I’m Over Lady Gaga’s WTF Factor

June 14, 2010 9:00 am     Posted in Buzz, Entertainment  Christie - NC State University g+ page


By Christie

I used to be an avid Lady Gaga fan. She was quirky, and her music was catchy. I even loved her strange sense of style, telling my friends how awesome it was to finally have a true performer on the music scene. Her music videos, although weird, I tolerated, saying it was what made her, her.

Now, however, I can’t appreciate Lady Gaga for the artist she is.
And with all the bells, whistles, and the generally over-the-top antics, I don’t see how anyone can.

It always goes like this: A new Gaga song comes out and I love it, dance to it, rock out to it with the windows down in the car. I’ll be excited about the release of a new music video. And then said video comes out… and it’s confusing.

No, it’s downright strange.

Take Gaga’s latest music video release for Alejandro. The world was on the edge of their seats wondering what was coming, what she would think of next. Then we finally saw it and I was so distracted by trying to figure out what it meant that I barely realized Alejandro was playing in the background. Why were there men in high heels? And what was with all the (offensive) Catholic references?

It seems that with each new Lady Gaga release, things get stranger. Even when we didn’t think that was possible any more. Remember when Bad Romance hit the interwebs? Yeah, everyone sat at their computers, mouths wide open, asking themselves WTF was going on when those creatures climbed out of those pods. I watched it a dozen times, trying to understand.

And then Telephone came out and suddenly Bad Romance seemed so normal. The video was intense and sexy and creepy and strange, and ruined Telephone for me, because instead of just picturing Lady Gaga dancing at the clubs with a boy bugging her (which is the point of the song, yes?), I had to think of her killing people with Beyonce. While wearing caution tape.

Talk about a buzz kill.

Not to mention, in my opinion, a great director shouldn’t have to explain a music video. (Which, is exactly what’s happening right now.) A story should be evident; that’s what a music video is for. Now I know people are going to tell me I just don’t see the deeper meaning, that it is true art. The thing is, you’re absolutely right. I don’t understand a lot of art, but I’m okay with that. I have taken art history where I stared at modern art for hours, and although I appreciated it for the idea it supposedly represented, I didn’t actually enjoy looking at it. And that’s exactly how I feel about Lady Gaga; sure the cinematography of her music videos is great, and they are…interesting, but they’re also unsettling, and not in a good way.

Honestly, I love Lady Gaga’s music and I respect how she’s challenged the pop music scene, but I just think she’s taken things a bit too far. And at this point, I think she’s becoming more about shocking than entertaining her “little monsters.”

And with the way she’s pushed the envelope thus far, I can’t help but wonder what could she possibly come up with next. To some of you, that’s exciting, but to me, well, I’m just scared.

31 Comments on "I’m Over Lady Gaga’s WTF Factor"

  1. meggurz says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20105:39 am 

    I think the video is very Madonna of her…

  2. katie says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20106:00 am 

    I completely agree with every word of this. I didn't even bother watching her newest video, on account I don't think its that great of a song. Then what was up with her behavior at the mets game. She is so fan oriented but so she should be setting an example not acting immature and flipping off the people in the stands. I think Gaga is just another fad.

  3. Molly says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20106:14 am 

    Agree with every word of this!

  4. Lisa says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20107:02 am 

    I disagree.

    Perhaps I don't internalize things, but being an English major and analyzing every single piece of literature I've ever read has actually caused me to develop a good "off" switch. I can just sit back and watch a Gaga video and appreciate it for what it is: crazy, well-made, and cool.

    What I'm confused about is what you would rather have. Take Telephone for example: would you rather it be a montage of shots of Gaga dancing with a whole bunch of guys, and then close-up shots of her singing – like every other video ever made?

    I personally like videos that differ completely from the song they're attached to, because it's like a scene from a movie: it's more creative, and it allows you to make your own plot (like watching Spanish soap operas and making up your own dialogue) and it also says a lot more about who's a performer and who's letting other people tell them what to do.

  5. Allison says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20107:24 am 

    I think I agree with both you and Lisa, the commenter above me. I really, really loved the Bad Romance video; I thought it was just crazy enough that everyone came back for more. I mean, it's the most watched video on Youtube, people obviously like it. I remember watching Bad Romance about 50 times, so excited for the new Telephone video. Then when Telephone was released, I hated it. I only watched that one once. Personally, I don't think Lady Gaga is making an artistic statement anymore. The Alejandro music video almost made me think that she is just throwing together random things to mess with everyone's heads.

  6. Christie - NC State says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20109:47 am 

    The thing is, I can't think of a plot while watching her latest video. I get that she is a performer, and I totally respect that, but I feel that she is just starting to throw things together just to keep us guessing and for us to say "wow, that Gaga is such a free spirit".

    Not to mention, I'll take a boring old dance number over her swallowing a rosary and having an upside down cross on her vag. I know some people aren't religious, and that's their decision but I am, and as a Catholic I really didn't appreciate her latest references.

