I can't actually remember the performance on Oprah happening 10 years ago, so it's lovely to watch it through now. The piano is the highlight!

Gaga reveals tracklist for the Born This Way album

 

On this day 10 years ago, Gaga took to Twitter to officially reveal the tracklist for the standard and deluxe editions of the album. Here are her tweets:

 

@65113347485483008

 

@65115854840397824

 

:cry:

 

What a time to be alive!

 

The tracklists are still legendary. I wouldn't change them in the slightest. Also the grand titles for most of the songs and how the album offers a complete energised experience from start to end. We were spoilt.

 

I love how the deluxe tracks are interspersed into the original order too and not just tacked onto the end. Her artistic vision *.*

A masterpiece! We need a new listening party when the album turns 10 :wub:

I've never seen that Oprah performance in my life... I'm such a bad fan but I'm glad I stopped and clicked on it now. Wow, she is a phenomen, Oprah is right!!

Gaga announces 'Judas' music video release date

 

Following on from the tracklist tweets, Gaga also took to Twitter to announce more details for the release of the 'Judas' music video. Here's what she announced:

 

@65121377744723968

Another memory I have of this album is being in London on holiday the week before it came out and there were advertising posters for it everywhere. It’s also where I purchased the Born This Way and Judas singles, from HMV Piccadilly Circus.

I really remembered Judas came out earlier but I guess it didn't. It was so related to Easter in my memory.

Another memory I have of this album is being in London on holiday the week before it came out and there were advertising posters for it everywhere. It’s also where I purchased the Born This Way and Judas singles, from HMV Piccadilly Circus.

Cute! I don't actually remember seeing posters but I have so many vivid memories attached to the release and this reliving is bringing them all back.

 

Love reading others' memories of the era <3 it's a special one for so many people.

Glad I have no memories of that time, y'all old :lol:

Judas music video premieres ~ May 5th 2011

 

10 years ago on this day, Gaga premiered the music video for second single, 'Judas'. The video was directed by Gaga and her choreographer, Laurieann Gibson alongside stylist Thierry Mugler and creative director Nicola Formichetti.

 

The video is set in a modern-day Jerusalem and stars Gaga as Mary Magdalene, Rick Gonzalez as Jesus and Norman Reedus as Judas.

 

Have a rewatch of the video below and drop your thoughts on it, 10 years later:

 

Further details about the video and its conception + release:

• Gibson and Gaga wanted to make sure the video's direction was perfect - so they directed it themselves. Gibson explained that while working with Nick Knight on the music video for 'Born This Way', they had felt that the ideas presented did not execute in a way they wanted.
• The team initially approached a director, but the dates did not work out with him, so Gaga's manager asked her and Gibson to direct the video instead.
• Gibson stated: "It's a phenomenal video: really powerful, really impactful,". She explained that within the video they created a new Jerusalem.
• There was a clear shock value in the video (which was purposefully added), but ultimately the story was about oppression and about following one's heart and the glory of being free. Forgiveness and destiny also played a part in the video.
• Gaga herself described the portrayal of her character as being "beyond repentance", which evolved from the continuous media accusations towards her that she was "trashy. or pretentious or this and that. [The video] is my way of saying 'I've crossed the line, I won't even try to repent. Nor should I'."

Controversy:

• Before its release, the Catholic League's president William Anthony Donohue criticized the music video for its portrayal of Gaga as Mary Magdalene. He spoke about Gaga's focus on Judas and Mary Magdalene, calling her "increasingly irrelevant" compared to people with "real talent", and attacked her for seemingly purposefully debuting the song and video close to Holy Week and Easter.
• Gaga noted in an interview with E! that the video was not meant to cause controversy in any way, jokingly adding "the only controversial thing about this video is that I'm wearing Christian Lacroix and Chanel in the same frame".
• After its release, the Catholic League released a statement clarifying that they did not find the clip to be anti-Catholic, although Gaga toyed with religious iconography in it.

Reception:

• At the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards, Gaga won the Best International Artist Video award for "Judas".
• The song's music video also received two nominations at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, in the categories of Best Choreography and Best Art Directio

One of my fave videos, still rewatch it like every two months or so. :heart:

It's certainly up there as one of my favourites too. One of my major points of adoration is the use of colour in it - the entire video is so rich and bright and vibrant!

 

I also think the three main cast members have so much chemistry together and it's such an exhilerating watch. :wub: There are so many great scenes and moments throughout it - definitely one that benefits even more the more you rewatch it!

Gaga attends Born This Way press conference

 

After completing the final leg of The Monster Ball Tour, Gaga made an appearance at a Born This Way press conference in Mexico. For the event, she wore a body suit by Mugler. Have a look at her appearance below:

 

 

 

 

Love that outfit (too)

That wig will always be associated with Trollga for me

 

Tomorrow is a BIG DAY for this era, and honestly I don't feel emotionally ready for it :heart: :snif:

Gaga releases third single The Edge of Glory

 

 

On this day 10 years ago, Gaga gave us another taste of the Born This Way album. Initially released as a promo single, it was eventually upgraded to full single following its huge success on download services. The song was written and produced by Gaga and Fernando Garibay, and is an electro-rock, disco anthem about the last moments of life. Gaga states that the lyrical inspiration came from the death of her grandfather, who died in September 2010. Along with a saxophone solo played by the late Clarence Clemons, the melody of the song resembles much of the musical works of Bruce Springsteen.

 

The song was critically adored - it has frequently been identified as an album highlight. It became a top 10 hit across the globe (including #3 in the US).

 

On the song, Gaga states: "['The Edge of Glory'] was about how when my grandma was standing over my grandfather while he was dying. There was this moment where I felt like he had sort of looked at her and reckoned that he had won in life. Like, 'I'm a champion. We won. Our love made us a winner.' They were married 60 years. I thought about that idea, that the glorious moment of your life is when you decide that it's okay to go, you don’t have any more words to say, more business, more mountains to climb. You're on the cliff, you tip your hat to yourself and you go. That’s what it was for me in that moment when I witnessed it."

 

 

This is without a doubt, my favourite single released by Gaga.

 

I remember hearing about the inspiration behind it and hearing it premiere on my laptop. I burst into tears - it hit me just as much as the lead single did. I vividly remember heading for a night out soon after that and making my Facebook status: Put on your shades 'cause I'll be dancing in the flames tonight / it isn't hell if everybody knows my name tonight - what a way to live one's life!

 

An anthem, I have nothing but love for it. Such a unique song for her at this point and a beautiful message about living your life to its fullest. 10 years later, it is still her best single for me :wub: :wub: :wub:

 

The way it starts with a heartbeat and ends with a flatline - she had points to make. </3