are doin it for themselves."

and

Big Big: Breakaway

"All my life I wanted to fly
Like the birds that you see way up in the sky
Making circles in the morning sun
Flying high in the sky ‘til the day is done
(I can’t break away)

Like a child in his fantasy
Punching holes in the walls of reality
All my life I wanted to fly
But I don’t have the wings, and I wonder why
(I can’t break away, I can’t break away)

Whooa, well mama told me when I was young
Stand tall, girl, you’re number one
(She said)
But you can be what you wanna be
But you can’t shake the course of your destiny
I can’t break away"
 

And I also wonder what did Gaga do to her shoulders? They look frightful!

I just had another thought, Gaga has got to be the most un natural pop star out there, yet she was born that way? She seems to be hiding her natural self as much as possible. Even her name. How must it feel to go from being a geek to mega star? What must be going on in her head? And her sexuality is so flamboyant, I don't think it's healthy behaviour. The costumes and everything is such an overt selling trick, I find it very off putting. I bet she has a huge hurt inside and that's what this is all about, proving something to her bullies. And that's not a judgement, just an observation.

The lyrics are powerful. Personally, I find them more powerful to read than to listen to.

I think with the given name of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, she was going to have to come up with a stage name.

I find it odd that when women are glam rockers they must be sluts or have no self esteem, but male glam rockers do not get that double standard. People did not say they could not take David Bowie or Freddy Mercury serious or downplay their talent or worry about their mental health. Could that be in part why Gaga wore a meat dress on a red carpet?

It could be because David Bowie is a good singer.

Some of her "hit" songs the melody loses the vocals. "Wonderful" shows some vocals. Before "making it" as Lady Gaga, her music as Stefani Germanato (album Red and Blue) had songs like "No Floods" that show good vocals as does "Fooled Me Again/Honest Eyes. Her piano talent is obvious even though I am not a big fan.

I was thinking of Bowie today, how he no longer dresses wild or wears flashy make up, not for a long time. He must have done it to get noticed too. Hubby read the biography of Bowie, and he says he was shy in the early years, and suffered from self doubt at the start as he had little success. His first single was in '64, first hit in '69. He put on a androgenous persona and flirted with men, to cause controversy. But yes, he was and is an amazing artist and great singer, as was Freddie Mercury, who did have emotional troubles. I mean bananas on his head while vaccuuming!! The things people do...

As for Gaga as a name, there was already a Stephani, so I would have gone with Angelina German, as Joanne is less memorable. But Gaga certainly is an attention grabber.

As for double standards, I find certain types of behaviour distasteful in both women and men, I don't like rockers sticking out their tongues or humping the stage for example. I think female sexiness is far better exemplified by women like Kate Bush and Feist.

Also I see men and women as not the same, equal, but different, with different social and psychological mechanisms, such as: men going topless is not the same as women going topless, and it means something different when Madonna pulls her crotch as when Michael Jackson does. But both irk me.

Here's a guy I'd be concerned about.

Placebo: Pure Morning.

As for me, I love Born this way. It's so cheerful and thoughtful. I thought I'd bring it up because her newest song is really about uplifting people who feel rejected; gays, disabled, trans, every race and person.

I don't seem to be able to embed videos anymore. Has anyone seen this version:

I haven't  heard Gaga's version. This one is lovely and I love the sentiments in it.

Kinst: True. and thanks for that. I do tend to delve into things rather a lot. It's my interest in psychology and human nature. Music is amazing in it's ability to uplift and share ideas.

Here's another excellent positive message song. Apache Indian "Om Numah Shivaya" (reggae)

and The Specials "Racist Friend" (ska)

Kinst: I thought of some electro-pop songs you might like, with a  similar message to Gaga's song. I'll let you look them up if you're interested.

Bronski Beat "Why?" and "Small Town Boy" (fabulous song)

Soft Cell "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye"

Depeche Mode "People Are People"

Northwind wrote:

I don't seem to be able to embed videos anymore. Has anyone seen this version:

 

 

I haven't  heard Gaga's version. This one is lovely and I love the sentiments in it.

Thanks for posting that. After all that I've heard about it, I was going to look it up tonight. I love the fact that Lady Gaga has embraced this cover and apparently has now invited the girl to duet with her in concert.

Mendalla

The girl is amazing! She does a great job and she does not look very old.

i quite like this song.  if it does have any similarity to 'express yourself', i'd say it is pretty weak... i think that there is more of a similarity between 'get a job' by the offspring and 'obladi oblada' by the beatles, and that whole adventure went nowhere... so i doubt that you will see madonna lashing out about it or anything.

i actually quite like 'pure morning' by placebo as well... it is just an intoxicating rhythm.  back in my 'big shiney tunes' days, i'd play that song about 4-5 times a day. 

i'm curious to see if any religious groups denounce her talking about jesus- god in this song, especially with all the stuff about what 'capital HIM' says!!!

Or on the other hand, are we going to support what she says about God? Lady gaga at your church anyone?

i'd gladly throw on a meat dress and sing this one sunday!!!

LOL! I expect there will be people out there that will protest about anything where someone expresses what god thinks.

I kinda like the Placebo song too. When it came out I wasn't sure if I wanted to like it, wasn't really clear on what they were all about, but have since listened to a few more of their songs and like them, especially The Neverending Why.