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June 2011
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The Right Track, Baby


Lady Gaga. What do you think of when you hear that name? What comes to mind when someone says those two simple words? I think of the exotic outfits, the pieces of art she calls clothing. The group dance numbers, forever fun and refreshing. I think of her promotion of equality and loving yourself. The Fame, Gaga’s first studio album, which made her who she is today. I think of The Fame Monster, an eight-track EP that turned me into one of Gaga’s “Little Monsters”.
But most importantly, I think of Born This Way.
I remember when Lady Gaga announced the title of her second studio album at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Born This Way was a self-declared phenomenon before it was even an album. I really wasn’t sure what to expect, considering how bizarre Lady Gaga is. All I knew was that this album was guaranteed to be amazing.
Thankfully, I was not let down. As soon as I pulled the CD out of its Gaga-as-a-motorcycle-clad cover, and slid it into my stereo, I was greeted with the sweet sound of the first song on the album, “Marry the Night”. This song is definitely a great, strong opening to an album that had so much hype. The first line of lyrics are: “I’m gonna marry the night, I won’t give up on my life” and it set the perfect vibe for the overall theme of Born This Way which is to basically love and be happy with yourself and who you are.
Honestly, I love every song on the album, but when I first listened to it, there were a few songs that stuck in my head and made me want to go back for a second listen. “Americano” was one of those songs. Gaga actually sings part of this song in Spanish. It has that type of uplifting beat that make me tap me feet and want to get up and dance with someone.
The ninth song on the album, “Bad Kids” is definitely one of my favorites off the album. It opens with: “We don’t care what people say, we know the truth” which is another perfect example of what Born This Way stands for: accepting yourself, including your flaws and what makes you a ‘bad kid’ and not caring about what others say about you. I think this is one of the most inspiring songs on the album.
The closing song to the album, “The Edge of Glory” is just utterly fantastic. Although this song is about Gaga’s grandfather who recently passed away, it has an upbeat melody and catchy lyrics that are always stuck in my head. While all the other artists are adding fast beats to their songs, Gaga is adding a saxophone solo. My interpretation of the song is Gaga sending out a message to her grandfather saying “I’m on the edge with you”, kind of like saying that even though he is gone (at the edge of his life) that she is still with him and always will keep him in her heart. This song was a perfect way to end the album.
Overall, I believe Born This Way reached everyone’s expectations. I feel like all the Little Monsters around the world are cheering for Gaga and celebrating all her hard work. I’m sure this album turned some people into Little Monsters, too. What I really want people to know is that there is more to the album than the song “Born This Way” which was criticized for being too much like Madonna and “Judas” which was labeled as anti-Catholic. The album is just so much more than that.
With Born This Way, Gaga definitely left her sparkly footprint on the world.

Comments

Comment from khanyi
Time June 14, 2011 at 4:15 AM

hy bri nice blog! i totally hate Lady Gaga, i kinda liked her when she was new but now she gone totally crazy.CAN SOMEONE STOP HER BEFORE SHE LOSES HER MIND. i also love reading books and im in 8th grade in south africa, kzn , durban and i go to westville girls high.

Comment from bri
Time June 15, 2011 at 9:22 PM

Thank you! I’m so glad you like my blog. And I think its so cool that you’re all the way from South Africa! I never thought that people from all over the world would view my blog. What are your favorite books?

Comment from nomfundo
Time June 14, 2011 at 4:18 AM

heyBri… i aslo like reading…my favourite book is instant sisters..if you haven’t read it you should it is so nice..