Lady Gaga

[tilthefirefades]

So I basically have a rant in store First off let me say that in the beginning I loved her music. Last year she was the soundtrack to my summer, when it was simply fun catchy pop music. Perfect for the summer time. Then, all of a sudden, she became this icon, and captured my generation. I do not understand how she is an icon, nor where people get the idea that she is some fresh, new, creative entity. Now let me say this, if people would stop placing her on this pedestal above all other creation, I might would still enjoy her. There are many things that trouble me about her, let me list them:

-Her huge amount of gay fans. If I could obtain some amount of public attention, and claim that I just love the gays, it would be an immediate fan base. I really don't think she cares too much about my life, nor any other fellow LGBT people.

-The fact that people are claiming that she is better than Madonna. Madonna being the woman who, IMO, started the revolution of provocative women in the pop world. Not to mention that she is a true icon.

-That people think that Christina Aguilera is copying Lady Gaga. Christina being the one alongside Britney Spears who helped shape what Madonna started into modern pop genre and style. Christina had her "dirty" phase back in 02 (I think) and that, to me, was shocking. Only her exception was the talent before and after it to make it worthwhile and enjoyable.

-And finally, is it really that over the top? What sparked my creating this thread, is the massive amount of my friends who agree with me. Also seeing Viv's sig pic made me see that I am not the only one who is over Lady Gaga's evil rule. Cigarette glasses, bra and panties, stupid hair, all of it. It's not really that over the top, unless you make it such. Lady Gaga is only doing what Madonna did in the 80's, and what Manson did in the 90's.

Anyway, what does everyone else think about her?

[bucklind17]

I'm the type of person who tends to like something less as soon as the hype explodes. If it's all people are talking about, I'm less likely to want to give it the time of day. Glee is a perfect example of this. I didn't like Glee the first time I watched it and everyone's obsession with it makes me like it less. Mostly because I believe in liking things because you truly connect to them and appreciate them and as soon as something is as hyped as Gaga has become or Glee is or Justin Bieber or what have you, it goes beyond that person's creation and into their image and that bothers me. It's not a matter of disliking the peripheral aspects of an artist, because I love a lot about my favorites bands. It's rooted in their music but it sometimes transcends that. But the ROOT should be the music.

At this stage in the game, I don't think that is what a lot of people are into Gaga for. They are into her because she's huge, it's the in thing to like, her videos are provocative, etc. And that's fine, as a pop culture icon, but as a musician, no. Maybe that is what she wants and is going for, I don't follow her enough at this point to know what she's said on the subject, but she is a legitimate talented musician. Girl can write a song, can play a song, can sing a song. I wish the focus was more on that and less on what she was wearing, who's she's supporting/offending, what her videos mean. But, like I said, that a general feeling I have toward the mainstream music industry in general. She is just happens to be a great example of it.

That said, I like her music. I listen to it. Other than that, don't have much interest.

[vivfox]

I no longer listen to the radio on a daily basis. But when I did and before I knew what Ga Ga looked like, her music was played on the stations I listened to. I enjoyed all of her singles. Mostly I don't like to watch videos because if the performer is ugly to me, it could ruin the song. A good example is the song called Good Times(I get High) by Styles P. This song was an anthem for me for several years. Then I saw the video and this ugly guy with a chipped front tooth singing this song in a dirty public restroom was a major turnoff. I still like the song but I don't want to see anymore of his videos.

I don't seek out Ga Ga's videos either. I have seen a few of them and I see her in magazines all the time. I think she does care about her Gay fans. She told Larry King how much Gay's have supported her career and how much she appreciates that.

Anthony, if you like her music like you did last summer I don't see any reason why you would stop liking her just because her star exploded.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

Anyway, what does everyone else think about her?

There has been tons of discussion about LG on this board.

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=42257

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=43318

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=41577

... are some of the larger threads devoted/largely centered around her.

[tilthefirefades]

Originally Posted by LukeA

There has been tons of discussion about LG on this board.

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=42257

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=43318

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=41577

... are some of the larger threads devoted/largely centered around her.

Thank you for bringing what I already knew to my attention. But really I mostly made this thread out of the recent comments I've read elsewhere concerning Christina copying her, and that LG is better than Madonna.

And Viv, like Bucklind17 kinda said, I find it hard to enjoy her songs anymore with the extreme amount of hype around her.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

Thank you for bringing what I already knew to my attention.

Oh, it was nothing personal- just that such a general question pertaining to such a widely discussed topic inherently calls for a certain amount of retrospection.

[tilthefirefades]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Oh, it was nothing personal- just that such a general question pertaining to such a widely discussed topic inherently calls for a certain amount of retrospection.

True, I should have specified in my first post that I mostly intended the question to be answered concerning the opinions I listed.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

-That people think that Christina Aguilera is copying Lady Gaga.

On her new album/lead single? She absolutely is copying her.. which played a large part as to why the single bombed/arena tour had to be canceled.

[louielouie2000]

There seems to be a generation gap between mine and yours, Anthony. Because I can't think of anyone my age or older who has a single kind word to say about Gaga. But everyone younger than myself seems to worship her. I guess it's that way with Madonna, too. Most everyone my age seems to think she's fantastic... but my parents think she's a no talent. I will say this about Gaga vs Madonna. Madonna was famous for a while, and THEN levied her fame to push boundaries and be provocative. Provocative about gender roles, sexuality, religion, etc. Gaga has made her mark by BEING provocative right out of the gate. And what's she provocative about? Wearing insane stupid clothes? Is that all she's really got to say or contribute? The difference between Madonna and Gaga is that Madonna actually had something to say, a true agenda, walls to tear down. Gaga is just screaming for attention which she obviously didn't get enough of as a child.

[mylittledemon]

I don't find her, or her music appealing whatsoever. Different strokes for different folks.

[ButterCookie]

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

-The fact that people are claiming that she is better than Madonna. Madonna being the woman who, IMO, started the revolution of provocative women in the pop world. Not to mention that she is a true icon.

The people are wrong. Debbie Harry invented provocative pop without getting naked. Come over here and argue that out with me if you dare.

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

-That people think that Christina Aguilera is copying Lady Gaga. Christina being the one alongside Britney Spears who helped shape what Madonna started into modern pop genre and style. Christina had her "dirty" phase back in 02 (I think) and that, to me, was shocking. Only her exception was the talent before and after it to make it worthwhile and enjoyable.

With all due respect to Christina, she was naked first. The album cover for Stripped has her only covered by her hair and a pair of laced up jeans. But Debbie Harry has actually recently hit out at stars like Christina, I quote,

"“People regarded me as overtly sexual in the Seventies but what I did and how I dressed was so tame [compared] with what’s going on now,” says Debbie.
“When I went into the music business there was all this sexiness about because it was anti-establishment but everything has become more extreme.
Christina Aguilera has a won derful voice but I don’t know whether she feels she has to compete by being so overtly sexual or whether it’s a sign of the times,”"

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

Lady Gaga is only doing what Madonna did in the 80's, and what Manson did in the 90's.

And what David Bowie did in the 70's.

I respect her, yes. But I also severely dislike her. She's using the media in the most intelligent way I've ever seen and yet it sickens me. The first time I saw her with the lightning bolt on her face in the Just Dance video I swore for about 10 minutes. I don't understand how no one else noticed. Sorry, has no one SEEN the cover for Aladdin Sane?! I also had to watch the video for Telephone in my Media Studies course and I just didn't know where to look. I didn't want to see her dancing in studded underwear or lying on the bed almost naked let alone see her wrapped in crime scene tape. It also sprung to mind that, if she has so many gay fans, they're not exactly going to react to that are they?

So... yeah she pi$$es me off so much. She's not new, she's not individual and she's a mediocre songwriter. Now I'm going to go put Parallel Lines on.

[Sleepless-Child]

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

The people are wrong. Debbie Harry invented provocative pop without getting naked. Come over here and argue that out with me if you dare.



With all due respect to Christina, she was naked first. The album cover for Stripped has her only covered by her hair and a pair of laced up jeans. But Debbie Harry has actually recently hit out at stars like Christina, I quote,

"“People regarded me as overtly sexual in the Seventies but what I did and how I dressed was so tame [compared] with what’s going on now,” says Debbie.
“When I went into the music business there was all this sexiness about because it was anti-establishment but everything has become more extreme.
Christina Aguilera has a won derful voice but I don’t know whether she feels she has to compete by being so overtly sexual or whether it’s a sign of the times,”"



And what David Bowie did in the 70's.

I respect her, yes. But I also severely dislike her. She's using the media in the most intelligent way I've ever seen and yet it sickens me. The first time I saw her with the lightning bolt on her face in the Just Dance video I swore for about 10 minutes. I don't understand how no one else noticed. Sorry, has no one SEEN the cover for Aladdin Sane?! I also had to watch the video for Telephone in my Media Studies course and I just didn't know where to look. I didn't want to see her dancing in studded underwear or lying on the bed almost naked let alone see her wrapped in crime scene tape. It also sprung to mind that, if she has so many gay fans, they're not exactly going to react to that are they?

So... yeah she pi$$es me off so much. She's not new, she's not individual and she's a mediocre songwriter. Now I'm going to go put Parallel Lines on.

