We will move on from Lady Gaga as soon as the next shiny object catches our attention. This is where we left off at
the end of the last investigation of Stefani Germanotta, better known to the world as Lady Gaga, back in 2011. Gaga has maintained relative radio silence up until recently, when she released the admittedly catchy Applause. Applause itself is undeniably a well-polished ear worm, but hampered by Gagas annoying roar in certain parts and lyrical content that once again shows how shallow the message actually is. Whereas previous Gaga singles at least attempted to divorce themselves from her overwhelming public persona (simple songs about girls in clubs who get drunk), this new song is unmistakably about the Lady herself. Lyrics like I live for the applause/Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me draw Gagas narcissistic obsession to center stage, as if such sentiment is more than anything to be ashamed of. Almost twenty years after Kurt Cobain made hating fame cool, Gaga positions herself as desperately seeking attention - without which, shell die. Another line is very telling: Pop culture was in art now arts in pop culture in me. Here, it seems that Gaga believes she has replaced conventional art from which pop culture used to be derived and now packages and delivers it herself out of the kindness of her heart. This from someone who seconds later provides instructions on how to clap: Put your hands up, make em touch, touch. Marvel at Lady Gagas brilliance. Despite the fact that songs like Just Dance and Poker Face are little more than sonically pleasing candy with no nourishment for the brain, they at least had some level of depth. Paparazzi is a song full of metaphor, with the camera waving vultures representing the fierce determination of an unrequited lover. Applause is simply about Gaga appreciating attention. Theres no way Greyson Chance could perform a cover of this newest song; it would seem ridiculous. Its ironic that Gaga performed the song at this years MTV Video Music Awards before being promptly upstaged by (and completely abandoned as a topic in favor of) Miley Cyrus gyrations. It seems that the pop culture Gaga purports to be the embodiment of has moved on without her. At this point, Gagas elaborate costume changes, colorful wigs, and intricate choreography are no match for a giant foam finger stuffed between legs. Gagas performance may have been technically better, but Cryus got everyone talking, the new shiny object for the masses to obsess over. Gaga has been playing the long con: performing bubblegum pop while positioning herself as a figurehead of the downtrodden, outsiders of the world. While Miley Cyrus appropriation of black culture is blatant, Gagas is much more surreptitious. Cyrus surrounds herself with black girls to appear to be like one of them; Gaga heads to the front of the pride parade to seem like she IS one of them.
After listening to Gagas personal philosophy in interviews and seeing her activism (which, admittedly, is very nice of her), youd expect her catalogue to be full of the same topics, but Gaga has demonstrated time and again that she has no interest in singing about what she talks about. You would think the purveyor of pop culture would be a little more responsible. Imagine how much she could further her causes if she actually wrote songs about them! (Although, judging by the relative obscurity of Janelle Monáe, whose numerous concept albums deal with themes like racism, societal oppression, and class inequality, Gagas approach is much better for gaining mainstream attention.) Gaga spent so long away and Applause is what she gives us? A song about how much she needs our attention. Shes made being an attention whore into a badge of honor. Why does Gaga do the things she does? Shes telling us the exact reason, herself: for the spectacle, for the praise. This isnt news, Stefani. We knew that a long time ago. Click "next" below to read my original article from almost two years ago...