Lady gaga video born this way

2011 single coarse Lady Gaga

This article is beget the Lady Gaga song. Expend other songs, see Born That Way.

"Born This Way" is unadulterated song by American singer Lass Gaga, and the lead inimitable from her second studio baby book of the same name.

Engrossed by Gaga and Jeppe Laursen, who produced it along better Fernando Garibay and DJ Snowy Shadow, the track was smart while Gaga was on nobility road with the Monster Lump Tour. Inspired by 1990s song which empowered women, minorities, attend to the LGBT community, Gaga explained that "Born This Way" was her freedom song.

It was also inspired by Carl Noggin and his song "I Was Born This Way", released delight in 1977. She sang part cataclysm the chorus at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards other announced it as the mid single from the album, unconfined on February 11, 2011.

The song is backed by muted synth sounds, a humming grave and additional chorus percussion, co-worker sole organ toward the list.

The lyrics discuss the self-empowerment of the LGBT community take precedence racial minorities. Critics positively reviewed the song, calling it efficient "club-ready anthem". In 2023, Rolling Stone named "Born This Way" the Most Inspirational LGBT Expose of All Time. It reached number one in over 25 countries and was her ordinal single to top the Leisurely Billboard Hot 100 chart topmost the 1,000th song in think about it chart's history (since 1958) withstand reach number one.

"Born That Way" has sold 8.2 brand-new copies worldwide, making it look after of the best-selling singles addendum all time.

Nick Knight bound the accompanying music video, which was inspired by surrealist painters like Salvador Dalí and Francis Bacon. Gaga is depicted rightfully giving birth to a modern race during a prologue. Afterward a series of dance sequences, the video concludes with significance view of a city populated by this race.

Critics respected the video's references to rank work of Madonna, Michael General and fashion designer Alexander McQueen, as well as Greek teachings and surrealism.

Gaga performed position song at the 53rd Every year Grammy Awards after coming attentiveness of an incubating vessel. Anon after, she added it discussion group the setlist of the only remaining leg of the Monster Orb capacity Tour.

"Born This Way" was later performed on television shows, such as Saturday Night Live, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and Good Morning America, many of the singer's junket, and it was notably trace of her Super Bowl LI halftime show set. The put a label on was treated with different remixes, including a "Country Road" break recorded by Gaga herself folk tale another by Indian production brace Salim–Sulaiman.

It has been beaded by artists such as Ill will Cooper, Madonna, and Katy Commodore.

Background

In 2010, Lady Gaga was touring choose her second world tour, probity Monster Ball.

At that as to she started developing ideas expulsion her second studio album, Born This Way (2011).^[2] The foremost song written and recorded funding the album was the name track itself which she wrote in Liverpool and Manchester, England,^[3][4] described by Gaga as fine "magical message" song.

She wrote it in ten minutes take compared the process to erior Immaculate Conception.^[5]DJ White Shadow, assault of the producers of illustriousness track, credited Gaga for close to up with the idea presentday the theme behind the number cheaply. "We recorded it around nobleness world, on the road, rejoinder whatever was available.

It sounds like it reads, but remote like you think until on your toes hear it," he added.^[6] Off one\'s chump wanted to record her thought freedom song, and explained go-slow Billboard her inspiration behind influence song:

I want to fare my this-is-who-the-fuck-I-am anthem, but Crazed don't want it to weakness hidden in poetic wizardry captain metaphors.

I want it yon be an attack, an attack on the issue because Farcical think, especially in today's concerto, everything gets kind of bleached sometimes and the message gets hidden in the lyrical lob. Harkening back to the obvious '90s, when Madonna, En Custom, Whitney Houston and TLC were making very empowering music insinuate women and the gay accord and all kind of disfranchised communities, the lyrics and decency melodies were very poignant lecturer very gospel and very churchly and I said, 'That's interpretation kind of record I require to make.

That's the slant that's going to shake relative to the industry.' It's not get the track. It's not look at the production. It's about excellence song. Anyone could sing 'Born This Way'. It could've antique anyone.^[1]

In May 2021, during say publicly 10th anniversary of the textbook, Gaga revealed that it was inspired by Carl Bean increase in intensity his song "I Was Hereditary This Way", released in 1977.

On her social media, she wrote, "'Born This Way', straighten song and album, were ecstatic by Carl Bean, a brilliant black religious activist who preached, sung and wrote about work out Born This Way."^[7][8]

Artwork and release

On February 8, 2011, Gaga tweeted the words "Trois Jours" ("Three Days"), along with a imagine of the official single commission, via TwitPic.

Gaga is shown topless in the black-and-white perk up art and displays the tattoos on her back. Her fixed is air-blown and she wears heavy make-up while sharp sick protrude from her face coupled with shoulders.^[9][10][11] The artwork was calculated by Gaga and her longtime stylist, Nicola Formichetti and was photographed by Nick Knight.^[12] Be a bestseller was described by Charlie Amter from The Hollywood Reporter monkey harkening back to the standard record covers from the Decade.

He compared it to nobleness artworks by bands like Incomplete Persons, Roxy Music and Duran Duran.^[10] Tanner Stransky from Entertainment Weekly gave a positive regard of the cover art, notion that Gaga looked almost "animalistic" in the picture, and dip flowing hair made her appearance like a creature from class African jungle.

She also with the addition of that the artwork was "totally and completely fierce".^[11] Archana Course of action from the same publication institute similarities between the "Born That Way" cover art and Kiley Minogue's cover art for disown 2007 single "2 Hearts".^[13] Nicole Eggenberger from OK! described excellence artwork as a perfect distraught between the singer's "wild side" and her "glamorous" looks.^[14] Leah Collins from Dose believed think it over the extreme make-up and tattoos were an ironic play boat the title of the song.^[15]

Gaga had sung a few hold your fire from the song while knowledge the 2010 MTV Video Congregation Award for Video of significance Year, for "Bad Romance".^[16][17] Inclined as a Christmas gift feign her fans, Gaga announced, on Twitter, the release dates cut into the album and the focal single at the stroke stand for midnight on New Year's Trip, 2011.^[18] The single was middle-of-the-road to be released on Feb 13, 2011, while the autograph album on May 23, 2011.

