Why I Sit Quietly As You Bash Lady Gaga

way to get people to click on the link with the controversial header. shit article though

Um, thanks, but I spent my teens wearing what I wanted. Not all of us were mindless brand-whores and trend followers.
I dislike Gaga because her music is boring and she's trying too hard to be controversial. I respect that she has made a name for herself out of doing what she loves, but it's not for me.
Don't you worry, Gaga can stand up for herself; she doesn't need angry little peons like you writing bad articles on her behalf.

Couldn't agree more.

I don't hate her, I just find her music boring, conventional and trite. She's Justin Bieber for twenty and thirty somethings who still think like alienated teens.

It reads more like a blog post, really.

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So basically someone submitted a bad Gawker or PerezHilton reader comment as content to be published? I'm glad to see standards have been lowered. Hold on, I just have to go type up that angsty poem about not being able to drive yet that I wrote when I was 15 and click 'submit'.

This article is fucking terrible.

What's with her horns? Seriously, she wasn't born that way….

Photoshopping yourself into a bike =/= IMAGINATION, WEIRD, COOL etc

Beacuse…::::GASP:::: it IS a blog post?

“Judas” is the best song of the year.

*because

Couldn't agree more! This article makes so many assumptions about the reader. There are multiple reasons to dislike a musical artist. Gaga has actually gotten more boring over the years

This article inspired me to listen to “Born This Way”.

Yet again.

No worse way to undermine yourself than fucking up a sarcastic reply.

Thanks! but are you sure you're you're describing people who don't like Lady Gaga? to me it sounded just like a description of Tea Party followers! ;)

This didn't have any merit until the very end. Up until then it was an embarassing rant that was written as if you were angry at the reader instead of the random person hating on Lady Gaga. If you're thinking that the hate you will get over this article will be lady gaga hating conformists who just don't “get it” just look at the way you wrote it and realize it has everything to do with how angry and one-sided this article is.

For the record I do actually like Lady Gaga but there is no denying that she is overrated. People treat her like she's a goddess and while I certaintly appreciate and admire the message she spreads and her commitment to not giving a fuck I just can't say that her music is anything special.

Of course this is just my opinion and I would never publish an article calling out/insulting all Lady Gaga supporters. That would just be in bad taste.

If you like Lady Gaga this isn't directed at you then, is it? It's supposed to be written that way. you're supposed to read it as if it's written to the person (or people) who are hating.

For someone who chooses to call herself “The Bitchrake” you seem to be angry as well.

Not liking Gaga makes me a bland person with a suppressed imagination? Yeeah, I need to follow a popstar to feel like I'm alive and SO DIFFERENT OMG.

We can hate without being the people described in this “article”. We can also hate for different reasons than described in the “article”.

Dig Gaga, don't dig this article. Feels like a rant a teenager would put in a five part status on Facebook.

Never said I wasn't. I get even more angry when I get lumped into a group of people I actively avoid because they are sheep.
Good for you if you needed a major pop celebrity to realise you don't have to be a sheep, but some of us figured that one out before high school.Gaga is a trend, and she is on her way out.

It is sweet that TC now allows you to crosspost poorly thought out all-caps rants from your personal livejournal. Still, I'm left wondering if you feel quixotic.

The only person making bullshit assumptions is the “writer” (I flinched a little when I wrote that word) when he assumes to understand reasons for not liking Lady Gaga.  No worries. Mental midgets and fans of pop music (definitely not mutually exclusive) use strawman arguments all the time. LEt me see if I can sort it out.

Lady Gaga's music is just like every other top 40 pop-music abortion in this country: boring and designed to milk the masses out of their money. No more. No less. She is a product and you are a mindless consumer. End of fucking story.  

I couldn't give less of a shit about the way she looks or dresses or presents herself. I saw all that the first time when she was called “Madonna” (and still sucked).

So to summarize: She is a hack and you are a drone.

This is probably the worst article that's ever been published on Thought Catalog. Lady Gaga is just another pop icon, and David Trahan seems to be just another lamb of the big integral herd that is today's society.

look up pictures of her looking weird from before she was famous.

oh wait….there aren't any. that might be because she was just some girl before a record company decided they would hooker her out in their own original, madona-esque way.

