Following months of anticipation, buzz, and taunting with leaks of single cover artwork and lyrics strategically leaked to various media outlets, Friday's release of Lady Gaga's lastest single "Born This Way" exploded into a flurry of debate around the authenticity of the pop stars latest work and whether it is or isn't the genuine article.
Critics and fans alike met the single's release with mixed reviews, many noting it as a complete rip of pop icon Madonna's older hits like 1989's "Express Yourself" or "Vogue". "Born This Way" is a bold statement, a bass thumping dance track or as Gaga calls it her "gay anthem" which has hints of former pop hits from Madonna, to TLC's "Waterfalls" or themes similar to Michael Jackson's "Black or White". So while themes and sounds may be similar, lyrically "Born This Way" is speaking to a generation about her politics, religion and the inclusiveness of race and sexuality, singing about society being more open minded. "Express Yourself" on the other hand, Madonna sang more to the idea of changing society in their image.
Perhaps what is most fascinating surrounding the "Born This Way" uproar is the question of artistic merit. Lady Gaga's brand is built on inclusiveness and artistry, something "Born This Way" sings to. So it would be to naive of the Gaga brand to assume there would be no media attention given to the single, and even more reckless to assume no one would notice the parallels to Madonna, among others. Which begs the questions, how calculated was "Born This Way?"
Lady Gaga's brand power is far to strong to be diminished by the controversy, and perhaps that's what Gaga and her people wanted the controversy to do, generate further buzz around her upcoming album. Or it was an intentional wink at one of Gaga's own idol, Madonna. Or simply a coincidence.
The danger for Gaga's integrity as an artist of originality and true self-expression is pretending that those who influenced and inspired her from Madonna to Bowie aren't found in even the smallest elements of her music and image. "Born This Way" it can be argued is simply cut from the same cloth as other pop anthems of empowerment like Glora Gaynor's "I Will Survive", George Michael's "Freedom", or the aforementioned Madonna and Michael Jackson hits.
What can be said with certainty is "Born This Way" is a catchy, synth drench, bass thumping club anthem and a hit, if not simply because it's Lady Gaga. It's sure to be debated for some time, and whether you love her or hate her only an artist of Lady Gaga's cultural status could create such interest in a single.... sorry Britney!
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