| 08 // Born This Way // Born This Way // No matter black, white or beige, chola or orient made, I'm on the right track baby I was born to be brave

 

The lead single from Gaga's hugely seminal album, Born This Way quite simply changed my life. Before this song, I had never come out to anyone. I was extremely insecure in my own sexuality and denied it or ignored it to everyone that knew me. When Gaga announced the album name in her meat dress at the VMAs, I knew I was for something revolutionary, something that would change my mindset forever. It did that, and more. In the build up to this song's release, I discovered many Monsters on Twitter. I followed every movement Gaga made, all of her announcements and decisions were scrutinised. I needed this song. Before its official release, she dropped the song's lyrics. I read the lyrics in bed and cried my eyes out imagining how Gaga would sound singing them. Then the song premiered on a Friday morning. I took my radio into the bathroom and listened as Fearne Cotton introduced the song - I cried my eyes out uuncontrollably during the listen and then she replayed the song immediately after and it continued. The song overwhelmed me with emotion and I still to this day cannot explain the impact it made on me. In short: I cried uncontrollably for months and months x

 

The song itself is unlike what I thought it would be - I expected a ballad going off the lyrics and her announcement at the VMAs. Instead it's a high-octane number, inspired by the liberating music of the 90s whereby women and the LGBT community were given a voice. She saw this as her own "freedom" song. It was met with a huge reception on radios and iTunes, storming to top of the charts around the world and putting the LGBT community firmly on the airwaves. Setting records and making history (the Billboard's 1000th #1 for example), it was truly a hugely inspirational and momentous time for Gaga fans. The Nick Knight directed music video had influences and references thrown in ad infinitum and it was a true event in the build up to its premiere. Never was I more involved in online communities as I was during the release of this song and I remember every moment of the release so fondly. It started an era that would shape me into the person I am today and secure even further just how much I owe to this woman for giving me strength whenever I needed it.

 

Live performance:

 

 

It could be nothing but the VESSEL~ Apparently being incubated in the days before this performance, Gaga emerged from her vessel at the 53rd Grammy Awards. Born on stage with prostethics attached to her face and a nude coloured suit, the race free from prejudice and intolerance was truly unearthed. The performance featured high energy choreography, a piano breakdown with the most horror-induced drama possible, and a huge vocal moment as she exploded the bridge to the world pushing her voices of the marginalised even further before returning to a final chorus. And of course it ended with the paws up from Gaga and her dancers and her monsters around the world, unified in love and respect for each other. A true moment of her career, where she exemplified all that she stands for on a global stage and made people hear her message of acceptance and love. I am eternally grateful.

goosebumps :wub:

 

Born This Way is peak Gaga and it's just ANTHEM of our generation. So brave of her :clap:

i think the tip of the hat to erotica is a form of flattery + tbh i think gaga did that whole look better.

 

this was the one track that made me think ace of base + that whole europop sound, i really don't hear la isla bonita at all (oops).

the top 10 has been immaculate so far x

 

I came to say this tbh.

 

Alejandro totally sounds like Ace Of Base 'Don't Turn Around' mixed with 'The Sign' and 'Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry'.

 

 

I literally remember where I was and how I reacted the first time I ever listened to BTW the song...can remember it just like it was yesterday. Life moments. :cry:

BTW is beyond iconic and a huge milestone for her.

I literally remember where I was and how I reacted the first time I ever listened to BTW the song...can remember it just like it was yesterday. Life moments. :cry:

 

Literally same.

 

I skipped home from school to hear it literally bolted down the street so I was in the house for it premiering then I answered the phone to my deputy head teacher just after I’d heard the song :lol:

I thought Born This Way might have been higher for you! Goes to show how many of Gaga's songs have impacted you so strongly! As always I'm loving your write-ups of each song, so evocative of my own memories of each song!

I love Born This Way now. On the very first listen I didn’t feel it at all though took around a few weeks for me to fully get on board with it but it’s held up really well over the years for me now and I fully appreciate and admire it so much now.

 

It’s definitely one of her signature tracks and I’d say culturally it’s made a huge impact as well. I love the music video to this too. A special song and moment in her career for sure though. The lead single of this era would be a real test as she had one of the biggest debut eras of all time so she needed to smash with this and she did but it also marked a new wave of sound for her too :heart:

I came to say this tbh.

 

Alejandro totally sounds like Ace Of Base 'Don't Turn Around' mixed with 'The Sign' and 'Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry'.

 

First time hearing this and there it definitely sounds like Alejandro :wub: I'm really liking it and may need to check out more of their stuff!

 

Literally same.

