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I don't get the Gaga love
What am I missing? I just don't get all the rah-rahs for Lady Gaga. Or Justin Beiber for that matter but I'm not 12 so I guess that's why.
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Re: I don't get the Gaga love
I really liked Lady Gaga in her last album...partly because it was the only music I could play in the car to get Ian to stop crying when he was a baby...
Now I just think she's a cheap Madonna knock off right down to that hair style she wore at the Grammy's during her performance (even if Madonna wasn't the first to do it either its what I remember). I also am not overly partial to the new song, it seems like she tried too hard with this album.
I hear influences of Madonna's Express Yourself - but it doens't sound like a direct ripoff of each note. Not to me at least.
I love Gaga, and I love Bieber. Gaga's music is catchy, upbeat, the dance factor is there. The messages are fantastic - if you take the time to listen for them. In Just Dance, she sings about a date rape. In Monster, she picks up where Just Dance left off and the message is about the monster who date raped her. Gaga herself puts her money where her mouth is, so to speak, regarding social issues. She not only says she'll fight for something - but she follows through. I believe that her pressure on lawmakers - from calling Senators and members of Congress, to encouraging her followers to do the same in a respectful and informed manner - is what helped get DADT repealed. She is unapologetically different. I love so much about her.
Bieber is just a cute kid (he's 16!!) and I hate when people pick on him for saying stupid things. He's a baby.. we all sounded like egomanical idiots at that age! His music is catchy, easy to dance to, and fun. It's just pop music - I don't take it too seriously. He seems super genuine. Ellen was on at work last week and Bieber was on the show. He granted a wish to a fan of his, and the way that he was with the fan was so sweet. He seems like a nice kid on a really fun ride to being a star.
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
I agree with this. He is definitely talented. I remember listening to his youtube videos years ago. His Stevie Wonder covers were my favorite. I also think his story is kind of interesting because of the way that new social media has made it possible for "every day" people to gather a fan base before becoming part of the music industry machine.
I think people are negative about him without having any real understanding of who he is, or how talented he really is. And, like Anita said - he is 16. Teenage girls SHOULD be having crushes on him. I'd prefer that over the misplaced sexual repression of the crappy Twilight kids.
Judging
That's what people keep saying, but I must need to go listen to Express Yourself because I don't really hear it...but I'm not overly musical like that. I think it was a combo of Express Yourself and Vogue. She even did some of the Vogue arm movements that Madonna did in her performance.
Its one thing to aspire or emulate an artist but its another thing to just completely steal their moves.
Won't even go there with Bieber, I think he's just another flash in the pan and will be old news just like his mentor Usher.
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Exactly! Twilight kids = greasy grossness. Plus, hardly any talent. You, actress - stand over there and pout. *eye roll*
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
I see Gaga as not just an musical artist - she is always performing. Like Sacha Baron Cohen when he has a part - Borat! - Gaga is always 'on' as Lady Gaga. She is more of a live performance artist that creates music as part of her performance.
I have a modern perspective on art however, and it helps that my best friend is an artist so I am more comfortable with the artist culture. There is symbolism and meaning in everything that Gaga does - you just have to look for it. Not everyone appreciates it - but we can't all be expected to appreciate all forms of art. I occasionally have a hard time with modern art exhibits - not understanding the message, the intention behind the work. With Gaga, I get it. I appreciate the feminist messages in her art and as a huge bonus, her music is fun to listen to. Coming out of an egg - how I interpret it is that she's being born (duh) and the clothing - flesh toned, sort of slippery looking, simulating nakedness - was just part of that. That when you strip down all of the stereotypes, the labels, the hate (for gays, etc), we are all just born the way we are (naked, pure, perfect).
Hmm. I'm feeling like I need to go to a discussion at a modern art exhibit and interpret some art now. I am craving culture in the end of winter, that's for sure!
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
I don't think any one of us here is saying they "don't get it" with regards to that, yes we all know she's a performance artist, it only takes watching one interview with her to understand that.
The thing is most artists stand for something, and have messages so she's really not all that original. There are a lot of other artists that are out there championing for causes too. She just gets the attention because she's extreme with it. Every single Madonna video had a message as well from teen prenancy, to religion, to inter racial relationships.
There are so many bad/copycat/annoying/over-hyped artists out there, I figure she is no worse than many of the rest of them, and in some regards a whole lot better. I think she does have a lot of good messages about embracing your differences, which I respect more than crap like Ke$ha or whatever her name is.
I think she just gets more attention because she dresses weird. Other than that, I don't think she is hugely different from a lot of other music out there. So I don't love her or hate her. I tolerate her slightly more than others.
Judging
I really hope I'm misinterpreting the condescension that is dripping off all of that. It's okay for people not to like her!
Exactly.
I don't know that I agree with you when you say that there are a lot of other artists that are championing for causes too. I guess it depends on the causes, but very few artists come to mind for me. Of artists ('actors', musicians etc) I can think of a small number that have causes that they truly embrace. John Legend is one - his new WakeUp! album, many old civil rights/freedom songs, is a prime example of someone with a true message. While he is popular (and a fantastic musician), he isn't nearly as huge as Gaga. Snooki was in the news in the last year because she was lobbying against a tanning bed tax. Hardly a flagship issue, in my opinion, but maybe that's because I dont tan?
