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February 11th, 2011
03:25 PM ET
What's the verdict on Gaga's 'Born This Way'?We know you've heard it by now - Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" has arrived. It's the first single off her new album of the same name - one that she's promised will be "the greatest album of the decade" and is expected to arrive in May. While the message of self-acceptance and individuality rings crystal clear on the up-tempo, disco-driven track, something else is ringing in the ears of quite a few listeners: its similarity to Madonna's 1989 smash, "Express Yourself." A number of listeners are questioning if, in fact, "Born This Way" is really just a rip-off of the Madonna hit. The Chicago Tribune notes that "it sounds so much like the 1989 Madonna classic that it will only fuel the convictions of those who feel that Gaga is just a 21st Century knockoff of the Material Girl, herself a canny appropriator of past genre- and gender-bending artists."
Yet the Washington Post argues that the sound is so similar, it can be nothing but intentional. "The similarities between 'Born This Way' and 'Express Yourself' are too obvious as to be anything other than a giant nod from Lady Gaga to Madonna," the Post writes, and it's a point the U.K.'s The Guardian agrees with. "It doesn't sound copycat," The Guardian muses, concluding that it's "more a knowing nod and a cute wink." MTV advises that listeners should rewind the track and hear it once more. "At first listen, it sounds a lot like a '90s club anthem that could have been pulled right out of Madonna's 'Vogue' period, complete with rhythmic spoken-word parts. But upon a closer listen, Gaga's distinct voice makes the song all hers." But as the Huffington Post's Marissa Moss suggests, perhaps the biggest problem is that the song simply couldn't live up to its own Web-fueled buzz. The anticipation was built month after month, fed a diet of celebrity acknowledgment - Elton John: "This is the new 'I will survive'" - and leaked lyrics. Moss believes that "No matter what it sounded like, for everyone but diehard 'little monsters,' it wasn't going to be enough," and the Twitter reaction was certainly lukewarm. Amidst the many pointing out, just in case you missed it, that the single bears a strong resemblance to Madge's song, were responses like David M.'s. "Sad to say it doesn't live up to the hype. Sounds too much like Madonna, and not enough like Gaga," the tweet reads. "Her other songs are stronger." While Nicole Lynch tweeted that "This is exactly what Lady Gaga needed for her comeback album," Amir Syarif Siregar wasn't as enthused. "What's the right word for below expectation?" the Twitter user inquired. "Disappointing?" Take a listen if you haven't already and tell us what you think.
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I have been browsing online greater than three hours nowadays, but I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It's lovely value sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the internet might be much more helpful than ever before.
I hope she will get back to Bill, if only for a little while (cause we know, with Alan, they can't stay happy for long). They have true love.And maybe we will see Gran again, with the spirits storyline? That would be wonderful!
I always wanted to hear "Express Yourself" mashed with "Vogue". Thankfully the talented and original Lady Gaga has now allowed me to do just that.
Gag Gag
Manufactured to make people believe you were born that way in some sort of contrived BS plot to make kids who don't know any better manipulated into thinking they have someone to relate to when really she's just some rich, privileged, "normal" chick who could never imagine what it could feel to be truly different.
Just bow down and worship, Gaga is amazing.
and unlike Madonna, she will stop when it just gets sad (hint hint madonna)
Are you sure you would like Madonna to retire? What will Lady Gaggy do then? Its a known fact that without a host, the parasite cannot survive. So it would be goodbye Madonna, see you later, Lady Garbage.
It is just contrived crap about stuff nobody gives a rats as* but is so dear to her.
Crap.
Gaga is nothing original. She is a Madonna reborn only more perverse, more in everyway that Madonna is in the glory of her ilustrious career. She is a ripoff of Madonna.
I always liked Madonna, and she sure did push the erotic envelope at times. But I never truly appreciated how talented Madonna is until Lady Garbage came along to steal Madonnas vibe, and puke it back out like she can take credit for it. Wrapped in a big steaming pile of ugly, thats how we get Lady Gadonna, 2.0.
I have no opinion about Lady Ga-donna (lol, see what I did there?), whether she's good or bad... but I will admit that when she began performing her song at the Grammy's, I was in the other room and the first thing I heard was "Madonna – Express Yourself". I am in no way a fan of either ladies, yet I know the song. This isn't the first song of hers that is directly comparable... look at
"Alejandro" = "La Isla Bonita"
"Bad Romance" = "Vogue"
"Born This Way" = "Express Yourself"
Just to name a few. BUT!!!! The funniest thing is that she's beating a dead horse with this "Gay-Lesbian-Transgendered" revolutionary acceptance message. Madonna already did it back in the 80's and 90's and this is partly why this life-style is widely accepted in the Entertainment business. And rightfully So!
Lady Ga-donna seems to be idolizing and revitalizing her childhood musical heroine, Madonna! I will admit, I play guitar and man, everytime i play for people they all say I sound, hold my guitar/present myself just like Jimmy Page. Compliments!!!! So, it seems to me that I'm widely influenced by my childhood musical hero as well. Does that make me a "rip-off" artist? I don't think so. BUT... they should go check out her bedroom to see if it's plastered from wall to wall/floor to ceiling of Madonna, and plots to resurrect her music through Lady Gaga.
Maybe she feels that this lifestyle (G-L-T/G) needs more respect, who knows. I'm just a dude with a little too much time on my hands. Like everyone else here blogging about it.
Just like Bob Marley, Peace & One Love!
Vacuous!
I love most of Gaga's songs, but not this one. It's doesn't have a catchy sound, and it's overly preachy. You can get a message across in music without being so direct. And even more importantly, I think the repreated refrain of "I was born this way" actually undermines the message. "I was born this way" is a defensive statement. It's something you say when you don't like who you are but can't do anything about it. Wouldn't it have been better if the lyrics said "I like who am am - and if you don't, tough"? Not those exact words, of course, because they suck, and because they're too direct. Gaga is extremely creative. She should have been able to create a song that expressed a true message of self appreciation in a poetic, catchy, aggressive way.
Lady Garbage isn't so creative, but the artists she plagiarizes ARE creative. Thats why she uses their ideas, and not her own. She obviously couldn't get anywhere using her own boring "girl and a piano" schtick. She's a whole lot of boring, dressed up in a dazzling amount of ugly.
"Madonna is nothing but a fad.... she will disappear from the radar soon." – said by ignorant people around 1984
"Gaga is nothing but a fad.... she will disappear from the radar soon." – ditto 2011
Yes, but Madonna was able to change and evolve. Lady Garbage is a one trick pony – all she offers is one dimensional ugly. And she acts like its somehow revolutionary. Her meat dress? Explore Carolee Schneeman's "Meat Joy." Lady Garbge is an ace plagiarist, nothing more. Nothing orginal about rehashing other peoples art.
Gaga is a satantist, all her songs are directed to satan, you don't have to be religious to see it....I've kicked her to the kerb to much of a freakin wierdo, and who sits in an egg for 3 days....and then goes on TV with horns in her head stating its for aid victims....yeah right your satanic cult created the man made disease you freakin Illumanti...
Your observation would do much to explain why someone as banal as Lady Garbage would be so famous in the worldly sense. That, and her diet of cocaine, whiskey, and bi – ism that she loves to blab about to anyone who will listen. If a girl who will travel around New York in her underwear in zero degree weather isn't pathetically desperate for attention, I don't know who is. I guess they must have lost her meat dress at the dry cleaners.
It's not bad, but I was expecting something more groundbreaking. The hype was just so huge and it really doesn't live up to it all.
I hope the rest of the new album is stronger.
It's very disappointing. It sounds nothing like Lady Gaga, but it definitely sounds like Madonna. I'm not impressed.
EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS A MADONNA RIPOFF! EVERYTHING. I don't think she has an original bone in her body.
Honestly Lady Gaga sounds like a Madonna Tribute Band.
So very little originality in her music… Not a bad vocalist, but when I asked my wife which Madonna song was playing she told me it was Lady Gaga. Her keyboard chops are at best 5 out of 10… She definitely needs to practice more piano!
Honestly I find her mediocre, not horrible but certainly not what I would consider great. Maybe if she did something original I might be swayed, but as for now I rate her as FAIR.
So, how much is CNN being paid to promote Miss Germanotta's new song?
Maybe if Lady Gagme would do ORIGINAL stuff people would stop hating on her.
and sorry but if you think she is original or shocking you must live a sheltered life.
Stop being a blind sheep.
Just because its on the same Key of Express Yourself doesn't mean its a blatant rip off. Gaga has always said Madonna is one of her idols and said that Madonna's people emailed her saying Madge liked the song and gave it her blessing! So this should be over with
Sorry "monsters" that finally someone loves you but doesn't live up to the hype only YOU seem to have for them.
A lot of gags songs sound like other peoples songs..... madonna, prince and so on.
She is NOT original, no shocking, not talented. She IS a persona for the rejects to gravitate to. She loves gays and gays are a huge fanbase. She should stop trying so hard and actually do some original material then maybe people wouldn't hate so much on her.
She ONLY plays piano.... unlike hmm say PRINCE who can play every single instrument and DOES write all his own songs and songs for other performers.
Gaga came at a time when the unloved needed someone to love them. I will give her that credit but that is all the credit she deserves.
Anyone who thinks this song is great or is some new sort of anthem for something has not been listening to music that long, or does not have a firm grasp of pop music history and its place in culture or society. Furthermore, it is simply not memorable, except in its resemblance to 'Express Yourself' and any number of ABBA songs – which as far as the latter is concerned, goes for all of her music. Elton John was the most innovative mainstream musical force of his time, but he is no longer that culturally relevant, so of he would try to make himself so by saying something as preposterous as 'BTW' being the new 'I Will Survive' – which is could NEVER be. 10, 25, 50 years from now, people at parties, weddings, etc. will still be dancing and singing along to Gloria Gaynor, while Lady Ho Hum will have taken her rightful place as a footnote in pop music history. Everyone needs to settle down.
HOW DO YOU WAKE UP LADY GAGA IN THE MORNING?
POKK KKER FACE
LadyBoy Gaga has aPenis.
Gaga is honest!
Its an okay song – not as good as some of the others she has put out = doesn't live up to the hype. I'm confused as to why she hyped the song so much – its not great and it does sound like a ripoff of madonna – i guess she just wanted the extra press
Word is that Madonna sent a note to Lady Gaga this week expressing (no pun intended) her good wishes and support. If Madonna's ok with it...'nuff said.
I think the buzz about this original music pariah has been so overstated and rated from day one. She can write, she can sing and she can play the piano…great, but I don’t think she is all that new, original or inventive with what she is doing. I accept her for what she is…someone who has been greatly influenced by Grace Jones, Madonna, Tori Amos, and cheesy rock girls from the 90s. The song isn’t terrible, it’s just ok…yes, I hear Express Yourself and Vogue…who cares – In five years it will be someone new that we are having this same conversation about.
I love this song. If someone else doesn't like it, don't listen to it.
The first time I heard the song, I wasn't all that impressed. I mean, I liked it, but not in the way I'd really liked Lady Gaga's previous music. The more I listen to it though it's growing on me.
I think the way they put it in the article expresses how I feel in comparison to Madonna:
"It doesn't sound copycat," The Guardian muses, concluding that it's "more a knowing nod and a cute wink."
Also, Lady Gaga has made no secret about her musical influences. She totally gives credit to the 80s for being a major influence on her music and has made mention that her album would have that sort of 80s pop-rock feel. Madonna isn't her only influence, but it is pretty obvious in this song.
Lady Gaga is milking the gay cow. Madonna was new and original. I want a gay male to singer to sing the next "I Will
Survive" anthem. Camp has its limits.
What comes around goes around. Talk about much to do about nothing! Madonna should be happy that she is in the news – thanks to Gaga. Madonna WAS great but it's now 2011! People who still listening to Madonna are gay men in their 40's and 50's or some club kids or drag queens. I know – they are my friends.
There is no "NEW" music!! Stick around for awhile and you have heard it before and you will hear it again!
Damn, enough of this bimbo already!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u48oWMGZR3E
No, not similar at all. *eyes rolling*
Of course many young people love it. Back when Reagan was President they cut music appreciation & band from public schools. Remember Reagan saying, "It's a new morning in America." and the sunshine from that new morning brought light to America's lower intestines? Frank Zappa warned that in 30 years, adults would be so musically ignorant that they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between music and crap. Well, here we are. Lady Gaga is a genius and Captain Beefheart dies without notice. As the Captain wrote, "A carrot is as close as a rabbit gets to a diamond."
Don't hate the criminal-hate the crime.Or as the cathaholics say-don't hate the sinner -hate the sin. Or....how 'bout
Don't hate lady gaga-hate yourself (for even participating in this useless self serving blog.)
Well said leonard.By the way-aren't you dead? Anyway thanks for the insightful post.Only the people in the record biz that wanted to keep their jobs would speak well of madonna back in the day when she had a more varied fan base which eventually dribbled down to older sicker gay men and older post feminist women who inevitably became soccer moms who taught their daughters that madonna's selling of her flesh for money was "empowering to women" and a good thing to emulate.Well that phase has passed in our culture and now what will lady gaga's fans teach their children in 10 or 20 years? I hate to even speculate on that .Too scary!
Well.....it was bad enough in the 80's watching madonna trying to sell herself to the local ny Dj's and dancing on nightclub floors when they spun records desperately hoping they would play her demo cassettes.The internet has changed everything and we will dumb down even further than this recent turn of events featuring lady gaga.Thank the lord the internet wasn't around when madonna started her career.The present lady gaga would be 3 times lower on the food chain as far as
consciousness goes and 10 times more popular.
