A Music Debate--With A Twist: No.2

PREFACE As with my last music debate, I will endeavor to use my four rounds to take the reader on a journey through music, meaning that I will attempt to expose them to a variety of artists, from a variety of genres and to provide insightful analysis in each case. from club influenced Pop, to downhome Country, I hope to present an engaging four rounds of music. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my opponent for accepting this debate; I look forward to an excellent music-sharing experience. In this round, I will be presenting an analysis of Lady Gaga's "Applause." I selected this song because it is a recent hit from an artist I admire and enjoy, and because I think it marks an interesting thematic shift in her songwriting, as I shall expound on later in my review. I hope you like my song selection, and I am eager to get down to business! REVIEW Lady Gaga does two types of music: music about sex and lust, or music about acceptance and tolerance. If we look at her first studio album, The Fame, and the EP that followed from it, The Fame Monster, the theme of licentious desire radiates outward to the listener not so much as a subtle pulse, but more as a Miley Cyrus-like wrecking ball than careens into one's head about as inconspicuous as a nuclear explosion. "Teeth" urges the subject to "take a bite of my bad girl meat" in a ode to oral sex. "Judas" sings of Lady Gaga's heated, lustful devotion towards another man--one who she cannot surrender despite her better judgment; "Bad Romance" as an almost near identical message. As for "Edge of Glory," "Poker Face, "Speechless," "You and I," G.U.Y," "Stuck on F*cking You," and "Do What U Want" the motifs of passionate, burgeoning love, spurned affections, lascivious desire, and mindless, purely physical sexuality are carried over every beat of the grinding-happy synths. Alternatively, songs like "Born this Way" inform audiences that all they need to do is "love yourself and you're set." "Fashion!" is an interesting and timely satiric critique of the material culture that has developed in modern society, subtley reaffirming the message of self-empowerment so obviously evident in "Born this Way." Similarly,m "G.U.Y" takes standard, stereotyped gender norms, and flips them on their heads, insisting that women can be dominant and powerful--in the bedroom and beyond. Amidst these two recurring, oft-recycled theme, it is nice to hear the rare song that breaks the mold. "Applause" is one such track. It boldly steps beyond the realms of sex and self-empowerment to build a synthesis between both worlds. "Applause" is, essentially, a song proclaiming Gaga's need for attention. With stunts such as meat-dress costumes and showing up to awards in a mobile egg, it is not hard to believe that she does indeed crave attention. In fact, such incidents seem to undermine the "self" in the self-empowerment message of songs such as "Born this Way." "Applause" is refreshing in its honesty and in how antithetical it is to songs that have come before it. Loving yourself doesn't make you set, because you still "live for the applause." The lyrics of "Applause" are repetitive, but they still turn a clever phrase. The image of the IV, supporting individuals who lack the self-confidence to survive without the support of outside approval is brilliantly conceived and evocative. The up-tempo, techno sounds and choppy synths mirror the upbeat, deafening applause one might hear at a concert, reinforcing the theme and underscoring the importance of applause in the artist's life. Moreover, the electronic, auto-tuned effects are reminiscent of how superficial and synthetic self-worth is, when it is reliant on the approval of others. In this way, the music and the lyrics become mutually supportive, and work together to advance the songs meaning. The true genius of "Applause," however, is it's ability to bring together two disparate messages of Gaga's. In her more licentious pieces, Gaga engages in sexual objectification of individuals--this is certainly evident in "Judas" and Sexxx Dreams." Whereas, in "Born this Way" people are viewed as valuable individuals, as non-objects. By embracing the need for praise, and recognizing the inevitable desire everyone has to be appreciated by others, "Applause" accepts the message of objectification, of being wanted by others. But then, lines such as "some of us like to read" remind the audience that simply because one isn't applauded, or isn't what conforms to the mob's ideal model, that does not mean that one is worthless, or even worth less. That is the true artistry of "Applause." It bridges the gap between Gaga's competing messages, insisting that while craving attention and love of others is normal, it is not healthy to be hooked up to an IV of fame. This genius, along with a catchy set of lyrics and an easy-to-dance to track, makes "Applause" worthy of a 9/10--the song truly deserves its own round of applause. Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com... http://www.youtube.com...