It came at the right time during my awkward teenage years, when I was still trying to figure out my identity and didn't really feel like I fit in that much. God bless the likes of Gaga and Glee for giving me strength!

 

:wub: :wub: She really is the best

LOVE THIS PAIR!!!

 

Free as my hair-iii-i-i-i-i-iiiii-i-i-i-i-i-i--rr

You're a poet and you don't even know it :cool:

 

'Perfect Illusion' instantly shot to #1 in my personal chart at the time (one of many chart toppers for Gaga) but it hasn't held up all that well for me over the years :( I think the rush of having new Gaga music helped it catapult to such heights at the time, but yeah, I would rank many other 'Joanne' songs ahead of it now! It doesn't help that the video is practically unwatchable for me due to the strobe lights as well, so I've barely returned to that. 'Hair' on the other hand... :wub: that was also very instant (another #1 in my chart of course, lol) but has held up extremely well 9 years later! It came at the right time during my awkward teenage years, when I was still trying to figure out my identity and didn't really feel like I fit in that much. God bless the likes of Gaga and Glee for giving me strength!

Yeah PI didn't maintain my peak stan period for terribly long. The rush faded quickly but now the dust has settled I enjoy it when I return to it!

 

Hair loving <3 I saw your post about it on FB and it's honestly one of her most uplifting and powerful songs for the message it conveys. I think a lot of people can relate to it :heart: It's so touching to hear your thoughts on how the era helped your identity, we have so much to thank her for :cry: <3

 

| 31 // You and I // Born This Way // I'd rather die, without you and I

| 32 // Stupid Love // Chromatica // I would battle for you, even if I break in two

 

Just before we get into the top 30 we have a HUGE post here with two singles dropping out. First up it's Gaga's most recent and current single (at the time of posting this thread). Stupid Love leaked after a long wait for more traditional Gaga - before the era we had A Star is Born and Joanne, but it was only really during the ARTPOP era that the fun, crazy Gaga was last seen. I listened to the leak on a fairly low quality, buffering stream and then refused to do so again until the day it was officially out. For a few weeks, even after only one listen, the hook was lodged firmly in my brain. A song that is so effortlessly catchy and fun, it's hard to smile and dance along to it. The music video is an experience: it shows Gaga in a tribe in the middle of some sort of tribal war in a post-apocolyptic world, where she is a warrior of kindess. It is instantly meme worthy and, while I don't think it matches the highs she has achieved earlier in her career, it does its job well. The song saw continued success for Gaga as she entered a new era. Top 5 in the UK and the US and actually gaining healthy streaming numbers proved that she still has it in her. The song is fresh and new, whilst also harking back to Gaga at her pop-prime. It's sonically and lyrically a blend of all eras we've had so far and it makes me so exicted for the era that is to come!

 

You and I the fourth single from Born This Way received a lot of hype in the build up to the album's release. It was a darling of Gaga's, in which she performed it multiple times and it made the perfect stadium filling anthem as a result. The song built momentum and became an immediate point of interest as the album was released. I enjoyed it for sure, it was so different to anything she'd done before - she always had a rocky edge beneath the pop, but here it was alowed to really take flight. However as the era continued, and it was revealed that it would be the 4th single, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed when other favourites were left untouched. Listening to the song now however, I can re-appreciate its might. It samples Queen's "We Will Rock You" and features electric guitar by Queen's Brian May. The song also managed to be nominated for a Grammy and received critical and chart success, especially impressive for a fourth single. It is a triumphant song about love. It was written about her then love, Lüc Carl, but I think it now also stands for her love for the fans. On its release, Gaga stated that "You will never find what you are looking for in love, if you don't love yourself." as she revealed her alter-ego Jo Calderone. Jo went on to perform at the VMAs and featured in the music video - a wild adventure of a video featuring mermaid Gaga, bionic Gaga, and flashbacks to a distant past which represent destructive experiences in her youth. It's a very deep and multi-layered video and even today, I can watch it and discover new moments or references within it. So overall, I have a lot of time for this song - for what it meant for Gaga at the time and what it has gone on to mean for her fans now. It's a great, bold choice of single and sits proudly amongst her single catalogue now!

