Lady Gaga Thread

[Tenta]

I absolutely did a fucking spit take when my friend said that last night. I literally couldn't believe those words. All of a sudden, Gaga pops up in conversation. I'm a fan of Gaga, though not particularly a follower of this Gaga cult that seems to be forming. Then, all of a sudden, my friend said the words that still kinda strike me blasphemy:

"People are saying she's going to be the next David Bowie."

Cue spit take, and surely, there's no way he was serious. This was the most cynical man of the techno-pop crap we hear spewing from our radios. So I ask him, "You're not serious, are you?"

He says, "Absolutely, I believe it."

I mean, for Christs sake, the girl is popular right now, but David Bowie? Isn't that putting way too much praise upon the women? Sure she writes some ok songs, but David Bowie? The David Bowie? Can you really see Gaga as the next David Bowie?

You know, for all of my shock on the matter, I can kinda see the comparison. Note;

Eclectic Tastes

Let's face it, these two are strange birds. Strange, strange birds. They tend to have a tendency to lean towards the eccentric, and what we typically define as just flat out weird. Take a look at the attire both of them wear. Definitely not your typical run of the mill garb. And with that comes an almost genius intelligence as it pertains to music. Both are capable of playing multiple instruments, and actually provide most of there own music for albums. Still, this just adds to their eclectic nature, and just how weird they truly are.

Lavish Performances

You don't get the full effect of either of these two unless you see them in concert. We've all seen how bat shit crazy Lady Gaga was at the VMAs. David Bowie typically had that exact same flair to his live shows. It really does make everything you see nowadays see kind of tame.

Both Are Sex Icons in the World of Bisexuality

Yeah, that's going to play some role in this. Both are bi; both are incredibly sensual characters, with an extra oozing feel of sex-driven adrenaline to their performances. Thus, they've earned reputations in the Bi-Sexual Community, and for that matter, in any community, as Sex Icons, and the personification of gender ambiguity.

I mean, that's really all I can think of that would make these two comparable. I don't particularly know if I can believe the claim myself. So for my sake, someone answer; Is Lady Gaga actually the next David Bowie?

 

[Loveless]

Bowie? Fuck off! You can't recreate that. He was truly original in bringing theatricality to music and you can't copy originality. Lady Gaga is the new Madonna, but actually far more talented than Madonna ever has been. Whether she'll stick around is another matter. Once everyone worked out what Madonna does, everyone just copied it. Give it time and I expect someone younger and prettier will come along and do exactly the same thing.

 

[Tenta]

Bowie? Fuck off! You can't recreate that. He was truly original in bringing theatricality to music and you can't copy originality. Lady Gaga is the new Madonna, but actually far more talented than Madonna ever has been. Whether she'll stick around is another matter. Once everyone worked out what Madonna does, everyone just copied it. Give it time and I expect someone younger and prettier will come along and do exactly the same thing.

Possibly. I heard the Madonna comparisons, those actually didn't take me back that much. I do think Madonna is better than most people give her credit for, but I can easily see her being the next incarnation of Madonna.

As for someone younger and prettier... I don't see someone coming out quite as eclectic as Gaga in the next couple years. Paparazzi literally scared the living daylights out of me, for the video, and so did Bad Romance, for that matter. She keeps making addictive songs that work well in clubs. She'll probabaly stay around for a while.

Oh, and don't shoot the messenger... I didn't agree with the Bowie comparison either. Really something my friend brought up, and was pretty fascinating to consider

 

[X]

No. 110% no. Tenta, go find your friend, and slap him in the face for even daring to make such an outlandish claim. Gaga produces mildly amusing electro-pop for the masses, she's nothing like Bowie musically, lyrically, they aren't even close being the same genre. Yeah they're both androgynous, so what? Manson tried that too, we're not going to start comparing him to Bowie now are we?

Gaga should actually, you know, make even 25% of the amount of great albums that Bowie produced before she can be mentioned anywhere near Bowie, and even then it's a stupid comparison. Their music is just absolutely nothing alike in any way.