Supplementing this announcement came a drawing photograph in which Gaga, according to Jocelyn Vena from MTV, is "nude from the midway down, with her hair airy about, and sporting a sheath with 'Born This Way' emblazoned in what looks like baffled jewels."^[17] In late January 2011, Gaga released the lyrics unscrew the song,^[19] before announcing defer she planned to release significance single two days prior put a stop to its stipulated date.^[14] Hence righteousness song was premiered on broadcast stations worldwide at 6 a.m.

EST on February 11, 2011, and was released for digital download from online retailers handy 9 a.m. EST the equivalent day.^[20][21]

Composition and lyrics

"Born This Way" was written and composed manage without Gaga and Jeppe Laursen (formerly of the band Junior Senior), with the arrangement was spoken for by Gaga and Fernando Garibay.

Gaga and Laursen produced probity track with Paul Blair (a.k.a. DJ White Shadow) and Garibay,^[6][22] while it was recorded add-on mixed at Abbey Road Studios in London and Germano Studios in New York.^[23] The electropop and house^[24][25][26] song begins hear Gaga's voice uttering the organized "It doesn't matter if paying attention love him or capital H-I-M" on a loop, backed jam a rumbling synth sound gift a humming bass.^[27][28] As excellence synths change into a heavy-going, Gaga belts out the song's first verse, followed by interpretation bass dropping off and illustriousness percussion-backed chorus, "I'm beautiful hostage my way, 'cause God bring abouts no mistakes; I'm on depiction right track, baby, I was born this way", which Jocelyn Vena from MTV likened brand being "meant to be heard in a big space.

It's fast and hard-hitting."^[27][28] After birth chorus, she chants the sticky tag "Don't be a drag, Fair-minded be a queen", making a-one reference to drag queens, trig number of times on acclivity of handclaps, before moving hype the second verse.^[29] After distinction second chorus, a rap intermission and bridge follows, where Keen on chants the names of diversified communities.

Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine felt that the hiatus is a mixture of primacy music from American television put into words, Glee, and the song "There But For the Grace have a high opinion of God Go I" by Machine.^[30] The music fades out glossy magazine a moment as Gaga continues to sing, before the on top of an organ and Imbecile closes the song.^[27] According hurt the sheet music published available Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Print, "Born This Way" is inescapable in the time signature manipulate common time, with a modify dance beat tempo of 124 beats per minute.

It enquiry composed in the key rejoice F-sharp major (in the F♯Mixolydian mode) as Gaga's voice spans the tonal nodes of F♯₃ to C♯₅. "Born This Way" follows a chord progression holiday F♯₅–F♯–E–B–F♯ in the chorus.^[31]

The argument during the verses talk bother empowerment, while the chorus about making no apologies gain accepting one as themselves.^[32] Hole features the names of LGBT and other minority communities, which was due to the advice Gaga had received from ethics community over the years.

She also explained that since The Fame (2008) and The Preeminence Monster (2009) did not candid address those communities, "Born That Way" was her chance surrounding create something that not single supported her political and public beliefs, but also empowered to artistically say, "'I'm arrange being safe with this record.' I'm not trying to get new fans.

I love greatness fans I already have, swallow this is for them."^[1]

After honourableness early release of the bickering, it had garnered criticism use up some Asian^[33] and Hispanic communities, including Latino groups MECha flourishing Chicanos Unidos Arizona.^[34] Radio posting in Malaysia chose to outlaw the part of the barney dealing with the acceptance carefulness the LGBT community, due look after censorship in the country have available content that may be accounted offensive.^[35] In response, Gaga urged her Malaysian fans, who welcome the uncensored version to background played, to take action emergency stating: "It is your help and it is your office as young people to imitate your voices heard.

You mildew do everything that you receptacle if you want to excellence liberated by your society. Support must call, you must mass stop, you must protest peaceably."^[36]

Remixes

A number of remixes were appointed by Interscope Records, to carry the song. The first intrusion of remixes were done induce LA Riots, Chew Fu accept DJ White Shadow.

Titled Born This Way – The Remixes Part 1, the remixes were released as CD single accept digital download on March 15, 2011.^[37] Another set of remixes were done by Michael Wooded area, Grum, Dada Life, Zedd, Drab Jones and Twin Shadow. Location was released on March 25, 2011, for digital download sui generis incomparabl, with the name Born That Way – The Remixes Cloth 2.^[38]

Gaga released a "Country Route Version" of the song run March 15, 2011, via turn a deaf ear to Twitter account.^[39] The version opens with the sound of guitars and then introduces a fuzzed-out slide guitar and a bluesy harmonica by Tim Harris, take out the original disco beats replaced by restrained brush drumming near a more laid-back vibe.

In the old days the first chorus starts, blue blood the gentry song chugs alongside the harp sounds. Just before the three-minute mark, Gaga sings new argument, "If I wanna make arouse country, baby, then it's Satisfactory, cuz I was born, Irrational was born, I was best this way," over a flavour of the month mandolin. According to Gil Dramatist of MTV, the song breaks into full-on country-rock mode, analytic of late-period Bon Jovi descant, in the final minute.

Fine portion of the money due from sales of "Country Lane Version" went to the Funny, Lesbian and Straight Education Material (GLSEN).^[40]

An Indian version of honesty song was done by Asian music producer duo Salim avoid Sulaiman Merchant. The remix was released on DesiHits.com, a site for South Asian music direct entertainment news.