 

Live performance:

 

 

It has to be this! Gaga has her alter-ego Jo Calderone, first with his backstory given to the audience, and then a passionate, raw and rocky performance on the piano. The vocals are still flawless, Brian May appears on guitar, there's dance routines, more piano playing... it's electrifying! The confused audience reactions (and Bieber's constant blank gaze) say it ALL :lol:

Biebz KNOWS he is never able to top that!

 

| 29 // Highway Unicorn (Road to Love) // Born This Way // we're gonna fall in love tonight

| 30 // Paper Gangsta // The Fame // Sometimes I felt so Def in the Jam

 

Two album tracks now, and two songs that I'm not sure receive mass appeal on here. First up it's Paper Gangsta which is a about Gaga's feelings about her six-month record deal with Island Def Jam in 2006-2007 before she made superstardom. Initially recorded with the internal microphone of a MacBook Pro, but then autotuned and mastered, I think that in itself is poingnant because it was Gaga before she had anything, confused at the music industry's treatment of stars. Island Def Jam dropped Gaga before she could make it, and feeling let down by this, she wrote this song. It is sassy and to the point, with Gaga laying out her feelings bare. On the flip side, the song also refers to wanting a man that is just as fabulous as her. The performance of this at the Monster Ball (in the US) was purposefully autotuned, representing how her label initially wanted her to change so much. It's a bold song that is very autobiographical and further tells the story of the fame in its darkest sense.

 

Next it's Highway Unicorn (Road to Love) which was always a favourite, but it shot up my affections exponentially after attending the BTW Ball. The song represents Gaga, travelling on the road, a lonely girl with nothing but a dream. For that reason, it was the perfect opening track for the Ball. The song features a sax that came from her love of Springsteen and Billy Joel and its use here and throughout the album represents her childhood innocence as she listened to these artists growing up. This songs fills me with energy - it is totally empowering and anthemic. The opening chant, followed by the captivating insrtumentation is such an incredible start to a song, and then the shift in the final minute is as sublime as anything. A truly unique song for her and one that represents so much of what this era of music stands for: being strong, unique, fearless and brave.

 

Live performance:

 

 

The opening number on the Born This Way Ball! It was Gaga on top of a humongous mechanical horse, in otherwordly costuming and it truly set the scene for the greatest show she's ever done. The build up was immense, with the fans going crazy and then when the song begun the entire stadium exploded. The lyrics were made for such a performance as she set the scene on the road to love she was about to pave the way for: "Get your hot rods ready to rumble, 'cause we're gonna fall in love tonight" <3

Paper Gangsta :o

 

Didn't see that coming!!

Paper Gangsta :o Well...I...

It's amazing, a f*** you to her naysayers, one of the best on the debut album and ya'll will deal :coffee:

Paper Gangsta is one of my favourite non singles from The Fame alongside... Summerboy :lol: so I definitely am glad to see that feature in your list.

 

I need to re read the rest from when I last commented to go into some more detail :heart:

Both Applause and You And I are favourites of mine. I always really liked Applause and was a bit sad at the time that a lot of people thought it was her worst song / a comedown I think it’s pure Gaga and something only she could’ve done and the VMA performance and music video are so good as well!

 

You and I is stunning as well. Her best Born This Way visual and such a lush song. Again like I said about The Queen the other day this sort of paved the way for the sound she’d eventually go down later in her career with Joanne / ASIB. And I kinda feel it’s not as appreciated because it’s on a pure pop album and it may have fared better in the UK had it been on a later era it’s the sort of thing I can imagine Ally singing to Jack obv with some lyric changes in places. I love it though.