    This really is just a personal opinion though, you are entitled to your's (and thanks for sharing it :) I'm not trying to change your mind). I will still jam out to her music, but I probably won't watch her videos unless I want a good laugh or want to see whatever crazy costume she is wearing.

  7. Eimear says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 201010:00 am 

    Lady gaga has been an attention seeker from the start. And while I enjoy some of her music, especially in nightclubs, if she comes on the tv, I turn the tv off. It's such a pity that someone so talented is such an idiot. What kind of role model is she for people? People will take it that it's okay to dress like a tart and say obscene things. And as far as the Catholic thing goes, I'm not a religious person by any means, but she has no right to reference it the way she did.

  8. Noelle says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 201010:33 am 

    You're absolutely right. She is getting more and more weird. Plus, I can see that her fans can't just say that they didn't like it, because if it was made by Lady Gaga, it is genial.

    I think it's stupid to think this way. I love Lady GaGa's songs and I think she is great. But some say she is a genious. Well, I used to think so, but now I cannot say if SHE is genial or if it is just Hollywood turning her into some kind of godness.

    I can't say she isn't brilliant and talented. That would be a lie. But I think she is surpassing the limits of something good to see…

  9. Jessica says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 201010:57 am 

    i thought it was pretty cool that she had so much "gayness" in the video. how often is male homosexuality…celebrated, for lack of a better word, these days :)

  10. Lisa says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20102:19 pm 

    Lady Gaga's strangeness is not 'artistic'. I'm sorry, I'm an artsy person, I have been all my life, but art is about expressing yourself, and shes' just going for the shock factor here. She wants people to talk about her. Her 'artsiness' is the reason I don't listen to her CD's or even respect her anymore. She was a good artist. Then people started worshiping her and she started acting out more and more….whatever. Sure, she has talent. But her music is nothing new, and her style is just trying to convince us shes something new.

  11. Melissa says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20104:03 pm 

    I find it funny that people are seeing the "Alejandro" video from the Madonna angle – but as a former theatre major and junkie, her technique seems more Brechtian than for shock value. It seems to reflect the idea of fascist Spain – the nun idea seems to be an afterthought.

    I'm not sure if she is a genius, but I find myself thinking more into her music videos than others. The music is fun and great to listen to, and the videos always make me look into if there is a different sort of story behind the song.

  12. Amelia says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20104:25 pm 

    WOW…

    Perfectly said! I LOVE LOVE LOVE loved GAGA.. after this video.. I love her music! her.. as a person im like Blah! Ask anyone around I was totally Obsessed but what The Hell Was Alejandro about? I expecteed tequila shots yeh… gays on the beach YESSSS coconut treees (YEHHHHH) a beach… but what did i get? a friggin weird video that creeped me out!

    the ending was WHAT THE HELL!

    IM catholic.. And I was confused as hell with that video.. It in no way was anything positive … very offensive to christians..

    DAMN GAGA for taking my love away..~

    I heard MONSTER might be her new single.

    OMG its going to be a horror movie!

  13. Syd says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 20108:44 pm 

    She's just going for shock factor. The song is great, in a 'it can be on the radio and I won't completely die' kind of way. However, her 'performance?' The video is just a mishmash of images that everyone knows are supposed to be shocking and offensive, but have been done a hundred times before, so no one is ACTUALLY offended. I've heard people acknowledge that it should be offensive, but I've yet to hear anyone making a big stink about actually BEING offensive. When Madonna danced in front of burning crosses and kissed Martin de Porres (or Black Jesus, if you want to be lazy and do no research) while singing about oral sex, everyone was on TV, dropping her from sponsorships, and acting like the world was ending. Lady Gaga takes some Nazi-esque imagery and mixes it with gyrating gay men and something kind of Catholic something, and people say 'oh, okay. Why?' And when Madonna did it, it actually made sense just watching the video and hearing the lyrics.

    Then again, can we really expect anything more than 'I'M INTERESTING, LOOK OVER HERE, PAY ATTENTION TO ME, I AM VERY EDGY' from the woman who had to make a scene at her own sister's graduation because some girls were mean to her when she was 14?

  14. Taylor says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 201011:13 pm 

    I thought the video was great, haha. I definitely had a plot going in my head. I loved everything about it–the plot (which ended up being pretty close to what the director explained as the interpretation), the message I got out of it, the artistic aspect of it, the whole shebang. Even the "shock factor." People need to be shocked. Bring it on, Gaga. I'll be waiting.

    And as for your comment about "offensive Catholic references," Gaga herself is Catholic. Obviously she's had some personal experiences with Catholicism. If it offended you, sorry, but no banana. I've had lots of bad experiences with things that might offend someone, but that's just life.

    Good job, Gaga! The Alejandro video was fantastic, can't wait to see what's next.