I wonder whether the person writing this article is either too young to know who madona is, or too blind to see how much more of a fad this is than any brand or logo has ever been.

I just watched an interview of hers circa Just Dance/Paparazzi and she sounded so normal and likeable. I liked her then. Now she talks in this pretentious way that I just can't stand. Hate it when she fakes it.

Looks like everyone covered most of the relevant comment material here already.

Gaga is Madonna, and more so with every new single.

I would like to add my two cents to the discussion.  Simply because Gaga is a Pop artists owned by a major record label does not automatically make her a trend and also does not automatically make her bland.  I would agree that the majority of her music is rather plain (DIGITALLY). she has admitted before in interviews that a major element of her work is the performance art aspect and that her songs really cannot stand alone without it.  This I agree with.  Look up her live acoustic videos of her singing and playing at the piano.  It shows an extraordinary talent.  Even when she is not playing the piano and she is dancing, her voice is so powerful and the theatrics of her performances are really cool. Honestly, if she did not have the voice and the stage presence (plus or minus the outfits) her songs could not stand alone, UNLESS she did them acoustically. 
That's just one person's opinion, though. Take it as you will.

Because it is.

If your music doesn't stand alone, what's the point of releasing an album? Wouldn't the diminished experience tarnish your artistic reputation and miss what you're going for anyway?

I mean, unless you're just another product trying to make a buck off a sucker. If that's the case, by all means commodify yourself in any way possible. Cha-CHING!

Next.

Brilliant. The comments were a lot more insightful than the actual article.

Well, I liked the article.

But… why do you sit quietly? Maybe you should say something to these people. If they can be vocal, so can you!

If the writer were to vocalize their thoughts, they'd just reveal their lack of any real life experience and the the absurdity of their assumptions. 

It's safer to just smugly judge others quietly.  You have the benefits of feeling like a superior human being without all the drawbacks of being exposed as a child.

Actually, I don't like her music because it's bland, repetitive and moronic pop. It isn't “eccentric” in the slightest. I have the right to feel this way, the ability to back up what I believe and no obligation to go along with this record label charade that she's “weird” or “different”. If you don't like that then tough shit, but I find it hard to believe you'd bother writing an article about people whose music taste doesn't extend as far into the middle of the road as you. I find it harder still to believe anyone published it and I'm utterly flabbergasted that I bothered to write a reply to it.

A-fucking-men. 

It's not that there's something wrong with not liking Gaga because you don't like Gaga. The people the writer is aiming at are specific types of Gaga-haters who dully repeat the same things they feel like everyone who is “normal” should think about Gaga. She makes them uncomfortable because she's different and she's in our faces all the time. You don't have to like Gaga to be imaginative and alive, but if you think Gaga is too strange or you don't approve of her weirdness-for-its-own-sake, maybe you should examine just what about her it is that makes you uncomfortable.

Can we seriously get some new writers on this goddamn website?

All I could think of was that moronic “You laugh because I'm different but I laugh because you're all the same” shirt from Hot Topic.

Do people really think that though? I've never heard anyone bashing Lady Gaga for being “too weird”; usually the complaint seems to be the exact opposite. She's not particularly strange or original and she's not that different from other popstars at any time between today and the early 80s. If Lady Gaga makes me feel uncomfortable at all its by the way that people swallow this bullshit. There are literally thousands of other artists out there who really are different, who really are weird, who really are unique; these virtues are what prevents them from being picked up by record labels. Lady  Gaga is a star because she is marketable.

Incidentally, you're not sitting quietly enough.

He is a new writer…. lol

I think the post is probably trollinkbait? But I'm going for it anyway. I agree with you; she has a great voice and she could probably write great songs, but she doesn't seem to try at all with her music. She has a whole Warhol-style staff to think of ideas for her, but if you blindfolded someone and had them listen to her music, they'd probably just think of her as a generic poptart.

