tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post9041823668465753682..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: Lady Gaga's Alejandro: The Fun & Folly of AppropriationNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-47954989438864836022010-06-16T12:21:30.404-04:002010-06-16T12:21:30.404-04:00Lady Gaga gives new life to music videos and yes s...Lady Gaga gives new life to music videos and yes she adapts some thoughts from previous artists (but who hasnt, if you want to see the original lace bra outfit check out Kate Bush's The Wedding List http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ymxgS4XHRA - great concept video!)<br />By the way she was 21 years old in this video.<br /><br />Many artists from previous centuries used sexy outfits on stage (Runnaways) so please as much as I adore Madonna - she was not a orginator she was a collaborator and added another dimension - case in point with Lady Gaga. What's refreshing though is Gaga's new videos are different, humourous but most importantly thought provoking. Is it just me but I am sick and tired of the mass produced videos that are blatantly selling sex and insulting our intellengence.<br /><br />Hope Lady Gaga influences other new artists so we can get back to real music and art form (Remember Queen, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush to name a few - back then as video had not developed yet - they also had concept albums - Now we have concept videos thanks to Lady Gaga.<br /><br />Bravo Lady Gaga!Nitchanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-64381474723450390982010-06-12T18:42:09.401-04:002010-06-12T18:42:09.401-04:00So when GaGa rips off Madonna it's OK but when...So when GaGa rips off Madonna it's OK but when Christina does it it's not anymore? Sorry Nathaniel, but you completly lack anything even remotely close to objectivism when it comes to Lady GaGa.Bobby Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-69018392105496044042010-06-11T12:43:36.309-04:002010-06-11T12:43:36.309-04:00@BeRightBack
"Am I the only one who hears &qu...@BeRightBack<br />"Am I the only one who hears "The Sign" by Ace of Base when the chorus of this song starts?" <br /><br />I feel a mashup coming soon!<br /><br />@Nathaniel<br />You pretty much got me all excited putting Almodovar and Tarantino next to Gaga. I hope they collaborate sometime in the future.Franco Marcianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08855337313960561284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-85260355412305034162010-06-11T02:01:43.935-04:002010-06-11T02:01:43.935-04:00In terms of Gaga references Madonna and others... ...In terms of Gaga references Madonna and others... It makes much more sense to me considering that Gaga is a huge fan of Warhol (see her "The Fame Factory" reference from the Grammys). She's taking what exists and morphing and adapting it in her own originality.<br /><br />I think it really works without coming off as a total rip off.<br /><br />That's what I think.Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-17186579761087704952010-06-09T14:26:04.139-04:002010-06-09T14:26:04.139-04:00Oh, I wasn't aware of that. Cool.
I do love ...Oh, I wasn't aware of that. Cool. <br /><br />I do love the "Must Be Talking To An Angel" video and song.<br /><br />And from Madonna I think "Human Nature" is my favorite though I love many videos of hers.James Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16055933146552583102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-82439521659429385922010-06-09T13:32:22.973-04:002010-06-09T13:32:22.973-04:00James T -- i think i graded a few of Madonna's...James T -- i think i graded a few of Madonna's some years back ;) grades i would totally reasses. Though of entire videographies I would say it goes like this:<br /><br />GOLD x 10: Madonna<br />SILVER: Eurythmics/Annie Lennox<br /><br />BRONZE: undecided! though one could make a case for Bjork, Michael Jackson, George Michael, The Beastie Boys, Kate Bush and several other peoples.<br /><br />Lady Gaga's just getting started really. We'll see.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-29105687848629087512010-06-09T13:29:26.047-04:002010-06-09T13:29:26.047-04:00Michael: Do you lament that Coca-Cola no longer co...Michael: Do you lament that Coca-Cola no longer comes in Green glass bottles?Volvagianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-25107123431976062232010-06-09T13:13:02.923-04:002010-06-09T13:13:02.923-04:00JP: I just gave it a listen and you are totally ri...JP: I just gave it a listen and you are totally right.BeRightBackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09386424531104200511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-82578239077156844822010-06-09T12:19:41.973-04:002010-06-09T12:19:41.973-04:00Did Gaga just break a record? Is she the first sin...Did Gaga just break a record? Is she the first singer to have her video (I know the video is the director's but I don't care right now :p) graded by Nathaniel?