UMm. Gaga sux and has always sucked. Just shows how unoriginal artists are these days. Fn circus performer. Cudi & MJJ forever.
Gaga was an interesting blip on pop radar, but get real! Bowie, Boy George, Pete Burns, Dee Snider, Marilyn Manson, Iggy Pop, Madonna, Marilyn ("Calling Your Name"), Elton John, and MANY others...., ALL have been there, done that. Much like Adam Lambert who was a flash in the transgender pan, Gaga is getting played out. There's nothing we haven't seen before, unless you count the 13-year-old fans. But they're already listening to Bieber anyway.
OK, I haven't read all the comments, and I get the "Express Yourself" parallels, but at least the melody sounds much more like "Waterfalls" to me.
It clearly worked! You are all on here talking about it and fueling the buzz around both her and her music. All of her efforts, like them or not, have been sucessful. Pat yourselves on the back, especially those who don't enjoy her music.
Every songwriter takes inspiration from those who came before. That being said this song is a little too much like the Madonna song.
It's amazing how many negative comments are here complaining about an artist that actually has a very strong set of vocals...My guess is most of you haters haven't actually listened to her music. One performance does not eqaul her whole portfolio, but you would much rather talk about things you know nothing about. Also, I am a fan of both Madonna and Gaga and have listened to Express yourself many many times. They are very different ; the lyrics and words. However very similar meaning...of course most music follows similar themes.
She's so FANTASTIC and it's ALL positive. Hate on haters; it sucks to be you!
Aside from sounding like a mash-up of every top 40 Madonna song; it is preposterous for someone so obviously uncomfortable in there own skin to sing a song about accepting ones self.
I love the song – it makes me feel good. Lady GaGa is the consummate performance artist. I respect her and everything she does – I'm not some kid – I'm 60 and proud to be "born this way"!
So what? When Madonna first reached stardom we were all so upset because she was a Cindy Lauper rip-off. She even imitated Cindy's dress style – that big bow on the head. Cindy Lauper had was such a better singer and then look Madonna became so much more successful imitating Cindy Lauper then Cindy Lauper did.
Madonna should get royalties from this song! Blatant rip-off. Am I the only one who thought the egg looked like a big tick?
I thought Lady Gaga's performance was very entertaining. Should she send a check or two to Madonna for inspiration?
Probably, but Madonna ripped off Marilyn Monroe and countless others for inspiration too. All artists, regardless of their
chosen genre, are inspired by and build upon what came before them. Maybe imitation really is the sincerest form of
flattery.
Yes, it looked and sounded like Madonna. And yes, it was awesome. Catchy and good choreography. Lady knows how to entertain and is a performance artist. So what if it sounded like Madonna. Those young artists did that piece on the 50s. Is anyone on their case? Let Gaga be Gaga.
You are all nuts!
I don't see any similarities between these songs. Express yourself is and will be one of the greatest songs off all times.
And this one will be as well!
If Madonna had released this song, no one would question that it was her. It totally sounds like a 90s Madonna song, only not nearly as polished or catchy.
Born this way = Express yourself
Alejandro = Fernando (ABBA)
I'm sure there's plenty more rip offs, but I'm sure you people get the point.
Born this way = Express yourself (Madonna didn't get any credit for it)
Alejandro = Fernando (ABBA), and La Isla Bonita (Madonna), and mostly Ace of Base (none of them got credit)
Poker Face = Ma Baker (Boney M) on top of a reworked Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics) (none of them got credit)
The video for Eh Eh (Nothing else) is another "Italians do it Better" by Madonna in Papa Don't Preach
Holding a cup of tea during interviews = Madonna did it before
Saying she had a penis = Madonna did it in 1992 (though by then, everybody understood it figuratively)
Not to mention the cone bra, and other looks that go back to Madonna, Dale Bozzio and others.
Alejandro = listen to Ace of Base's 90s classic album The Sign. It could belong on that album, like right after the track "Don't Turn Around"
I despise electronica more than you can imagine. I stopped listening to Madonna in 1986 (after 'Like a Virgin'). I have heard 'Express Yourself' more than I ever wanted to and I endured this song just so that I could give an informed opinion. That said, to me, the songs bear nothing more than a passing similarity. Get over it.
Not a huge Gaga fan, but not a hater either. I really wanted to give her a pass for being such a "creative artist," but lately I'm starting to feel like her quest for pushing her art is more like a quest for attention (and topping herself). Unfortunatley, it's starting to wear on people and her "eggisode" only took away from the message of the song, which is similar to Madonna, which I thnk was on purpose. She sold her "craziness" versus selling the sone last night, would of done better to have gay teens,soliders, etc. to back her up instead of dancing condoms. P.S. Did anyone see Laurieann Gibson speak for her on the carpet, they really believd their own hype!??!
They really are drinking their own kool-aid, arent they?!
Tired of people comparing this woman to Madonna and saying she's the Madonna for this generation. Whatever. This woman cannot even be put in the same category as Madonna so she should quit truing to rip her off.
She is nothing but a copy cat. I liked her at first because I thought she was original but no, she steals bits and pieces from a lot of different people and hopes no one notices, and unfortunately a lot of people don't. And that egg? Ridiculous.
Lets just sing and not do all that theatrical crap. And get a fashion designer with some taste.
Usher got my butt and LadyBoy GaGa put her big weiner in my mouth...IM such a F-ing FA GG OT
Does indeed sound like Madonna – first time I heard it, thought it WAS Madonna that had come out with a new song. Not saying one way or the other if Gaga is trying to rip off or not (could care less, to tell the truth) – just commenting on how it sounds.
OMG Its the new Pink Floyd – Dark Side of The Moon..../sarcasm
I doubt Gaga will be on the charts for 14 years like Floyd though
I really like the song but was disappointed in the performance at the Grammy's, I didn't think it lived up to the hype and the song doesn't really live up to the hype either. The song does sound similar to Madonna's stuff but I don't see anything wrong with that, Gaga probably grew up listening/watching people like Madonna so of course she is influenced by those experiences.
You can download the Born This Way mp3 for free at http://www.fileserve.com/file/Yb4zhzU
Unay-mouse-puss. What a clown. All that matters is H.I.M. stands for "hiding in muff". Its all good though. Come on over and meet my friend Ben....Ben Dover. Eat it!!!
He Bebe bieber. Would you poker face
Mr Unanymous. Either spell correctly or use a dictionary. You wanna keep your gay comments to the blog for fruits. If u wanna hit the hershey highway, that is your choice. The p-shoot is all yours!! The Biebster doesn't take dudes with tiny wangs.
Hey unanymous. Nice name. As Dr Cid stated it was already clarified above by Paul and others. Don't state the obvious. You can ride my disco stick just for being a fruit!! The Bieber has spoken. Booze it up!!
Not too many people here have a clue as to the person CaCa has really knocked off during her 15 minutes of fame. Dale Bozzio would be that person. Madonna also knocked off Dale Bozzio. It goes back further... The whole look, the persona, the antics – it's all Dale, top to bottom. The "nod" is going to madonna without merit.
You are correct my friend And let's not forget Dale Bozzio's excellent rendition of Frank Zappa's poetry, when she played "Mary, the girl from the bus.":
Knowledge is not Wisdom,
Wisdom is not Truth,
Truth is not Beauty,
Beauty is not Love,
Love is not Music,
Music is the Best.
Even if this song is meant to be like Madonna's "Express Yourself," remember imitation is the best form of flattery.
I'd rather listen to a good message telling people to love themselves regardless of who they are than some of the junk
lyrics of other singers.
unanymous-Your comments are totally unrelated to the subject matter on this board How dumb can you be for not seeing the importance of that and going someplace where people actually care about what you have to say?
Just saw the gaga performance....Nothing special in the least and she was either lipsynching part or all of it or singing along with a backing track. All she needed was cone bras and it could have been a Madonna tribute. Oh yeah, one more thing...She can't dance worth a crap.
I have a tough time respecting anyone who intentionally calls herself ga-ga. And it most certainly does sound a lot like "express yourself" by Madonna. But I must, grudgingly, admit that I like this better. I never liked "express yourself" very much to begin with. If this is a re-make, it's re-made better. But I don't think this woman will ever approach the goddess-like position of Madonna – especially with a name like ga-ga.
HIM is a reference to God. How dumb can you people be to not know that?
Dude --with the poor spelling-–HIM can stand for many things....Duh use the net to look it up!
GaGa can be a talented songwriter and has a great voice but Madonna seems to have a better sense of melody and better production (certainly William Orbit/Ray of Light disc), this cut sounds a little "busy"
They say tends come back every 20 years so his 15 minutes of fame will hopefully won't last longer then 10 years.
Hey kelsi. The only thang u should be feelin is my disco stick. Come on over to camp Bieber and I will rock your world. Let's party down and I will check out your moves...under the sheets. The Biebster wants to introduce u to my friend...Ben Dover. Booze it up.
After all the tweets, Facebook posts, etc. Gaga has posted about the song these past several months, I thought it'd be life-changing, monumental, or, at the very least, a really good, really original song. Was it any of those things? For me, definitely not. And I'm usually a big Gaga fan. I'm just really not feeling it.
The song in no way emulates Madonna's "Express Youself" to me. I just don't think GaGa's new song is that great.
Are you kidding? Very similar melodic cadences and chord changes.
I am gonna introduce Gaga to my new friend, Ben. His name is Ben Dover. I am gonna rock that poop shoot. We iz gonna be a hot couple and rock the media world. The Biebster is gonna slam dat bootie!!
The Biebster is gonna travel the hershey highway. I wanna check out that freak gaga and pound it out. We gonna be a hot new crazy couple. Wait for the rags to let this story loose. U gonna catch a photo with gaga wearing a big ol strap-on and taking it to the Bieber p-shoot. Its gonna be hot!!!
How sad...what an obvious copycat of Madonna.
The Biebster is here to stay! I am gonna rock her world. U think she is hot...no way! I am the superstar of the future. I want to hook up with gaga and rock her world. Time for the Biebster to party down under the sheets!!
My tunes are sooo much better. This gaga stuff is overrated! She can ride my disco stick, baby!! Come on gaga. Put on a meat dress and let's get crazy!!! -Bieber
There was soo much hype about this song before it was released that I expected A LOT more from it.. its just okay :\
this song is lame! and i like catchy stuff and it is LAME! a total knock off not a tip of any hat. & also gaga looks like she could be marilyn mansons sister in all the album art . way 2 b original lady
They are both very talented and powerful women. Kudos to them both. Madonna had the harder job of being outrageous in a time that it was a totally out of the box move. She paved the way for Lady Gaga. This is what has happened throughout history. Those who show courage first make it easier for the next person. Look at Tunisia and Egypt. Tunisia inspired Egypt and that is a good thing. Madonna inspired Lady Gaga and that is a good thing.
God help us if you're comparing Lady Gaga to Egypt.
Gaga's entire act is a rip off of not just Madonna, but Elton John as well. The whole spectacle thing is so Seventies. The whole disco\techno thing is so eighties....boooorrrrring.
Hey everyone – CALM DOWN!!! It's just supposed to be a feel good pop song. sheesh!!
Lady Gaga is a copycat, and it is the reason she got this far. She tries to be Madonna in every minute of her life, or Kylie, or Birtney, or Grace, and the song is obviously a copy of a song of Madonna, even with the style of Vogue. She already copied Madonna in Bad Romance video, and she is doing it again. Britney Spears never copied anyone, she grew being herself, and this is why I still think Britney is the reigning one after Madonna. I can not understand the buzz of this Born this way.
I was left asking myself, 'What is this'?. I don't care whether Lady Gaga used stuff from Madonna's 1989 "Express Yourself" or from any other artists as long as Lady Gaga's version is as good or better than the piece of reference, i.e Whitney Houston's remake of Dally Parton's "I will always love you". To my very musically untalented ears, the lyrics from this new single of Lady Gaga are just okay and the melodies/tunes have no directions and are all over the place. I think "Born This Way" should not have been a single or at the least, it should not have been the first single. I mean, this song came from the talented Lady Gaga the Artist, the Writer, the Performer and the Business Woman... . Disappointment doesn't convey how I felt after I heard this song!
I don't like her or hate her. It worries me that people are saying positive message and gay anthem thats fineand dandy BUT has anyone read her interviews. Why would anyone want advice or give so much positive influence credit to a girl who continues to admit her 'artistry' is fueled by COCAINE. Shocking nobody mentions that litte fact LADY GAGA HERSELF admits. And she's a role model/and preaching to todays youth...truly sad. °
21 ST CENTURY VERSION OF MADONNA
New Gay jam for 2011; toodles.
I think it's pretty obvious that she's imitating Madonna intentionally. The pointy gun bra and now this is giving her tons of free publicity. Any publicity is good publicity and all the fools who cant see through this are giving her what she wants. ie. This article!
Yesterday I was listening to so vintage modonna and Michael Jackson – gaga is just no where near no where and will be soon forgotten
GAGA is a wannabe Madonna. Just listened to this song and yep EXPRESS YOURSELF comes to my ears. Too bad cause GAGA has the pipes to come out with some good stuff instead of copying the Queen of Pop. Now I personally think Rhianna is very original and really like all of her stuff. I use to love Beyonce but she needs to re-invent her music. It will be interesting to see how many of today's artists can sustain their star power across the decades. In my generation (I am 61 and have seen many artists make a blip on the radar and then vanish within 5 years), just a handful of mega stars have endured the test of time: Michael Jackson, Elvis, Beatles, Sinatra, Madonna, Whitney, Mariah, Nat King Cole, Bee Gees, Queen, Marvin Gaye, Zeppelin, Prince (and several others whose music is still revered to this day ...)!
