Single Review: Lady Gaga, Born This Way

Reviewed by: Chris White

Skiddle rating: 3/5

Released: 12th February 2011

It’s here, pop's ‘second coming’, the song to (apparently) change the face of music forever. Today, Friday 11^th February 2011, Lady Gaga’s comeback single ‘Born This Way’ is released.

Could this be the most underwhelming song ever?

The shock is instant. The first thought is – "no, this must be a fake" – but then you hear Gaga’s unmistakable wicked cackle and opening line "Baby you were born this way", and you know it’s the real deal. The production is pure pop. Actually, make that pure camp. In fact  it’s pretty much full on 2011-disco, which on paper doesn’t sound that bad. And it isn’t bad at all, but I can’t help but feel, it this it?

Don’t get me wrong, ‘Born This Way’ is extremely catchy, fun, upbeat, positive pop, a welcome thing in a climate of ‘cool’ US tunes dominating the airwaves. There’s certainly nothing else like it on the radio stations right now; an obvious factor in Gaga’s writing process and decision to base the whole album campaign around this song. The references to multicultural societies living in harmony is in perfect keeping with her ‘little monsters’ ideology. The message is good – "be happy, you were born this way".

You can’t help but draw comparisons to the moment Britney’s new track finally surfaced. It only took one listen to know it was a striking return to form. But ‘Born This Way’ doesn’t grab you in quite the same way. It makes you smile, tap your feet, but there’s no OMG factor.

The fact of the matter is this song will go to number one, everywhere, and become another monster smash hit for pop’s undisputed queen right now. But personally, I was expecting more.

3/5