Kind of like when you meet that one artschool hottie and then you finally go to one of their openings and you can't even look at them in the face because it's all so bad. Maybe she's trying to do an “Emperor's New Clothes” thing, and her hijinks seem like good entertainment, but that doesn't mean I think she's actually eccentric or want to listen to her music.

I don't have to like Lady Gaga to be considered 'interesting'.  There's obscene done by her, and then there's obscene done right. 

Taking your Lady Gaga defensiveness elsewhere.  People don't have to like her.

Thank God I'm not the only one who went WTF at her transforming into a motorcyle

Yanked from the front page. GREAT SUCCESS

And who exactly doesn't like Lady Gaga for those reasons? I know loads of people who don't don't like her, but none for the reasons you and the “writer” mentioned.  They don't like her because her music sucks.

I did think the meat dress was pretty funny, but that doesn't make her music suck any less.

I find it interesting that our culture today dismisses criticism by calling the critic a “hater”. This is one of the most ridiculous rants I've ever read. You dismiss people like myself who don't like Gaga by saying we don't like like her because she is fun and eccentric and I am boring and “vanilla”. You talk about how people who criticize her never have a good reason, yet your criticism of her critics is completely baseless. Why do you have to be so defensive about the music you like? Why not talk about all the things great about her rather than the things wrong with her critics.

I honestly can't stand Gaga. She is a product of her corporate puppet masters and a complete rip-off of every pop icon that came before her. All of her songs sound like something that has already been done. Her “fashion” is the work of a designer who makes a living ripping off other people's work. I especially hate the way she exploits the gay community and our struggles for her own personal gain.

You mention that she is “standing up for weird”. In what way is she doing that? Honestly, I've been weird my whole life. I'm a fat, gay, straight-edge, punk rocker with a blue-collar job and I'm in a long term relationship with a drag queen. I don't fit in anywhere. I don't hear any of Gaga's songs speaking to that. Some real artists who have stood up for weird are bands like Propagandhi, MDC, Big Boys, the Dicks and Los Crudos. These bands have faced real violence ON STAGE at their shows and still stood up for what they believed and stood up for gay rights.

Call me a hater. It doesn't take away the fact that she is a product of a corporate environment that only cares about profits and will exploit whatever they can to earn a few extra dollars.

Fuck Lady Gaga, and if you don't like that, fuck you too.

Poorly written and filled with colorful assumptions that don't make much sense… kinda like Gaga's work, come to think of it. I happen to like real, interesting musicians who don't have to rely on peddling their own brand of “weirdness” to attract listeners. Does that mean I lack imagination and am inherently one of the “plain, boring, vanilla” masses desperately needing to get in touch with my “inner weird?” What? Lady Gaga is signed to a major label and is currently one of the most popular “artists” in the world… so, I mean, it totally makes, like, perfect sense that NOT liking her makes me, like, just boring and exactly like everybody else. Like, right? I'm gonna go listen to “whatever the fuck I want” now, thanks.

Who cares?

The slutwalk article was worse, but this one is pretty close.

hmmm, I don't necessarily fully agree with you.  It's a different form of art.  Honestly, most artists music today cannot stand alone….or at least what you hear in the top 40.  I would say that her digital music (not her live stuff) is successful as dance music.

Hmm. I wore really interesting eclectic outfits as a teenager in the mid/late 90s. Mostly things I picked up from Goodwill or sewed myself because I didn't have much cash. 
I like Lady Gaga for a few reasons. One, she's a lot of fun as a performance artist. Two, she's a truly talented musician—listen to her live acoustic performances. Three, she really does have a message that I like, and yes, it does have to do with acceptance of the weird, imaginative, and interesting elements in life. I certainly don't worship at her altar, but I approve of her schtick and find her enjoyable as an entertainer.

And anyone who says “Oh, she's just an attention-seeker”…she's an ENTERTAINER. That's WHAT THEY DO. Get over it.

Wow, seriously?

Just another ATTENTION GRABBER to make GAGA more money!

wow. this article hit a nerve. I understand his humor and I also know it's not that deep. there are other things to get riled up about. so, yeah, no need to rage against the machine.

LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!

lol have fun with that grizzly bear album you're about to throw on dude

This article is clearly not aimed at you people who dislike Gaga here on Thought Catalog because you're oh so intelligent. It's aimed at 98% of the Gaga critics. I've never had someone challenge me on Gaga the way you guys are in person, only here, on the internet. In person, all Gaga hate I hear is what the author described.

Move along hipsters, this article is not meant for you. Nothing left to see here.

I don't really like Gaga, but is anyone else sick of the “IT'S MAJOR LABEL AND SHE'S OBVIOUSLY JUST COMPLETELY CREATED BY RECORD EXECS AND HAS NO CREATIVITY OR TALENT OF HER OWN” argument? How do you know this, are you her manager?

OMG you're so right. This article on Thought Catalog clearly wasn't meant to be read by the people who read Thought Catalog. Let's all start writing articles about how much we all love fake tan and The Only Way Is Essex and the Black Eyed Peas.

You don't have to look very far to find the truth about her. She is a product of a producer and a fashion designer. People who have worked closely with her have said as much. I don't think she is talentless. I just think that she doesn't express any of her talent because she does what she is told. 

Here's a good op-ed piece about this topic:

http://www.digitaljournal.com/…

I really find it interesting how the author, as well as some of the people who have commented here, seem to  encourage individuality while at the same time embrace conformity. 

And good one from the person who threw the hipster tag on anyone who has an opinion that differs from the author. Way to categorize those who disagree so you don't have to make an argument against them. Just say “hipster” and you win. “You're wrong because you're this or that…”

There is so much I hate about this, but I am just going to pick one thing. Lady Gaga exploits the gay community in the same way Michael Jackson exploited the Black community. They didn't. They are members of a community, and lots of other members like them. Lady Gaga is a member of the gay community, bringing up gay issues to the public, and helping out gay causes. How dare she take advantage of us?

tinyurl.com/297sxrk

tinyurl.com/297sxrk

I happen to feel like the things she says and does regarding lgbt issues aren't genuine. It all seems like a marketing ploy. This is just my opinion, but I'm not the only one who feels this way. I have a lot of gay friends who agree and a lot who disagree.

What else do you hate about what I wrote? I'm curious.

she isn't being weird for the sake of standing up for something, she's being deliberately weird so people like her and pay for her albums. if she was really for that whole idea of self expression  and controversy she'd wear some gym shorts and a t shirt to a gig once, nothing would get people talking more than that. 
remember in the news when she was on the plane and, even though her body was inflating and heart rate speeding (which was going to give her cardiac arrest) because of her ridiculous and tight outfit, she refused to take even her boots off? she endangered her life and held back the entire flight for the sake of f*cking aesthetics. for the sake of looking good. that's whats wrong with mainsteam music. its so goddamn superficial. anyway, i guess i can't expect anything different from anyone with the words “i'm a free bitch, baby” and “i wanna ride your disco stick” in her songs. You should give Devendra Banhart and Daniel Johnston some listens to, they create real music without ego.

Say whatever you want to say, but Lady Gaga is fun. And if that makes her a “guilty pleasure” so be it. I have no personal guilt because, unlike some folks, I'm not afraid to have fun.

You know, I find this article to be labeling people as in or out. I mean, yeah, clothes can be an expression of ones self, but there are also incredibly intelligent and interesting people who don't really care what they wear… that doesn't mean they wear deliberately clashing, nonsensical BS either. Its called attention, and it's something that flamboyant people feed off of. Its actually insecurity and fad following that are the source of  the desire to be, well according to the author, childish. However “boring” growing up may be with all its lame “responsibility” and necessary work, it is the stronger person who realizes that it has to happen.
Life isn't a Kesha song, we're not all as rich as Lady Gaga, and her music isn't even that meaningful, its just catchy. So please, allow people to say what they want about the Gaga, because in the end, isn't that just freedom of expression?

I don't find her fun at all. That's what I want to say.

I love Lady Gaga, but this article is ridiculous and obviously written by an overly obsessed fan.  If you want imagination, go out and create on your own instead of living vicariously through a performer who doesnt know you exist.

