Despite her acknowledgement of influences such as Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, the album is distinctly Gaga. The title track, although compared to Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself…’ tells of a personal journey intertwined with the powerful cheering of unconditional acceptance. Some might argue that it was a risky marketing ploy to capitalise on her gay following; there could be some truth in this but does she need to?
Unlike many pop artists who tell fairytale-like stories through their music, Gaga shares the truth: she taps into the psyche of real-life troubles and fantasies and brings it to life through creative genius. This is where Born This Way excels. From the perils of being betrayed in love, which is often confused for blasphemy in ‘Judas’ – to the raw expression of longing in ‘You and I’ there is more to the album than meets the ear.
Don’t be fooled by catchy tracks like ‘Marry The Night’ and ‘Sheisse’, although they are very conducive to busting a move they go deeper than the surface. Both proclaim the strength of women and seek to find the simplicity of having a good time and leaving your troubles behind. These tracks capture the holy grail of pop music – being able to create a killer tune without being vapid. Although more up tempo and vibey these tracks see Gaga offering some of the most powerful lyrics on the album “I wish I could dance on a single prayer, I wish I could be strong without somebody there” Gaga muses on vulnerability on ‘Sheisse’.
More vulnerable moments are found along the way, particularly through her musings on individuality and freedom of expression in the piano heavy ‘Hair’ where she sings “I’ve had enough, this is my prayer, that I’ll die living just as free as my hair”. ‘Heavy Metal Lover’, a firm favourite for me, takes a somewhat edgier detour where the listener becomes privy to a racy fantasy: “I want your whiskey mouth, all over my blonde south”. Perhaps the most vulnerable moment presents itself through the dance track ‘Edge of Glory’ which speaks of the last moments of living on earth and was inspired by the death of her grandfather.
There is never a time on the album where you feel isolated by Gaga, she takes the listener with her. Anyone who has ever broken the rules or felt different can relate to the cocky attitude in ‘Bad Kids’ where Gaga assures “Don’t be insecure if your heart is pure, you’re still good to me if you’re a bad kid baby”. Even on the more self reflective ‘Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)’, Gaga sings “We can be strong, out on this lonely route on the road to love”. She knows its a lonely journey but not one she has travelled alone.
