Response to Angela’s blog post “Oh the power of interpretation…”

Response to Angela's Blog: http://jesuschristthesuperstar.blogspot.com/

Angela, your interpretation of the lyrics to Lady Gaga’s song “Bad Romance” is interesting. I also interpret the relationship described in the song as a negative one. I agree the relationship described in this song seems to be an obsessive, dark relationship. When I analyzed the lyrics to this song before watching the music video, the video seemed random but full of hidden messages and symbols. At face value, the song lyrics seem to be about Gaga wanting to engage in a relationship with a psychopath. The obsessive nature in the relationship is seen through the constant repeating of “I want your love,” “as long as your mine.” The relationship does appear as a relationship filled with abuse and a love that she cannot escape. The insistence on having his love despite the ugly side and drama shows an unwillingness to let go, as well as an unnatural relationship and addiction as you stated in your blog.

            When examining the video for “Bad Romance” the connection with the music industry becomes apparent. It describes the dark and ritualistic workings of the entertainment industry, which is depicted with Gaga as a sex slave. I find the corporate product placements in the video particularly interesting, such as the Nemiroff vodka bottles, beats by dre, hp laptops, and carrera sunglasses. The main message of her music is that she is willing to do anything, even sacrificing herself in order to obtain fame. Gaga appears as a victim to the music industry. She wants to live in a bad romance with the music industry despite its cruel, abusive side. It is a portrayal of Gaga the “Fame monster.” 

The video flashes back to scenes of Gaga being forced to do things as a “sex slave” contrasted with her willingness.

I want your ugly

I want your disease

I want your everything

As long as it’s free

I want your love (Love-love-love I want your love)

I want your drama

The touch of your hand

I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand

I want your love love-love-love 

I want your love (Love-love-love I want your love)

In reference to the song lyrics, it is obvious that the love Gaga seeks is wrong and not healthy. Despite being a sex slave for the music industry, Gaga appears to like it. Like the unhealthy relationship Angela’s blog described (Quoted from Angela: “A relationship where the woman understands the damage that he is doing to her, and yet she is so addicted to his "love" that she cannot escape him”) Gaga knows the relationship with the music industry will hurt her and treat her horribly, but she is ready and willing to engage in that relationship.

The Cult of Gaga

Every decade has a pop culture phenomenon that has had a significant influence on their fans. Fans form clubs and conventions in honor of their idol, buy memorabilia, set up chat rooms to discuss their favorite celebs latest whereabouts, religiously attend concerts and mimic the style of their idol. In the 80s and 90s Madonna was at her peak. Her popularity and sexual appeal quickly stretched across the world. Through her multimillion-dollar deal, the “Material Girl” showed the world she offered more than just music with her record company, films, books, merchandise and several albums.

In the early 2000s after launching her recording career Britney Spear’s quickly became an international pop culture icon. With her absence Lady Gaga quickly climbed the charts with her catchy songs, outrageous hairdos and innovative costumes. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta famously known for her stage name Lady Gaga was born on March 28, 1986. Born and raised in New York City, she attended a private Catholic school in the city (Covent of the Sacred Heart) and briefly attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts before dropping out to focus primarily on her music career. The debut of her 2008 album “The Fame” drew Gaga into the limelight. Her album was both a critical and commercial success that topped charts around the world.

Gaga’s quirky personality and avante-garde sense of style have her fans, commonly referred to as “little monsters,” dying to replicate her over the top costumes and funky hairdos.

 

When thinking about the Gaga phenomenon I can’t help but reflect on Gordan Lynch’s article, Why Should Theologians and Scholars of Religion Study Popular Culture? In class we discussed his four approaches to the study of popular culture and religion in light of Lady Gaga. When thinking about the how Lady Gaga serves religious functions in society we discussed her social function. In reference to her social function, Gaga formed her own society or cult within popular culture. This cult is comprised of followers (“little monsters”) who religiously attend concerts, engage in chat room conversations and purchase Gaga memorabilia, and create over the top explicit costumes in order to mimic their idol.

But is Lady Gaga really a good role model especially for impressionable adolescents? Media role models often have a huge impact on young children and teens. Adolescents are very conscious about the difference between image and reality and desperately seek role models and ground rules to live by. Although Lady Gaga is a common advocator for anti-bullying campaigns, such as her efforts to fight homophobia with her “It Gets Better” videos, are her explicit videos really sending positive messages? Gaga continually attempts to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

Her videos often portray her naked or in very skimpy outfits, depict bathhouses, sexual relations, prostitution and drugs. A lot of the content portrayed is too sexually provocative and explicit for children to view. This theme also puts into question are children and teens exposed to too much inappropriate material in the media?

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