  15. Marla says:
    Mon, 14th Jun 201011:14 pm 

    Well, I haven't seen this video but I really don't care to. Honestly, I don't see why the video is such a big deal. Yeah, it probably didn't make any sense in correlation to the song lyrics but there's a lot of videos like that, just like there's a lot of videos that follow the lyrics word-for-word. It's a music video. Who really cares about whether or not Gaga's going for the "shock" factor with her performances/videos/outfits/actions? If it's good music, it's good music. She's a performer who gets paid to make a scene, and she obviously does so very well even when she does things that people don't agree with. If it's not your favorite style of video or music, then find something that suits you better.

  16. Charlotte says:
    Tue, 15th Jun 20105:22 am 

    I don't think its totally her fault, though she does just fan the flames. It's easy to get sick of her when literally EVERYONE is talking about her all the time… news anchors, glee.. she is everywhere.

    I'm so over her schtick. Let's call a spade a spade: shes just another pop artist, albeit with genuine vocal talent. Her 9 minute music videos are just tiresome. Plus her whole stunt with showing up at her sister's prom cause she hated the school so much and wanted to show them up is so low, and exposes her as insecure and bitter.

    She needs to get out of the media for a few months or everyone is gonna hate her.

  17. Kendel Gorbo says:
    Sun, 20th Jun 20108:14 am 

    Your Dumb If you were a real gaga fan you would look into what everything meant and the catholic references were not offensive you dont even now what it is about so shut your damn mouth stupid ignorant bitch!!

  18. Christie - NC State says:
    Sun, 20th Jun 20103:24 pm 

    Kendel,

    Reading between the lines, I view your comment as a sexual advance.

    I accept ;)

    No, but there are several things wrong with your comment, let's fix those shall we?

    "You're dumb. If you were a real Gaga fan, you wouldn't look into what everything means. The Catholic references were not offensive, you don't even know what is about so please shut your damn mouth you stupid bitch."

    If you are going to insult me, please do it properly.

    I don't mind if you disagree with my opinions, I don't even care if you like what I write but please refrain from personally attacking me.

    Thanks, doll.

  19. L says:
    Tue, 22nd Jun 201010:51 am 

    The Telephone video didn't make much sense relating to the song, but how can you not get the Alejandro video? It seems pretty self-explanatory to me.

  20. Christie - NC State says:
    Tue, 22nd Jun 20101:12 pm 

    I don't know, I just don't get it. Honestly I really didn't like it, regardless of it's meaning, but (in a non-sarcastic way) would you care to explain it to me?

    I'm really not being sarcastic, I would love to know what it means, even if it is your own personal take on it.

  21. Mike says:
    Fri, 25th Jun 20109:46 pm 

    So despite all of the crap that people posted on the Lady Gaga VEVO Youtube video, this explanation (via dsc385) seems to best explain it:

    "Alejandro died.

    GaGa seeks acceptance from the gay men – she admires their love.

    The gay men accept GaGa for who she is – shown by them embracing her topless

    She becomes a nun to reject the evil around her – violence, war, intolerance, homophobia, criticism

    She swallows the rosary to show trying to take in goodness & absolution

    She wears the inverted cross – the cross of st. peter – to show devotion to Christ – she feels unworthy of his salvation."

    I might like to add myself that the ropes present in the scene with Gaga dressed as a nun on the bed with the soldier with the golden gun can possibly be understood as puppet strings. Controlled by the god maybe? This is only a possibility though. Could be as different as the government.

    I don't at all endorse the Youtube user's views and opinions except for the video's explanation. He/She made some other rude comments that I in no way agree with.

    Hope this helps!

  22. Lauren says:
    Sun, 27th Jun 20108:16 am 

    Lady GaGa is just a straight up attention whore. I really can't stand it any longer. I used to love her, but now she just makes me want to upheave the contents of my stomach. Disappointing. :(

  23. M says:
    Sun, 27th Jun 201012:10 pm 

    Gaga's music has been a great outlet to some creative directors. I can't think of any similar or on-par recording artist that would be gutsy (or crazy, whatever you prefer) enough to broadcast and associate with such extreme imagery. It's an opportunity for those who want to create revolutions in the music industry. Not only through music, but also the music videos.

    Whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant. If we're critical of one artist's music videos, shouldn't we judge others equally as well? Her fame really makes her the target of commentary that doesn't do anything other than reinforce her popularity. I'm sure there were just as many artist who strutted around in bikinis and projection bras (Madonna), and others who have implicitly made references that tribute their admired artist's styles.

    That's why it's called entertainment and not psychoanalysis. Sit back and enjoy :)

  24. hank says:
    Fri, 9th Jul 20101:56 pm 

    While she is a bit of an attention whore it doesn't really matter that her videos are strange they are after all only videos. Every concept has been beaten into the ground for a music video so why not just let her do whatever she wants? Music videos aren't a life changing experience just something to make you say that was cool or man that was lame. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5568064/…

  25. CDub says:
    Thu, 25th Nov 201012:52 am 

    wow, you really hit the nail on the head…

  26. Bee says:
    Sun, 28th Aug 201110:57 am 

    I agree completely.

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