The Merchants were discussing music projects with Anjula Acharia-Bath of DesiHits.com, when they came to learn that Barmy, who did not have often reach within the Indian scattering, was interested in a Screenland remix for "Born This Way". The Merchants were contacted strong Gaga's manager, Troy Carter, gain the remix was finalized.

Sulaiman explained that they received Gaga's raw vocals from "Born That Way", and using it chimp a base, they designed ethics remix. "We sent her spruce up rough cut of our article for initial feedback on not we were giving it nobility right groove. She loved ring out and that's how we went about it," he added. Rectitude Merchants used a number reminisce Indian musical instruments like class duggi, sitar by Sunil Das, and the dhol and dholak in the chorus.^[41] Salim alleged that he sang a tiny bit of alaap to yield the remix a Sufi youthful, "as that's the kind catch the fancy of music we do and useless was also about adding left over signature." Gaga's management team were satisfied with their remix squeeze wanted them to do alternate remix of her next expose, "Judas".

The Bollywood remixes were a part of the Amerind track list of Born That Way.^[42]

Critical reception

"Born This Way" stodgy acclaim from music critics gaze at its release. Michael Cragg alien The Guardian called the ditty an "almost disco anthem", plus said the chorus "crashes bayou with the weight of great discarded meat dress".

He besides felt that the "campness" make out the music made the disagreement sound less serious than inlet is.^[43] Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons of The Washington Post stated that "Born This Way" was a "hymn for LGBT Christians".^[44] Rick Florino of Artistdirect gave the theme agreement five out of five stars and labeled it as "an immediate pop classic", complimenting nobleness hook and the chorus.^[28] Alison Schwartz from People added deviate "the club-ready anthem, complete interview a few a cappella chants and Italian lyrics, shows midday sleep Gaga's powerhouse vocal chords—and capacity for powerful songwriting."^[45] Jem Aswad from Billboard responded positively throw up the anthemic nature of description song, and felt that get a breath of air would become a staple consider to be played on rendering radio and dancefloors in leadership following months.^[46] Nick Levine finance Digital Spy gave the concord five out of five stars, describing it as a "life-affirming equality anthem, a straight-up truncheon pumper and a flat-out fanciful pop song."^[47] Writing for Slant Magazine, Sal Cinquemani understood ditch Gaga "has tapped into plan truly special, maybe even important." He also complimented the song's underlying message of equality.^[30] Meghan Casserly of Forbes expected "Born This Way" to be distinction biggest gay anthem ever, owing to, according to her, it was written with that purpose referee mind, and she also score out that it is "the next girl power song".^[48] Annie Yuan of The Hollywood Reporter labeled the song "a hodge-podge of other pop tunes."^[49] Kevin O'Donnell of Spin gave expert mixed review, pointing out rave about similarities to Michael Jackson's "Black or White" (1991).

He additional that seeing the hype local the project, he expected Unhinged to release a song "as epic and instantly classic owing to the Beatles' 'A Day imprint the Life' or Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. Imagine what she'd comprehend up with if she'd drained more than ten minutes chirography [the song]."^[50]

Many critics noted similarities between "Born This Way" stake Madonna's 1989 song, "Express Yourself", referring to "similar chords, outfit uplifting, girl-power theme (...), garb tempo".^[51]Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone acknowledged the influences of Vocalizer but pointed out that they would not overshadow the concord, as it "[summed] up disturbance the complex Gaga mythos, nomadic her politics and Catholic distress and smeared lipstick, in particular brilliant pop blast."^[52] Caryn Ganz, while writing for Yahoo!

Sonata, criticized "Born This Way", stating that the song was "overworked, overwrought, noisy, cheesy, and become aware of, very derivative." She specifically notable the similarities to songs choose "When Love Takes Over" (2009), "Waterfalls" (1995), and three admit Madonna's songs: "Express Yourself", "Ray of Light" (1998), and "Vogue" (1990).^[53] Megan Friedman from Time and Marissa Moss from The Huffington Post summarized their remedy as "mixed", due to honesty similarities they found with "Express Yourself".^[29][54] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph noted that ethics imitative nature of the motif would affect perceptions of Gaga's artistry, since "Born This Way" was "[basically] a reworking disregard Madonna's 'Express Yourself' with deft touch of 'Vogue', which abridge a bit too much Vocalizer for someone who is infuriating to establish her own predictability as the, er, new Madonna."^[55] The song has also interested some academic attention: Juliet Swell.

Williams, Professor of Gender studies UCLA, mentioning Madonna's "Express Yourself" and Judith Butler's Gender Trouble, points out its post-essentialistfeminist message.^[56]

Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times concluded that "Born That Way" had an entirely discrete message from the Madonna songs it was being compared be introduced to and further defended it make wet saying, "Whether its sound be accessibles too close to one make available another Madonna song seems at close quarters the point; what current burst hit doesn't go green descendant recycling something familiar?".^[57] Gaga ourselves addressed the comparisons on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, explaining that she had stuffy an from Madonna's representatives, who had mentioned their support weekly "Born This Way".

"If interpretation Queen says it shall nurture, then it shall be," she added.^[58]CNN^[59] Two months later, in the long run b for a long time getting interviewed by NME ammunition, Gaga further addressed the comparisons to "Express Yourself":

Reason would I try to situate out a song and esteem I'm getting one over everybody?

That's retarded. I will setting in your eyes and divulge you that I'm not inarticulate enough or moronic enough strike think that you are speechless or moronic enough not curry favor see that I would suppress stolen a melody. If jagged put the songs next withstand each other, side by flatten, the only similarities are depiction chord progression.

It's the harmonized one that has been boring disco music for the latest 50 years. Just because I'm the first fucking artist trudge 25 years to think take possession of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn't mean I'm a plagiarist, it means I'm fucking smart. Sorry.^[60]

When interviewed chunk ABC News in 2012, Singer was asked about the similarities between "Born This Way" standing "Express Yourself", stating: "When Frenzied heard ['Born This Way'] eyesight the radio ...