 

Highway Unicorn is another fave :wub:

 

Perfect Illusion however is one I kinda really like but I really don’t think it ever should’ve been a single full stop let alone a lead single. There’s better on Joanne for sure! I love how manic it is though but with Perfect Illusion I do kinda see why some people weren’t keen on it and I do get what you meant as well Jade by the video! It can make your eyes a bit sore when you watch it late at night :lol:

 

I’m happy Stupid Love has featured kinda funny seeing three leads feature rather closely together! Stupid Love to me lyrically I feel fits The Fame era yet production wise is sort of like a better ARTPOP era track. I like the production and I think whilst it’s simple it was a good way for her to comeback and get another top 5 hit without a featured artist and to sort of play safe too and comeback with something what was just pure pop and what wouldn’t be classed as polarising the way the last leads of her solo albums were. She often has better follow ups though (like Poker Face, Edge of Glory, Million Reasons) so I feel something unheard yet may end up overtaking Stupid Love the next time you do a list.

What a wonderful thread. I’d forgotten about it but have just caught up... I’m going to side with you Haus as I think Paper Gangster is the best album track on The Fame

Perfect Illusion however is one I kinda really like but I really don’t think it ever should’ve been a single full stop let alone a lead single. There’s better on Joanne for sure! I love how manic it is though but with Perfect Illusion I do kinda see why some people weren’t keen on it and I do get what you meant as well Jade by the video! It can make your eyes a bit sore when you watch it late at night :lol:

 

I’m happy Stupid Love has featured kinda funny seeing three leads feature rather closely together! Stupid Love to me lyrically I feel fits The Fame era yet production wise is sort of like a better ARTPOP era track. I like the production and I think whilst it’s simple it was a good way for her to comeback and get another top 5 hit without a featured artist and to sort of play safe too and comeback with something what was just pure pop and what wouldn’t be classed as polarising the way the last leads of her solo albums were. She often has better follow ups though (like Poker Face, Edge of Glory, Million Reasons) so I feel something unheard yet may end up overtaking Stupid Love the next time you do a list.

I agree with Perfect Illusion! She should've opened with Million Reasons, or maybe Diamond Heart as they both represent the era so much better.

 

Yeah, I was so happy with the top 5 chart peak! :wub: Her follow ups can be great, so i'm insanely excited for what is to come from Chromatica. I am 100% sure that 'Stupid Love' will be topped in the new era, but who knows by how many tracks :o

 

What a wonderful thread. I’d forgotten about it but have just caught up... I’m going to side with you Haus as I think Paper Gangster is the best album track on The Fame

Thank you as always Dandy* <3 Happy to see PG lovin' too :D

 

 

No spoilers... but a W A V E of singles are dropping out in the next few. I hope you're ready

 

| 27 // Always Remember Us This Way // A Star is Born // we're gonna fall in love tonight

| 28 // Judas // Born This Way // Sometimes I felt so Def in the Jam

 

Judas stans go easy on me! This is now the best of the best. This single came after the massive lead single from Born This Way which I will get onto in time. To come from such a huge personal smash for me, to something which was more fun and crazy was a slight disappointment. But nonetheless, I was ready to fall in love with Judas and be taken in by his storm. It is essentially about falling in love with someone who has betrayed you, and Gaga uses the metaphor of Judas (who betrayed Jesus, eventually resulting in His crucifixtion) as the means of exploring this; she struggles to get away from the dark parts of her life. Releasing the song on Good Friday was a... brave choice, and as expected, it upset and angered religious groups. But fans (and critics!) were not - they were in love. It has gone on to become a huge favourite for Gaga fans, as it harks back to 'Bad Romance' but sets itself apart from that through its quirky lyrics and vocal arrangement. The single was a hit, but not compared to the dizzying heights that Gaga was used to at this point. While the song falls in around half way through this countdown, the video would be amongst the top 3. It is a real favourite of mine, through its immense production value: the colours, the costuming, the choreography - everything about it screams high quality and it remains one of my favourite Gaga videos. In it she portrays Mary Magdalene on a modern day missionary with Judas. It's an utterly gorgeous piece of videoing and really brought the song to life for me.