Lololololol

I will preface this by saying  I enjoy Lady Gaga’s music. I have her albums on my Ipod, and access them frequently. She can write a catchy song and I respect her eccentric ways. I don’t, however, respect her. She is only doing all these bizarre antics because she’s fucking loaded. I also don’t respect her because she isn’t this incredibly talented musician that should be idolized. Let’s get real- she sings pop music. It isn’t ground-breaking, earth-shattering talent.. she sings about getting drunk and kissing boys and sometimes shits around on the piano. Before we get all worked up about how “LADY GAGA IS THE MOST BRILLIANT TALENT TO EVER HAPPEN TO OUR GENERATION” how about we look around, because there is so much more talent out there that you’re not seeing… because, ironically, youre the close minded ones. Chew on it.

I will preface this by saying  I enjoy Lady Gaga’s music. I have her albums on my Ipod, and access them frequently. She can write a catchy song and I respect her eccentric ways. I don’t, however, respect her. She is only doing all these bizarre antics because she’s fucking loaded. I also don’t respect her because she isn’t this incredibly talented musician that should be idolized. Let’s get real- she sings pop music. It isn’t ground-breaking, earth-shattering talent.. she sings about getting drunk and kissing boys and sometimes shits around on the piano. Before we get all worked up about how “LADY GAGA IS THE MOST BRILLIANT TALENT TO EVER HAPPEN TO OUR GENERATION” how about we look around, because there is so much more talent out there that you’re not seeing… because, ironically, youre the close minded ones. Chew on it.

“the most brilliant talent to ever happen to our generation” doesn’t necessarily mean she is incredibly talented at piano, singing, or anything else that’s confined to one category. she is the most, or one of the most, brilliant talents based on the fact that she captures such widespread attention, that she has an incredible stage presence, and that she transcends her industry (music) to a voice on real issues — whether or not you agree with what she says you cannot say that she is one of the most influential celebrities to come from the music business in quite some time.

or rather you cannot say she is not*

If “capturing widespread attention” is a talent then the greatest talent this generation ever saw was the 9/11 hijackers. It isn’t difficult to “transcend your industry” and people have been doing it for decades – I would be more amazed by this ability if she could conjure up any response to any issue which wasn’t “I’m amazing, look at me”. I’d also be more inclined to sympathy if it wasn’t for the fact that she’s churning out standard pop tunes and being treated like she’s the fucking messiah of music. She ain’t that great.

I used to enjoy her music. Now its become too niche, and I can’t relate to it anymore. I also am very skeptical. I’ve read quite a few of her interviews, and it seems she just throws back what people seem to want to hear.
 
As described in several interviews in Rolling Stone magazine, she never goes out of character. She only wears clothes that fans have given her. I am hesistant to trust someone who is always putting on a show, who just does things to please her fans. Where is the sincereity? If she had been a big hit with with a different demographic than the one she’s pleasing now, she would have gone out of her way to cater to those folks. She’s just a big PR Machine. And a smart business woman.But keep in mind, that she is a performer, and every little thing that comes out of her mouth is carefully created to give off a certain image. It’s called a brand.

i agree and love it!! GO GAGA! im jealous. i work at a boring ice cream shop

i agree and love it!! GO GAGA! im jealous. i work at a boring ice cream shop

She gained that public attention from prancing around half naked and hatching out of eggs. I’m fairly confident I could get attention if I had a team coming up with weird shit I could do to ensure the most publicity. But since she’s the first to construct a dress made entirely out of raw meat and dress as a man at an awards show, I guess she she deserves some sort of recognition…
Seriously, let’s stop adding fuel to her fire. She’s not doing this for her fans, she’s doing it because she’s obsessed with being famous and making money. I don’t blame her for this, but I sure as hell don’t respect her. 

I loved this article, and I really don’t care much for Gaga. Some of her songs for sure, but on the whole, the music just doesn’t appeal to me.

I love the mention of people having been taught to hate what’s different. It’s true.

Not feeling very eloquent today… suffice to say, this article was the fucking bomb. Love it.