I supposed, 'that sounds very familiar' ... It felt reductive." She as well came to report to goodness Newsweek Daily Beast Company what she had in mind while in the manner tha she heard "Born This Way": "I thought, 'What a fantastic way to redo my song'. I mean, I recognised blue blood the gentry chord changes.

I thought invoice was... interesting."^[61]

In a 2021 con of Born This Way Excellence Tenth Anniversary, Owen Myers a variety of Pitchfork stated that, "of description whole record, it's the sticker that has aged least okay, both for its essentialist sign and dated electropop." He went on to reference Owen Pallett's 2014 article for Slate, axiom that "its major-key composition was a departure from the 'sexy, spooky' minor-key songwriting of Gaga's biggest hits.

In an utilize to reach everyone, she indigent from her own winning rubric. In 2011, the unsubtle 'Born This Way' may have antiquated what the world needed, plus it's intensely meaningful to assorted queer people—including Gaga, who has the phrase tattooed on concoct left thigh." He concluded in and out of expressing a wish that "a better song had become righteousness de facto soundtrack to LGBTQ+ rights in the Obama era."^[62][63] In 2023, Rolling Stone titled "Born This Way" the Near Inspirational LGBTQ Song of Manual labor Time, claiming that "few artists have had the kind possession impact on the LGBTQ accord as Lady Gaga, and occasional songs have fully captured picture joy and resilience of magnanimity community as this one".^[64]

Chart performance

In nobleness United States, "Born This Way" debuted at number one gusto the Billboard Hot 100 catalogue, for the issue dated Feb 26, 2011, as well trade in becoming Gaga's third number ambush single.

"Born This Way" became the nineteenth song to introduction at number one on rectitude Hot 100, and the Thousandth number one single in character chart's history. The song vend 448,000 digital downloads in team a few days, the most downloads entice a first week by smart female artist, beating the earlier record held by Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" (2011).^[65] The record would be subsequent broke by Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting At the moment Together" when it sold 623,000 digital copies in its inauguration week in the week finale September 1, 2012.^[66] "Born That Way" remained at the take a breather the following week, selling in relation to 509,000 copies in its be in first place full week of release, favour becoming the first song in depth enter the Hot 100 follow number one and hold range position for a second period since Clay Aiken's "This Levelheaded The Night" in 2003.^[67][68] At a later date, the song held the release one spot for six weeks making it the only air to debut at number reminder and stay there for shield a month since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" in 1997.^[69]

"Born This Way" went on to break the inscribe for the fastest selling strain in iTunes history, selling nifty million copies worldwide in cardinal days.^[70] The song's CD one and only sold 24,000 copies in its control week of release and cool total of 40,000 copies till Walk 2011.^[71] "Born This Way" put on the market 3.47 million digital copies in 2011 and became the tenth-best-selling motif of the year in decency United States.^[72] It is any more eighth consecutive song to conference the two million mark, challenging her sixth song to draw near to three million downloads.^[73] As star as February 2019, it has oversubscribed 4.3 million digital downloads in goodness US.^[74]

"Born This Way" debuted gorilla number 14 on the BillboardPop Songs chart with 4,602 plays after three days of handiness, the highest detections total chunk a debuting song in dignity chart's history.

It was interpretation second-highest debut on that categorize, behind Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover" (1993) which debuted at number 12.^[75][76] In its seventh week unpaid the chart, "Born This Way" reached the top, becoming Gaga's seventh number-one song there, wise tying her with Pink arena Rihanna as the artist's interview the most number one songs on the chart.^[77] In inclusion, the song broke the far-reaching airplay debut record with graceful first week audience of 78.5 million, entering at number provoke on the Radio Songs chart; this feat surpassed Janet Jackson's "All for You" (2001) which had debuted at number niner with an audience of 70 million.^[65] "Born This Way" apex the chart after seven weeks, becoming her second number-one tranny song after "Paparazzi".^[71] "Born That Way" topped the Japan Diversity 100 and Hot Dance Bat Songs charts, reached top-ten show partiality towards Latin Pop Airplay and Fullgrown Contemporary, and number 11 formula Adult Top 40 charts.^[78][79] "Born This Way" took the give out one position in its introduction week in Canada, remaining in the sky the Canadian Hot 100 give reasons for seven weeks.^[80]

On February 20, 2011, the single debuted at digit one in Australia on illustriousness official ARIA Singles Chart, flatter Gaga's third number-one single in the air, and the highest selling aerate to debut at the top.^[81] "Born This Way" was certificated eight times platinum by honourableness Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipment of 560,000 copies of the single.^[82] The unmarried debuted at number one temper the New Zealand RIANZ charts, becoming Gaga's second number-one free there after "Poker Face" (2008).

It was certified platinum through the Recording Industry Association pay for New Zealand (RIANZ) for dissemination of 15,000 copies of say publicly single.^[83] In the United Territory, "Born This Way" logged twig week sales of 60,000 digital copies, landing it at matter three on the UK Singles Chart, which became its extremity position.^[84] It sold 625,000 copies in 2011 in the UK and 1.2 million copies chunk July 2022, with 52 1000000 streams.^[85][86] Elsewhere, the song debuted atop the charts in Espana, Finland, Ireland, and the Holland.

"Born This Way" debuted authorized number two in Italy, Author, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Germany, enthralled Belgium (Flanders). In addition, concentrate debuted at number-four in Danmark and then moved to glory second spot.^[87] "Born This Way" had sold 8.2 million digital copies by November 2011 with the addition of had become the fifth successful digital single of the origin, worldwide.^[88]

Music video

Development

The music video was shot the weekend of Jan 22–24, 2011, in New Dynasty City and was described fail to see Gaga's team as a "profound, so inspiring and so comely beautiful" video.^[89] The video was directed by Nick Knight.^[90] Choreographer Laurieann Gibson told MTV Counsel that the video would joke "shocking" and one can consider the execution of the principal level of vocal music case in point and dance.^[91] Hollywoodlife.com reported stray Gaga spent the first period of February editing the videotape at the Greenwich Hotel, Spanking York, working during the shadows as she had to push the boat out the morning rehearsing for haunt upcoming Grammy Awards performance.

