New GaGa & Robyn Videos!

This week has been a big week for new music videos. First, today saw the release of Lady GaGa's video for "The Edge of Glory." Let's just say it's very...simple. Basically, the concept as well as the original director, Joseph Kahn (who had directed her "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)" and "LoveGame" videos, as well as some Britney Spears and other huge videos) got scrapped due to creative differences. So this is what was put together.

I don't understand why another director with a new concept wasn't hired, but the video itself and GaGa look great at least. Now, GaGa's longtime choreographer Laurieann Gibson is even saying the video was underwhelming and insulting some Monsters on twitter in the process because she says they are "ignorant" and don't understand that creative changes are common. This is all very disheartening, but if you want to read a more detailed description of what happened, go HERE. And to read more specifically what happened with Laurieann and why I think she's out of line go HERE. I do like that she changed it up and showed she doesn't NEED to always make epic videos. Anyway here's the video to see for yourself:



Meanwhile, hip hop artist Rye Rye recorded a video with Robyn for her song "Never Will Be Mine," which samples the ballad version of Robyn's "Be Mine." Robyn looks adorable in this fun video. Watch it here and enjoy!:

Katy Perry's New Video Is Actually Really Good!

So I'm not a huge Katy Perry fan. I've heard terrible stories about her as a person (did anyone hear about her obnoxious tour rider or see any of her numerous public twitter feuds?). But aside from her personality, I don't think she's very talented. She has a decent voice that sounds good in certain songs (such as "Ur So Gay" off her first album), but she's become so mainstream pop that she is singing songs that don't suit her voice. For example, while "Firework" is a great song, I haven't seen one performance where she has sang it well live. She strains to hit a lot of the notes.

On the other hand, she does co-write her music and can make fun of herself. And that's exactly what she does in the video for her newest single, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)." The video is 8 minutes long and doesn't even feature one flattering shot of her, which is awesome. While I feel like the video is a response to the necessity for pop stars to create epic and thought-provoking music videos to compete with GaGa's videos, Katy Perry has achieved this.

The pop culture references are endless: while it's a bit disgusting that Rebecca Black is still getting work, her appearance in another video about a Friday night is also hilarious. There are two "Glee" stars in the video, as well as two 80s stars, Debbie Gibson and Corey Feldman. This video is entertaining, imaginative, and pays homage in a fun way. Great job, Katy! Watch it below. Enjoy!

GaGa Performs and Speaks At EuroPride!

This woman is just so incredible. Over the weekend, GaGa performed and spoke at EuroPride in Rome. When I met her, I thanked her for all she's done for the gay community and she said "I won't stop." And she meant it. Just like everything else about her, I feel like her love for her fans and her support of gay rights is completely genuine. For all the Britney's, Katy's and Rihanna's out there who say they love and support their gay fans, I don't see them going to any Pride festivals. That's really showing support and commitment. Once again, GaGa, you prove how awesome you are. Watch her acoustic performances of "Born This Way" and "The Edge of Glory" below. Enjoy!

Lady GaGa Performs On Germany's Next Top Model

Today Lady GaGa gave an incredible performance of "Scheiße", "Born This Way" (Acoustic) and "The Edge of Glory" on Germany's Next Top Model. Watch the video below. Enjoy!

Song of the Week (Week of May 29, 2011)

I know, I know...I just picked a GaGa song as the Song of the Week last week. But this is still the first week since "Born This Way" was released, and the album is projected to have sold an outstanding 1.15 million copies in its first week! So I had to pick a song from the album. I chose "Heavy Metal Lover" because it's one of those songs I didn't love at first, but it's really grown on me since I first heard it. I always appreciate a song when it does that. Plus the lyrics are great. Enjoy!



I want your whisky mouth all over my blonde south
Red wine and cheap perfume and a filthy pout
Tonight bring all your friends because a group does it better
Why river with a pair, let's have a full house of leather

Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Heavy Metal Lover
Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Heavy Metal Lover

Dirty pony I can't wait to hose you down
You've got to earn your leather in this part of town
Dirty pearls and a patch for all the Rivington Rebels
Let's raise hell in the streets, drink beer, and get into trouble

Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Heavy Metal Lover
Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Heavy Metal Lover

I could be your girl girl girl gir gir girl
But would you love me if I ruled the world world world?

Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who

Who who
Heavy Metal Lover

Whip me, slap me, punk funk
New York clubbers bump drunk
Budlite liquors, bar slam
Move it, this is your jam
Wash the right, with St. J-ameson
Like, a baptism
Heavy metal lovers play
Baby we were born this way

Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Heavy Metal Lover
Ooh-ooh-ooh-who-who
Who-who-who ooh-who-who
Who who
Heavy Metal Lover

I could be your girl girl girl girl girl girl
But would you love me if I ruled the world world world

GaGa's "Born This Way" Promo Tour!

Since this was the week that "Born This Way" FINALLY came out, GaGa went on a whirlwind of a promo tour. See the videos of all her interviews and performances after the jump. Enjoy!

Lady GaGa's "Born This Way" Album: The Voice of A Generation?

Today is finally the officially release date of Lady GaGa's highly anticipated third album "Born This Way"! In honor of that, I wrote my official review of the album for The Examiner.com, which you can read HERE. Happy Born This Way day and enjoy!

Song of the Week (Week of May 22, 2011)

This week's Song of the Week is "Americano," from Lady GaGa's album "Born This Way," which comes out tomorrow. The song is one of my favorites on the record. It has a killer beat but also an important message. The singer herself described the song as "A big mariachi technohouse record where I am singing about immigration law and gay marriage and all sorts of things that have to do with disenfranchised communities in America."

Once again, GaGa seems to be the only pop star explicitly sticking up for the small, disenfranchised communities, especially the gay one. She sings at the beginning of the song, "I met a girl in East L.A....We fell in love but not in court." Later, she sings, "I will fight for/ I have fought for/ How I love you. /I have cried for/ I will die for/ How I care." As one of the biggest female singer in the world, singing to another female about how wrong it is that they can't marry or be together because of unfair immigration laws is huge. Enjoy!



I met a girl in east LA
In floral shorts as sweet as May
She sang in eigths in two Barrio chords
We fell in love
But not in court

La la la la la la la (x6)
I don't sp-
I don't sp-
Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo
Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo

Mis canciones son de la revolucion
Mi corazón me duele por mi generación
If you love me, we can marry on the west coast
On a Wednesday, en un verano en agosto

I don't speak your, I don't speak your
Languagono (La la la la la la la)
I don't speak your, I won't speak your
Jesus Cristo (La la la la la la la)

Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo
Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo

I will fight for, I have fought for
How I love you
I have cried for, I will die for
How I care
In the mountains, las campanas
Están sonando
Todos los chicos (chicas)
Y los chicos (chicas) están besando

I don't speak your, I don't speak your
Languagono
I don't speak your, I won't speak your
Jesus Cristo
I don't speak your, I don't speak your
Americano
I don't speak your, I won't speak your
Jesus Cristo

Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo
Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo
Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo
Ahhhhh-americaaaa americanoooo

Don't you try to catch me
Don't you try to catch me
No no no no
I'm living on the edge of
Living on the edge of the
Law law law law
Don't you try to catch me
Don't you try to get me
No no no no
Don't you try to catch me
I'm living on the edge of the
Law law law law

Lady GaGa's "Born This Way": A Track By Track Review

Lady GaGa's third album, the much anticipated "Born This Way," will be released worldwide on May 23rd. In preparation, I have posted streaming audio for each of the 17 tracks on the deluxe edition, as well as a short review for each one. On Monday I'll have for you my review of the album as a whole, which I plan to publish on The Examiner's website. Everything is after the jump. Enjoy!

The Countdown to "Born This Way" Continues!

Today the iTunes countdown to the release of "Born This Way" (which is exactly a week from today!) continues with the premiere of another new song from the album called "Hair." I don't like this one as much as I like any of the other songs I've heard from the album, but it's not bad at all and I can see it growing on me. Listen to the song here:


Also, Lady GaGa performed at BBC's Radio 1 Big Weekend in the UK. She did a whole set but one of the highlights for me as well as many other fans was here very touching acoustic version of "The Edge of Glory." Watch it here and enjoy!:

Professionally Published Review of "Edge of Glory"

As much as I love this blog--and I really do--I've missed not having my name published in professional outlets. I haven't been officially published since I wrote for my college newspaper in 2007/2008. Now, I've joined a fabulous website called "The Examiner," where I am their LA Pop Music Examiner!!! You can view my profile on the site HERE.

I just had my first article published for them: a review of Lady GaGa's newest song "Edge of Glory," which GaGa Daily just reported today will actually be her third official single from the upcoming "Born This Way" album. Please click HERE to read the review on the website. Enjoy!

I'm On the Edge of Glory!