 

I skipped home from school to hear it literally bolted down the street so I was in the house for it premiering then I answered the phone to my deputy head teacher just after I’d heard the song :lol:

Omg I'd have been in tears to my headteacher :lol:

 

I thought Born This Way might have been higher for you! Goes to show how many of Gaga's songs have impacted you so strongly! As always I'm loving your write-ups of each song, so evocative of my own memories of each song!

It's had a huge impact on me but other songs I prefer to listen to today which is why it may seem like it's lower than expected :drama: This has been TOUGH to order~

 

 

| 07 // Is That Alright? // A Star Is Born // I want you at the end of my life

 

Perhaps a shock entry, but I will try to explain why this song is so high up for me! Firstly, Is That Alright? concludes the film in heartbreaking fashion. After the death and the misery, this song surfaces during the credits as a reminder that love continues after the pain. The song is a hugely emotive ballad that for me, has Gaga's vocals at her most truest. She sings with such desperation, asking, pleading her lover to love her until her dying days. It is a truly gut-wrenching moment of honesty where the artist pours out every inch of her heart demanding that she is loved. The song has beautiful lyrics some of which I will explain attempt to detail.

 

I have never hidden the fact that the film and its soundtrack came at a time when I began to fall in love, so naturally a lot of the songs connected with me. But this song more than any other seemed to retell and foretell the story of myself and my (now) fiance. "It felt like summer when I kissed you in the rain" told of the time I first met him, in the middle of summer, in the pouring rain of a smoking area, kissing the night away. "I would be honored if you would take me as I am" details my insecurities in a relationship and knowing that I am far from perfect, but just want to be loved for who I am.. and eventually finding someone that can do that for me. I hope you're still with me, when I'm not quite myself. And I pray that you'll lift me, when you know I need help" exemplifies how as a pair we are able to fix each other when broken or offer that lifting power that only love can do. "Teachin' the kids to say, "Thank you, " and, "Please"" foretells our future, both as teachers, teaching the generations of the future and one day raising our own. The song hits me harder than any other Gaga ballad and it is the song that I believe most strongly represents my story as it stands currently. It is a truly beautiful song and I am actually upset it can't come any further up, but I am sure this will continue to rise in years to come and perhaps one day reach the top 3?

 

Live performance:

 

 

Gaga has yet to perform this live! In the cinema (and standard) release of the film, the song plays over the closing credits. But the deleted scene includes it playing during her wedding to Jackson. It showcases their love, their pain and everything in between in these soaring 3 and a bit minutes. It's a song that tells a story and she uses it in the film to tell her story of love and loss, the highs and lows.

Wow at ITA? being so high :o Can't complain. Absolutely stunning song and it's nice to see it get some proper recognition from you :heart:

Wow at ITA? being so high :o Can't complain. Absolutely stunning song and it's nice to see it get some proper recognition from you :heart:

It has majorly defined my life in the past two years, more than many of her older songs! We shall see when I re-do this countdown in 10 years how things change :cool:

Is That Alright is stunning. I loved the story behind your reasons for it being so high too!

 

It’s definitely something from ASIB I wish managed to chart (damn the 3 track rule) and it’s one I’d really LOVE to hear live too.

 

It’s definitely very rare for a Gaga song to sound like this but I think the story telling on the ASIB album is so strong and that her writing from the perspective of someone else as well really kind of propelled her story telling too.

Not shocked to see ITA this high!! Great that you have truly connected with it :wub:

Is That Alright is stunning. I loved the story behind your reasons for it being so high too!

 

It’s definitely something from ASIB I wish managed to chart (damn the 3 track rule) and it’s one I’d really LOVE to hear live too.

 

It’s definitely very rare for a Gaga song to sound like this but I think the story telling on the ASIB album is so strong and that her writing from the perspective of someone else as well really kind of propelled her story telling too.

Yeah I would absolutely breakdown if she ever performed it live :cry: She really proved with this album (and Joanne to a lesser extent) that her ballads did have worth. Before these eras, her ballads were mostly ignored by the fans!