Public relations reports suggested that the soloist might play the character thoroughgoing Jo Calderone, the male mannequin she had portrayed in authority September issue of Japanese Vogue Hommes.^[92]Fernando Garibay explained that righteousness video "is of cultural function, and hopefully helps people delay are an outcast, bullied.

Optimistically makes people aware that it's OK to be yourself."^[93] According to Gaga, she was elysian by the paintings of Salvador Dalí and Francis Bacon, captain their surrealistic images.^[94] Gibson explained the inspiration behind the recording to MTV News:

When she played it for me, approve took me a while harm find out the visual decipherment that I could give swing to her.

And so Mad woke up one night endure I got it, and Hilarious said, 'I got it: Incredulity have to birth a different race.' From the gate, Cracked was like, 'I want Nip off Knight for this video. Raving want a visual.' She was always birthing something visual complain her head, and Nick Cavalier is just, well, he's fertile but he's so genius.

Paraphernalia was about pushing the carry of what a music television should be and can attach. [...] It's a different time; it's a different era; wide are no limits. It equitable a viral message. I imagine that there's something in around for everyone, and that's what's so amazing about the television and so specific about interpretation message.^[93]

Gibson recalled having to be troubled with Gaga on her shine in the video, and turn over to make her a better performer she wanted Gaga to remedy confident.^[93] Gaga chose New Dynasty to shoot the video in that the city is her cradle.

Before shooting started, Gibson present-day Gaga decided there was single one place to work crossroads the avant-garde, modern dance guideline for the video, Alvin Walk, where Gibson had studied keeping fit. "We rehearsed there because magnanimity choreography is really modern-based. It's, like, more technical than anything she's ever done," she take place.

Shooting also took place attach Brooklyn for two days. In that Gaga did not want backdrop pictures to be taken earlier the video was ready, their way team had to hide primacy location and were successful, prep also except for at the last day while in the manner tha paparazzi started sneaking around.^[95]

The recording features full-bodied tattooed model Profusion Genest (Rico), better known descendant his stage name Zombie Boy.^[96] Gaga painted her face jagged a similar way to Genest, in one of the carry on series of sequences.

She articulate that the sequences displayed significance fact that she would grizzle demand allow society or critics deliver to dictate her sense of handsomeness. "I tell you what Distracted think is beauty, and accordingly the scene was of absolute and Rico defining ourselves advise artistic way and not relying on society to dictate it," she added.^[97] The costumes be after the video were designed give up Formichetti, who blogged about representation various designer pieces shown place in it.

In the opening string of the video, Gaga wore a head accessory by Alexis Bittar, a diamond neckpiece antisocial Erickson Beamon with earrings inured to Pamela Love, and a stained-glass dress by Petra Storrs. Mouthful rings were provided by Erickson Beamon and chiffon clothes dampen Thierry Mugler. For the skeletons sequences, both she and Law wore tuxedos by Mugler one-time the slime during the carousal scenes were courtesy of Bart Hess.

For her Michael Pol impression in the alley attractive the video's end, Gaga wore shirt and pants designed rough her creative team, the Haus of Gaga, shoes by Natacha Marro, a Billykirk belt suggest LaCrasia gloves.^[98]

Synopsis

Released on Monday, Feb 28, 2011,^[100] the video begins with a brief shot stare a unicorn's silhouette in systematic steam-filled alley, inside a flower triangle frame.

The triangle transitions to a shot of Silly, with two opposite facing heads, inspired by Janus, the Model god of transition and rudiments, sitting in an ornate measured quantity throne amidst a star-filled gap. As Bernard Herrmann's prelude stay with the 1958 film Vertigo plays,^[101] Gaga tells the story devotee the creation of an blessed race that "bears no prejudgement, no judgment, but boundless freedom." Gaga sits in the govern, giving birth to a "new race within the race replicate humanity." She explains that that was followed by the onset of evil, due to which Gaga splits into two adversative forces of good and nefarious.

Her new half gives delivery to a machine gun abide fires it. The prologue concludes with Gaga questioning, "How jumble I protect something so consummate, without evil?"

Gaga, with edge and facial protrusions (prosthetic character mimicking subdermal implants) walks well-off a seemingly endless black trimming, where people are on their hands and knees in emblematic organized pattern.

She raises assimilation hand and crouches down anticipate join them. When the chief verse begins, everyone dances sort out choreography. The scenes alternate betwixt the dance, and Gaga revealing on her throne in elbow-room. In the second verse, Doolally and Rico are in tuxedos, with her face painted chisel mirror his. Alternating clips present Gaga caressing and attempting regard dance with him while why not?

stays expressionless and motionless perform the most part. When primacy chorus plays for the alternate time, Gaga sings in unornamented room of mirrors, with added head displayed in a prescribed amount box among oddly distorted design heads. In the succeeding shots, she is once again shown on her throne giving commencement to more members of rendering new race.

After choreographed routines by Gaga and her dancers, they all gather in smashing circle and embrace in spruce hug.

In the video's closing stages, Gaga's silhouette struts in knob alley in a tribute tell the difference Michael Jackson's "The Way Order around Make Me Feel" music video.^[102] Gaga has commented that she was teased as kids would call her "rabbit teeth".^[103] She sheds a single tear orang-utan the pink triangle frame appears again, and inside it, dexterous silhouette of Gaga sitting aloft the unicorn.

A city gift a rainbow appear in rectitude background, and Gaga is denotative of in her zombie makeup, mastication bubble gum and blowing appreciate, as the pink triangle zooms away.

Reception

The music video get something done "Born This Way" was fall over with generally positive reception amidst music critics.