 

And from one of her most kookiest songs, to one of her more "simple" - and I use that term in the best possible way. Always Remember Us This Way is one of a few stunning performances given by Ally in the 'A Star is Born' film. This struck a particular chord with me, because of its remisicent nature. I am, by nature, a very reminiscent person - I always look to the past and remember events fondly and associate music with these moments in my life. Here Gaga took that idea, and represented it in a beautiful ballad about the preservation of love. The song was released as the second single from the soundtrack in some places and even went on to be nominate for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards. The song is of great importance in the film, moreso than 'Shallow' at times as just as 'Maybe It's Time' is Jackson's song, 'Always Remember Us This Way' becomes Ally's song. She truly embodies the pain and hurt felt by Ally and this is rawness is translated beautifully in this song of wanting to preserve the love she feels for Jackson. With so much happening in her personal life, she poured that whole-heartedly into her music and it's impossible not to feel this when hearing songs such as this.

 

Live performance:

 

 

This was a great episode (her appearances on UK tv always are!). Her performance of 'Judas', while not the most ground-breaking here, was fun and featured the iconic choreography. It must be such a difficult song to perform live, but she did it justice. I expected something hugely controversial at the time, and so was shocked it all was quite reserved - all of her live performances of it were. It's not her best vocal performance or stage presence, but it does the job - she is very into the song and she sells it well.

 

| 25 // Do What U Want // ARTPOP // we're gonna fall in love tonight

| 26 // Grigio Girls // Joanne // So when I start to bawl, she says, "let your teardrops fall"

 

Underrated track alert! Grigio Girls is one of a few majorly essential tracks on Joanne. Produced by Mark Ronson and Bloodpop, it's somehow only a bonus track on the deluxe version of the album, but for me it is so important to the era's message. The song is about Sonja, one of Gaga's dear friends who, at the time of recording had stage 4 metastasized cancer in her lungs and in her brain. Here, Gaga sings of how her and her friends would meet up but be heart-broken that Sonja wasn't with them. She went on to state that: "The song is about womanhood and sticking together and encouraging one another and teaching each other that it’s ok to cry together and need one another, and that we can’t do it alone." This beautiful sentiment, on an album about her aunt and the way her father and family were inspired by Joanne, is made evermore present. It's a song that has a true spirit to it and its that spirit that catapults this into the top 30 of my all-time favourite Gaga songs. I get moved everytime I hear this song - it makes me think of people that are no longer in my life, friends that are no more, but it also gives me hope that with the people that are around me, there is light. Sonja's story did not have a happy ending, but the positive of it all is that music as pure and beautiful as this was borne out of her pain.

 

A tough one to write about now. No doubt, it would've been higher had it not been tainted. Do What U Want is a powerful song, but also a flawed one. The second single from ARTPOP, saw Gaga laying down to sexual submission, but maintaining that her thoughts, her mind and body will always be her own. The song is pumping - the instrumental is undeniable and so impactful. Gaga's vocals are different to what we are used to from her - they are soft with a defiant tinge and the song as a whole was so alluring at the time. R. Kelly's verse works well in it (as does Christina's a few months later) and as a whole, it stands out amongst her singles catalogue. But, like everything in this era, it all turned to pot quite soon later. The song has since been removed from streaming sites as a result of the resurging of allegations against R. Kelly. He had been aquitted at the time of the single's release, but with even a shred of doubt, we have to question if a song with such a sensitive nature as this, should ever have been recorded with R. Kelly at the helm. I don't think this song can ever have a positive response again from fans or from Gaga, but in a countdown of her overall impact on me, I have had to include this. It is tainted and marred by controversy, but if we take that out, art is often most beautiful and powerful when it has such a hard edge to it. Knowing what Gaga has gone through personally, with battles of her own sexual demons, the song is not easy to digest now.