Lady Gaga is a man ! Elton John is in love ! Happy Valentine's you two.
On first listen, crap, pure crap. And I am a fan of lady gaga
Don't forget to mix in The Gap Band's "You dropped a bomb me" with Express Yourself and Vogue.
Of course it only takes 10 minute to write when it's been done before.
I hope these artists will receive royalty checks for their work.
Who cares!
It's a big let down. I'm a big fan of hers and I really felt this song fell short compared to her others. I don't like the sound and I feel like I can't relate to it.
I'M A FAN, BUT 1ST TO ADMIT, MADONNA CAN'T SING. SHE'S A GREAT CIRCUS PERFORMER WHOSE DEATH OF HER MOTHER DROVE HER TO A LOT OF STUPIDITY IN HER LIFE. ONE OF WHICH SHE'S NAKED ON A FLORIDA HIGHWAY HITCHING A RIDE. I'M SURE HER CHILDREN ARE PROUD OF THAT. SHE NEEDS TO COME BACK TO HER CHILDHOOD WAYS AND NOT HER NEWFOUND KABALA WAYS. MADONNA, YOU'RE NOT JEWISH!
Who cares if it sounds like a Madonna song? Musicians are constantly doing throwbacks to earlier generation's hits. If I cried every time Kanye or some other rapper sampled somebody else's music (She take my money, when I'm in need...), I'd be whining A LOT, and his copying is much more blatant!
Honestly, why is everybody shifting focus from the point of the song? I understand that she turns all our prejudices back on us; Is it really that hard for us to handle? Do we have to turn a message so pure and simple into a bunch of bull to sleep at night?
I love "Born This Way." That's just my personal opinion, and it doesn't matter whether you love or hate it.
It DOES sound like Madonna's Express Yourself. All the hype over this song and this is what we get? Its not original and as far as Im concerned, a huge disappointment .
May be true sounds a little like madonna's . But I love this song. Lady gaga has a unique style and voice the lyric is awesome . I am sure its already a hit..
As gay men in SF, CA of course we respect & enjoy Gaga's BORN THIS WAY.
But our true Queen is Madonna!
Tomorrow we celebrate our 14 year anniversary.
255th
I accidentally stumbled upon the song last night. This is the first time I have heard anything she did. I like the lyrics and hope some day someone sets them to music.
@ Mo
re: Okay, if everyone says itÂ’s like Express Yourself, well thats good, cause im a HUGE Lady GaGa and IÂ’ve never heard Express Yourself and Born This Way is way better, just sayinÂ’.
» Umm just curious... if you NEVER HEARD 'Express Yourself' how can you proclaim that 'born this way' is "way better" ? You are a huge
RÉTa®Ded Lady Gaga (fan?)... I'm just saying
P.S. I've Never actually tasted Steak but chicken's way better I'm just saying... see how ŠÚpid that sounds?
I previewed the album, and like the previous one it is nowhere close to being as enjoyable as her first. Seems to be just recycling the same tunes from other artists. I went to one of her concerts and it was generally entertaining. Seems as though her whole shock artist momentum is running out of steam. So expect her to continue to push herself on the public more and more if this album tires quickly. I don't see it being pretty. And for those who will attack my comment, i do like some of her music, but don't just put out garbage to keep yourself in the spotlight.
Lady Gaga is the new Madonna (with obvious and intentional similarities,) and kudos to her for it. If you don't like her, change the station, don't buy the songs, simple as that.
Ok all you guys need to stop bashing lady gaga because every and I do mean every singer/song writer has/had help from some talented artest. I dont know much about the so called "queen of pop" madona but I like lady gaga and so what if lady gaga did creat a song that sounds like madona?? Thats up to them. Your a**es dont have to listen to her. You guys just enjoy bashing celebs cuz they have money and talent and you dont. So all you guys and girls can get off your high-horses about them and just listen to some other music.
I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this, but i wasted 5 minutes of my valuable life reading people actively engaged in whether or not 'lady gaga's new song is good'...it's about time most of you a) got a life and b) stop judging and putting down others' (it just shows the blatant self-hatred you feel inside). who cares really...if you like i, listen to it, if not then turn the station. seriously.
I agree in theory but that sounds pretty judgemental to me....hypocrite
Lady gaga is disgusting. She is way to full of herself. She thinks she is soooo groundbreaking, interesting and original, but she is nothing more than a COPYCAT! Completely unoriginal, completely uninteresting, completely ridiculous.
Not my favorite gaga single but still worth the purchase!
To be honest, I really like this song and I love it's message. Yes, you can hear a similar melody to "Express Yourself" and it sounds like the two songs are written in the same key, but SO FREAKIN WHAT? If you study music history at all, basically every popular song ever written can be compared to another song that came before it. Even if Lady Gaga sounds like Madonna (and yes, she certianly does), she makes the music sound INTERESTING and EXCITING again. This is something that other artists, like Britney Spears (no talent ass clown), have tried to do and failed.
I'm sure the mindless minions will love it. Gaga and her marketing/studio geniuses laugh all the way to the bank. You people are so predictable.
Aww thanks Super Queen! I love you and Lady Gaga too. I just hate it how people don't have a life so they have to judge someone else's.
Cheesballs foreva!
What an aweful song! It doesn't help that some radio stations are forcing it upon us every hour!
Awesome!!!!
It's like a mashup of Express Yourself (chorus) and Don't go Chasing Waterfalls by TLC (the rest of the song). Not original at all. While the rest of her stuff has a Madonaa influence, she was able to make it her own. But this sounds so much like someone else's song it doesn't work for me.
this song is utter crap...heck ALL music is crap now.
Everyone can get Born this way for free online at Target.com. Courtesy of Gaga!
If you wanna hear a real artist, check out http://www.reverbnation.com/shirleylevi Totally original and TRULY inspiring....
The song is unoriginal! Sadly, Gaga is pure hype and theatricality. She lacks real talent!
I won't be surprised if lady gaga had already talked to madonna about this song. Maybe they will make a song together?!!!
I was really disappointed.. I think it's painfully boring. I feel like I've already heard it a million times before.
If it is a knock off, did anyone stop to think that Gaga went ahead with Madonna's blessing. They happen to be fans of one another. Modonna has been to Gaga's concerts. I happen to be a fan of both ladies – Madonna paved the way and now she's passed the baton on to Lady Gaga; kudos to both women – show some love people!!!
Disappointing is the best way to describe it. Rip off or not, it is just plain disappointing.
Yes, the Madonna references are deliberate. Gaga uses pop culture references in all her work, and Madonna is one of them. But the songs really aren't much alike once you listen to Born This Way a few times. It's actually much more influenced by Giorgio Molodor 70s disco – violins, synthesizers, handclaps, loops, beats. Express Yourself is a rather hip but also shallow and lukewarm disco beat, Born This Way is full on rock n roll, in a disco context, except the four-bar turnaround at the beginning is pure early 60s guitar riffing, except that it's on synthesizers. That's Gaga, not Madonna. In heart and spirit, if it resembles anyone other than Gaga, it resembles "We are Family" by Sister Sledge, another great dance/disco/gay/women's anthem.
This is a total rip off! Now if you are not over the age of 30, it won't seem that way. But then again, anyone over the age of 30 shouldn't be listening to GaGa anyway so who cares what we think! What's old is new again, I guess!
I'm a fan of the GaGa but I didn't like the song. I get the message, and that's great and all but its too riffed off the 80s and WAY TOO OVER HYPED!!
So many harsh critics. I'm glad that all of you are such great musicians and so talented in all you do that it inspires thousands worldwide with every single going platinum overnight, all of which are still in the top charts in most
places. I just heard the song and I don't hate it. It's pretty good the second time around and if you havent heard it yet just tune on to ANY radio station. I've never seen a song get so much attention from the media in my life. So really whatever attention you give her wether its blindly loving everything she does, or hating her without ever having given her a chance to even having a valid unbiased opinion of her work. It doesn't matter because she is #1.
Lady Gaga is very unique, I don't compare her to Madonna. I'm interested in seeing what she is going to wear at the Grammy's tomorrow night – she never disappoints and is very vocal with her choice of clothing. I wouldn't be surprised if Madonna came out and introduced Lady Gaga to sing – that wouldn't be a shock!
I am the talentless dancemachine here to deliver all the Lady Gaga haters a message: r u earning millions of dollars? R u going on a world wide tour? Would u like to? Well, TOO BAD! You aren't Lady Gaga. You don't have her vocal ability. So therefore you don't have any reason unless you are the pop goddess, MADONNA!
Ok Little Drone. Now, make sure you kneel before Lady Gaga poster tonight and pray to your God. Superficial cheeseball.
dancemachine I love you and Lady Gaga! We "cheeseballs" have to stick together. You shouldn't listen to mindless personal attacks. Also, I bet you have some talent.
What's the different between a Little Drone and an Scientologist?
Nothing.
I find all the "trash talk" very odd. I listen to Pop music and when I don't like an artist or a particular song I always ignore the offending "thing". I certainly don't search for information regarding said artist or song and sling nasty comments. I'd like to hear something constructive from the crowd that doesn't find this tune appealing and "it's an Express Yourself clone" isn't very original or true. I bought Express Yourself, both versions, when it was released and this music isn't remotely similar. Anyone who is a Dance music connoisseur would never make such a ridiculous comparison. Born This Way is very good Dance music. Some people who have very narrow taste in music think all Dance music sounds the same. Educate your musical palate people.
Ahhh, "Express Yourself!" That's the tune I was trying to think of when I heard the Gaga tune just yesterday. I knew, immediately, the Gaga tune had a very familiar run of vocals, beat or melody but I was thinking "Vogue" – and it does have similarities there as well – but "Express Yourself" does seem a much better match for what Gaga's new tune sounds like. At least I was in the ballpark!
Madonna knock-off, no immaculate conception here.
Maybe she and Kanye can pat each others back for a while.
Bottom line you ask? Listen, I am a fan of Gaga, she has had some really awesome, artistic, dynamic moments with her music and her image, she is legit....BUT, while I appreciate the affirmative nature of her new song, the song ITSELF is a steaming pile of crap...it's really, really dated, and really really bad...the production value is horrible, her vocals sound tired and unoriginal, and the song is completely uninspired....she is capable of greatness, I have no doubt, but this song is bad, so lets get real, forget about all your little hard-ons for Gaga, and be real about how bad this song is....
I really couldn't agree more! I mean I loooooove Gaga, but everything about this song is so far from her. How could she let us all down?
I've never been a huge Lady Gaga fan, she can sing but her songs make me want to vomit. I'm not big on the whole disco pop sound. That being said, I think this song is nowhere near as good as the songs on her first album. I didn't like them, but they were catchy and got stuck in my head. I think I've probably heard this song 2-3 times on the radio and each time it's pretty forgettable.
Gaga's song is a very forgettable song and they are already breaking the cardinal rule of promotion....OVEREXPOSURE... They have flooded the airways so much with this song in the last 24 hours or so that people are already getting sick of hearing it. I was in a car with a friend of mine and when the song came on she immediately changed the channel...When I asked if she hated the song or something, she said "no not really but enough is enough already"....
I like it. Didn't QUITE live up to the hype, but wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I am not even going to read the rest of the comments on here as I know they will be filled with vitrolic spewings by people who have to give a sickened look every time anyone mentions pop music. Music snobbery is truly the silliest thing-and I say this being a prior music snob! It's music. You don't have to get so worked up hating it. I personally do not like Justin Bieber or understand the appeal, but nor do I take every opportunity given to scream 'BAWWWW! JUSTIN BIEBER! HEEZZ SOO GAY! H0W KOOLD U LISTEN TO DAT SHET?!' in a crowded room. It only lowers your iq about sixty points.
Lady gaga doesnt give a fuuqqcck. shes not a copycat.who even cares about madonna now a days really? media can go suck camel balls. (: that goes along with all the people on here who like to just talk spit on gaga.
Furthermore, I bet most of the people here who "love Lady Gaga but hate this song" actually hate the tolerance message this song sends with regard to gays and others who are different. Bigotry is ugly but it's also painfully obvious.
This is the same low quality crap Gaga has been putting out all along and Interscope thinks we won't figure out that they are syncing Gaga's voice with beat rythm and harmony to create a chanting effect. Chanting is of course, a form a hypnosis and is a standard technique cults use to overwhelm their victims auditory systems so as to create an altered state of consciousness in their victims, to make cult victims more easy to program and indoctrinate. By overwhelming auditory center of brain with crap Interscope is peddling by way of Lady Gaga "le hired hand" is a very effective way to give the more weakminded of us what amounts to a drug high to get listeners addicted to this waste of time product, so Interscope, as with any drug dealer, can get a garenteed buyer to rip off for financial gain- and take business away from legitimate artists who really want to make, sell and promote a good product. S.O.S.
Nobody with an ounce of self-respect would defend this. It's not a tribute, it's the same damn song. This woman is a fraud.
I'm detecting the "powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity". Why do you bother exposing yourself to something you find offensive and fraudulent?
Who give a flying FK
This song is terrible, Im a fan up pop culture, but we need some fresh stuff! Nice try, but hard miss.
I absolutely love Gaga's new song! As a lesbian, all I can say is... About damn time!!
The song is a total ripoff of Express Yourself. It sounds like she's just singing some of the notes just to try to be opposite of Madonna's song, but you could put the two together and they would blend much too well for this to just be coincidence. I also disagree that it's some kind of wink and nod, if I were Madonna I would not be happy. Either way the song feels stale, uninspired, and unoriginal. I hope it fails quickly, and maybe she has another better song for a single. This song is one I will avoid at all costs.