<br />Cool!James Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16055933146552583102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-12673420694536249962010-06-09T11:24:13.193-04:002010-06-09T11:24:13.193-04:00GaGa is the baddest bitch around ya'll! She pu...GaGa is the baddest bitch around ya'll! She put every "contemporary" on notice with this "Alejandro" video! Love it! It's way too serious for such a lightweight song, but I almost don't care when the final product is this strong. Dominate those hot guys and pay homage to your empress God, La Madonna! Great video!Doriannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-36196498189938470312010-06-09T11:08:39.266-04:002010-06-09T11:08:39.266-04:00yeah. but Madonna did that too (see Truth or Dare)...yeah. but Madonna did that too (see Truth or Dare) ;)NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-68058105575442240622010-06-09T10:56:43.583-04:002010-06-09T10:56:43.583-04:00I agree, GaGa should stick to GaGa instead of doin...I agree, GaGa should stick to GaGa instead of doing Madonna, she really does herself so much better! It seems odd to me that after setting her tone and style with her other songs that she would do this complete bite. It falls flat, except when all those gay guys are gang banging her!!Chris Na Tarajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06545312034833563234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-81960129238068939872010-06-09T09:39:24.570-04:002010-06-09T09:39:24.570-04:00JP & BRB -- i can definitely hear ace of base ...JP & BRB -- i can definitely hear ace of base now that they've been name checked. But oh so much lost in resolution when attempting to xerox the unsurpassable ABBA.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-79917837240830340142010-06-09T09:09:24.226-04:002010-06-09T09:09:24.226-04:00@BeRightBack - I think it's actually "Don...@BeRightBack - I think it's actually "Don't Turn Around", another Ace of Base song. Either way, it's definitely reminiscent of Ace of Base (who were, of course, reminiscent of ABBA).JPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-28224608592020644782010-06-09T08:03:12.833-04:002010-06-09T08:03:12.833-04:00Supposedly this video is part "Vogue" pa...Supposedly this video is part "Vogue" part "Like A Prayer" part "Express Yourself":<br /><br />seems pretty original, does that mean its true "team Gaga" profiles people then compiles a "montage" or assembles something to regurgitate back to brainwashed viewers who have a hard time chewing Ashlee Simpson visuals(?)- like a bird feeding her flock. What careful and obvious script writing here (in this article). Its almost as if Madonna directed the video herself "undra-covah" with that outsourced group of hired field investigators..... the re:invention concept is another skip away from authenticity and karaoke in contradiction. "No doubt" the "other" errr I mean Queen adores the favor of impersonation, as it will eventually rape consumers into memory backtracking to archive her sold product to the public, plus give an excuse to carry on with former business practices, amidst a myriad of infringement lawsuits-she does have the excuse of using poor people to feed. None the less what did "Stephanie Gaga" say in that interview? "she lies sometimes"..................shocking, and for the record most people from Stonewall and the "gay" revolution didn't charge activists and homosexuals to understand their actions and Madonna wasn't playing in those clubs as her product wasn't being sold nor had she recorded yet- AND CORRECTION; "Vogue" (this sentence is for the illustrious article writer searching for that industry "in") was concepted by Malcolm McLaren, not Madonna the single was called "Deep In Vogue" and like much of "Miss Ciconne's" (there's more than one of her, you know) career some of those singles and "Vogue" in particular are/is a knock off and assemblages of Malcolm's (McLaren) work which he didn't star in (the "Deep In Vogue" video)- the Voguer's did. Gaga wants Madonna's money, Madonna wanted Malcolm's idea's really they are parasites,with an incestuous "edge".Basically they want gay people to pay for their sins, and know exactly how to visually manipulate this situation to collect thus payment, homosexuals are easily controlled with a little love and eye candy. Get your facts and history "straight", that's after your done screaming like "Fans" or trying understand reality.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13645778318899094230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-39162931311269622522010-06-09T06:22:37.895-04:002010-06-09T06:22:37.895-04:00Love love love Lady Gaga. I love her. This song is...Love love love Lady Gaga. I love her. This song is fab-o regardless of what other people think of her. I swear I want to have a Lady Gaga themed party like in Glee. That'll be so amazing.<br /><br />Despite being called a rip-off, I think Christina Aguilera has one advantage or ability that can kick Lady Gaga and Madonna's asses: her voice. Ya sure she may look like a ripoff but I'll fight someone if anyone thinks that Lady Gaga or Madonna is a better singer than Christina.Clarencenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-6238504148743661912010-06-09T04:43:00.744-04:002010-06-09T04:43:00.744-04:00I think Lady Gaga is here to stay. To me, she'...I think Lady Gaga is here to stay. To me, she's the only one who has understood there's life after Madonna, and the only one that has managed to figure out what direction to take in these times: sense of humour.<br />When I see her videos, I see a woman who grew up worshipping pop culture and its icons (including Madonna) and that's not afraid to show them and incorporate them to her style. It's like she had decided, ok this is what's been done up to now, let's make something different with the same material and let's laugh about it a bit while we're at it. That's the only way I can understand her outfits, her choreographies or some of her lyrics. Some sort of self-parody, not exactly of herself, but of the pop divas culture.<br /><br />That said, I think Ale(h)andro, the song, is a step back. What's wrong with English speaking singers when they try something in Spanish? Case in point: Madonna (La isla bonita), Geri Halliwell( Mi chico latino) though there was nothing right with that one to begin with. Even Jennnifer Lopez who's also Spanish speaking (Qué hiciste?) That's what I wonder, ¿qué hiciste, Jennifer?.