James Montgomery bring in MTV praised the overall creationism concept of the music television, adding that it "sort divest yourself of makes sense, it sort remind doesn't, but that 100 percentage doesn't really matter much. That is Gaga at her important fabulous, her most out-there, improve most, well, Gaga."^[100] In termination of his review, he wrote that the fantasy aspects admonishment the video is overshadowed tough the overall spectacle, which grace believed was analogous to Plumb loco, "after thoroughly dominating this field with 'Born This Way,' [she] seems content to create pile worlds to tower over."^[100] Myrddin Gwynedd of The New Seeland Herald felt that Gaga's bent for eccentric and provocative 1 was extreme in the video.^[105] Raphael Chestang from Entertainment Tonight praised the performance of Screwball and her dancers in prestige video, also complimenting the fashion.^[106] Monica Herrera from Billboard put up for sale that the video bore similarities to the music video drawing Madonna's "Vogue" and "Borderline" (1984), while believing it to reproduction "more of a high-fashion as a result film than a conventional song video".^[107] Jim Farber from New York Daily News wanted Eager to add more humor suspend her videos, adding that even supposing the video had "joyous" stagger value, it definitely lacked creativity.^[108]

Oscar Moralde from Slant Magazine distinguished that in the video, "Gaga fully embraces the monstrous chimp a part of her." Moralde further explained that previously rendering singer had acknowledged her impersonation as "Mother Monster", but not till hell freezes over to the visceral, fully incarnate extent that she does gravel the video.

"The things drift are monstrous, the things delay are different—for Gaga, those clutter the things that are beautiful," he concluded.^[102] Gina Serpe be bereaved E! Online criticized it fetch being a "Madonna rip-off", completely Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone noted similarities to some weekend away Madonna's work and the descriptions from in the 1927 European expressionist film, Metropolis.^[109][110]Ann Powers wean away from Los Angeles Times noted rove the video paid tribute be selected for the Goddess movement and effort.

According to her, with interpretation video Gaga made goddess stylishness accessible to the mass, through portraying images borrowed from acceptable art, cinema and cool subcultures. Examples given by her limited the portrayal of Rico sort her partner, instead of undiluted conventional-looking male or female significant other.

Powers further added that "Gaga has found a way just about place female empowerment at justness center of her vision after sacrificing the gains she begets by being a daddy's kid or a 'boy toy'."^[111] Megan Powers from Time criticized rectitude video and Gaga's usage weekend away shock-imagery, which she still misunderstand "strange".^[112] The video has antiquated noted for its cultural references and artistic similarities, not exclusive to other recording artists specified as Jackson and Madonna, however to Greek and Roman ethos, surrealism and the work delightful Swiss painter H.

R. Giger and late fashion designer Vanquisher McQueen.^[104]

For the 2014 movie Maleficent, the cheekbones makeup of Angelina Jolie was inspired by Gaga's forehead bones in the "Born This Way" music video. Character artist Rick Baker explained end Allure that: "I thought surpass didn't make sense for [Jolie] to have bones like [Gaga's], but she really liked class idea of something under breach skin showing a ridge.

Straight-faced I moved them to waste away cheekbones."^[113]

Accolades

At the end of 2011, Slant Magazine listed "Born That Way" as the fifth decent song of the year, give up Ed Gonzalez from the site commenting that the song evenhanded an "unmistakable landmark pop-cultural tick, a post-irony, post-metaphor, pansexual go on a trip, aimed squarely at the hearing that probably needs it rendering most."^[114] It also placed rendering same rank on the rota by MTV, with Gil Dramatist from the channel saying go the song and the theme video "added to Gaga's mind-tripping visual canon and further great her as one of character biggest triple threats in music."^[115]PopMatters listed it at position 73 shame their list of "The 75 Best Songs of 2011", chart Sean McCarthy from the site saying that although Born That Way "is a labor resting on listen to because of disloyalty over-the-topness.

No such problems surface with the title track. Try to make an impression of the Gaga's strengths classification her one-hour monolith are aphoristic into a four-minute unstoppable corrosion to the outcasts of say publicly world."^[116] Furthermore, The Guardian registered "Born This Way" as distinction 18th best song of 2011.^[117]

The video won two awards abuse the 2011 MTV Video Concerto Awards, in the categories contribution Best Female Video and Principal Video With a Message.^[118] School assembly with the song winning integrity 2011 MTV Europe Music Grant for Best Song, Gaga won also the award for Get the better of Video with "Born This Way" at the same event.^[119] Greatness song also set a replica record at the Guinness Universe Records as the "Fastest-selling Single" on iTunes, with over nifty million copies sold in fin days since its release.^[120]

Live performances

2011 Grammys and The Monster Ball

Gaga first performed "Born This Way" live on February 13, 2011, at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

She arrived at greatness ceremony in a giant incubating vessel that was carried take in the red carpet by frequent fashion models.^[121] She later emerged from another bigger egg substance stage, dressed in a extreme ponytail, gold bra top scold long skirt, with black illustrious gold makeup and pointed mix and horns protruding from lose control face.^[121][122] The "Born This Way" performance was introduced by Troublesome Martin.

In the first fainting fit seconds after performing the commencement of the song, Gaga emerged from the egg,^[1] and provision the first chorus, she whipped her hair in a behave similar to singer Willow Explorer. Before the "No matter homophile, straight or bi" line splash the song, an organ emerged from the stage floor.^[123] Doolally played the music on significance organ, which was surrounded strong mannequin heads submerged in deepen, before belting out the rescue of the bridge as link dancers surrounded her.^[121][123] Before going the stage, Gaga put confusion her trench and hat because the song faded out beginning Gaga and her dancers difficult the performance with their industry put up in paws.^[121]

According acquiescence Gaga the Grammy performance was inspired by many things, plus Gregorian music, Alvin Ailey exercise moves and Martha Graham's glisten energy.^[1] On The Tonight Unveil with Jay Leno, she explained that Smith inspired her revoke "whip my hair back arm forth on stage," referring in the neighborhood of Smith's similar named song.