I love gaga. I be one of her "little monsters", but even before I became one, I thought and still think that she's got bigger balls than anyone else in the industry besides the madge. And for gaga to be compared to such greatness is NOT an insult to either one. They both made their name known for being unique and for the bright crayons in the box. And if people don't like it then don't pay attention. Gaga is a form of entertainment and with the millions she's making, she's obviously entertain a hell of a lot of people and doing a damn good job of doing so.
She has balls alright. Have you seen the package on him, I mean, "her"?
I don't hear Madonna's, "Express Yourself" at all. In some parts of this song, I hear TLC's, "Waterfalls" – Am I the only one who hears this? I think the lyrics to this Lady Gaga song are VERY GENIUS !!!!!
Who cares? The industrys been reusing madonnas marketing gimmicks since she started it. None of these new singers are original.
Awful song!! Gaga has and can do much better!!!
I have been a Madonna fan since 1983. I love Gaga as well. I don't hear "Express Yourself" in "Born This Way." A similar bass line, perhaps, but the song stands as its own creation. Regardless of whether it is or isn't, I don't think it's her best. She's gotten a little cliche in the last six months...
Sounds just like Madonnas "express yourself"......i dont like copy cats. Gaga should try to be original and unique. Shes definitely no Madonna!
Funny, they said the same exact thing about Madonna when Express Yourself came out – she was talentless, she was a freak, she was using shock value, she's copying from previous artists...etc etc.
if you like the song, who cares what others think – like it.
if you don't like it – who cares, go listen to what you like...
me, I prefer MUSE over everything – they're the REAL artists here... sheesh.
ROFL, you think MUSE are artists, Obsessa? Muse are the Lady Gaga of guitar music. They're pathetic imitators.
@ douggy: Seeing as Gaga, just like Muse, has haters in spite of being generally admired and respected by people WHO ACTUALLY MATTER, I guess you're right. They are the Lady Gaga of ROCK music.
It's ROCK music, you ignoramus. Not "guitar" music. A guitar is an INSTRUMENT, not a genre, doofus. That incredibly dumb mistake alone tells me that you're not qualified to give an opinion on music, PERIOD.
@ douggy: Seeing as Gaga, just like Muse, has haters in spite of being generally admired and respected by people WHO ACTUALLY MATTER, I guess you're right. They are the Lady Gaga of ROCK music.
BTW, it's ROCK music, you ignoramus. Not "guitar" music. A guitar is an INSTRUMENT, not a genre, doofus. That incredibly dumb mistake alone tells me that you're not qualified to give an opinion on music, PERIOD.
weather you hate her or love her its all about gaga isnt it hope you see that
Last time I checked, the trend topics on twitter were Madonna and Express Yourself, so there you have it. It's not "all about Gaga". And just for the record, Express Yourself was released two decades ago. Hope you see that too.
I agree with Simplicity34....Don't like the song...But then again I don't like copycat artists...Write your own music and words...Don't copy off of great performers...
I love how people say theyre tired of hearing her music. thats you guys. im sorry you arent rich and famous. im sorry you dont have fans who love you. im sorry all you do is sit around and hate her. shes amazing. shes done so much, please shut the fuhh up. people still love her music. i love born this way. all her musics great... everyone who doesnt like her can keep judging her. Honey, thats gonna get you no where. a couplle words arent gonna bring her down. haha oh god.....good luck!! i love you Gaga<3
Actually, it's not "a couplle words arent gonna bring her down". The media ALL OVER THE WORLD is expressing the same idea: there IS an undeniable similarity between Gaga's new song and MADONNA's EXPRESS YOURSELF.
It took over every report on her new song, the reviews on iTunes, and even on Twitter. The Queen of Twitter (Gaga – who has more followers than anyone) and her new song, for many HOURS were overcome by MADONNA and EXPRESS YOURSELF as trend topic. It's not a "couple of words" by haters, it is the world talking about what's going on in the popular culture.
And if you ever listened to Gaga, you would respect other people's opinions about her work. Isn't that what she's talking about after all? Respecting other people's differences and their opinions? I guess she's not doing a good job convincing her fans about it. Everytime you guys hear some negative opinion about her, you want us to shup up. Freedom of Speech: you can praise her, I can point out her flaws.
You may be a little monster, you may love Lady Gaga. But you guys have to get real. It doesn't hurt anyone.
Born This Way is a rip-off of Madonna's Express Yourself (mostly), but has other easily identifiable sources.
I enjoy Gaga and I think she is fun. However, I have never jumped into the bandwagon of "Gaga super talented songwriter and musician". Actually, she is a BAD songwriter.
She sure plays the piano, but as far as her lyrics go and the way she structures lyrics and music, it is pretty bad. Alicia Keys, for instance, can play the piano and write good, well structured lyrics.
Born This Way, allegedly written by Gaga herself, is an easy, simple, cliched talk about self-loving, embracing yourself and your beauty: black, white, gay or straight. Too much like Madonna's VOGUE? Actually, just like in Vogue, Gaga too "raps" a few lines during the bridge.
The melody is sung in that speaking-sung borderline often used by Madonna in many of her songs, including Express Yourself. The chorus, actually is a perfect fit to Madonna's "Don't go for second-best, baby. Put your love to the test". Go ahead. Try it. You can sing it over Gaga's song perfectly.
You may even hear in your head "When Love takes Over" by Kelly Rowland at one moment. Born This Way and Kelly Rowland's song also sound very similar (that Ibiza-like sound underneath is tempting). Other similarities may be found: TLC's Waterfalls and Pink's If God is a DJ.
The thing is, it is time to stop acting as if Gaga was doing original, fresh or revolutionary music and videos.
I understand that whenever a new star rises, everybody is all over them. Actually, being a NEW artist gives you the permission to innovate, take risks. But Gaga, entering her THIRD album, has done NOTHING new at all. It's been CONTEMPORARY POP MUSIC from Just Dance to Born This Way. But her fans and herself behave as if she had presented the world something that no one has seen or heard before.
Same goes with her imagery. Gaga's most memorable images are also copies of someone else: the bubble dress in 2009, blood-spattered at the VMAs (2009) and that meat dress at the 2010 MTV ceremony.
Let me remind you that her bubble dress was a Hussein Chalayan knock-off from his 2007 collection – she initially said it was designed by her and the haus of gaga, before being busted by the media.
Peaches, the Canadian electroclash diva has been performing with blood all over her long time before Gaga.
And Jeremy Scott put meat dresses on the runway weeks before Gaga. Not to mention that Jana Sterbak released her meat dress in 1987.
Gaga, a fun contemporary popstar, with great tunes, gives the creation of real artists a wide medium of display. She IS the biggest star in the early stages of digital media and the world watches her. The only problem is she and her fans acting as if she were behind it all, when in fact, she's only behind the curve, following trends created by real avant-garde people.
No one wants to read a novel, pop. Get to your point faster next time.
*barf*
Like LG, I dont like this song. Thought she would come harder...
Are you kidding me? It sounds nothing like Express Yourself. It's just a song, people need to chill out. It's pop music. Most pop music is artificial. Why is Lady Gaga being attacked for being synthetic when most all popular music is by some degree?
It's fun music for the masses. So what? If you don't like Lady Gaga, don't click on news stories about her or listen to her songs or buy her albums. POP MUSIC...It's POP music for Pete's sake! Get over it1!
Yah, it sounds a lot like Express Yourself, but I dig it... I do have to say though, I am amazed by HOW MUCH much energy and HATRED people are spending here defending which song or performer they like best... people... it's a song... there are starving kids in the world.
Like I said beforte: if you ever listened to Gaga, you would respect other people's opinions about her work. Isn't that what she's talking about after all?
Respecting other people's differences and their opinions?
I guess she's not doing a good job convincing her fans about it. Everytime you guys hear some negative opinion about her, you want us to shup up.
Yes, there are kids starving in the world. But you too took your time and energy to defend Gaga and say you like her, instead of helping the world. That is not different from your object of criticism: people not being nice to Gaga.
Freedom of Speech: you can praise her, I can point out her flaws without reading people like you attempting to be moraly correct (but you're still doing the same thing).
@beth... i dunno... people wont forget gaga for a long time either. its hard to remove a meat dress or a lobster hat from our memories lol
if madonna was completely synthetic and fresh from the mold out of a plastic factory, then yes, they're both alike. i can't believe how many people buy into this manufactured overrated music. this process of washing and re-rinsing has been going on for decades now. just think, none of us know the name of the next fembot who's going to be huge in 5 years or so, and yet they're going to blow up where everyone in the world knows their name as soon as the record companies shove the music into your eardrums... and yet a majority of people will keep buying into it. it's all very peculiar.
This song is amazing and what 's even more amazing is it's message of self acceptance. Who cares if this song was inspired by Madonna...we're all inspired by someone. 'Born This Way' is awesome in it's own right...just like Lady Gaga herself...
The Beatles stole from Little Richard. The Rolling Stones stole from Muddy Waters. Led Zeppelin stole from Willie Dixon. The list goes on....
It's like the Beatles (Madonna) vs The Monkies (Gaga)...one was completely original, and the other was a put-together rip off. The main difference is, people are going to remember the Beatles.
I love the lyrics but the actual song I'm not so fond of. To me it doesn't sound like the usual Lady GaGa songs that I know and love. When I listen to Born This Way and Express Yourself, I don't hear any similarities except the 90's techno theme.
BIll Bixbys song is the best posting on here ! HIm and MCQ and that other funny poster are THE BEST ! They have more tallent than 100 lady kakas.
She is a no talent product of the media! No wonder the airwaves are cluttered up with autotuned filth. This stuff is being thrown down kids throats and they will never learn what a chord or a melody is!!!! Just please go AWAY!!!! I'll just wait a couple of years, she won't be here!
This Article is pretty much usless... How fan you say that this song hasnt live up to the hype when in 1 day it has become #1 on all 23 coutrys that have an itune store and has broken radio plays. This song has gone over very well this is just the media trying to weed out gaga so they have someone new to talk about.... DONT TRY AND FIX SOMETHING THATS NOT BROKEN.. Im tired of people saying she ripped off Madonna.. Lady Gaga has stated several times that Madonna is one of her biggest inspirations
The song was was great!!!! I do think the song was a little self indulgent though. I think it was more about the message then the sound. i still think she is the best artist around, and cant wait to hear the rest of the CD.
I thought the point of music was the message.... and that sound is just there way of sellling it.... Just because people dance to the music doesnt mean it isnt poetry... All of Lady Gagas songs mean something have deeper meanings she is a true poet..
This song is butt!! Gimme a break
She is a true artist who gives as freely as she takes. She is the living wikipedia of pop art culture and has painted a song with all the musical colors, tints, and hues that pop culture has given her. Express Yourself is and always will be it's own song and have it's own place in history. It becomes increasingly useless to describe Gaga with a vocabulary that is limited to other musical artists and songs, so turn it up to 11, love yourself and DANCE!
From the lyrics:
"I'd give you a Cleveland Steamer
If you play with my tiny weiner
I'm just a freak, I'm not gay
I have dude parts
Because I was born this way"
After all this dribble from people defending this utter garbage we real music fans can take solace in the fact that real music by real musicians is still bring played and after 5 recent sold out shows at Madison Square Garden in NYC the living legend Prince will be bringing his amazing tour to the US this summer!
Only 50% of this song is ripped off from Madonna, but it's really no different than her other songs.
Wal Mart Madonna.....slap on the meat suit and walk through the lion cage.....give us all a break
I think it does sound a lot like "Express Yourself", but I don't think that means she's trying to copy Madonna or that this is the end. One of the songs that's supposed to be on the album ("You and I") couldn't be more different from this song. Let's wait until the album comes out. It's just one song. Besides, this doesn't change the fact that her other songs are good, does it? 🙂
If I didn't know it was Gaga singing I would have thought it was Madonna. Total ripoff. She really isn't all that original.
Just a sped up version of "Express Yourself". And I see nothing anthemic about it. GaGa is going around PROCLAIMING this song to be a gay anthem. You don't proclaim an anthem, it's something that just happens. She's too arrogant for her own good and I hope all of her followers realize that soon. I'll take a pass on Lady Arrogant.
The song is not good, doesn't sound like a "gaga" song. Seems like her thunder and lightning is gone now.
Ripoff or tribute? Give me a break. Stealing is stealing. And for the morons who say the words are the most important part.....try spoken word. What a time we live in. Talentless artists in all genres from musical acts who steal and call it sampling, tv shows remade from the sixties, and let us not forget the movies being made today. Unoriginal and uninspired.....like any Will Ferrell movie where he plays the same character over and over and over. Wait...Ferrell did inspire someone. Zach Galifinakis. As for Lady Gag Gags new ripoff, POS.
Personally, I love the song. I always find it funnt when people decide to compare anyone to a past artist, why? Because if the music or song sounds alike that means that they were inspired by the person. Honestly, I don't agree with your verdict, simply because it is you opinion.I love GaGa always will. She never disapoints. If you want to believe what you believe and its bad, or stealing, the someone go to Justin Bieber and tell him we've got Timberlake etc. There's really no such thing as orginality any more in the movie or music indutry. So complain all you want about the song being a rip off or stupid. I'll sit here and watch her get another #1 hit.
I agree, i may be wrong, but didn't Madonna, get Express yourself from another song? Im just saying...