I just can't think of any other pop/hip hop/top 40 artists that have such a targeted message.
I agree that Madonna's videos/music all had messages as well. I also love Madonna and I loved how brazen Madonna was for the time that she was really coming into her celebrity voice. Gaga is essentially Madonna for this time - in the broad sense of someone who takes risks, who is out there, who is talented, someone with a vision. I don't think that makes Gaga an imposter (not saying that you said she was, just saying in general) of Madonna. People wouldn't call Michael Buble a Frank Sinatra imposter, but Buble is clearly influenced by Sinatra & other Rat Pack era artists. It's just that Buble is in a safe genre, Gaga isn't.
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
That's awesome someone did that. I don't know how anyone could deny the similarities after hearing that. It's almost like Born This Way's melody is the inverse of Madonna's melody overlaid over the same exact beat.
BTW, I am a Gaga fan, but I don't consider myself a hardcore fan. I think some of what she does is pretty damn catchy.
I also have to admit that I am not a Bieber gal, but DH and I find ourselves singing that damn "baby baby baby" song around the house at random. He's bringing us into his web, that's for sure. Did you guys see SNL with Dana Carvey recently? The Church Lady skit with Bieber was funny as hell.
You are misinterpreting - because I am not trying to be condescending. The post was why you don't "get" Gaga - and I am just giving my interpretation. As I wrote - not all people appreciate all forms of art. There isn't anything wrong with it. But, if you ask why people get her because you don't - well, was I not supposed to answer? I truly think you are reading way more into my response than there is. I like her. I like modern art too - and my husband hates modern art. When we've gone to exhibits together, I have explained to him what I've seen in it. Sometimes it enlightens him, othertimes he doesn't care/doesn't see it/doesn't speak to him as passionately as it speaks to me. *shrugs*
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
Well lets see there's
U2
Wyclef Jean
Green Day (although all their statements are political in nature)
Hip-hop producer Russell Simmons has hitched many of his stars to a new organization aimed at fighting poverty and injustice.
Dixie Chicks
Some of those people are pretty big in my opinion...
Point taken on those. I guess I don't think of them because they don't have any new music recently. They are all big - I totally agree there. Just not as controversial as Gaga - maybe because they play many other things pretty safe - as far as the whole picture they put out? All of the causes these artists belive in are more than worthy - I think it could also have to do with the substance of the issues - as much as I'd like to think we are in a level & equal society, womens issues are still fairly controversial, as are LGBT equality issues. I admire U2, but it's pretty safe, at least in 2011, to campaign for AIDS awareness & health in general in poor nations. It's less safe to campaign for equal rights for LGBT people.
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
For what it's worth, I totally agree that there are more problems to the world than just the two she stands behind. I'm not trying to take a confrontational tone, but I think you are interpreting me the wrong way. Lively discussion about something doesn't mean that it's mean spirited. I am not being mean spirited.. but the nest doesn't come with emotion fonts.
jack | born 9.13.12 at 40w4d | 9 lbs 12 oz | 23 in
my puppy loves - chloe & jenson
pregnancy blog | chart
See Mush's post above about jumping to conclusions. Hah. It just felt like you were saying, "You don't understand art and I do so that I why I get her and you don't." Again, I'm sincerely hoping that wasn't the undertone you meant to write. I happened to grow up participating in the arts and can certainly appreciate all types of genres and performers. I just don't personally care for the charade Gaga has been playing and thus have a harder time understanding why there is SUCH a fuss about her. Fuss away though, it's your right and I can respect that.
I understand, and I just got defensive on the "no other artists" part because I knew there were other pretty big artists out there that were doing stuff, and were still helping. I also found this article on women musician's and the causes they support. I was interested to find out about Tori Amos, and while she hasn't done something in a while I was still interested to learn that.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Women-Musicians-Their-Causes
Gaga has some catchy stuff, though I hate Bad Romance. Her song sounds just like express yourself, if you can't hear that, you should listen to them both. When I heard the new song, I thought it was a remix of express yourself.
Beiber has no talent, just a really good promoter, and some great luck in showbiz, good for him. He'll be gone soon just like New Kids On the Block, and other teen-heavy artists of yore.
Twilight sucks, the reading level is ridiculous, the messages it sends to teen girls are horrific, and the number of people who choose to ignore these facts scare the jeebus out of me.
Holy Pete, AGREED on that last part. I also agree about Beiber. There are tons of kids that can sing, he just got lucky and found the right handlers and managers. And hairstylists, natch.
Sure, he's charming and cute, but he's not he only person on this planet that is charming and cute. It worries me how bonkers young girls go over him. I think some take it to an unhealthy level.
I think music is one of those "to each her own" things for me. I love Gaga but I've only heard one Jason Mraz song, and I thought it was annoying.