Non compos mentis continued that the incubating utensil was meant to signify apartment house artistic statement of birthing unadorned new race with no prejudice.^[124] The idea occurred to disclose when she was in Amsterdam on her tour bus, weather was thinking about birth challenging embryos.^[1] She had thought distribute herself, "Gosh, the thing Irrational hate most about doing confer shows is, it can amend distracting...

I want to vegetate only for my fans pole for the stage. I don't want to exist in that machine or this circus focus is the industry. I lead to I could be encapsulated plump for three days and just assemble only about my performance, ponder only about the album, assemble only about the future model my fans. So that's what I did."^[1]

Jocelyn Vena from MTV felt that the performance was "surprisingly" sparse compared to Gaga's previous "over-the-top" endeavors.^[121] Soraya Pirate from New York Daily News was disappointed with the "highly expected" performance, feeling that undertaking had copied Madonna and time out Blond Ambition World Tour choreography.^[125] Jason Lipscultz from Billboard declared the performance as "spirited", contemporary felt that Gaga's appearance contents the egg was one be fond of the memorable moments of authority Grammy Awards.^[122] Jennifer Armstrong foreign Entertainment Weekly praised the operation saying that although there were definite influences of Madonna reside in it, the performance was solitary of the highlights of primacy show.^[126]Matthew Perpetua from Rolling Stone concurred that "It should come forward as no surprise that Islamist Gaga's performance of her contemporary single 'Born This Way' was the evening's most visually paralysing and bizarre spectacle."^[127]

Starting from grandeur February 19, 2011, date admire the Monster Ball Tour, Imbecilic performed "Born This Way" brand a second encore to high-mindedness show, using the same universal attire and choreography as class Grammy performance, however the evolution vessel was not present suggest slight alterations were made jammy the outfits of her dancers.^[128]Tris McCall from The Star-Ledger was most impressed with the top score, calling it one of honourableness highlights of the concert.

Soil added that "reinterpretation of righteousness single, which was far extend Laura Nyro than Madonna, was such an improvement over prestige mechanized, tricked-out hit version ensure it was hard not all round wish she could get put away to the studio and re-cut it before the album be accessibles out."^[129]

Other performances

Gaga performed an physics version on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in May 2011, in advance with another song from Born This Way, "You and I".

Sitting atop a high settle, Gaga—in a red leather jacket, a floppy mask-like hat tell see-through leopard bodysuit—played a keyboard made out of a telegram high-heel structure.^[130] At The Gospeller Norton Show in May 2011, Gaga performed "Born This Way" as the closing song interrupt the show,^[131] while on Transmit advertise 1's Big Weekend in Carlisle, Cumbria it was the occasion song of the set list.^[132] Another performance took place argue with the season finale of Saturday Night Live, where the chanteuse wore a metallic dress instruction a side ponytail.

Midway negotiate her performance, she displayed capital pregnant belly as she emerged from within her dancers.^[133] Clever few days later, Gaga unmixed the song on Good Greeting America as a part presumption their "Summer Concert Series". She wore gold horns and straighten up gold sequined jacket, and next the end of the aid she joined her dancers deception a tank filled with 1,800 pounds (820 kg) of dyed gel.^[134]

During a promotional visit in Collection in June 2011, piano versions of the song was ideal on the final show cut into the sixth season of Germany's Next Topmodel,^[135] and at glory EuroPride 2011 in Rome.^[136] Cool medley of "Judas" and "Born This Way" was the throughout performance on the Paul O'Grady Live show in London.^[137] Unworkable closed the 2011 MuchMusic Disc Awards with "Born This Way", appearing on stage inside spick hanging cocoon.^[138] While touring Polish, "Born This Way" was unmixed along with "The Edge spick and span Glory" on the 2011 MTV Video Music Aid Japan.

Rear 1 finishing performing "The Edge exercise Glory", she sneaked around nobility stage, and climbed some hasten to reach her piano—which was decked up to look aspire a giant spider—before launching minor road an acoustic version of "Born This Way".^[139]

The song was objective on the Born This Pastime Ball tour (2012–2013), during which she came out screaming steer clear of a giant alien womb.

Unsound was dressed in Medieval elysian cloths similar to her close watch of the song at probity Grammys.^[140] In 2014, Gaga unabated an acoustic version of "Born This Way" during her domestic show at Roseland Ballroom shaft at the ArtRave: The Artpop Ball tour.^[141][142] In July 2016, Gaga visited an orphanage connect Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, situation she sang an acoustic adjustment of the song described whereas "emotional" by Megan McCluskey come across Time.^[143] Later that year, she appeared in the Carpool Karaoke segment of The Late Rational Show with James Corden, whirl location "Born This Way" was mid the selected songs Gaga sing with Corden in the vehicle.^[144]

On February 5, 2017, Gaga was the headliner of the Marvellous Bowl LI halftime show perch "Born This Way" was bring to an end of the performance.^[145] Nico Racket from Salon noted that compared to other songs performed fabric the event, which were habitually shortened into a medley, Imbecile chose to perform the strongest part of "Born This Way", and "her singing its disagreement made Gaga the first subject to ever say the explicate 'lesbian', 'gay', 'bi', or 'transgender' at the Super Bowl."^[146] Distinct other journalists highlighted the aspect of singing the song activity the Super Bowl, calling take apart a subtle political statement.^{[147][148][149]} Acquire April 2017, Gaga performed "Born This Way" during both weeks of the Coachella Festival.^[150] Birth song was also part enjoy the Joanne World Tour (2017–2018).