Ladies and gentlemen, she's done it again...today Lady GaGa released another new song from her upcoming "Born This Way" album called "The Edge of Glory"...its not necessarily the next single but she released it to iTunes today to promote the album and get people hyped up for it since its coming out in exactly 2 weeks.

The song is about is the passing of GaGa's grandfather, who died last year. She said in an interview, "My dad and I were going to say goodbye to [my grandpa] at the hospice, and I got out a big thing of agave tequila and my dad sat next to me at the piano and we started doing shots back and forth, and I wrote The Edge of Glory on the piano and my dad and I cried. The song's about your last moment on earth, the moment of truth; the edge of glory is that moment right before you leave the earth. So that song can be played on the piano, but it's actually set to this giant, huge techno rock Springsteen-esque dance beat... It's f**king beautiful." Indeed it is. The song also features a saxophone solo from Bruce Springsteen's sideman Clarence Clemons. Enjoy!

Cinco De GaGa!

For everyone else, today may be Cinco De Mayo, but for Little Monsters, it's Cinco De GaGa. Lady GaGa first appeared on The Oprah Show, performing the version of "Yoü and I" that will appear on her upcoming "Born This Way" album. (GaGa originally debuted the song on The Today Show last summer, and has since performed it on The Monster Ball Tour in its demo form. After, she worked with legendary producer Robert "Mutt" Lange, and the final result is what she performed today). Watch the incredible performance here:


If that wasn't enough, the music video for her latest single "Judas" also premiered today! GaGa herself co-directed the video with longtime choreographer Laurieann Gibson. She herself described the video as a "Motorcycle Fellini PopArt FantasyFilm." The clip has awesome choreography and is visually stunning, with incredible colors and imagery. And it's definitely one of those videos you need to watch a few times to take it all in. Watch the video below and to celebrate GaGa's talented video making skills, after the cut, you can find GaGa's entire videography. Enjoy!

Lady GaGa Gives First Ever Live Performance of Judas!

Today Lady GaGa will appear on The Ellen Show for an interview and to perform her newest single "Judas" live for the very first time! But you don't have to wait to see the show this afternoon, because I have the videos for you right here! It's a great song that hasn't yet gotten the recognition it deserves, so be sure to download it as its momentum starts to gain beginning with this awesome performance right here. It's definitely clear she decided to focus on the choreography, but girl dances her ass off so more power to her! Enjoy!

Thoughts On Madonna's Career

I love Madonna. I have since I was 9 years old (which makes me a fan for 15 years now). She used to be my all-time favorite artist until I met Lady GaGa last month when she was just so sweet to me. Another reason why Madonna's now my number 2 favorite artist is because I feel that she is just not trying anymore and because she is just recreating trends in music instead of setting them like she used to. Her career is not the same as it used to be--part of that is because of her age, but a lot of it is her own fault...(more after the jump)

Song of the Week (Week of April 24, 2011)

This week's song is Lady GaGa's latest single (and her second from her upcoming, album, "Born This Way"), "Judas." I chose the song in honor of Easter, and in honor of my undying love for Lady GaGa (who is now my all time favorite artist...how could she not be after the experience I wrote about in my last entry?). Enjoy!



Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas GaGa
Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas GaGa

When he comes to me, I am ready
I'll wash his feet with my hair if he needs
Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain
Even after three times, he betrays me

I'll bring him down, bring him down, down
A king with no crown, king with no crown

I'm just a Holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel
But I'm still in love with Judas, baby
I'm just a Holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel
But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas GaGa

I couldn't love a man so purely
Even darkness forgave his crooked way
I've learned love is like a brick, you can
Build a house or sink a dead body
I'll bring him down, bring him down, down
A king with no crown, king with no crown

I'm just a Holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel
But I'm still in love with Judas, baby
I'm just a Holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel
But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

EW

In the most Biblical sense,
I am beyond repentance
Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind
But in the cultural sense
I just speak in future tense
Judas kiss me if offensed,
Or wear ear condom next time

I wanna love you,
But something's pulling me away from you
Jesus is my virtue,
Judas is the demon I cling to
I cling to

I'm just a Holy fooll, oh baby he's so cruel
But I'm still in love with Judas, baby
I'm just a Holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel
But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Oh-oh-oh-ohoo
I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas GAGA
Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas Juda-a-a, Judas GAGA

So Speechless: Meeting Lady GaGa

I still can't believe it actually happened...Exactly 3 weeks ago today, I met one of my favorite artists of all time, Lady GaGa. And in the best way possible: pre-arranged (so I had time to prepare) and backstage after her Monster Ball show in Anaheim. Story and more photos after the jump.