Although I thought it was Madonna when I first heard it, that really isn't relevant. What is relevant is that it's terrible, lacks creativity, and, like most things associated with GaGa, wayyyyy overhyped. But, as is typical, the robots and trolls will obligingly eat whatever is fed them.
Not a huge fan, but her live performances sound pretty good. She's got the pipes, and that's a lot more than most popular recordings artists have.
Really? Her live performances sound 'off' to me. I've heard Katy Perry and Pink live, and they are both phenomenal. THEY have the pipes. Lady CaCa? Not so much.
Her music is so gay... I just listened to the song and got AIDS.
Why is everone typing such long post ? These are whole paragraphs and most of them arent funny. Remember this is the entertainment section here. We are supposed to try to be funny and tell jokes. And maybe make fun of celebrities.
Its not original but i don't think its a complete copy of Madonna, i hear some TLC in there to
Its ok, but the song was not written for me, its niche will use it as an anthem.
seriously who cares. People are not born that way she craves attention and is driven in anyway to get it, just like a teen that doesn't get any attention from his parents actus up at school. People are born sinful that's about it, freedom in Christ 🙂
I think the song will grow on people. I've heard it a couple of times on the radio and Just like all of her other songs I find myself singing along already. Does it sound like Madonna? Sure does but I could care less. It's kinda like all them crappy movie remakes and reboots but this one works!
First of all, I really don't like this song... Just don't enjoy it at all.
Bur with that said, I'm not into this genre – in general – in the least, but I have to say I like a couple of her songs and she is most definitely talented. She likely wrote a lot of the other artists' songs you loved before you even knew she existed. Now instead of writing, she went out on her own and is doing great. Nuff respect.
I always get the impression that Gaga wishes she'd been born a gay guy.
Im interested and i like it
I love this track! Of course it sounds similar, Gaga looks up to Madonna. Gaga is the new Madonna for the a new era! Quit hating and rejoice in the message!!
Great song - this one will be big in the gay clubs, for sure, which is the barometer for ANY dance song's greatness. 🙂
Being a Little Monster, I just had to rush home to download it. While on the surface, it may sound a bit like Express Yourself you must listen to the song a few times to get it's full meaning and not just listen to the music/beat aspect of it. The words to me are the most important. It's a really good song but I'm still partial to a song like brown eyes....
Keep going Momma Monster!!!
This is no rip off of madonna. I know the song everyone is talking about. They have some of the same but gaga gave her own twist to it. Also, this song is epic.
Is this really any different than any pop song ever written/recorded that is based on the 12 bar blues? Ever listen to Country music... notice how they all sound the same? How about Richie Valens "La Bamba" and the Beatles "Twist and Shout"... rip off? , plagiarism?, copyright infringement? Check your music history before you call for legal advice. Antonio Salieri was a relatively unknown contemporary of Amadeus Mozart – both composers, as did all composers of the Classical period, used Sonata-Allegro form to compose their music. So, just because Lady Gaga's tune has the same musical "formula" doesn't make it a rip off. I think there is a stronger argument against the Beatles "Twist and Shout" (1963) for copying the Isley Brother's "Shake It Up, Baby" (1962), which is a copy of Richie Valens' "La Bamba" (1958) – originally a Mexican folk song. Read more on contemporary pop music rip offs... if that's what you want to call it. http://www.popeater.com/2009/05/04/best-sound-alike-songs/
Here's another thread about songs that sound alike. Lady Gaga and Madanna are not the first - so, get over it!
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1423830
This song rocks! Am not a fan of Gaga but this is so much better than Just Dance, Paparazzi, etc. If you are not into today's style of pop-dance music, influenced by European electronic dance music like Electro house & Trance, then this ain't for you. Yes, this song bears similarities w/ Madonna's classics, Express Yourself & Vogue but to nail it as a rip-off is blasphemous. It could be considered inspiration too.
As for Madonna being original, not quite. She never was a trend setter but a trend user. She always got trend setting DJ/ dance-club music producers to produce for her. Point in case, William Orbit, Mirwais, Timbaland, Pharell, Timberlake, & asking Paul Oakenfold, Above & Beyond etc to remix for her.
Gaga is righteous in her own sense. She is talented in her own way. Singer, songwriter, musician & performer. Christina is talented too & good in what she has done. Gaga & Christina aren't comparable. They are not on the same page, quite. However, Brittney & Christina are comparable. Brittney has no talent whatsoever. She can barely sing good, let alone songwriting & playing instruments. She sucks.
Gaga is pretty good, like it or not, and puts $ where her mouth his w/ her talents.
First off the two songs are nothing alike I love Madonna and I love Lady GaGa but these two song are different even the topics are different. I think it could have been stronger but I'm not going to base my love of a artists work off one song. Sorry I grew up in the 80 and 90's I need the whole album. You spoiled brats pick and choose so much you lose the concept of the artist.
I agree with you, Eric. The two songs sound nothing alike.
Hmmmm. Lady Gaga ripping off Madonna? Gtfo. I coulda swore she hasn't been doing that since the beginning of her career. Oh wait. Yes. She has. She is the mutant offspring of Marilyn Manson and Madonna. She's found two markets to exploit. Shock rock and hip hop. Good for her for making money but she's just doing what's already been done just for a different decade. Oh well. Someone had to take Madonnas spot. Have you seen the lady? She's one broken hip from joining Michael. Whatever.
And here I thought this article was for a film review about gay's being "born this way." I was way off.
To be fair, I listened to 'Born This Way' a few more times after posting my earlier comment, hoping I was wrong.
Nope. I wasn't. Compared to her previous work, it's lukewarm drivel. And to those who call us trolls and sharks for stating our negative opinion of this (obviously) mediocre song- Get a life. It's just a f–king song. I get that some of you love Gaga no matter what offerings she brings to the table, but I'm not that type of person. I like her, I think she has genuine talent, but I'm disappointed with this song...it doesn't belong in the same class as Poker Face, Bad Romance, etc.
It does sound like a rip off of Express Yourself, and while some of you may pass that off as Gaga paying homage to Madonna, it really just smacks of plagiarism and copyright infringement. There is a fine line between imitation and duplication...I think Gaga's guilty of the latter.
First off it's I took media law it is in no way copyright infringement. Unless she actually used Madonna's lyrics or sampled the song with out giving credit. I am underwhelmed by the song also. But two different topics and two different compositions
I seriously cant believe all the hate going on in these comments. I love Madonna and grew up with her music and I love Express yourself. However I love Lady Gaga as well and I think she is amazing. Most great artists are influenced by other bands and artists, and use those influences to create their own style of music. There is nothing wrong with that. Its been done forever. Both Madonna and Lady Gaga can coexist people. Yes Born this way does sound similar to Express Yourself but it is its' own song and is not a copy. If anything its a great compliment to Madonna. People need to chill, it really is not all that serious. Just enjoy the song and if you don't like it don't listen to it.
The song is currently #1 top purchased in every single iTunes store. The song is FREE for download on almost every major radio station's website and all of the Lady GaGa fan sites. That is your verdict.
Best post op tranny in the biz. He/she has about 45 seconds left on her 15 minutes. NEXT!!
Lady Caca created caca!! Song sucks... Christina by far is the best singer, Madge is original, Britney is a performer, and Lady Caca is innovative, however NOT original she is a mix of David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Madonna.
And think about it...the themes of the 2 songs r similar and complement each other...respect yourself...express yourself...u deserve the best in life...cuz u r on the rt track, be yourself, cuz baby u were born this way!!!
I tell ya, im convinced, I think this is all planned, by the material girl and lady gaga.
Hasn't Madonna ripped people off in the past as well?
It is disappointing. I'm an avid fan, and all the anticipation only made it worst. I was even frustrated with myself because I didnt like it as much as I should like it. But at the end, its not a BAD song, its just unlike her in the pervious album. it's too direct and "mainstream-popish" if i may say. But the song does grow on it, but certainly not the best that we've seen from Gaga, but hey, Gaga, You Wrote It This Way, so i'm gonna live with it Anyway 🙂 Claws up 🙂
Gaga embodies equality, the song is about equality, and to top it off it sounds great! We should really look past comparisons and accept the meaning of the song. It's what Gaga wants, and Madonna would agree too, I think.
Just because Born This Way and Express Yourself are in the same ballpark doesn't make Gaga a rip off. In her Alejandro video, she made several creative nods to Madonna...she loves Madonna, and was strongly influenced by her music. If you've ever seen Gaga in concert, you'd know she is a supremely talented, intelligent artist...and one of the hardest working chicks in show biz. I don't know how she could have such a crazy concert schedule and still bring such a powerful, flawless performance every night. She can play a grand piano lying on her back...upside down and backwards...with the skill of a virtuoso! I've seen it! She doesn't lipsync or auto-tune (except for effect) and has written most ever word she sings. Gaga has worked her butt off to get where she is, and I think this is a great next step. Thank you, Mama Monster!
I think it's okay. I like some of her songs but her way of dressing is really a little bit too crazy even though I know its just for show. I always wonder why she doesn't dress a little bit normal because she doesn't seem to be too comfy in those get ups..lol
The two songs sound NOTHING alike!!! I don't know why people say it does?!?! Gaga is way better!! I have seen them both live and Gaga actually sings live and puts on a way better show. And ps Modonna has to pay people to say they sound alike so she can stay in the media other wise Gaga would blow her away!!! Claws up!!
GaGa is merely a pop star, Madonna is a Queen. Madge is the biggest and most influential female artist in music history. She doesn't have the best voice, she isn't the greatest dancer to ever hit the stage but she has produced some of the greatest pop songs EVER and is a true artist and original. Madonna has been inspired by others and was successful for taking underground ideas and introducing them to the masses. She's paid homage to the past (such as the Marilyn phase or the Dietrich phase) and various cultures and looks. She's remained relevant by always evolving. GaGa on the other hand hasn't really been able to prove that she's in it for the long haul. Those that are trashing Madonna really know nothing about her. She's sold over 300 million albums, has more hit singles then any other solo artist and the top grossing tour by a solo artist EVER. She's the standard that all others are compared to. GaGa is a talented girl but just because the new car has a few more updated features doesn't ever make it better then the classic. Madonna is timeless.
Ok all you who say they like this retread rehashed unoriginal piece of crap.....
This song demonstrates that Lady Gaga has officially jumped the shark...
Don't get it? Look it up and learn
So disappointing. For all her creativity and originality on the last album, which I loved, she could have done wayyyy better than this.
Honestly, I didn't like it – thought it sounded forced. I love GAGA, but this just didn't do it for me.
This song....IS AWESOME! <3 Gaga!!!!
Ya'll, I see a spectacular show coming at the grammys of a big beautiful combined rendition of born this way/express yourself w both gaga and madonna singing. The songs r so similar it has 2 b planned. U go girls. U r the epitomy of awesomeness period!
I was just thinking the same thing! That would be AWESOME!!!
i listened to this and this express yourself. people are smoking good stuff if they think it sounds like each other. don't be selfish! puff puff give!
It's a ripoff people-Lady Gaga and Katy Perry and Avril don't write anything–they use the best producers in town who write record all the music, then THEY write a vocal melody with maybe some of the words/or all of the lyrics–then this talentless smucks come in and change the words so they can get some of the publishing–and it literally takes 10 minutes to rewrite the lyrics for a verse! The big producers never say anything and have to go along with this this cause it's the way the system works, and they would lose work–end of story!
She's acknowledged her heroes and idols publicly such as Madonna, she even included imagery in videos to salute them. Not to mention did a sketch with Madonna on SNL. So automatically people assume its ripped off? I love both Gaga and Madonna and despite favoring Madonna more, Gaga does write her own lyrics, does have a great voice, can play her instrument the piano well. She incorporates fashion and costumes into her performances and actually brings back the art aspect of music that has been dead for years. She's had more hits out at once than most artists of today, with great videos. She inspires. I haven't even heard the single but it just makes me sick how many trolls and sharks jump at any chance they get to bash and lash out with ignorance. I dont know her personally so I'm not just going to assume, but I assume everyone else lives next door to her since they can determine her intentions and reasoning so well. Ignorance might be bliss, but its annoying to those of us with an IQ.
The bible says those who compare themselves among themselves are not wise// in other words compare yourselves 2 the perfect person of Christ 2 see where u r and what u still need
If u people would allow the blood of Christ to wash u clean u wouldn't worry about a bunch of "entertainers" Jesus would capture your full attention. Prepre 4 eternity b4 its TOO LATE TOO LATE TOO LATe
I love Gaga and everything, but I have to be honest...I find this song boring.
Besides, everything in Hollywood is a remake or a steal and music artists are always copying one another's songs. Why not let Gaga in on some of that? Creativity has gone to the wayside and mediocrity is celebrated. Why not? It's the world in which we live. Everyone is special and everyone gets a trophy 🙂
I'm willing to bet that before Glee, no one but chorus teachers and real glee club sponsors knew what a "mash up" was. Saw a comment about Madonna and Gaga doing a "mash up" on the MTV awards. Just food for thought. (I was a band nerd, so I knew. 😀 ). Let the attacks on me commence....I like Gaga and Madonna by the way and haven't heard Gaga's new song yet, so I can't honestly approach on it. Sometimes its not a bad thing for the New School to meet the Old. 🙂
The meat dress is this decade's cone boobs. I love the song, why over analyze a good thing?
Gross. Why do people like this? This 'lady' is auditory rice-cakes.
Howard Stern is a genius. Period. The "shock value" comparison is inaccurate and unnecessary.
This music is nothing but more of Illuminati brainwashing.