 

Not shocked to see ITA this high!! Great that you have truly connected with it :wub:

:wub: :heart:

 

| 06 // Poker Face // The Fame // A little gamblin' is fun when you're with me

 

If Just Dance erupted her onto the scene, Poker Face was the song that meant she meant business. The iconic "mmm mmm mmm mmmmah"s that open the song set the tone perfectly for what is to be one raucaus, fun-filled frenzy of a pop song. There is no doubt as to why it's one of the biggest singles of all time - it is insanely catchy and memorable and really tapped into the radio stations at the time hungry for more explosive pop. Lady Gaga was an enigma, not much was known about her, and so to release a second single about faking it during sex and having lesbian thoughts was bold to say the least. In the video Gaga revealed more of her playful side, playing strip poker and perfectly capturing the magic of the fame that she sang about throughout the debut. Her entrance in the video, dripping wet, out of the pool, mystifying further her personality and aura is genius and from that moment on the song and visuals erupt in glossy fashion. It's a tribute to her rock and roll boyfriends and the lavish, gambling and raunchy lifestyle they led. It soon became an essential party anthem and has defined so many messy moments throughout my teen years and beyond. While some would argue it has aged and is "of its time", for me that is a huge positive for the song, because the time that we are referring to was one of discovering myself and my love of music. It's a joyous, playful song that cemented her as a favourite of mine. I remember enjoying Just Dance, but truly loving this and being completely enamoured by her in the music video. I am grateful that this song exploded the way it did because it gave her a chance to continue riding on its success with subsequent singles and of course, eras and albums.

 

Live performance:

 

 

Gaga performed and promoted this song ad infinitum. She was determined to get her music heard and appreciated by the masses and achieved the success she did with graft and hard work. The performances were mostly high-octane and fuelled with energy and playful fire. And yet... one of my favourite live moments for the song was her live lounge recording of it. It came at a time when I was obsessed with the song, and it offered a completely different approach to it - stripped back, kooky and ploddy. It also showcased for the first time ever, for many, that she could SING the house down, play the piano and really offer an experience with the music. It's a totally bonkers performance (the last two minutes in particular) but it helped to shape our opinions of her and build the respect we have for her as an artist as opposed to simply "that lady with a few bops".

MMAMMMAAMMMAAMMAAAAH

 

| 05 // So Happy I Could Die // The Fame Monster // Open up your heart and your mind to me

 

An album track to start the top 5 and one that I have loved since day one and a song that followed me through the years! When So Happy I Could Die was first released, the song was an immediate album highlight. This was strengthened at The Monster Ball as the song's performance was one of the highlights of the night. Over time, it has continued to grow on me and recently, it has become yet another song I strongly associate with my partner. We both love the song and singing along to it on our long drives. It's such a deeply painful song with a message of hope and light at the end. It represents Gaga's fear of addiction and alcohol. She explained that it signifies that happy place that many people go to when under the influence and also has undertones of her bisexuality and liberated expression of sex. I adore the infectious "eyyy-eyyys", the production is gorgeous, the lyrics are playful and meaningful and the chorus is so euphoric. It's a stunning song that needs more appreciation and I can see it forever being a Gaga fave for me as it has so many fond memories that I attach with it, at a time when Gaga was truly untouchable and now at a time when I myself am untouchable. It blurs the boundary between happiness and sadness, life and death and does so to explore how the two are so intricately linked and you can't have one without the other. It is impossible to see if Gaga is feeling positive or negative in moments throughout the song and it has a similar effect whenever I listen to it. A true gem in her back catalogue <3

 

Live performance:

 

 

The song was performed during some legs of The Monster Ball Tour and as mentioned, it was a highlight of that. We were lucky in the UK to get the revamped version of the performance where she wears the Living Dress and is sent floating high above the audience. It's a truly beautiful, spine-tingling moment as she is made into the angel she is. The dress is stunning, it has a mind of its own and it comes to life in spectacular fashion during this performance. It's not the most high-octane of performances, but it works in its simplicity and it is Gaga, the lyrics and the audience before that moment of transendence. The revamped production is great too. The song is both beautiful and painful and this performance showcases that expertly!

Love #6 and #5’

 

My favourite single from one era and my favourite album track from the follow up!

 

Poker Face is just iconic. From the opening scene from that video where she throws that mask I just knew she had something to offer and she wasn’t just gonna be that girl who sang Just Dance. Everything about that song was instant for me and I still very regularly play it now and it never gets old. Part of me feels a bit sad it’s no longer her best seller here combined. It will forever be amongst her signature songs though :heart:

 

So Happy I Could Die has always been my favourite album track from that era. I love the production on it, it’s really soothing totally stands out amongst the thumping pop numbers as well. That live performance too :wub: :wub:

 

As for your top 4! I definitely know two of them but the other two I still don’t! I’ll have to re read your list to see what’s been said before I try and guess.

SHICD :o :wub: Takes me straight back to The Monster Ball. I remember watching her perform it live and I was just taken to another place. It was so beautiful and otherworldly. The memories :cry: You and your partner sharing memories to it is precious :heart:

 

Obvs Poker Face is classic iconic Gaga and deserves its top 10 position x

Edited June 18, 20205 yr by Jαsє