Instead of communicating an actual argument, theory, or idea, Lady Gaga uses her video as a way of communicating the reasoning behind her hit song, “Bad Romance”. The basic general conclusion of the lyrics is that they tell no story, and lack any kind of true emotional feeling; they’re all about sex. But Gaga’s response to that conclusion is: EXACTLY. When put in context to the video, the lyrics are more of a narration, statement, or words used when speaking to another, in her case, to the men in the video.
In John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, Dora’s Girls (employees of The Bear Flag, the local brothel), wear long evening gowns in order to bring in “customers”. The same strategy is used by Gaga and the other girls in the Haus, only they use words to seduce men. This is where the lyrics such as “I want your physco, your vertical stick/ Want you in my rear window, baby you’re sick/ I want your love/ Love, love, love, I want your love” make sense. The tragic part is, poor Lady Gaga is trapped in the brothel, and the words to the songs seem to be a source of hatred for her. The scene flashes between Gaga’s seducing of the man with the gold chin strap and her passionately sobbing/singing shows her true feelings toward the words that she is imprisoned by. Then when the camera flashes between the burning bed and Gaga dancing in red, she has almost a triumphant look on her face, as though she has gotten her revenge on the men who have caged her. Even from the change of costume color from the black and white of the Haus to scarlet shows that she has overcome the oppression of the brothel. This concludes as to why she seems to be the queen of the others in the first scene of the video: Everything after the first scene is a flashback, showing Gaga’s story of birth, imprisonment, and conquer over the Haus.
Could this story mirror Gaga’s own tale of fame? She had a “birth” into the music industry when she first started performing. Now, she has imprisoned herself into the life of fame, one where she will never be free of doing what is now expected of her: wearing weird costumes and making “hit” music. And in order for her songs to be hits, she must conform to the hit music style of today whether she wants to or not: music that makes you want to dance, and includes lyrics about sex, alcohol, money, and being famous. Who know, maybe Gaga’s music isn’t actually what she wants to be making. Maybe she is waiting to pull out some truly original, imaginative stuff, and conquer the industry.
Greta, this is yet another fantastic post. So fantastic in fact, that I have just spent 10 minutes staring at the wall thinking, “Wow, I think she [you] might be right.” I love your first paragraph. Other reviewers and critics have certainly captured the aspects of the video that set-up Lady Gaga as one trapped in a brothel. However, I doubt anyone has explored the idea that maybe the lyrics are intentionally vague, representative of the communication that Lady Gaga experiences with men, or those in power – in the video and elsewhere – to whom she must submit for friendship, love, or fame. I agree with all of the thematic analysis you write in your second paragraph. You offer a sound interpretation. Lastly, I think your last paragraph is precise and a great conclusion. Let’s face it; I am a fan of Lady Gaga. I sense a vulnerability in her music that I don’t necessarily sense in the music of other pop stars. Because she seems to reproduce so many of her songs acoustically, without the spectacle of performance, I sense that she is a genuinely talented girl who does in fact have to “conform to the hit music style of today whether she wants to or not.” Of course, the irony is that, like the Lady Gaga of the “Bad Romance” video, she seems to dominate her oppressors. Anyway, brilliant analysis and great writing.
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