With 2018 marking Lady Gaga’s tenth year in the business, it’s become impossible to deny her colossal presence.
5. ‘Bad Romance’ (2009)
Why we love it
Released at peak Gaga-mania, this classic wraps up what Lady Gaga is all about in a single song – awe-inspiring aesthetics, risqué performance art, and daring songwriting. ‘Bad Romance’ mixes Gaga’s signature electro-pop with a thumping beat reminiscent of Depeche Mode, while executing a sinister atmosphere. From the ghoulish baroque opening to the legendary “Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah/ Rom roma ma/ Gaga oh la la”, this UK Number One received widespread critical acclaim, multiple Grammys, and is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with 12 million copies sold worldwide.
You cannot talk ‘Bad Romance’ without its unforgettable video, which sees Gaga taken prisoner in a Russian bathhouse and sold as a sex-slave, only for her then to take revenge on her buyer with a blowtorch – all while providing striking visuals, flawless choreography and bizarrely-chic high fashion. The video became the most-viewed video on YouTube, was voted number one by critics on Billboard’s ‘greatest music videos of the 21st century’ list, and broke the record for most VMA nominations in history.
Behind the bop
The lyrics set the grim tone of 2009’s ‘The Fame Monster’ and cover aspects of a toxic relationship and harmful choices in partners. She uses various references to Alfred Hitchcock movies – “I want your psycho, your Vertigo shtick / Want you in my Rear Window, Baby you’re sick.” Gaga explained to Alexa Chung: “What I’m really trying to say is, ‘I want the deepest, darkest, sickest parts of you that you are afraid to share with anyone, because I love you that much’.”
Most Gaga moment
“I’m a free bitch baby!”
4. ‘ScheiBe’ (2011)
Why we love it
This intense euro-dance anthem took Lady Gaga’s fanbase by storm; going on to become one of the most treasured songs of her whole discography. The title, SchieBe, translates from German as ‘Shit’ and Gaga speaks with a mix of faux-German and English over fizzing synths and a pounding bass. The track was a highlight from ‘Born this way’ and received remarkable praise from contemporary critics. This song is absurd, artistic and perfect for a rave.
The track begins with Lady Gaga bizarrely growling, “I don’t speak German, but I can if you like” – she then lets out a howl, which is followed by duelling, screechy synths. These remain throughout the song in a trance-like loop.
Behind the bop
The lyrical content covers female empowerment and talks about having to deal with life’s shit, and how the shit makes you stronger. Lady Gaga hypes up her fellow feminists and encourages bravery and independence in the face of adversity. Notable lines include, “When I’m on a mission / I rebuke my condition / If you’re a strong female you don’t need permission” and “Blonde, high-heeled feminists, enlisting for this / Express your womankind, fight for your right.”
Most Gaga moment
The previously-mentioned major hip injury happened mid-‘SchieBe,’ but Gaga continued the complex choreography, despite some thinking her screams were a repeat of the opening howl.
3. ‘Perfect Illusion’ (2016)
Why we love it
This is the lead single from Gaga’s last record, ‘Joanne’, which sees the pop icon take a more down-to-earth vibe. ‘Perfect Illusion’, however, is a pounding synth-rock number and puts Lady Gaga’s uncooked vocal ability on full display. There is a sense of urgency and disorientation to the song, with a building march-like chord progression. Just before the two-minute mark the world’s most exhilarating key change is brought on by bashing drums – hungry to scream the truth, Gaga wails out that “it wasn’t love” and you’re left with goosebumps.
Behind the bop
Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker co-wrote and co-produced the track with Gaga, and Josh Homme appears on guitar. The lyrics were brainstormed on Gaga’s typewriter and focus on trying to decode what is reality and what is fiction in the modern world. “How do we look through these images that we know are filtered and altered, and decipher what is reality and what is a perfect illusion?” she told the Elvis Duran Show.
Most Gaga moment
This breathtaking acoustic performance.
2. ‘Judas’ (2011)
Why we love it
It’s hard to make a top ten Lady Gaga songs list without feeling the lawless craving to throw in the entirety of ‘Born This Way’. Although the heavy metal riffs of ‘Electric Chapel’ and the eerie elegance of ‘Bloody Mary’ are monumental moments, ‘Judas’ was a top 10 hit in over 15 countries and is the true lead single of ‘Born This Way’. Judas is by far one of Gaga’s most provocative and unparalleled pop numbers, showcasing her one-of-a-kind knack for packaging the gothic avant-garde in to a bankable radio hit.
It features a satanic sledgehammer beat, electro-house of the highest order and a symbolically Gaga “Judas, Juda-ah-ah.” The glittery ’80s pop melody of the chorus is a surprisingly successful variation from the otherwise demonically dark and dramatic sound of ‘Judas’. However, the song reaches its climax with the turbo-charged techno breakdown, which sees Gaga hurl herself into decadent spoken word – the best dance breakdown of Gaga’s career, or perhaps of all time.
Behind the bop
Judas is an analogy for how Lady Gaga tries to walk towards the light in her future while peering towards the devil in her past – whether that be choices in men, drug abuse or struggles with mental health. Judas represents the self-destructive vices that Gaga battles to leave behind – “Judas is the demon I cling to.”
When talking to MTV, she explained, “the song is about washing the feet of both good and evil and understanding and forgiving the demons from your past in order to move into the greatness of your future.”
Most Gaga moment
Much like ‘Alejandro’, ‘Judas’ was met with vicious criticism from the Catholic church, who cried blasphemy due to the use of religious wordplay and metaphors. In very Gaga fashion the song was released just before Easter, and the music video only exacerbated controversy.
1. ‘Poker Face’ (2008)
Why we love it
From the instantly recognizable “Mum-mum-mum-mah”, the world was introduced to the glam-futurism dimension that Gaga revitalized the music scene with. This unstoppable mega-hit was the best-selling single of 2009, was loved by critics, earned aGrammy, went Number One internationally and is one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over 14 million.
Gaga uses autotune as an artistic styling that goes well with the electro-pop aesthetic, rather than to disguise weak vocals. ‘Poker Face’ combines a robotic, dark sound with synth-pop to create an addictive anthem that became one of the most iconic songs of the 2000s.
Behind the bop
The lyrical content features various references to Texas Hold ‘Em and is about Lady Gaga’s bisexuality. She told Barbara Walters, “That’s really what the song was all about – why when I was with my boyfriend was I fantasising about women?!” The chorus repeats two alternating lyrics with “He’s got me like nobody”, followed by “She’s got me like nobody”, an often unnoticed ode to Gaga’s confusion over her sexual desires.
Biggest Gaga moment
“’Cause I’m bluffing with my muffin.”
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