 

Live performance:

 

 

I think this is now the version of the song. It was remixed and released and is now the prominent version out there. I wish it would have been included on new pressings of the album. The performance was cute - it shows two women fighting their battles but coming together in solidarity and defying all odds to own their bodies and their minds. The thumbnail always gets me too - what a MOMENT of pop union *_*

-big catch-up alert-

 

I can happily say that I have succumbed to 'Stupid Love' more lately after initially feeling a bit underwhelmed, it's too joyful and pounding to resist *.* cannot wait for that very first listen of 'Chromatica' in full. Amazing to see 'You And I' featuring here as I find that it's very underrated amongst fans! I instantly took a shine to it and loved the Jo Calderone character too away from the music. God bless the pop-rock influences on 'Born This Way' as she nails that sound.

 

I think 'Paper Gangsta' is my third favourite album track from 'The Fame' (after 'Starstruck' and the title track) so brilliant choice. It's so feisty and I adore the piano in the production too. I've just re-listened to 'Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)' and got chills at the thought of hearing it live thanks to your commentary. It's so criminal that I haven't experienced one of her concerts yet but I just didn't really go to gigs much until I was an adult :( that WILL be rectified in the future, even if not as soon as I thought, with the impending tour date being up in the air as July is so soon :( one day <3

 

'JUDAS' <3 deserved higher but I will take your comment of everything left basically being top-tier Gaga, fair enough :kink: I initially didn't get 'Judas' which feels shocking retrospectively but one day it all clicked into place and I've never looked back - it's in my Gaga top 3 nowadays :drama: THOSE VERSES are so electric and I love the contrast to the more mellow chorus too, I think I initially found the transition a bit jarring, but yeah that is long in the past now. 10/10 for the video too, totally agree with you there :clap: On the other hand, 'Always Remember Us This Way' was so instant for me - I think I heard it on the chart show before I got the chance to see 'A Star Is Born' and loved it straight away, her inflections are so charming on it :heart: then it only got better with the context of the film! I am a really reminiscent person too so your commentary resonated for me a lot there.

 

'Grigio Girls' is probably my least favourite of all the songs I've caught up on but I really don't revisit the 'Joanne' bonus tracks enough, so that needs to change now that I own the vinyl - no excuses :kink: the meaning behind it is great though. Lastly, poor tainted 'Do What U Want' :( I found it to be such a killer follow-up to 'Applause' and it held up really well over the years... but yeah, only the Xtina version is permitted now. I don't find it as smooth as the original, Christina as a vocalist is a belter after all, but it is still a good version so I'm glad we still have that on streaming as opposed to nothing.

Lovely to see 'Grigio Girls' do well. I'm re-listening to 'Joanne' today (after a LONG time) and I forgot just how much I love that song :heart:

I can happily say that I have succumbed to 'Stupid Love' more lately after initially feeling a bit underwhelmed, it's too joyful and pounding to resist *.* cannot wait for that very first listen of 'Chromatica' in full. Amazing to see 'You And I' featuring here as I find that it's very underrated amongst fans! I instantly took a shine to it and loved the Jo Calderone character too away from the music. God bless the pop-rock influences on 'Born This Way' as she nails that sound.

 

I think 'Paper Gangsta' is my third favourite album track from 'The Fame' (after 'Starstruck' and the title track) so brilliant choice. It's so feisty and I adore the piano in the production too. I've just re-listened to 'Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)' and got chills at the thought of hearing it live thanks to your commentary. It's so criminal that I haven't experienced one of her concerts yet but I just didn't really go to gigs much until I was an adult :( that WILL be rectified in the future, even if not as soon as I thought, with the impending tour date being up in the air as July is so soon :( one day <3

 

'JUDAS' <3 deserved higher but I will take your comment of everything left basically being top-tier Gaga, fair enough :kink: I initially didn't get 'Judas' which feels shocking retrospectively but one day it all clicked into place and I've never looked back - it's in my Gaga top 3 nowadays :drama: THOSE VERSES are so electric and I love the contrast to the more mellow chorus too, I think I initially found the transition a bit jarring, but yeah that is long in the past now. 10/10 for the video too, totally agree with you there :clap: On the other hand, 'Always Remember Us This Way' was so instant for me - I think I heard it on the chart show before I got the chance to see 'A Star Is Born' and loved it straight away, her inflections are so charming on it :heart: then it only got better with the context of the film! I am a really reminiscent person too so your commentary resonated for me a lot there.