 

[Shadowmancer]

I made something similar of a statement a while back to someone I was talking about music with. But big difference was I said it was a sad attempt by the record company and Lady Gaga of trying to make references to Bowie and trying to subvert the people to think that she is the next Bowie. I have yet to hear a song from Lady Gaga that even comes close to the brilliance of pretty much anything off of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Nothing about Lady Gaga says that there is a cultural permanence to what is put out, it is an attempt by the record companies to reinvent what has been before with a sub-standard product.

I chose Ziggy Stardust because that is the era of Bowie that they are definitely trying to reference with Lady Gaga.

 

[NSL]

*spit takes*

Yeah, same reaction here. How the fuck is Lady Garbage getting into the same sentence as David Bowie? Bowie was a fantastic song-writer, and wrote albums that you could listen to for days on end.

Lady Gaga has maybe one song with lyrics that make any sense, and her murder of the English language confounds me. Her music is pure shit also, but I can go on and on...And on...

Bowie is in a league that Lady Gaga would die to be near. She should be happy being lumped in with the Britney's and Paris's of the world.

 

[Uncle Phatso]

Gaga can't even mesure up to David Bowie's servants turds. David Bowie had more tallent than Gaga ever will have in his right hand. Lady is just some wanna be bitch that dresses stupid and cries to get attention. Awsome you come out that your bi!!! Wow thats a real hard thing to do. David bowie's albums might not outsell hers because we live in a world now thats more about image that tallent. But O well we all know she can't mesure up to him in anyway.

 

[Rebecca]

Lmao, GaGa and Bow are nothing alike, alright they have a few things in common, but what muscians don't have things in common with other artists?

In contrast to almost everyone here, I love Lady GaGa. She's fresh on the pop scene, she has the perfect mix of divergence, originality, and zest. Her songs are beautifully written, she worked her way up from buying $3 bra's and decorating them with sequens, to becoming arguably one of the most well known female artists in the industry - in such a small amount of time. She has her niche in music, and sure she's kooky, however the girl has always been like that, just take a peak at her performances prior her fame - the girl even dressed as a weirdo in high school so it's not so much an attention/publicity thing.

I adore her fashion sense, she's not generic, and she doesn't go out of her way to make sure everyone understands what she does and why she does it, she lets everyone else form their own opinion of her. She's kept her stylists aka 'house of gaga' from when she was studying in New York, so she can retain her unique spin and not get caught up in the 'new star new look' circle. As for all her songs sounding the same, tbf it's her signature, not to mention they're all produced by Red One so that's the main reason they've got that electro style beat. She's got a raw voice and her 10 minute piano renditions of POKER FACE are magnificent. The claim of her being the next Bowie is pretty hilarious, but if people think that, let them. GaGa is talented, and you can always rely on her to bring in something new, that's what matters.

For the record, I understand why people don't like her, but as I like to say, just because you don't like the artist, it doesn't mean you can't appreciate their work.

 

[Mr. Steve]

wait, David Bowie as in "Leather pants" David Bowie?

No way. I can't see her being the next David Bowie. Granted, she's got some hits on the airwave, but you're comparing her to David Bowie. You listen to her songs, and you might think "not bad". But in the music business, not bad is not good enough. Bowie, like NSL said, was a damn good songwriter, but Lady Gaga isn't someone that can come up with a CD that makes her be established as "the next David Bowie" from what I've heard of her so far (all 3 songs I've heard of her so far).

 

[DigitalNight]

Just remember ladies and gentlemen, celebrities aren't usually pooped out with the "zomg-amazing-person-evar!" status from birth.

Just like Ozzy, Rhodes, Page, Plant, etc, it took Bowie a while in the lime light before he had the "special glow" everyone knows him for today.

I for one enjoy Gaga's live, small audience style better than her stadium sound. She has a very unique style when it comes to smaller groups. Look up "Acoustic Gaga" on your favorite video site for a MUCH different Lady Gaga.

