I was really hoping that with the release of Lady Gaga‘s “Born This Way” video, I would subsequently fall head over heels in love the with the song. Not so much. After watching the 7:00 minute + long video, just as before, I’m left kind of, for lack of a better word, “WHELMED.”
Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some stunning visuals in the Nick Knight-directed video, not to mention some amazing choreography by Laurieann Gibson but I can’t help but come out of the whole thing a little bit unsettled. Gaga’s always been quite the provocateur and all (i.e. “Paparazzi“) but I wasn’t really prepared to witness her giving birth in a video. Obviously Gaga’s not REALLY giving birth but that’s what it’s meant to look like, continuing on with the whole “POD/Egg” theme started during Gaga’s entrance and subsequent Grammy appearance. Unicorns, an overarching Good vs. Evil theme, Michael Jackson “Thriller” zombies, eyeballs on chins – the video has it’s moments but I wasn’t really all that blown away when it comes down to it. I think what it comes down to for me is that I still just don’t really care for the song all that much. The video is definitely complements the song but if the song isn’t impressing me, then it would make sense that the video fails in that same regard, right? I look forward to seeing the SECOND music video, done to an acoustic version of the song, coming out soon with proceeds benefiting anti-bullying organizations.
When “Born This Way” was released worldwide, it proceeded to go #1 in 12 countries, including the United States, where it went on to become the 1000th number-one song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and only the nineteenth to debut at number-one. Following “Just Dance” and “Poker Face,” “Born This Way” becomes Gaga’s third number one single. Taken from Gaga’s sophomore album of the same name, due May 23rd on Interscope Records, “Born This Way” was produced by Fernando Garibay, DJ White Shadow and Gaga herself. It is available to download on iTunes HERE. Check out the video below and let me know what you think.