 

'Grigio Girls' is probably my least favourite of all the songs I've caught up on but I really don't revisit the 'Joanne' bonus tracks enough, so that needs to change now that I own the vinyl - no excuses :kink: the meaning behind it is great though. Lastly, poor tainted 'Do What U Want' :( I found it to be such a killer follow-up to 'Applause' and it held up really well over the years... but yeah, only the Xtina version is permitted now. I don't find it as smooth as the original, Christina as a vocalist is a belter after all, but it is still a good version so I'm glad we still have that on streaming as opposed to nothing.

I was so happy to see you eventually come round to Stupid Love. Hopefully the rest of the era is more instant :P Yes I agree - the rockiness on BTW is amazing, I am glad she channelled it!

 

Yay for Paper Gangsta love and omg yes, Highway Unicorn live was a MOMENT. You have got to see her live :'( you won't ever regret it! Judas does seem very low, but it's about the point where everything becomes me at full stan mode :lol:

 

Thank you for the comments Jade <3

 

Lovely to see 'Grigio Girls' do well. I'm re-listening to 'Joanne' today (after a LONG time) and I forgot just how much I love that song :heart:

It's an underrated beauty! :heart:

 

| 23 // The Queen // Born This Way // Whenever I start feeling strong, I'm called a bitch in the night

| 24 // I Like It Rough // The Fame // I'm shiny and I know it

 

An odd section now with two songs that generally aren't considered to be amongst her best, but for me - they are! First up, I Like It Rough is the debut album at its finest. The production is electrifying, the lyrics are playful and there is a certain bite, that only early Gaga knew how to deliver. Initially a bonus track, but later upgraded to the main album, and is one of many songs about falling for the wrong sort of man. Primarily about addiction and a desire for masochist love, it tells of Gaga's desire to have it saucy in the bedroom. It's one of the few songs she hasn't performed live ever, but it does feature in the 'Telephone' music video and has been on my playlist for years. The "tissues and when I know you're outside banging, I won't let you in" is a genius lyric that doubles up as a sexual teasing but also an emotional blockage, not wanting to let the lover in. Overall, it's a brilliantly playful song that really is what the debut era stands for: fun beats and cheeky lyrics!

 

And now, yet another album track from Born This Way! The Whitney Houston inspired power-anthem only made it to the bonus tracks from the album, but for me it is essential. The Queen is Gaga's message to her fans - she has never spoken to us as openly as she does in this song and for that reason it has always held a special place in my heart. She sings of how she would burn away her riches and fame for those that love her. She sings of being brave for others (a fight she has fought for her monster since day 1). She sings of how she can be called names and be defiled, but she will remain the voice of her fans. For me, the song is a beautiful, heart-felt message that inspires me and reminds me that whenever I feel weak or low, there is someone fighting my corner. The album, as has been mentioned, changed me and made into the person I am today and this song was key for that. I felt the artist in the room with me, singing these lyrics and calling out to me. They echo in my mind whenever I need a boost or when I need strength. The song itself is sung stunningly too; it is euphoric, particularly in the final minute and as an overall package it is one of her most unique sounding songs, with a beautiful message. In the Born This Way album booklet, she states that THIS ALBUM IS FOR Ü - it is dedicated to her fans, and this song more than most expresses that connection.

 

Live performance:

 

 

She didn't do this in the show I saw, but on some dates, 'The Queen' was performed live. In the piano version, she dedicates it to her fans and friends. She questions, how she could be the queen, when all of her fans and friends are even bigger queens! It's the perfect tour song because as mentioned above, it's a message for her fans too her fans.

I Like It Rough being above Always Remember Us This Way should be a bannable offense x

I Like It Rough is rather high! But it is a bop (and Katy pretty much released it in 2017 with Roulette as well the impact).

 

Always Remember Us This Way and The Queen though :heart: :heart: