Comments on: Open Game: Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” Video

By: Cati

Cati — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:32:53 +0000

Funny that I should stumble across this now. I watched the video for the first time with my roommate the other day and was so unsettled I decided to blog about it. I just finished that post and then noticed this thread. So forgive me, I’m going to quote a bit of myself here (sorry, I know…super arrogant, I’m sorry). For the full piece, check out the blog.

**caveat: none of the below comments are intended in any way as anti-queer or anti-freedom-of-sexual-expression**

Gaga, Gaga, Gaga…. *shakes head*

I’ve been trying to give Gaga the benefit of the doubt. I love her music and I think she’s a brilliant artist. But the subliminal messages she (or whoever’s coming up with the video’s) are driving me crazy. In spite of Gaga’s professed support for the LGBTQ movement, she’s not really adding anything [constructive] to the conversation. Sure, the lyrics of “Born this Way” are pretty clearly pro-queer, but her whole schpiel about “Mother Monster” and pure evil is a little…confusing? misleading?

But whatever…if it were one video I’d shut my mouth and enjoy it. But it’s not just one video. In “Telephone,” we learned that queers are mass-murderers. In “Alejandro” we learned that queers are cross-dressing “sexual deviants” (and maybe anti-christs?). And now we’re all born of “Mother Monster”? Thanks, but no thanks Gaga. I don’t want your love or your ally-status and I sure as hell don’t wanna be friends. Let’s talk when you stop sensationalizing queerness and reinforcing what the right wing already thinks.

By: Marlie

Marlie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 02:19:15 +0000

I love the message of this song, I have a feeling it will be the anthem of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this year. It’s a touch Madonna in essence, but the world could use a few more Madonna’s!

Stephen Moore, I’m really irritated by Vevo, Youtube ect. blocking things left, right and centre, watching such things should be left to a viewers discretion. Pretty soon we are going to have to look for Gaga and Rhianna on Porn Tube.

By: Bef With an F

Bef With an F — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:09:13 +0000

Does this work? If not, feel free to delete this comment:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=180945065282581&id=1657065230

By: Bef With an F

Bef With an F — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:08:02 +0000

Violet, have you heard of this guy William Ford III? He posted a note on Facebook that my friend linked to,& it talks about how Gaga is a living sign of the devil. I know it’s rude to make fun of people’s religions, but…. Damn, it’s a strange read.

I can’t figure out how to send a link to you (because Facebook really is the devil!), but perhaps I could send it to you as a message? I think it would make an interesting part of this debate.

By: Jason Riedy

Jason Riedy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 02:06:02 +0000

I’m not at all sure how to take this video. The purely physical bits are nice, of course, and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when a major “star”‘s work feels ego-driven. To me, it felt more self-supportive than supportive of others. But perhaps I was in a delicate mood when I watched it.

And I have to wonder if anyone farted rainbows during the video’s production.

By: Nongenerica

Nongenerica — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:09:24 +0000

Just to clarify….Jack was the first – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv1HX80u5x4

By: Nongenerica

Nongenerica — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:07:38 +0000

She has made the “skeleton look” sexier than ever for me.

Props.

By: R

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:42:57 +0000

That’s… huh. That’s definitely a thing that it is.

The thing about Lady Gaga is, I always have to wonder how meta she’s being. She’s basically using her entire career as a piece of extended performance art, or at least I think that’s what she’s doing; and so when she comes out with a video like this it makes me wonder not only what she’s doing within the video, but how the video itself is part of her larger commentary on fame and celebrity.

Or maybe I’m way over-reading this.

By: sean

sean — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:26:39 +0000

The opening music is from Hitchcock’s Vertigo, composed by the famous Bernard Hermann. Classic score.

By: Stephen Moore

Stephen Moore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:04:47 +0000

VEVO is blocking access to us foreigners, so a YouTube link for those outside US and Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1FrqwZyKw. Strange that VEVO blocks on their site, but allows on their official YouTube site.

By: David

David — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:51:46 +0000

@ Violet: Didn’t check your YouTube link until after posting. The old guy in the Six Flags commercials has always struck me as disturbing. Can’t quite put a finger on why, but he seems somewhat demonic. I also see the similarity that you mentioned.

By: David

David — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:48:00 +0000

Definitely an interesting video. The intro dragged on a bit for me. The facial and shoulder appliances were a nice touch, gave her a much more androgynous look.

In regards to the above post question “Also, if people are perfect born the way they are, then how can something be born evil?” They are simply born perfectly evil. Perfection has many forms, it doesn’t mean you have to like them all.

By: violet

violet — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:10:11 +0000

I love seeing Gaga in a pile of beautiful women, no doubt about that. She’s outdone Madonna for sure, but I feel like this song is part of a “Madonna phase.” I wonder who produced the new album. Either way, mad props for all the pussy stroking and all the things that will Make Westboro Baptist make even crazier signs for her concerts…

I like the message of the song too, but I got sad when the dance segment of Gaga in the suit reminded me of this commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PDIBTS_xDQ

By: criolle johnny

criolle johnny — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:36:57 +0000

She’s gone to one ceremony dressed in meat. She’s gone to another in an egg. She’s two red carpets away from a Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast!
Sorry, I stole that one, but I still like it.

By: evil born

evil born — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:57:14 +0000

I like the message of the song, but the intro-short is a bit confusing. In particular is says that “evil” was born, but what is this evil? Also, if people are perfect born the way they are, then how can something be born evil?

IMO, Lady Gaga is great with the interesting imagery and fun music, but she falls flat on the philosophy and metaphysics.