<br />But to be fair, the same thing happens the other way around, when Spanish speaking singers try English. I'm most amazed Enrique Iglesias has some sort of career (I can be yor (j)ero beibi)Iggynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1897280406155927492010-06-08T23:43:20.929-04:002010-06-08T23:43:20.929-04:00James T.: The upside-down cross on her crotch, whi...James T.: The upside-down cross on her crotch, which looks like a geometric erection, certainly supports your thesis.BeRightBackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09386424531104200511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-58268444828639807272010-06-08T21:15:42.755-04:002010-06-08T21:15:42.755-04:00While reading the piece I thought of Bowie.. and t...While reading the piece I thought of Bowie.. and there he was :) I'm proud of myself for having the same thought as you.<br /><br />I agree that both this and "Telephone" are just too much although I really liked seeing Gaga and Beyonce together. <br /><br /><br />I'm with Glenn on "I don't get it" and, call me stupid, I don't even get the lyrics. Is "she" and "I" the same person? Why are there three names but Alejandro gets more mentions? Is it all sumbolic?<br /><br />I think that the "topping the men" might also be a reference to the "penis" rumour.<br /><br />PS: Gaga rules :)James Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16055933146552583102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-34543731541822183612010-06-08T20:49:31.592-04:002010-06-08T20:49:31.592-04:00The difference, for me, between Gaga 'copying&...The difference, for me, between Gaga 'copying' Madonna and Christina copying Madonna and Gaga is that Alejandro made me think hmmm, there are some Madonna references in here. NMT made me go-this is that video, this is that outfit, this is what Gaga dit etc. i consider Alejandro more of an homage and NMT more of a, well, rip-off.<br /><br />Alejandro and BR are fighting for number 1 with me, and Paparazzi and Telephone for the third position.<br />What I loved about Alejandro is that it is just as gorgeous, weird (in a good sense) and hot(or hotter) as her previous videos, but also darker and more serious, which I liked-but that's purely personal taste.I loved that it was more poignant/thought-provoking than anything she's ever done, it has a theme and a message-and a great one.But maybe i'm biased cuz I'm gay:)<br />On the final note, the thing she wears on the head is one of her very coolest and craziest WTF fashion moments imo.Seriously, WHAT is that and where can I buy it?:)Klemennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-50724442152270916472010-06-08T20:28:41.158-04:002010-06-08T20:28:41.158-04:00I guess I'm the only one who thinks the qualit...I guess I'm the only one who thinks the quality of music videos hasn't gone down. There are plenty of artists right now that are doing consistently good videos: Pink, Kanye West, M.I.A., Erykah Badu, Rihanna etc. <br /><br />I think it's just that Gaga's getting the same fan fare as Michael Jackson and Madonna that's setting her apart.NoNohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973204564841048976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-58677962124262370262010-06-08T19:37:57.202-04:002010-06-08T19:37:57.202-04:00These are my exact thoughts about the video. It...These are my <b>exact</b> thoughts about the video. It's still better than the majority of garbage out there claiming to be a "music video", but I just don't think I "get" it enough. Like, okay... what's the point?<br /><br />Clearly the biggest pop release of the last day or so is the Kylie Minogue "Aphrodite" Megamix. It's amazing in every single way.Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08194113062830373898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-5746151505482222672010-06-08T19:29:55.967-04:002010-06-08T19:29:55.967-04:00Am I the only one who hears "The Sign" b...Am I the only one who hears "The Sign" by Ace of Base when the chorus of this song starts?BeRightBackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09386424531104200511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-289292520552199282010-06-08T19:08:04.777-04:002010-06-08T19:08:04.777-04:00Dame James -- well i didn't say i though it wa...Dame James -- well i didn't say i though it was GREAT. This is my least favortie Gaga video in a while. I just think that riffing on other people's work is very normal and fine if you have something to add. the tone of her work, for all the comparisons, is definitely different than Madonna's.<br /><br />But honestly Christina's, if it was meant as homage was a total fail, and as a ripoff it just felt like hack work to me. If it's straight up "here's me as Madonna" it needs more humor. And if it's straight up stealing it needs more nuance and subtlety.<br /><br />i dunno. there's a good take on the situation at the blog i linked up to there which is why i didn't go into it in great detail.that blog said it well about "Not Myself Tonight"<br /><br />Chris -- Madonna was definitely pushing the world, yes. and I agree that it doesn't get more powerful than Madonna. But I'm enjoying what Gaga brings to the pop world. I just want it to be a little closer to Bad Romance and Telephone which feel more like Gaga than Gaga acknowledging her connection to Madonna in a more straightforward way than she usually does.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-4093912155940149712010-06-08T18:31:11.979-04:002010-06-08T18:31:11.979-04:00So Xtina rips off Madonna and it's cheap and c...So Xtina rips off Madonna and it's cheap and clumsy. GaGa rips off Madonna and she gets respect because she's "adding something new" (I must have missed that in between the Voguing and the Like a Prayer references). I'm not a fan of the 'Not Myself Tonight' video, but just because GaGa's video is "artsy" when Xtina's was pure smut doesn't mean it's any better.Dame Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02684030137746709310noreply@blogger.com