Ha. No. She's not a mediocre songwriter, i have to disagree (damn, i agreed about everything you just said, and you had to ruin it with this last sentence!).
There's nothing harder than writing a pop song, a song you know people will sing it all day long. And i think she's good at that. I remember when i first heard and watched the Poker Face vid, i thought it was terrible. And then, it became my 2009 summer song, and i swear i still sing it a lot.
She uses her "sexy" side a lot, and i have to say that this coul bother me. But then, i think about one thing : what's the 21th century music about ? Answer is, sex, money and business (watch a 50 cent video ). If you are finally able to admit that we're not in the 70's anymore, and that music has really become a business (i hate this idea, but it's true), you'll know that Gaga's the 21th century music icon. May still be the same ol' recipe as Madonna, but it's even more provocative, and that what this generation wants
I'm not that clear, 'cause in my head it's not : Gaga is the archetype of what i hate about music, but in many ways, i like her. Go figure. (or maybe is she just too good.)

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

The people are wrong. Debbie Harry invented provocative pop without getting naked. Come over here and argue that out with me if you dare.

I would agree insofar as Blondie being the most successful (formerly) punk band in history. But I'm not sure there is anything there that is necessarily "provocative." Blondie's image has always been Deborah Harry's over-the-top sexbomb image, but it has always been strangely retro- in a Betty Boop meets Marilyn Monroe meets Ronnie Spector kind of a way. If anything, Patti Smith was the provocateur with her shamelessly androgynous image and her artsy peers.

With all due respect to Christina, she was naked first. The album cover for Stripped has her only covered by her hair and a pair of laced up jeans.

Actually Janet Jackson did it ten years earlier:




I am not a huge LG fan, and she is not the greatest musician in the world, but I do respect her, and I do think she was blessed with an ear for catchy pop music. But more than anything, I do respect her references, even if they are direct copies, e.g., Bowie, early Madonna, etc. And, yes, her image has largely overshadowed her decidedly unremarkable musical ability. But what an image it is! She has had a huge impact on fashion (good and bad), and has brought haute designers like Alexander McQueen in to the mainstream as well as being the creative muse for Dior and Armani. As for her gay following... more power to her. Yes, other musicians have expressed support for gay equality, but it seems that only LG (and maybe Cyndi Lauper) has made it her core mission in life. Is she sincere? Who knows? But I would imagine that she puts herself at risk by taking such a bold, unwavering stance on a very divided issue. If nothing else, she's courageous if not calculated.

By contrast, Christina Aguilera has always been a bit of a lagging opportunist. You can always count on her to grasp onto a trend just as soon as it starts going out of style. Rather than being at the forefront or being a maverick, she is just this amorphous glob of goo that will take on the shape of whatever you throw her into. She's a poseur and she really has no creative compass. Don't get me wrong- she possesses an unworldly voice. Unfortunately that's not enough to nurture an ardent following. She is not the kind of performer that stuns you with her creativity or haunts you with the depth of her artistry. This is why her new music is flopping and she is unable to sell concert tickets- people have finally seen that the empress wears no clothes.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I am not a huge LG fan, and she is not the greatest musician in the world, but I do respect her, and I do think she was blessed with an ear for catchy pop music. But more than anything, I do respect her references, even if they are direct copies, e.g., Bowie, early Madonna, etc. And, yes, her image has largely overshadowed her decidedly unremarkable musical ability. But what an image it is! She has had a huge impact on fashion (good and bad), and has brought haute designers like Alexander McQueen in to the mainstream as well as being the creative muse for Dior and Armani. As for her gay following... more power to her. Yes, other musicians have expressed support for gay equality, but it seems that only LG (and maybe Cyndi Lauper) has made it her core mission in life. Is she sincere? Who knows? But I would imagine that she puts herself at risk by taking such a bold, unwavering stance on a very divided issue. If nothing else, she's courageous if not calculated.

^^ Well said, indeed.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

By contrast, Christina Aguilera has always been a bit of a lagging opportunist. You can always count on her to grasp onto a trend just as soon as it starts going out of style. Rather than being at the forefront or being a maverick, she is just this amorphous glob of goo that will take on the shape of whatever you throw her into. She's a poseur and she really has no creative compass. Don't get me wrong- she possesses an unworldly voice. Unfortunately that's not enough to nurture an ardent following. She is not the kind of performer that stuns you with her creativity or haunts you with the depth of her artistry. This is why her new music is flopping and she is unable to sell concert tickets- people have finally seen that the empress wears no clothes.

Ah, so that's why some of the songs on her latest album sound like a bad ripoff of MIA.

[SapphireSister]

Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass what she looks like, who loves her and doesn't, or what she's trying to represent because for me at the end of the day it's about the music. If I like it I'll listen and if I don't I won't. I'm over the idolizing your favorite pop-star phase (Stevie doesn't count!) so it really makes no difference to me. That being said I really dug the first 2 singles (Just Dance, Poker Face) but haven't really been into any of the songs since then.