What????? Illuminati brainwashing? You're smoking some really great stuff.
anytime someone says "such and such is going to be the greatest such and such of (period of time)" it usually is exactly the opposite. Remember when Kanye West said he was the voice of a generation? In Kanye's instance he had such a massive ego that he really thought that. I think the problem with Gaga is that her production crew just keeps kissing her butt so much because she's become so hugely popular that she can't get any real feedback or constructive criticism.
Completely agree, well said. I love Gaga, but this song isn't good. At least not anywhere near as good as she had it promised it to be. I don't understand how everyone in her camp kept saying how great this song is, that it's the best song since "I Will Survive" and blah, blah, blah. And now the media is doing the same thing. Why are people so afraid to be critical of Gaga? I'm not, and I'm a fan. When I criticize a favorite artist of mine, it is because I feel they can do better and I WANT them to do better. When I feel they do something praiseworthy, I'm very generous with my praise as well. Constantly kissing Gaga's butt when she doesn't always deserve it may lead to her becoming complacent because at some point she'll figure out that people don't expect much from her just as long as it has her name on it, which isn't good.
Is our generation severely tone-deaf? I can understand why some would think how it sounds similar to "Express Yourself" the first time around, but to go as far as to say this was intentional is just ridiculous! The media and anti-gaga folks really need to find someone else to pick on. This woman is amazing. Musically talented, her concerts are unbelievable, and she works her butt off to please her fans.. while talentless hobags are lip-syncing their way to the top and wouldn't be able to find Middle C on a piano if a semi-automatic was being held to their head. Her music is her art, which she fully expresses. Spend 5 minutes reading an article or an interview and find out who this passionate woman is before speaking ill words of her. Needless to say, her new single is absolutely amazing and really gives a boost of self esteem to our younger generation.. unlike other artists who rap and sing about drinking, drugs, and other crap that the radio could go without playing. Gaga, thank you for your endless efforts to enlighten the world!
seriously, she always copied on most of her songs, people who like her just because of the shock factors and tried to find excuse to forgive her, saying its coincidence etc. Please.
It's an insult to madonna if people compared gaga to madonna. She is NO WAY near madonna.
Lady Gaga's whole personna is nothing but a ripoff of Madonna with some glitter and tinsel thrown in. Let her do something unplugged, without any synthesizers, choruses or electronic tricks and see if she can really sing or not. I think she's more hype than hip. Gaga makes me gag.
Not really a fan of this song, and to be honest the first thing I noticed in the song were the similarities to Madonnas Express Yourself. Ive enjoyed most of Lady Gaga's past music but this to me sounds over produced and preachy. I don't doubt some people like it merely cause it's Gaga or they just find it to be a good song. But it's just not to my liking. Hopefully the rest of her album will be better.
On another note I fear lady gaga may have fallen victim of her own fame losing touch with what brought her into the musical game. And yes I know she is supposed to be seen as her gaga persona, but the person beneath the crazy outfits and music needs to stay grounded. As soon as she buys into her own fame and only sees herself as lady gaga is the moment most celebrities will start to bomb.
Last note. I've noticed a trend that whenever artists proclaim their next work to be not only their personal best, but the best of anyone or anythings, albeit year, decade or ever it spillsinto disaster, and the material can never live up to it's hype. And it's another example of an artist losingall groundedness buying to far into their own fame.
I am GAGA over her monsters....n wut a voice!
I like Lady Gaga, which makes this new single all the more disappointing. As talented as she is, she had to rip off Madonna to create her first single from her self-professed "album of the decade"?
No thanks. I'll stick with The Fame/The Fame Monster and save myself 20 bucks. Maybe her next album won't be such a rehash of the 80's.
Like the song but it does resemble Express Yourself.
Well all I have to say is why can't she be original?
Who cares? The entertainment industry has lost all sense of creativity. Producers can't produce a song without sampling a hit from the 80's or 90's. It's been happening since the 70's, it's just become more prevalent the past half-decade.
It seems like every movie coming out nowadays is a knock off or remake of some old tv show or movie or a movie that was already done 15 years ago. Creativity has gone out the window. We should have seen it coming. Didn't anybody realize that there would come a day when we would exhaust every note, script, and idea out there? Like the said in a certain South Park episode, "the Simpsons did it, the Simpsons did it".
I actually really like the song, and I think something to consider is that todays youth didn't have an athem song urging open acceptance of different people. Most young people's exposure to 'Express Yourself' was through Glee...I am 25 never would have thought of Express Yourself when I heard it.
Couldve been better
Its time to move on from Gaga.
Well, in my personal opinion, I don't really hear the similarity between the two songs. Sure they may contain similar messages, but they don't sound alike to me. Either way you look at it, the song has topped itunes charts in 22 countries in 12 hours. Madonna sound-alike or not, this song is a pop sensation and I think we can all look forward to the Grammy's to be one of the best ones in years.
It doesn't take much these days to top the iTunes charts. Once all the GaGa fanatics have bought the song off of iTunes in the next day or so and radio stops giving it all those artificial extra spins that the record company paid for, It will start falling. Brittney's song topped iTunes also...it spent a week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and immediately started falling...You can pretty much expect the same for gaga (and most other songs these days for that matter). It's always the initial onslaught of an artists rabid fan base couples with the artificial extra spins by radio that forces an immediate rise to the top but this song is so forgettable that Im guessing it won't take long for it to start falling. These days the music industry is all about getting the "quick hit" where they can get it.
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Singing the exact lyrics to Old Man River with the same melody and passing it off as YOUR OWN...now that my dear would be considered ye olde rip off.
Have some faith LEB...creativity never dies.
And covering Old Man River or any other old standard is not what I'm referring to as ripping off.
The only difference really is the level of crazy in their outfits, which Gaga obviously wins but.... who cares?
Yea I know what you mean. If a song comes on the radio with a lazy techno beat and some annoying chick repeating 5 words over and over, I can't tell who that's supposed to be. It could literally be any of 10 talentless chicks who all sound very similar. Here's a short list of artists who I believe are basically interchangeable with Lady Gaga musically. Rihanna, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Kylie Minogue. I'm sure there are tons more, that's just off the top of my head.
Oh and Seal! He had fantastic albums in the 1990's. Go to Youtube and listen to Crazy and Bring It On and Kiss From A Rose.
However the standards he recorded recently don't make sense to me.
The song is alright, but I was expecting a lot more from this highly anticipated track. It is very reminiscent of the 80s and of nearly every Madonna song. I would say overall, it is a thumbs down.
The reason people become legends is because they are one of a kind: Elvis, Michael jackson, Madonna,Beatles, Rolling Stones, Prince you get the picture. To me lady gaga seems like a rehash of more talented artist. What annoys me the most is she has to preach at the public like her singing career makes her an leader.
Who gives a f@c c!
ruh roh
Exactly Superhiro! I totally agree with you.
It's one thing when an artist is influenced by those who've paved the way, but to just copycat does nothing for music. Already I cannot tell the difference between a lot of new acts – most sound alike. Where is the original "sound"? Think Peter Gabriel, Sting, Phil Collins, Patti LaBelle, Ambrosia, Mary J Blige, The Beatles, Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye, etc.
Do you really expect many of these folks to know Patti, let alone Teddy P? Ha!
Lady Gaga is God! This is fun, inspiring Pop music and we need it now more than ever.
WE ARE VISITING MY GRANDPA TODAY. NO SCHOOL. PAPA SAID FOR ME TO TYPE HE WOULDNT TOUCH THAT HAG WITH SOMEBODY ELSES WEEEEINER.
Her face looks like a very old vaaagggiiinnnaa. GROSS.
Totally agree Old School, and the problem that compounds that problem is that today's aspiring artists, like Gaga a few years ago, and Justin Beiber are actually copying the copycats instead of modelling themselves after decent artists. Like, can anybody really tell me Beiber isn't just a Timberlake clone?
Madonna used a riff from ABBA's "Gimme Gimme Gimme" in her song "Hung Up." Numerous artists have used clips from songs by Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Queen, and others. Is it really copying, or is it honoring another artist they respect and appreciate? I would say the latter. Let's remember that Lady Gaga took her name from a Queen song, because it was a song she loved growing up.
That's called sampling. They PAY to use the sample for the song. Lady Gaga did not pay to use anything. She calls it an original and that she wrote it in 10 minutes. Well.. of course she did. She had already heard it in her head, it was just called "Express yourself!" Saying that someone just pays homage, when they in fact copied entire sections, is ludicrous. What ever happened to COPYRIGHT???? You can't just take people's work and call it your own, and it's okay if it's "homage?!" what's the matter with you people?!!!! This is a rip if anything!
Lady gaga is what you get when an ugly man tries to ripoff madonna.
I was not much of Lady GaGa fan, until a friend had an extra ticket to her concert last year and I decided to go. I was amazed, and I promise you, she can play the keys off of a piano, and can sing exceptionally well!! Since then I have learned more about her. Been playing piano since age 4, worked for a recording company writing songs for sometime, written songs for many big-name vocalists, and writs all her own songs and melodies. She may not be your taste in music, but to say she is talentless just shows your lack of maturity. A mature adult would be able to recognize talent with or without being a fan.
She has no imagination. Just a cheap rip off artist. And I really would not use the word artist.
Sorry y'all but Lady Gaga copied Grace Jones' style, rehashed Madonna's Express Yourself jam, and ripped off Queen. The girl herself admitted that her stage name comes from the Queen hit, "Radio Gaga".
The trouble with this musical generation is that there is absolutely no originality whatsoever. Case in point Justin Timberlake ripped off Michael Jackson, Britney Spears ripped off Janet Jackson and Aaliyah, and Black Eyed Peas ripped off Earth Wind and Fire and The Commodores in my opinion.
Modern pop and rock have been around for decades now... do you really think there's all that much potential for something completely new that no one has ever heard before? Not really. Same goes with pretty much any art form. Music is music. You can use different voices, different sounds, and different beats, but there's only so much variation.
Besides, the alleged "ripping off" phenomenon you're referring to is nothing new. Do you realize how many artists have sung "Ol' Man River?" Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, Sam Cooke, Al Jolson, Ray Charles, Jim Croce, The Beach Boys, The Jeff Beck Group, Aretha Franklin... and that doesn't even include those who have performed the song on Broadway or in other languages. So is that ripping off, or honoring a classic?
WOW. I SERIOUSLY hope you were kidding there! Comparing GAga to Michael Jackson and the Beatles? There's NO comparison between those three artists. That was nothing short of blasphemy what you just said.
U took the words right out of my mouth. Holy crap !
Seriously!!! LOL I was waiting for "Justin Bieber is the Elvis of our generation"! Highly delusional.
There is no way gaga is better than madonna. There is no way madonna is better than gaga. They are both extremely talented. The simple fact is that this song did not live up to gaga's hype or potential.
I haven' heard BTW yet, as it's blocked here at work, but Madonna is just ok, while LG is like the Beatles, MJ of her generation. The complete package! Her videos are from another world. Take one song, Just Dance, the most amazing musicality I can imagine – even though I can't make out half the words. That's talent!
Uhm really? The Beattles? Lets reevaluate in 25 years and see if she has anything near Madonna's longevity.
I wouldnt let her touch my berries. Lady GooGoo is the ugliest songstress there is.
Lady gaga has said before she likes to make music with a similar sound to the music that inspired her growing up. I like that she does that.
If Gaga's the premier artist of our time then that's insanely sad for our generation.
BREAK FREE
LADY GAGA is the premier artist of our time. Madonna still has the crown and the powers but GAGA could easily be her protege in the years to come. We LOVE GaGa!!!
She sounds like my beehind when i have diareah. Plus her face looks alot like a ladys private parts. She is one ugly untallented cow.
oh come on man or woman be nice to the lady or man...dont know which one...hey wait its lady gaga, so has to be a lady right. anyways, just be nice!!! treat her like a lady...lol
There's nothing fresh or original about this song. It sounds like every other dance song from the early 90's. It is going to get very boring after a few listens.
lady gaga is nothing original she has been copying roisin murphy, madonna, grace jones, kylie minogue, dale bozzio, cher and gwen stefani
garbage. just like the rest of pop music
I don't think it sounds like Madonna's song...which I always hated by the way. I like Gaga. There's a fragility there that's appealing.
WOW it was like a firework that had been in my closet since New Year's 2009. It was now New Year's 2010 with high anticipation i went to light the firework. The time came for it to ignite and take off then.............nothing it just fizzled like this song!!! =^ (
Horrible, formulaic rip-off!! Not inspiring or convincing.
First of all, "Express Yourself" was a blatant ripoff of "Respect Yourself," by the Staples Singers. Madge was also very derivative in her years. Gaga does everything intentionally and purposefully; it reminds people of Madonna because she has intentionally structured Madonna references into the song. She does this with everything she creates whether it's a song, a video, or a fashion performance. Little pop culture references sprinkled around like those mystical easter eggs.
I have a running two-page list of all the deliberate pop history & culture references in Paparazzi and I'm far from done with the analysis. The same is true for Telephone, and Alejandro is even much more difficult because it brings in German Expressionism, Metropolis, Clockwork Orange, and the Weimar Republic.
If there's something in this song that reminds you of Madonna, it's because that's what Gaga wants you to be reminded of. And to be reminded of the fact that she is one in the long line of women artists that stretch back before Madonna and, in time, will stretch beyond Gaga, women who have changed pop music and pop culture forever.