GaGa Continues to Stand Up For Gay Rights

She continues to fight for gay rights, no matter how busy or famous she gets. See her latest video she recorded today, once again about the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal. Love her so much!

Song of the Week (Week of November 28, 2010)

Over this long Thanksgiving weekend, I felt extremely connected to Lady GaGa...soooo I thought it was only fitting that I choose one of her songs as the Song of the Week. I chose "Monster" off her second album, "The Fame Monster." It's a great song and I definitely can relate to the lyrics (as can some of my friends). GaGa said that the song is about "the fear of attachment and the fear of loving something that's bad for you...I keep falling in love with the monster." Enjoy!



Don't call me GaGa
I've never seen one like that before
Don't look at me like that
You amaze me

He ate my heart
He a-a-ate my heart
(You little monster)

He ate my heart
He a-a-ate my heart out
(You amaze me)

Look at him
Look at me
That boy is bad
And honestly
He's a wolf in disguise
But I can't stop staring in those evil eyes

I asked my girlfriend if she'd seen you round before
She mumbled something while we got down on the floor baby
We might've fucked not really sure, don't quite recall
But something tells me that I've seen him, yeah

That boy is a monster
M-M-M-Monster
That boy is a monster
M-M-M-Monster
That boy is a monster er-er-er-er

He ate my heart
(I love that girl)
He ate my heart
(Wanna talk to her, she's hot as hell)

He licked his lips
Said to me
Girl you look good enough to eat
Put his arms around me
Said "Boy now get your paws right off me"

I asked my girlfriend if she'd seen you round before
She mumbled something while we got down on the floor baby
We might've fucked not really sure, don't quite recall
But something tells me that I've seen him, yeah

That boy is a monster
M-M-M-Monster
That boy is a monster
M-M-M-Monster
That boy is a monster er-er-er-er

He ate my heart
(I love that girl)
He ate my heart
(Wanna talk to her, she's hot as hell)

He ate my heart
He ate my heart
Instead he's a monster in my bed

I wanna just dance
But he took me home instead
Uh oh! There was a monster in my bed
We french kissed on a subway train
He tore my clothes right off
He ate my heart then he ate my brain
Uh oh uh oh
(I love that girl)
(Wanna talk to her, she's hot as hell)

That boy is a monster
M-m-m-monster
(Could I love him?)

That boy is a monster
M-m-m-monster
(Could I love him?)

That boy is a monster
M-m-m-monster
(Could I love him?)
That boy is a monster er-er-er-er

Madonna Finally Speaks Out About Gay Teen Suicides!

Finally! FINALLY! Madonna has been my all time favorite artist since I was 9 years old, but lately it hasn't felt like it. This is in large part because of the fact that she hasn't really made any statement whatsoever about any of the MANY gay rights issues floating around today. See, I feel connected to my favorite artists on many levels. I connect to their music for sure, but I also connect to them as people. This is the case for all four of my favorite artists (Madonna, Lady GaGa, Robyn and Kylie).

Lately, I have been majorly disappointed in Madonna. While younger artists, with more to risk one might argue, have been completely outspoken for gay issues like Prop 8, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and the recent tragic string of gay teen suicides, Madonna has not said anything. Sure, she voiced her opposition to Prop 8 passing during her Sticky & Sweet concert in Los Angeles, but that was about it.

As an artist who owes a lot to the gay community and has been an outspoken advocate of gay rights in the past, her silence now was a bit disheartening. When everyone in the 80s was afraid of AIDS and labeled it a "gay disease," she was donating money from her concerts to AIDS charities (and continued to do so in the 90s). She popularized vogueing (a huge dance trend in gay clubs before she brought it mainstream), hired numerous gay dancers and even featured a gay pride parade in her documentary "Truth or Dare." But I was just a little boy then. Now that all these other gay issues that directly effect me are being discussed and debated, I was a bit disappointed that Madonna, my all time favorite artist and huge proponent of gay rights, remained silent. Until yesterday that is.

Yesterday, Madonna went on the The Ellen Degeneres Show (via satellite from New York) to talk about the recent gay teen suicides. She actually said, "I wouldn't have a career if it weren't for the gay community. I feel like it would be incredibly remiss of me to not say something." YES. Thank you! Madonna, the gay community has always been proud of you and looked up to you, almost as a spokeswoman for our causes. Thank you for stepping up to do so once again...we were scared for a second there you wouldn't. See the full, unedited interview below: