She Does Everything
September 19, 2009
I love a musician who can do anything. I especially love it when the talent for most of that “anything” is revealed after the musician’s foot has already gotten in the door (we know I love this about John Mayer). This week I’m showing up almost 18 months late to the Lady Gaga party, but it’s not because of the songs on the radio. I understand the appeal of “Just Dance,” “I Gotta Feeling” and other recession-era hits that offer our weekend “economy tune-outs” a much needed soundtrack. And as far as booze-soaked party jams go, “Just Dance” is one of the best. But that still was never enough to hook me. It took tuning in to Gaga’s VMA performance of “Paparazzi” to get me curious, then I did my YouTube research and came across an acoustic version of “Poker Face” from Sessions @ AOL. If you haven’t seen this performance, you really should.
After seeing this, I was in. I’m willing to go out on a limb and promise you that I’ve seen maybe four performances in the 00s that have been this inspiring. This goes in the folder of things to aspire to. Just look at the confidence, the sense of humor, the way she invites you in with her hands and doesn’t miss a beat when she needs to adjust her old bluesman sunglasses. I always assumed Lady Gaga was just a wilder Christina Aguilera. But it seems she’s also Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Nina Simone and Jim Morrison. More importantly, she’s not too much like any of these characters – she holds onto her own identity in the performance. The song I covered this week on my mailing list, “Eh, Eh (Nothing I Can Say),” is technically right in the Spice Girls’ collective zone, but coming from Gaga it sounds like something unique and new, because it comes from her own strange perspective. Enough gushing, here’s the significance:
If Lady Gaga is allowed success while being this weird, then there’s no stopping me or you. Embrace your quirks. Don’t be intimidated into a genre – try a little bit of everything and see what sticks, what feels like home. You’ve officially been validated, weirdos. Now go out there and make your magic.
Forgive the lameness of this, but I am ga-ga over this cover AND this blog post about it. Weird is the new normal (and I’m sure someone already has made a bumper sticker of this)…
I love that you wrote about Lady Gaga! Although, many times I can’t decide if she annoys the hell out of me or if I absolutely love her, I definitely loved this clip. And, despite what people have said about her outfits at the VMAs, I love her gusto and the fact that she incorporates so much into her music and style.
*much love* for both you and gaga!
You really hit the nail on the head here. She’s a little bit like all those people and then some, but all those varying personalities and genre’s make her such a unique musician.
As your musical career has developed I’ve watched you try so many different genres… some I loved and some I didn’t … but they all helped you understand and develop your talent and unique style.
I really look forward to your weekly e-mails to see what angle your taking this time so keep up the good work and rock out with your bad self!
-Jeb
By the way… searching ‘lady gaga acoustic’ on youtube she does many different variations on that and other songs. Thanks for bringing this to my attention… I’M HOOKED!
Thank you for the love guys!