Lady Gaga’s album “Born This Way” a musical motivational message
Form reinforces function—a theme you’ve probably heard in your literature and science classes, but it holds true for Lady Gaga’s new second studio album, “Born This Way,” released on May 23. It’s a combination of different musical styles melded into one danceable collection of inspirational songs.
It is mostly independent in its incorporation of electronic, opera, metal, and jazz elements. Each song has its own musical fingerprint, so to speak. The message of the album, however, threads the musically variant songs together into one statement about equality and individuality.
“Born This Way,” the song that gives the album its name and is the basis of a memorable “Glee” episode, serves as a representation for the rest of the album with its enthusiastic melody and inspirational declaration—”I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way.” Indeed, Gaga’s songs of tolerance and equality embrace drag queens to teens to leather-loving men and women.
Religion is a major focus of the album, like in “Electric Chapel,” which has a more rock and roll sound, or “Bloody Mary,” a slower song with an eerie opera-style opening next to the more obvious religious theme in “Black Jesus + Amen Fashion.”
The album’s songs also reject authority such as parental influences in the song “Hair,” where Gaga sings, “This is my prayer, that I’ll die living just as free as my hair” and “Bad Kids,” which has traces of punk in it. Neither song sounds too aggressive, and are more feel-good songs with light melodies.
Through “Born This Way”, Lady Gaga has succeeded once gain in making a fun, quirky pop album with various musical styles, and a strong social commentary.