If we're comparing to legends, who DOES she match? She's certainly not the hoarse & coarse Janis Joplin, not a rip-roaring Ted Nugent. Who is she then?

 

[capoxstatus]

next david bowie? no i dont think so. I mean i for one think her music is ok, its catchy, somewhat enjoyable but i doubt that she will have the longevity, that one would have to obtain to reach someone like bowies status. I mean time will tell if she can, but she will need to have solid success, good cds, not to mention writing credits like bowie has to get close to him. Granted shes the "it" artist in pop right now and like someone above me said she has gotten that niche market of people that look for that out there unique artist persona. She already has hit songs and #1 status songs but how many will be remembered in the years to come? maybe a few, maybe one, maybe none, who really knows. I mean time will tell if she can be the type of artist that will have a prolonged career, maybe she will take a page out of Madonnas book, and reinvent herself whenever her current thing gets stale. But for now i dont see her in bowies stratosphere.

 

[Josefien]

I'll join in with everyone and say no.

Yes, I do like Lady Gaga somehow, but David Bowie? That's another league.

The part that annoys me most though are actually the people that compare them or even think that she could truly be the next Bowie. Comparing a 'living legend' and someone who just came into the spotlight is absurd to me anyway. Maybe we can bring this up again in ten years.
I know that Gaga does cite Bowie as one of her many references, so what?
That does not mean she wants to .. be the one who carries his legacy on or whatever.

 

[Mr. TM]

For all of you who didn't know, Lady Gaga is being sued for $30 million dollars by her ex boyfriend and ex producer Rob Fusari. She is now counter suing him to throw out the suit, and to sue for damages. She claims that the ex producer forced her into signing an abusive contract.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdai...-sues-ex-producer-over-abusive-2006-contract/

From the sounds of it, if he can be found as guilty, this could be a landmark case in the music industry. Young musicians are commonly set as prey against anyone claiming to be an agent. It once happened to a friend of my band, luckily they broke out of the contract legally, but then again, they get to play coffee shops and pubs in Vancouver instead of in front of thousands.

It seems to me that this guy is just gonig after her for the money. But if he did write some of the music, then he should receive some of the compensation for it, as it is his work she is making money off of. I don't think he will get it all, but a portion of it should go to him.

 

[Phoenix]

One of the factors is with this is case is that he did get sent cheques for his participation in song writing, however there were problems for him. First, the cheque wasn't the "20%" he demanded. Second, it had some writing on the back which meant if he cashed it in, he wouldn't get anything more. Now in my honest opinion, given that he's not just an ex-producer but a former partner, now that's where I feel the suspicion goes weird cause it's a known element not to mix business with pleasure cause it can get messy.

I personally feel that the ex-producer is just trying to get the spotlight cause he "discovered" her, I'm certain he didn't come up with the Gaga name as her inspiration was Freddie Mercury, but I think that regardless of he found her and got her signed up to get her in the spotlight, that part I feel should never be taken for granted. As for the song writing, granted, he should get what he's owed but $30 million?! You kidding me? Where one of my work colleagues feels he deserves his recognition, that's how society works, you credit the people who actually put you out on the market, not the people who set up the situation that lead there.

In the end, I think it's a lot of smoke and mirrors and we're not getting the full story out of this, as you said TM, I don't think he'll win the lawsuit, but he should take what he has and move on, I still think a $30 million lawsuit is just ridiculious, certainly not 20% there.

 

[Arkham Noir]

I just read a thread by Tenta comparing Lady Gaga to Brian Pillman and it sort of inspired me to write this.

Sort of.

Anyways, what do you think this puppet is doing to the music industry? I wrote a whole thread about how badly the music industry has been corrupted (like wrestling) and has turned into making a profit. However that's not really what I'm looking for here.

If you've watched the video for the song "telephone" ( I refuse to post a link promoting that garbage) than you'll have noticed that the song is only two mintues in length but the video is something like 6 minutes or more.