Saying they sound alike is a whole different can of beans. They aren't the same song. They have different instrumentation, different beats, completely different tempo, different chord structure, and totally different lyrics. There are similarities in melody here and there, but Gaga's vocal styling and pure lung power carry it much further than Madonna could ever accomplish. In fact, Born This Way sounds more like 70s disco blended with straight-up rock n roll. It's amazing to get a track that powerful down in the studio; most artists don't succeed. This track does. Where it will rip it up is on stage, on the road, big song, big stage, big audience. That's where she will let it explode in full force. And the studio cut is powerful enough to do well in the clubs. All in all, I think she's succeeded at everything she intended to do.
You're saying that because it is an intentional rip-off that it's okay? And because I ripped off other people that's okay too? Let's get original people.
You're either desperate to be this no-talent's music agent or you have A LOT of time on your hands. Both are pathetic.
You have a two page analysis of...what? Why? Are you writing a research paper?
BREAK FREE
Lady GA GA is just as "original" as madonna...so don't get it twisted.
And who the heck are you to call someone pathetic because they just served you up some knowledge.
Madonna is a has been. She's done. And hasn't put out a good album in years...put her to bed with the rest of the has beens.
Keep buying up those Madonna anthologies if you want, I personally think your wasting your money. I have a few of her albums from her early days, but that's where I draw the line.
You don't have to buy Gaga's music, seriously if you think its a waste of your time and money, then it probably is. The pathetic part is that your so upset about her song...get. a. Life.
And get off the computer and go back to buying more Madonna anthologies and greatest hits albums
I agree with windrider2. For those of you who can't comprehend why anyone would possibly keep a list like s/he does: you obviously haven't been to Grad School, where you choose a topic so specific to study that everyone else looks at you crazily.
Windrider2 presents very valid arguments, so don't knock them. Everyone needs to get off their high horses.
I'm gay, like Gaga, hate this song, and don't think it's a ripoff...just merely a sampling. Did you ask Gaga if she asked Madonna about paying homage to her? Until you know EVERYTHING, you don't know anything. Keep that in mind.
You people talk too much. Do you think anyone actually read the dissertations you posted?
Gaga is a guyguy. She has a weiner.
Are you serious, windrider2?
"Express Yourself" was NOT a blatant ripoff of "Respect Yourself," by the Staples Singers. As far as I know, Madonna was given permission to sample that song, they are credited in her album and whoever owns the rights for that track gets paid royalties every time Madonna's song is played. And let me point out that the melodies of Express Yourself and Respect Yourself ONLY get similar when Madonna sings "Express yourself, so you can respect yourself, hey, hey".
Same way with Gimme Gimme by ABBA. Madonna got their permission to use a musical element of their song in HUNG UP, paid them a lot of money. The melodies and musicality of the two are completely different. But the sample is still there.
The fact that you sample some music element doesn't mean you are copying, or keeping the same musical structure. Madonna didn't in any of these cases (and that goes for Vogue and Human Nature too).
"Gaga's vocal styling and pure lung power carry it much further than Madonna could ever accomplish". Don't even go there, hon. Pretending that gaga can sing is a stretch... she can definitely yell trying to sound "fuller" or as full as Christina Aguilera. But she can't. She can't really sing. And she can't dance either. Much less dance and sing at the same time. That's way she uses layers and layers of pre-recorded vocals in every song on her show – except when she's behind the piano. Then they apply more reverb to her voice than a normal person would use at any kind of venue.
And "I think she's succeeded at everything she intended to do". She said Born This Way was gonna change the world, become an anthem of "our generation", and a "gay anthem" – I'm confused – maybe because "our generation is gay" (??) Well, that was the 90s. Anyway, she hasn't succeeded with that, for sure. Her song only brought EXPRESS YOURSELF back, with the media all around the world calling Gaga a copycat.
It sure is a success on iTunes. But that's obvious: Gaga is the FIRST biggest star in the digital era. At the time that Katy Perry, Rihanna, Beyonce and Kesha have #1s every time they release some crap, it wouldn't be different with Gaga. But Gaga intended to make a new anthem, she said before, well, she didnt make it.
Meh......
Meh indeed. by far the best & most intelligent comment posted. Meh, all. Meh to Gaga, who is a butthole, meh to pop music, meh to society.
LOL
Stop calling me...
Lady Gaga should seek therapy. She appears to be a tortured and confused soul. Quit being a cheerleader for the gay community (they are a strong bunch) and enter rehab.
This song is so disappointing. The production is awful. It sounds like the producer just pushed every button for every random effect he could find. The song itself is melodically like Express Yourself in the verse, but not strongly enough to match that classic. The hook is weak compared to any of Gaga's other songs. And face it, the lyrics are nothing like the powerful metaphors that make all her other songs so interesting. The only reason this is being called a gay anthem is because it's Gaga and it has the word transgendered in it. Bravo to Gaga for including the word. But if any other artist had sung this song, it wouldn't have gone anywhere because it's just not any good. The fact that it has the word gay in it does not make it an anthem.
See, that's the thing. Gays and the GLBT people CHOOSE what songs will become gay anthems – they don't like it when songs are dictated to them as gay anthems.
I also think it's trashy to mix topical social issues with making money. "Hey, here's my IT GETS BETTER song. Do you feel empowered? Good. Now go give me some money on iTunes and make me rich as I exploit gay and disenfranchised youth for per$onal profit." This song would have worked much better if it were a charity single or given away for free.
@Joe.
Actually, the song is available for free at Target.com
I chose to download it from iTunes because I love the song, and wanted to support it.
As did millions of people across the world.
Do the words '#1 song on itunes in 22 different countries' get through your thick skull?
LADY GAGA'S VIOCE IS MUCH BETTER THEN MADONNA'S... Born This Way may have a moment when it sounds like Madonna's song but its completely different.
You people need to get over it IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT DON'T LISTEN TO IT YOU... Born This Way will chart wonderfully because she has a huge fan base and its a good song with a lot of meaning.
Don't you think that Born This Way is less disposable POP then Hold It Against Me? Obviously it is...
Are you deaf? Without electronic voice enhancements, Gaga sounds like a drag queen. People used to think she was a hermaphrodite. That's why she has so many gay male fans. She's ugly and short and she's not even a real blonde.
To Huh:
Are you a complete moron? To bad your mom didn't abort you when she had the chance. Get a clue, do your research, and think before you open your mouth you knuckle dragging Neanderthal! Because you sound like a idiot who's sniffed too much elmers glue!
@Eric: read your own comment again and tell me which one of you 2 sounds more like a Neanderthal..
Hint: YOU!
Yea... how far has Gaga's schlong been pushed up your rear again?
as I suspected would happen, most people are disappointed by this song. It was way over hyped and I new there was no way it could live up to the expectations, especially since Gaga's music is pretty much junk. I find Gaga to be way too contrived and phony. I don't think she puts herself in her music but what she wants people to hear.
And even if this song is a "nod and a wink" to Madonna, I find that to be really lame. How many artists how nodded and winked to Madonna? About a million.
How about making something new and original and not skimming off of another musician's work.
Most people are dissapointed? What?! I suggest you get your face in front of something called "iTunes" and check the music chart. At #1 you will find Lady Gaga "Born This Way". Dissapointed?? No you bitter people with nothing better to do than stab at an incredibly talented musician are dissapointed with your own lives and have nothing better to do then spread hate. I'm 24 and had never heard "Express Yourself". I took my time today and listened to it. The melody is very similar, so? Madonna must be flattered. For today's biggest global popstar to bring back your 1989 hit in 2011 is a big compliment. My respect for Madonna, who's talent I will not deny, although I'm not a fan- but she's not what she once was. Lady Gaga is the new Madonna. And if anything, Gaga is playing tribute to her. "Born This Way" is a great record, it will be #1 on the Billboard and will make Gaga the biggest artist of the year fpr the third consecutive year. Respect that.
@ Nate- This pathetic, boring song will is number one because it was FREE TO DOWNLOAD. There is nothing creative about lady gaga. She sold out for the money. Get used to the fact that lady gaga flame will soon diminish. People will, and are, getting sick of her and her pathetic posse.
Did you ever think the song is not for anyone else but for the younger gays who are being bullied in their schools? Maybe the intention of this song is to give them hope and let them know it's okay to be gay. Lady GaGa is our Madonna and Madonna is your Lady GaGa. Sorry, you can't appreciate it and just let us have this one without being bitter.
Its so funny to hear people say she is talentless and only has shock value. But its like what have you people done? Have you written a song? Have you produced a number one album? Can you sing live? Gaga can do all of these things. Shes one of the few artists who does not need a back up track up during a live performance. She writes all of her own music and this song is amazing. So what if it sounds like Madonna seriously with all that has been done in music today what do you expect? She writes her own lyrics and someone else produces the track shes not ripping off an artist the producer of the track if anyone is ripping off the artist.
Well, when I write a "It Gets Better" type song, I'll be sure to give it away for free, and not use it to exploit gays and disenfranchised youth for personal profit on iTunes.
Gaga is a hack and a partisan stooge.
Let’s face it. This song is crap – so preachy with cheesy PSA message lyrics that I cannot believe are actually being sung aloud. And I liked the production the first time, when it was called Express Yourself by Madonna. Time for Lady Caca to slap on the heavy makeup, large sunglasses, and the world’s most tacky hat forged by man, and then distract us with a shiny and random video that has nothing to do with the lyrics… again.
It's also in bad form to conflate social issues with commerce. Lady Gaga is lining her pocket with $$$ every time a kid plays this song and feels "empowered." Tacky... but then again, so is she.
You are not a nice person.
Joe:
One, time to come out of the closet and stop fighting it! It's much better out here!
Two, if you did your research... you'd know Gaga isn't about making money..since one, the song is available for free online at Target.com, two, Gaga nearly goes bankrupt spending all her money on her shows for her fans (which she bleeds for) and three is always fighting to lower the costs of her albums so ALL her fans can afford to buy her music. Gaga doesn't give a sh** about money.
And three.. why are you even reading this article and taking time to respond if you don't like Gaga? I think you do! You love her!
@Eric you're funny! You need to stop listening to publicists and the artists. I know this comes as a shock but it's all marketing. You don't think Lady GaGas record label gives things away for free do you? You do realize she gets a small portion of the money from the sale of her music don't you? you don't think all those other people just "give it away for free". The song may be free to download but you can be that Target is paying the record label (and GaGa by default) a fee for every download. They do it as an advertising gimic. It's the giveaway. You download the single and buy the album. Target pays the label for driving traffic to the website.
All they hype about GaGa "loving her fans" is ridiculous. She's not going bankrupt putting on the shows. Promoters pay her to come and put on a show. There's no lack of money. If they aren't making enough, they just raise the ticket prices.
Ticket prices would be $0 if she were doing it because she loves you. Or what if she asked you to pay whatever you thought the show was worth at the end? I'm sure she'd go bankrupt very quickly then. Your naivety is scary.
Lady gaga is not even worthy of serving backstage sandwiches to REAL musical greats like Nirvana......Pearl Jam.....
I agree with the fact you don't think Lady Gaga isn't worthy of being called real music... the rest... well... I'll just leave it at that.
Nirvana: lead singer killed himself and was a talentless DRUG ADDICT.. Pearl Jam, another grungy, dirty looking bad that can go away. Both bands were of a totally different genre altogether. Can't compare. Lady Gaga is devoted 100% to her work, Kurt Cobain was just a lunatic with some serious mental issues. good riddance to him and Courtney Love, wow, there's another nutcase.
Ummmm JR...Pearl Jam a dirty grungy band??? Time to do some research my friend. They will be headed to the rock and roll hall of fame as soon as they are eligible and are currently celebrating their 20th anniversary which hardly any of these other flash in the pan music acts will ever see. The are music in its purest form and one of the greatest jam bands of all time. Nothing fancy about them as its all about their music, fans, and various causes. They don't need the gimmicks many artist need these days to make it and when you go to a pearl jam live show they sound exactly the same and in my opinion better then their recorded material. Most of todays pop acts are all enhanced and are terrible in person if they even sing live at all. Wrong band to pick on.
Kurt Cobain called. He said he's still dead and to get over it.
While i like Nirvana and Pearl Jam because I was 20 when they came out (and while Paarl JAm has gotten better)–i would tnot call any of them revolutionary. While Smashing Pumpkins actually did something new.
Grunge was classic rock from the 70's without guitar solos
Ok, so you admit she's just a shock artist. News flash. Shock artists are talentless. Hence why the shock is required.
I love it, can't wait to see Gaga and Madonna do a mash-up for the MTV music awards.
Figures. It's not like Gaga is creative or talented enough to make her own song. How many minutes left of fame does she have again? Is she down to one yet?
Get used to it hunny! Because Gaga is going to be around for a long time whether you like it or not. Hate her or love her, she's here to stay. She has a huge strong fan base (millions) and sells millions of records! And she keeps peoples attention, even the haters.. because here all you haters are reading this article. HAHA PAWS UP B****ES!!
The song is awesome! and it's number 1 on iTunes. For you old people hating on Gaga, iTunes is this place where you can electronically download music.
For all you "old people" ? Can I clue you in....it was us "old people" who developed technology such as I-Tunes (think of people like Steve Jobs in his 50's) for everyone. It wasn't developed by some 17 year old kid. All this great tech that is being developed and placed out there is being done by us old people. Get a clue
You old people may have started technology but clearly have not changed with the times. You all are stuck in the past. You had your chance at life now be old!
As for the lady gaga situation, if you want to talk about being a copy cat. Go back and see who wrote all those big hits for Britney spears and Christina. Not to mention various other artists. Everyone uses something from the past. I don't know about everyone else but I like to hear things from the past. It helps me remember certain stuff.
ROFLMAO
Only old people pay to download music. It's called torrents you square. Record execs and fail artists like Gaga don't deserve our money. People like that have done nothing but ruin music.
