Okay, so I heard Gaga’s new song “Born This Way” on the radio, and I hate it. Here is why:
1. It is a legitimately bad song. I’ll sometimes hear Poker Face or Paparazzi on the radio, and despite having heard those songs hundreds of times, I STILL sing along and love every second of it. So Happy I Could Die and Monster are two of my favorite Gaga songs, and they are INFINITELY better than the tripe she came up with this time. The stupid Born This Way song has a ripped-off tune--it doesn’t even sample; it’s straight up Express Yourself but slightly faster and with painfully one-dimensional and pandering lyrics.
2. It is condescending. There’s something about lyrics that are so obvious and feel the need to spell its message out for its intended audience that is SO annoying. It’s like Gaga/her writers feel that her audience isn’t savvy or smart enough to understand subtlety. Here’s a snippet:
No matter gay, straight or bi
lesbian, transgendered life
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to survive
It may as well say “HEY GAYS, THIS SONG IS FOR YOU, JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW. ALSO DON’T BE A DRAG JUST BE A QUEEN.” She has taken a very powerful and poignant issue, and turned it into a one-dimensional problem. Lots of songs highlight a specific aspect or are simplified, but her lyrics are meant to ingratiate herself to the gay community. I feel like the only people who will actually like the song are non-gays in...Ohio or something who want to be supportive of the gay rights movement, and think this is the best way to do so. But that’s only because they DON’T KNOW the true multi-faceted nature of the gay struggle.
3. Every time I hear the song, I am reminded that Lady Gaga is SUPER condescending. The fact that she is PRESUMPTUOUS enough to basically appoint herself a gay icon is the most patronizing thing I can think of. I’m really glad that she is so supportive of gay rights, but bitch, you can’t decide that you’re an icon. “Hello gays of the world, I have emerged from my EGG to grace you with a song about your struggles. Use it as your anthem! YOU’RE WELCOME. Gaga OUT. (...or AUT).”
Seriously WHAT was up with that egg bullshit at the Grammy’s this year? I think it’s incredibly rude to attend an awards ceremony but refuse to emerge from your vehicle (that’s basically what it was...) until it’s YOUR turn to perform. Her ME ME ME attitude is really getting on my nerves. I like some of her outfits, but she’s getting a little nuts. Can you imagine how annoying it was to sit behind her when she wore that red lace bodysuit+crown number? Or remember how she had some crazy beekeeper get up for her sister’s graduation? “Congrats on graduating from high school honey, but I’m going to use this opportunity to get more attention for myself! WHEE!!” Fifty years from now, Gaga’s sister’s kids are going to be like “Um mom, why is there a psycho beekeeper in this picture of your high school graduation?”
She always says that “this is who I am” or whatever, but really? What you are is RUDE. She is just one giant publicity stunt, and frankly, I’m getting tired of it. Especially since she isn’t making good songs to make up for her famewhoring.
PS. Go HERE to read James St. James' (of Party Monster fame) feelings about the song. Spoiler alert: he also hates it. Whoo!