WTF is that?

The whole concept behind Lady Gaga is shock value to gain attention. What do you think about this concept. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR BUISNESS VIEWS HERE. I'm looking at what you personally think about this. Forget making money or fame. I don't want to hear "well, that's what sells". This puppet is more concerned about notoriety than making something meaningful and is basically everything that is wrong with the music industry rolled into one package.Which is sad, because like Tenta said, she isn't that bad of a singer and it's songs are actually pretty descent as far as pop music goes.But the gimmicks kill all that.

So what do you think about what the puppet is doing to the music industry, and what will be left in it's wake when it's gone?

 

[Razor]

I don't really give a shit how Lady Gaga parades around in front of town. She could go around with nothing but some nipple pasties and a thong on, and I'd still listen to her music.

Yes, that's right. Razor listens to Lady Gaga. Half because I'd bang her, half because she can sing (and I have a thing for chicks who can sing), and half because her music isn't half bad.

It's just like Kanye. I don't listen to Kanye West because I think his rapping is atrocious. I don't listen to Taylor Swift she's a ******ed chick who doesn't know what the fuck she's singing about (romanticizing Romeo and Juliet? Seriously?). It has nothing to do with their outside personas. Taylor Swift is a really sweet, rather cute girl. Kanye West is a douchebag like none other. However, that doesn't influence my listening to them. Their music does.

And that is the standard that should be visited upon the entire music industry today. Daily life doesn't matter as long as their music is good. Gay, straight, ex-gangster, or humongous douchebag. Now, I say that, and I admittedly allow for the case of self-destructive behavior. We should worry about a singer who is snorting blow from a hooker's ass every 5 hours.

Lady Gaga isn't doing anything to the music industry but create some music that a lot of people like. Let her dress weirdly and dress up like a bloody tampon for the VH1 Music Awards. What the fuck do I care?

 

[The Doctor]

I love Lady Gaga. I love her crazy persona, I love her outfits, I love her looks, and I even love her music. I respect that she has the guts to go out on stage and give the wild performances she gives. And I think she's hot.

Her music is catchy and she can sing. Some of her songs are actually quite clever and interesting. I love her personality in interviews. She's very collected and sensible, in contrast to her crazy concerts and songs.

I'm a big fan. She's the best thing on the radio today.

 

[The People's Peep]

i hate most of the pop music today. i mainly stick to my rock and alternative music. but i cant help but love a catchy song and Lady Gaga makes some incredibly catchy songs. i cant help it. my family ridicules me because i actually like some of here music, but its so damn catchy.

 

[Wall-Street-Guru]

There is supposed to be no comparison between Lady Gaga and David Bowie. Each has his/her own unique talent and personality. David Bowie has already made his mark in the music industry. Lady Gaga still has to prove herself. It doesn't matter if David Bowie is better than Lady Gaga or that Lady Gaga is better than David Bowie. What matters is that they both entertain us with their music and people are appreciating their music. I also like Lady Gaga's music as well as Bowie's. So, for me there's really no sense in comparing.

 

[Cookie]

The only reason the comparison ever began was because Gaga herself cited Bowie as one of her main influences. I think you could see his influence and inspiration much earlier in her career, around the time of Just Dance and Beautiful, Dirty, Rich when she was sporting the lightning bolt. A lot of her earlier work from The Fame and some of her B-Sides (including the fan made mix Disco Heaven) definitely has a glam rock vibe to it, but much of that has been filtered into a different kind of sound on The Fame Monster. The only remotely glam rock track I'd say would be Speechless.

She can't be the next David Bowie because well, there's only one David Bowie and no matter how many people replicate the sound and mannerisms and messages he put out in his career, no one will ever rise to the top at the same period in time he did, where his influence was ENORMOUS. If anything, the more obvious comparison for Gaga right now would be the next Madonna, and even then it's not completely spot on.

Did I mention I love Lady Gaga?