So it's number 1 on iTunes because SO many people have downloaded it? No, it's number 1 for the same reason that the commercials say that any given movie is the best new movie: it sells more. It's about money, not popularity. And I can't even imagine how happy GaGa is with this article.
McDonalds sells billions of hamburgers every year but I don't think many people would say it's great food.
Lady GaGa reminds me of cheap fashion where girls will buy clothes covered in glittering sequins or beads and think it makes them look expensive when it just looks like a cheap shirt.
What's telling is that acts like GaGa and Beiber are most popular with kids. Kids who aren't aware enough yet to realize how they're manipulated and who think attention brings money and money brings happiness. Not that you can't be happy with money but there's always a price. I wouldn't want to be Parish Hilton now or in the future but the concept of future happiness is difficult to impart to kids.
History is littered with GaGas. Broke and embarrassed but got to shine for a while with more glitter than substance and in the end they get to be the punch line to jokes. I'll take bets and give you 1 to 1 odds that GaGa winds up a sad performer stuck in one "Glam" persona trying to regain her fame and fortune using the same schtick she has been...shock and offense.
You're a kid if you think it's all new.
And how is Lady Gaga talentless?! God the people who bash her have no concept of her true talent, sure she is a shock artist but that is her INTENTION. She most definitely has talent and calling her a freak show only proves that your just as ignorant as most.
So if someone doesn't agree with your taste in music, they are ignorant? No.... you're the moron who is ignorant of the fact that people have differences in musical taste! Get a spine dumb a**.
I repeat: Lady Gaga is a talentless FREAK SHOW!
And is still amazing how Gaga makes lots of people talk about her. One of the reasons why I really like her.
I always thought that ART, real art, was supposed to be less obvious, less direct, more subtle (when it comes to references, not content).
And that is exactly the opposite of what Gaga does.
What about her Grammy performance of Express Yourself, I mean, Born This Way.
In a song called BORN This Way, she is BORN on stage, coming out of an egg. Isn't it a little too OBVIOUS, directly related to the "concept" of the song? Gaga is far from being a trully talented performer. Madonna, if had any interest in any of this, would be laughing in her hotel room in Berlin.
How insulting to Madonna that this freak show is compared to her (the only queen of pop!). This Freak Show (aka Lady Gaga) has everything in common with Howard Stern (famous for shcok value – not talent).
She sucks. And, frankly many are tired of hearing her pro this and pro that stance on every issue......we get it (you like to do both men and women).
Hey FreakShow.... insulting to Madonna? I'm no big fan of GaGa, but lots of folks think/thought that Madonna is/was a freak. All a matter of taste. Get off your high-horse, you freak.
Gaga writes her own music, plays instruments, and can sing live.
Get out of the closet already! It's great out here!!
Madonna is not a writer, doesn't play an instrument and can't sing! Lady gaga writes every word, all the music, every bit. She is the definition of artist and she has more talent than most people can dream of! She IS talent. Grow up.
Hey Andrea
Madonna writes her music, plays the guitar, has great concerts and they money we pay for tickets is worth it and if recall she sang live at the Oscars and sound it great. One last note she doesn't copy anybody she is an original and she started it all.
People let's not forget that Justin Beiber is still gay. Nevermind gaga...
You're clearly BAKED! How or why you brought Stern into the mix is beyond me. He is known throughout the US to be one of the most talented interviewers out there. He makes more $ than anyone else doing what he does. While some may balk at his antics, you simply cannot deny his abilities as an interviewer. As outrageous as Stern can be, Gaga is much father out there than the King of All Media.
Uli4uname:
Madonna started it all? Really? She didn't copy Marlyn Monroe? Everyone copies everyone.. get over it and lets all move on. This is just so silly. Who cares? It's a fun song!
Seriously, Andrea. Check your facts before you speak. Lady Gaga does not write all of her songs herself. She collaborates with accredited and talented artists. They help her. And if I were any of the co-collaborators on this song or Alejandro I would hang my head in shame to allow my name to be tied to such obvious reproductions. I'm almost waiting for the Milli Vanilli record to skip.
Live and let live.
Frankly its not about whos copying who but rather the message in the song that matter
People all have their own unique things that seperate them apart from other people and this song is celebrating just that!
there is also a difference between cpoying and being insirped or influenced by other people. from the meat dress all the way down to her cone shaped "gun boobs" she is just bringing it back with her own style and taste.
at the end of the day all of you self hating people need to let go of the negativity and focus on what really matters
THE MESSAGE
not whinging about who sounds like who or whos copying the next chick.
move on from the bitterness and holding on to your 80s originals and focus on whats important.
PEACE
Take Madonna's first record for instance: there were only TWO tracks not written by her. ALL the other tracks were written and composed by MADONNA HERSELF. No collaborations.
Madonna's written most of the songs for Breakfast Club (band in which she used to play the drums) and Emmy and the Emmies too. Not to mention that she produces her songs. And even though she collaborates with other people, in a career that is reaching 30 years long, there is a core line connecting every album she's done, and that is Madonna's part on her production and music structure.
Gaga may have written and composed Born This Way by herself. And what is the result? It is a copy of Express Yourself – as indicated by the media all over the world. Which in fact is not difficult to do: you write some words over the melody created by another composer, change a little tiny bit and say it's all yours.
And remember: all her past hits were made in collaboration with power-writers.
"Moss believes that "No matter what it sounded like, for everyone but diehard 'little monsters,' it wasn't going to be enough." That is entirely untrue. I had extremely low expectations for the song after the lyrics were posted, and I am a devout Little Monster, and when I heard the song this morning it transcended anything I could have possibly expected. I love Madonna as well, but I feel like there's something beyond this obvious similarity. Gaga has been playing this album to her friends (including Elton John, of all people). If this was just a shallow mimic, someone would have pointed it out to her.
Referring to oneself as one of her "little monster" is disturbing. Referring to ones fans is disturbing. It's cult behavior – it's unhealthy and mind controlling. This is a woman desperate for attention. A rather damaged soul I suspect as most of us are. She needs to "get well" before gathering followers. The majority of her past videos send seriously unhealthy messages to youngsters and young adults. We need to look at that before we become a "follower".
Okay, if everyone says it's like Express Yourself, well thats good, cause im a HUGE Lady GaGa and I've never heard Express Yourself and Born This Way is way better, just sayin'.
What!? I'm sure you're 15 or something like that, it's the only way you never heard Express Yourself before, but it's just exactly like that song! Shame on Gaga... and of course Born this Way it's NOT better than Madonna's song, just have the music style of this decade, but in the end of 80's the sound of Madonna was the same. No one is better, just Express Yourself was original and Born This Way not.
How can you say it's better if you've not heard the other?
Ok let me get this straight. You are saying Ga-Ga's version is better then something you never heard? That is like saying a Ford is better then a Mercedes because you never rode in one. If you are going to compare the two then actually LISTEN to Madonna. She paved the way for Lady Ga-Ga, Brittney and the rest of the artists out there who are free to push the limits. Maybe paying attention to the artist that gave these gals their inspiration will help you appreciate the music more
Shouldn't it be humiliating that she's trying to release a song that sounds like something that came out over 10 years ago? Does she have a song that sounds like Ace of Base's "The Sign" too, because it would be fitting? It's not better, it's not even mediocre.
Reminds me of the story of a music student trying to decide which of two pieces to play for a recital. He asked his professor to listen and tell him which he preferred. The student started playing the first selection. After playing a few bars, the professor said, "STOP!!! I prefer the other piece."
It's actually the greatest preview to a music industry changing album-Born This Way!!!
how embarrassing that you're this easily persuaded. the song is NOT good, fan or not, its not a good followup...and it IS a rip off of express yourself. i hope youre like 15 but i somehow doubt it.
Oh my! This is not the first time Lady GAGA has copied one of the blonde trinity. You know Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. This is blatant plagiarism. Madonna needs to get her lawyers. I smell soome extra cash coming her way.
How has Lady Gaga ripped of Christina Aguilera–Xtina's newer album is A STRAIGHT UP RIP OFF OF LADY GAGA. And Britney Spears?! How can you even compare the two? Sure the Madonna comparisons make sense but Chizzy, the other two are just nonsense.
Funny you say she copies Britney and Cristina, when Cristina's latest album is a clearl lady gaga knockoff. And actually, Lady gaga has written songs for Britney and Cristina.
ummm...x-tina ripped off of lady gaga AND madonna in not myself tonight. the video actually has identical scenes to the express yourself music video.
True, Christina came out WAYY before lady gaga. Christina had her own unique style especially when she did the video fighter. Back to the point this song copies Express Yourself alot. This song is a couple of steps down from her other work to me.
I think Christina never copied Lady Gaga in her album BIONIC. The creation of the album BIONIC definitely PRECEDES Lady Gaga's singles and the b****'s album. And Christina Aguilera, for crying out loud, is ONE of the MOST ORIGINAL and MOST AMAZING artist of the decade. You can tell that by her songs in her four albums. And please stop the comparison, Christina Aguilera is an ARTIST, Lady Gaga is a SINGER. So that's makes the difference. Besides, it will always be MADONNA, BRITNEY S. AND CHRISTINA!
Umm how is it that Lady Gaga is just a SINGER and Xtina is an artist????? Lady Gaga writes every note, every word, every single bit of that music was made by her. THAT is an artist. Xtina is a singer. She stands there and screams. Lady Gaga is in every aspect, an artist. A wonderful pianist, and dancer, as well as writer. Xtina cannot claim to be any of those. Sorry. Get your facts straight.
You need to get your facts straight, Andrea. Most of Gaga's songs are cowritten with lyrics by her, which can be verified by looking at any of her hit songs' wikipedia pages. It is inaccurate to say that she "writes every note, every word, every single bit of that music." In short, you, Madame, are a liar.
Gaga is nothing but a fad.... she will disappear from the radar soon.
It is no surprise that it sounds like Madonna. Lady Gaga is Madonna for 2010! Still, she has great vocals and I LOVE her style. Check her style http://bit.ly/fEgLJD
It's 2011.
This song is great.
This song....IS AWESOME! <3 Gaga!!!!!
still trying to figure out what H I M means... hmm
Diane H.I.M is the name of a band..if you are a fan of gaga you wouldnt have known since those people generally dont listen to anything outside of the radio sphere
Traditionally in literature, capitalized "Him" is a reference to God. It could be a double entendre or homage to both the band, HIM, and God.
It is one gigantic pile of 80's cheese.
Great? Nah. It's okay.
Him means man. Lady Gaga is s man. The song should be called "Born That Way"
You have it all wrong. Madonna got in her time machine, landed in 2011 and STOLE all of Lady Gaga's riffs!
It's Lady Gaga who should be suing...
Diane- "capital" H I M is a direct reference to God. "It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H I M (God)" hope this helps 🙂
This song is really not very good at all. It sounds stale and uninteresting.
ugh, even when she copies her stupid fans have her back. She's a no talent hack and will soon fade into obscurity.
Yep, it's a great song and has been for over a decade. I hope Madonna sues Gaga's butt for this ripoff.
SO WHAT IF THE SONGS SOUND ALIKE? BOTH Songs are BORING to me!!!
Yeah her artistic ways and music are great. But she is terrible role model for all. She should keep her gay antic in her egg-shell. Was she born gay or did she just get the excitement of a perverse life-style?
I'm over it. Dumb song. GaGa needs to lighten up on pushing the whole "lesbian" thing. Who cares if she's gay. Now this silly song will become the new Gay Anthem for this summer. The more I know GaGa, the more phony she becomes.
It was fun. She was paying homage to Madge. It's fun to dance to. What else do you want?
She and the song are a waste of spirm.
im just like..:Why"? ya know- donning the English accent that Madonna and Gwyneth did somewhat annoyingly and hoity-toitingly in the 90s...when I heard this on the radio my mouth dropped knowing that riff like i know the mole on my left thumb ( I don' have a mole there, bu t THAT"S BESIDES THE POINT! 😉 This song is a duplicate of express yourself- and Gaga s duplicating Madonna, but recall Jane Mansfield, Marilyn Monro...Gwen Stefani...
I will say Gaga's live performance of Born This Way at the Grammy's was so energized I sorta let go of my negative feelings about this copy catting crap.
But still- I mean a little melodic change is all it would have taken. born this way has a nice message, but that's about it. Her vocals need something on them in the first verse- sorry- even though it's Gaga- that voc on a record is not ready for "nada"! 😉
Gaga is awesome!!! Was Madonna the original Material Girl Diva? Okay I give her that it goes without saying but Gaga is her own person with her own style. She hasn't made a song yet that I didn't like. Her and Madonna do have similiarities: they both are out spoken on things they deem important, people listen to them, they are charismatic and it doesn't hurt that they are both incredibile performers. Let's face with our planet so full of people there have got to be 2 women similiar is music style and performance (I heard everyone has a twin too) but that does not make Gaga a copykat. Madonna it is time to pass the baton anyway she had her day of glory as she deserved it now it is someone else's turn that is GAGA. Go girl and do look back!!! Thanks for your contribution to ART and MUSIC!!!
@Rob.
You'd think that...but you'd be wrong.
Completely wrong.
Most Gaga fans I know have a rather diverse musical taste.
I'm a huge fan of Gaga and I haven't listened to the radio in 5 years.
The first time I heard this song ("Born this Way"), I actually thought it was Madonna and a remake of "Express Yourself". My son said "Ugh, Lady Gaga", and I was like "Who?"... so I looked it up and he was right.
So I can see why there are the comparisons. Express Yourself is a lot cleaner and a better song, in my opinion.