The problem with Born This Way

[sulwen]

I think I've finally identified it.

I like Gaga. Don't stan her, but think she's capable of way better than most of the crap on the radio. Was disappointed with BTW when it came out, and besides the obvious fact that it sounds like so many other songs, I couldn't quite figure out why I wasn't getting into it.

It's an ok pop song. Catchy. Decent beat. Lyrics are fine if a bit awkward in places. The problem, as I find it after many listens, is the vocal. This is a song with a message. Those vocals should be busting out of the radio and getting right up in your face, shouting "Here I am! Listen to me!" Instead, they're buried in a series of various and completely unnecessary sound effects. It's the definition of over-produced. The vocal track really isn't that strong to begin with - the conviction isn't there. Go listen to Speechless. You can hear the strength in her voice, the emotion. I don't hear it in this song, and what is there is hardly discernible anyway. And that, more than anything, is why it doesn't sound like an anthem to me.

Comments

[blown-lightbulb.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling if I took the time to listen to BTW I would fully agree with this. I wasn't the least bit impressed when I heard it in Cheeks' vid.

[nolechica.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's definitely part of it. Also, too fun to be an anthem, imo, some very poignant lyrics were down played. In the end, it's just an over-hyped pop song.

[valress.livejournal.com]

The fact that SHE referred to it as an anthem screamed pretentious. I mean, I like her, but anymore it seems like it is all about the marketing and the image than the music... She should dial it back about 500 notches and re-record it... it would sound so much better stripped down... JMHO

[creativmind1281.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. First off the hype around the song coming out kinda made me back off it a bit, and then when it didn't live up to the expectations, it was very disappointing. For me, on top of what you said about the vocal, because ya she has an AMAZING voice but it doesn't show at all in BTW, there's just too much going on. Way to much going on for me. Like with the verses and then the chorus and then the other Vogue type parts, it's too much. It's like they couldn't decide what direction they wanted to go with the song so they took all the different ways it could go and put them together, soemtimes that works but this time....Nope.

Plus Gaga is kind of turning me off lately. She needs to get over herself a little and stop thinking she's the greatest thing to ever happen to the music industry.

[maddie460.livejournal.com]

What message? I never heard a message and wasn't able to pay attention to the lyrics with all the commotion on this recording. Even on the Grammys, there was too much action and distractions on stage. Again, I never got the lyrics. So, I definitely agree that it's over-produced. It's really a shame that the song has a good message that can't be heard. I will have to listen again and concentrate really hard on the lyrics.

P.S. I really like your random observations. You make valid points. Thanks!

[purplegirll.livejournal.com]

Agreed. just trying too hard somehow maybe its hard to keep topping yourself & live up to hype but she's doing it to herself. I think the thing the genius Cheeks video shows is there is just too much going on, he sings like 5 different songs throught the song and it is a bit of a jumble that way. and they lyrics really are awkward at times. you are so right that its when her emotion comes out that the vocals are great and they always shine through the dance beat background. .

[fritzie2a-t.livejournal.com]

I agree. About the only lyric I hear in this song is "born this way" repeated over and over. Not so much an anthem to me. I like her voice,she's really good when she just sings. But I think she is becoming a legend in her own mind far more than she is in mine ! And I think when she crashes and burns, it's gonna be monumental. We shall see.

[thrace-adams.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I'm like everyone else commenting, I've only heard the song twice and there was so much going on in the background that I couldn't concentrate on the lyrics - the only time I actually listened to the lyrics was when I watched the YT she tweeted of that really young girl playing it on the piano and singing it - THEN I heard the message & thought this is a really good message - too bad you can't really hear it.

And I like GaGa - I've really enjoyed some of her other stuff.

[justina-29.livejournal.com]

I agree with you and with what everyone else is saying here - too much buildup, over produced, doesn't sound like an anthem. My great admiration for her is that she supports LGBT rights and issues but I feel she should then have put out something spectacular. I also feel that Gaga and the producers were lazy with this song, if Gaga wants to keep on top of the game she has to put out quality music. Hopefully for her sake the new album is much better. As far as the whole Grammys goes, absolutely ridiculous. Still loving some of her songs though.

[matertenebrarum.livejournal.com]

it's so forced. and how ironic that a song supposedly about accepting who you are is sung by a women who needs to pretend she is someone else just to sing it. bizaaro world.

[phantomkennel.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. Lady Gaga can actually sing unlike many of her fellow radio divas. I couldn't get through more than the first few seconds before I turned it off because I couldn't hear her vocals. I never paid any attention to Gaga until I heard her singing and playing piano, and I like Fame Monster better than Fame.

When I heard the clip of her singing a few lines a capella at an award ceremony, I thought it was going to be like that - and that would be an anthem.

[(Anonymous) (from livejournal.com)]

Well, I think Lady Gaga has always straddled the line between a singer that wants to say something and a generic pop diva. The songs are quite good, but if you review the songs, you'll see that she's using every trick in the book to make catchy pop songs. The lyrics are (usually) relatively strong and new, the background beat is pretty much the same one in all her hits. You take her songs, put on the karaoke mode, and you can use the music to sing another of her songs and get a good approximation. She's a singer, but she's also a veteran of the pop music industry and knows how to sell.

She commits to some groups, she seems to be a good person, she pushes the envelope, but she's also a business woman that realized that she was young, thin and could fit the bill of pop diva. She already wrote the songs and had the connections. It was pretty logical for her to connect the dots and not only get more artistic freedom, but also... well, more money.

I like Lady Gaga, don't get me wrong. But, *shrugs* she's not in it only for the art.

[cherrysyllabub.livejournal.com]

I agree with you that's it's overproduced, and it sounds just like Madonna's Express Yourself, but I like it anyway.
Born This Way makes me feel happy when I hear it, it makes me feel good about myself, and it's going to be a lot of fun on the dance floor in the gay clubs!!