By Waiching
Whilst Lady Gaga won plaudits for her acting work in 2018's music-based drama, A Star is Born, she is still, by and large, a pop icon and artist and musician first and foremost, who broke the mould during the mid to late 2000s and in looking back on her music career so far, it has been quite a transition from her heydays of the poppy Just Dance to the less than poppy, yet still highlight in Shallow, taken from the A Star is Born movie soundtrack.
Here are my 10 favourite songs of hers from her eclectic and ever-reaching and progressive career:
1. Alejandro (2010) - this catchy melodic tune owes more to Swedish pop band, Ace of Base than to Just Dance and Pokerface, and whilst sound-wise, it feels completely different to anything else she has done before and after, Alejandro, with its Europop feel, is so utterly memorable and melodic. I instantly fell in love with this song when I first heard it on the radio - and when I found out the vocals were by Lady Gaga, I was even more surprised. What might have been a minor misstep and a song that is 'uncharacteristic' of hers, RedOne and Gaga crafted a mega-hit that is, in sync, lyrically and musically pop perfection.
2. LoveGame (2008) - it may not be as well known as Pokerface, Just Dance and Alejandro, but it definitely stands out on its own and plus, it is famous for the mention of 'disco stick' and other silly and yet playful lyrics. Whatever the hell a disco stick is. The music video itself also takes inspiration from Michael Jackson's ''Beat It'' vid with its streetwise, urban look.
3. Video Phone The Extended Remix (2009) / Beyonce featuring Lady Gaga - the B-side to Telephone, I actually prefer this Beyonce- led song over the main single. Video Phone received mixed reviews from music critics and the song was overlooked by many - with some labelling the lyrics as ''smutty''; yes, it is a tad weird and all that, but it works. Lady Gaga's vocals are on point and they compliment Queen Bey's extremely well and in watching the video, both of them had chemistry. The music video directed by R&B maestro Hype Williams features wardrobe changes and pays homage to Reservoir Dogs and currently, it has racked up over 100 million views on Youtube.
4. The Cure (2017) - out of all the recent songs she has performed and recorded, this is my favourite by far. If it had a music video to go with it, it would have propelled The Cure to the top of the charts back in 2017. Comprised of finger snaps, it has a slight R&B sound going for it, but it remained a commercial bop thanks to its clean, simple production and so Gaga anthem - familiarity, complete with an instantaneous and explosive chorus to boot. That and Lady Gaga knows how to write a good hook.
5. Do What You Want (2013) - a mix of pop, R&B and dance, it is arguably the most recognisable song on the Artpop LP. Whilst it received a lukewarm response back in 2013, a music video for the track was shot, but it was never released. There were 2 versions recorded: one with the infamous R. Kelly and the other with Christina Aguilera released a year, though I'd stick with the solo version with Gaga. With a strong beat, it still works pretty well
6. The Edge of Glory (2011) - Energetic, fist-pumping beat, Edge of Glory basks in the Electronic pop dance beat light that is punctuated by Lady Gaga's impassioned vocal delivery. Oh and it's another infectious chart offering
7. Bad Romance (2009) - Never gets old and another one of her notable songs and chart bangers from The Fame Monster LP. The sound was influenced by German-esque House and Techno music and the track still remains as upbeat and memorable as it was over 11 years ago as she continued her reign in 2009 and the song also shook the industry.
8. Fashion! (2013) - From Artpop! and not from her debut album, The Fame, this is far better in comparison and sounds 70s-ish with a catchy piano riff which was produced by French dance music producer, David Guetta and will.i. am of The Black Eyed Peas. On repeated listens, Fashion reminds me of Let's Dance by David Bowie and is underrated as well, it is a shame that this was never released as a chart single because it is so good.
9. Hair (2011) - an uptempo song penned by Lady Gaga and Morrocan Swedish songwriter, RedOne, the song draws inspiration from Pat Benatar's 1980s hit, 'We Belong', whilst its empowering lyrics harken back to those in Born This Way. Along with its 80s' pop-rock sound and the theme of one's hair as the ultimate expression of identity, it also kinds of makes for an emancipating pop anthem in its own right.
10. Just Dance feat. Colby O' Donis (2008) - one of the best - selling songs of the 2000s and Lady Gaga's debut chart single, this was our introduction of Lady Gaga as a pop star and a first glimpse of what to expect from her, songs-wise. With the help of RedOne and Akon, it was bold, ambitious & changed the sound of radio pop and established Gaga as a force to be reckoned with as a female solo chart star, alongside the likes of Britney Spears and Rihanna of the mid-2000s and into the early 2010s.
*Honourable Mentions: Dance in the Dark, Heavy Metal Lover, Marry The Night, Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say), Starstruck feat. Space Cowboy & Flo Rida, Applause, Sexxx Dreams, Hair Body Face, Paparazzi, Christmas Tree, Chillin' by Wale (Lady Gaga featuring)
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