Twenty-three years after Madonna releases "Papa Don't Preach" comes Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" - Two great songs, and two memorable music videos. Of course, for Lady Gaga, the musical comparisons to Madonna don't just stop at a song with "Papa..." in the title. Lady Gaga was born the year "Papa Don't Preach" was released. Her parents are of Italian decent. Both singers lived and performed in Lower Manhattan. They both have strong burlesque/perfomance art influences, they put on big shows, love outrageous costumes, and have strong musical visions. Read more after the jump.
Lady Gaga appears to be the love child of a bizarre foursome of Madonna, David Lynch, David Cronenberg and Marilyn Manson...oh, would we expect anything less from that Madonna?
In the video for her song "Paparazzi," Lady Gaga plays the role of a glamorous rockstar who is at the top of her game. The video is directed by Jonas Akerlund with costume design by his wife Bea Akerlund. The Akerlunds and Lady Gaga have really gone beyond the call of duty with this video. Their work brings to mind some of what made the big budget videos of the 80's and 90's so great.
"Paparazzi" tells the story of superstar Lady Gaga and her ravenous desire for love and fame. It is shot in a slick and modern, film noir style. The video opens with the camera moving from outside our hero's mansion and into her bedroom where we find her in the middle of an intimate moment with her boyfriend.
Even with her mansion, her money (she's so rich they print money with her image on it) and her jewels, attaching himself to Lady Gaga just isn't enough for her greedy boyfriend. He wants more and he wants it now. He carries her to the balcony where he has a photographer hiding in the bushes ready to catch their intimate moments on film.
By the time Lady Gaga realizes what's going on it's too late. She struggles and clocks her boyfriend with a champagne bottle. He reacts by pushing her off the balcony to what will surely be the end of her career, and the end of her life.
Thankfully, Lady Gaga is not dead. Like a beautiful Phoenix or perhaps a hideous Frankenstein she returns for her grand comeback! Her dancing entourage help her undress revealing the metal bits that hold her fragile body together. She dances on crutches like no superstar before her.
Her life becomes even more complicated and decadant as she surrounds herself with dead models and fabulous makeup. Who could be killing these women? Is Lady Gaga gaining strength with each murder?
Yes, she appears stonger now. She even seems to get strength from making out with some 80's big hair metal rockers, possibly the guys from Poison! Although it may help with her recovery, Lady Gaga doesn't seem to enjoy the taste it leaves in her mouth!
Lady Gaga has been biding her time...now she must dress up like a Minnie Mouse from Hell and exact the revenge she has been waiting for. With lips of death and a ring full of poison, like an anime Lucrezia Borgia, Lady Gaga dispenses with any formalities and murders her half-blind boyfriend. She immediately makes her confession to the police.
Even as she heads to jail her fans return and rally around her. Lady Gaga is truly loved!
These 60 snapshots give you a small taste of this tremendous work. Please watch the video here (it's hosted by Vevo so you have to sit through a little commercial first):
Feel free to leave your interpretations and theories in the comments area.
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