Let's talk about Lady Gaga for a second
Why? Because it's my blog and I'll write about Lady Gaga if I want to.
Lady Gaga makes me giggle.
She's saturated with sexuality. Her wardrobes are so over the top. Her image is pure plastic.
But I can't imagine that she takes herself seriously. She's got to be in on the joke. Right?
Look at this photo of her. She's wearing some kind of cyborg spacesuit dress, she's got what appears to be a cutesy blonde wig draped over one eye, and then the kicker: She's rocking a keytar.
Awesome!
Unfamiliar with the keytar? Witness this.
Awesome!
...
I listened to (and enjoyed) "Just Dance" when it came out. And I liked "Poker Face" too. She's got a serious set of pipes (here's proof), which are hidden with computerized effects on her singles. Gaga's got talent.
And today, I've been listening to instrumental versions of her hits, like "Poker Face," "Just Dance" and "Love Game," among others.
I think of those three songs, the only one where Gaga slips up is "Love Game." Listen to the instrumental track. Gaga isn't lying when she says, on the version with lyrics, "This beat is sick." It's a banger.
The weakest thing about the song is her melody. She's got some outrageous lyrics ("I wanna take a ride on your disco stick"), as usual. But her melodies just aren't strong on this one. She spoiled a great track.
But overall, Gaga still makes me chuckle. Keep it real fake, L.G.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I love Lady Gaga! I'm not usually a pop listener, but there is something about her music that really gets me listening. I love the remix of Poker Face too. I can't remember the DJ she worked on it with, but it is awesome! If anyone knows, please forward that info on. She is performing at DAR in September too!
Posted by: BaltBabs | July 2, 2009 9:16 AM
This is from an interview:
"Warhol said art should be meaningful in the most shallow way," she said. "He was able to make commercial art that was taken seriously as fine art, to use something simple and shallow and take it to another planet. That's what I'm doing too. When you listen to a song like 'LoveGame,' is it communicating my soul to you? No ... I make soulless electronic pop. But when you're on ecstasy in a nightclub grinding up against someone and my music comes on, you'll feel soul."
Seems like "Keep it fake" would be a better greeting...But at least she's in on the joke!
Posted by: Chad | July 2, 2009 9:20 AM
Chad! A most excellent suggestion. I reworded the ending. Wonderful!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 2, 2009 9:23 AM
I love the fact that you randomly blogged about Lady Gaga. I love her, and her songs are crazy but amazing.
Posted by: Jay R | July 2, 2009 9:47 AM
an artist that is questioned about her artistic integrity for being poppy quoting warhol?
that never happens.
that being said, i am pretty sure she's aware of what she's doing...exploiting it all. good for her. not really my thing, but good for her.
Posted by: ryan97ou | July 2, 2009 11:11 AM
Lady Gaga truly is an outstanding artist... even if it is fake her fans (I am most definitely one of them) love her and she is very good to them creating an experience more so than just music.
Check out my Lady Gaga blog to explore the depths of LG's artistry.
http://ladygagalove.tumblr.com
Posted by: Al | July 2, 2009 2:29 PM
I still have my keytar from 1987. It still works, and I still jam out on it. Don't hate.
Posted by: Molly Coolz | July 2, 2009 2:29 PM
hate?! keytars RULE!
Posted by: ryan97ou | July 2, 2009 3:04 PM
A coworker of mine, who tired of hearing me hum "Poker Face" one day said, "That Lady Gaga is most definitely a master of her craft." I thought that very accurately described her.
Posted by: Matt | July 2, 2009 9:24 PM
the keytar rocks. Gaga looks like a little girl in that picture haha..it looked like she pouted. the keystar looks bigger than her. hehehe
Posted by: jesse | July 5, 2009 12:07 AM
Hy lady gaga
Posted by: Anonymous | July 6, 2009 4:51 PM
As president of the Keytar Association of America, I am appalled by the continual anti-keytar atttitude put forth by the Baltimore Sun. The issue is not whether the keytar is a true or acceptable musical instrument (it is). What we all need to realize is the keytar itself is art. And without art there is no life.
This may sound cheesy but -- the keytar is life. Think about it.
Posted by: El Presidente | July 10, 2009 11:00 AM
Praiseworthy post! Don’t you just love Lady GaGa! She’s so off the wall. Go GaGa go
Posted by: Evia Bosche | June 18, 2011 5:05 PM