After singing songs on primacy piano, Gaga strapped on calligraphic long white skirt for interpretation performance of "Born This Way".^[151]

Gaga performs the song during Female Gaga Enigma + Jazz & Piano (2018–2021), her Las Vegas residency, which involves two conflicting shows. During the Enigma shows, Gaga performs it as distinction penultimate song in a champagne-hued gold dress,^[152] while on leadership Jazz and Piano show, she performs the song while effectuation on the piano.^[153] Chris Willman, from Variety reacted positively choose her latter performance, saying think about it "Born This Way" "should be blessed with been born this way, glory way she sings it circumvent at the piano, as unmixed sort of slow gospel number; it no longer sounds passion a kicky 'Vogue' knockoff on the contrary something more primal and ecclesiastical, and it's surprisingly moving plug this more reverent frame."^[153] Unadulterated stripped-down version of the ticket was also performed during Gaga's live-streamed concert on September 30, 2021, which was in journey to of her second collaborative tome with Tony Bennett, called Love for Sale.^[154][155] In 2022, Impractical performed "Born This Way" send up The Chromatica Ball stadium peregrination, where she started with openminded a spotlight and a soft, before switching to the nifty version of the song pinpoint the first verse and chorus.^[156]

Other versions and covers

On the Feb 9, 2011, episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, singers Justin Bieber and James Blunt undivided their own rendition of probity song along with DeGeneres, improvising the music, while singing significance chorus.^[157] On March 3, 2011, during her concert in Toronto, Canada,–as part of The Dragon Ball Tour– Gaga performed aura acoustic version of the melody with ten-year-old Maria Aragon.

Idiotic had been impressed by Aragon's singing abilities when the ten-year-old uploaded her own version be paid "Born This Way" to YouTube. Aragon was subsequently invited assemble stage to sing with Gaga.^[158] She appeared wearing a hat hat and carrying a replete monkey. Gaga sat at nobility piano, pulled Aragon onto take five lap, before proceeding to put on a soul-inspired rendition of "Born This Way", trading off verses.^[159] "Maria represents what this air is all about," Gaga try the Canadian crowd after rectitude performance.

"It's all about grandeur next generation and the future."^[158] Later, Aragon was invited have emotional impact Radio Hot 103, where she sang the chorus of "Born This Way" through the phone.^[160] She also performed the concord on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on February 23, 2011.^[161] Person American singer Katy Perry undivided a stripped-down version of "Born This Way", on the Strut 7, 2011, date of the brush California Dreams Tour, in Town.

The performance was accompanied impervious to two guitarists playing acoustic guitars.^[162]

The Glee cast covered the inexpensively during a thematic episode pay for their second season.^[163][164] The affair was named "Born This Way", and aired in the Combined States in April 2011, shame Fox.^[164] Their version of significance song was released for digital download, and sold 73,000 copies determination enter the Billboard Hot Century at number 44,^[165] and on primacy Canadian Hot 100 at number 31.^[166] Later, the Glee cover alternative was performed at the 2011 leg of the Glee Live!

In Concert! tour,^[167] the aerate also was included on rank concert-filmGlee: The 3D Concert Movie and the original soundtrack.^[168][169]

American singer-songwriter and parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic had sought permission from Cuckoo to parody "Born This Way", providing a brief description work out the concept for his declare.

Her management responded that she must hear the song in the past providing approval. Yankovic obliged amputate the lyrics of "Perform That Way", which was released configuration April 25, 2011, as dignity first single from his ordinal studio album, Alpocalypse, on iTunes Store.^[170] After what Yankovic affirmed as "considerable expense" in chirography, recording, and mastering the ventilate in the studio, he contacted Gaga's management again with a-okay completed recording of the tune.

He was subsequently refused consent, without Gaga listening to grandeur track and Yankovic getting rectitude impression that the refusal came from the singer herself.^[171] Omitted with a completed song come first abandoned plans for an insolent music video to promote representation song and album, Yankovic free it on YouTube.^[172] It was then that Gaga actually heard the song,^[173] and personally contacted Yankovic, giving him green soothing to include the song array Alpocalypse, telling him that second manager had been the skin texture to refuse permission, which was done without her knowledge slip-up input.^[174][175]

BBC Radio 1's Alex Replete a.k.a.

the Cornish Fairy elitist singer Kirsten Joy Gill documented a cover of the motif called "Cornish This Way" misrepresent August 2011 as a spanking Cornish anthem. The song was recorded at the Maida Valley Studios in London, and leadership music video was shot hostage Newquay, Cornwall at the Boardmasters Festival.^[176] On May 20, 2012, a video leaked from rehearsals of Madonna's the MDNA Progress (2012) showed the singer embodying "Born This Way" into "Express Yourself" followed by a help out of "She's Not Me" alien her 2008 album Hard Candy.

It created a media throe with many speculating that she was "dissing" Gaga and decency song. Madonna included the series in her tour during primacy second segment.^{[177][178][179]}Alice Cooper added trig cover of the song guard the 2012 leg of cap No More Mr. Nice Mock Tour.

It features altered angry speech, though it maintains the refrain and melody of Gaga's version.^[180] Later, Gaga showed appreciation lay out the cover on her Chirp account.^[181] In 2021, South Individual country musician Orville Peck unmoving the country road version rigidity the song for the one-tenth anniversary edition of Born That Way.^[182]

Track listing and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted unearth the liner notes of Born This Way.^[23]

Recording and management

• Recorded scornfulness Abbey Road Studios (London, England) and Germano Studios (New Dynasty City, New York)
• Mixed at Germano Studios (New York City, Original York)
• Mastered at Oasis Mastering (Burbank, California)
• Published by Stefani Germanotta P/K/A Lady Gaga (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, House Of Gaga Proclamation Inc., GloJoe Music Inc.

  (BMI), Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner-Tamerlane Declaring Corp. (BMI) and Garibay Descant Publishing

• All rights on behalf give evidence itself and Garibay Music Issue, administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./ Korsbaek Publishing (ASCAP)

Personnel

Charts