Funny, when it came out you said it was good that it was a light song and that was what she needed to do. The quality of the lead-in to the album is more important, IMO. Saying she "needed" BTW to be something it wasn't implies that she's done.

Everything else being? Obviously you hate the Alejandro video, but you seemed to like the BTW video quite a bit...

Ehhh BTW is just okay but since it was released so far in advance of the album I think she was able to afford that, especially because she was still riding the TFM hype. The quality of Judas is far more important, imo. If Judas disappoints then I'd say she's in trouble.

Like you said, she did it on purpose though. She could have easily released Marry the Night like she had planned originally but she knows what she wants and she's willing to take risks to get it.

I said, in light of the horrible, cliche, preachy, corny and aggressively gay lyrics, a light and happy melody is the only thing that will save the song from bombing. I was glad that she at least delivered that.

Everything else being: her being too preachy when I loved her for being the very opposite of that (hence why I like GH), her focusing too much on upping the ante which led to overblown videos and fashion/attention whoring that overshadowed the music.

The BTW video is good, but it's exactly what we've come to expect from her when she's made a name for herself by confounding what to expect from her and from the typical pop star.

No class.

Exactly. And that's the thing. She's put herself in a precarious position, where everything hinges on the fate of one song.

If Judas were to bomb, I dont think the album would too though. I definatley don't like the 'preaching" type of songs like the ones that have been described like Hair and Americano.

We aren't here for ****ing class


We are gaga stans,

Eh, I think she has always been preachy (with regard to her philosophy of fame, for one example), just in a more abstract, less familiar way. The focusing in on the gay rights thing serves as a more concrete illustration which I think makes it seem suddenly more prolific when the philosophizing has always been there (and certainly was there during Paparazzi/BR).

I have always approached BTW with some trepidation because I'm not really a fan of heavy handed message songs, and I do think when you set out to make an anthem it generally feels forced. That being said, I do think BTW turned out pretty good considering the circumstances, and I don't think it'll necessarily be indicative of how the rest of the era goes.

What I've always loved about her persona-wise is how tongue-in-cheek she is. She does so much with a wink and a nod (I would include the intro to the BTW video in this category), and I don't see her suddenly abandoning that sense of humor if what we've heard (GH/Scheisse) is any indication.

It's no different than the situation any other artist is in with their "lead single" going into a new album. Most artists only have that one shot to make an impression on the buying public, and even then she has a much larger, more loyal fanbase than 99% of artists in those situations.

I know. BTW is an extension of The Fame. Thematically they're similar. But BTW (at least the song) spells it all out, and it's just too much. Being abstract is one of her strengths. And sometimes less really is more. I said this when the lyrics leaked and I still believe it: you don't have to say "If you're gay it's ok, you were born this way" to empower people. GH is a good example of that.

She's not any other artist. She's not most artists. The expectations - and the stakes - are much higher for her.

I will say that I'm getting kind of tired of the "dark" music videos. It's getting to be too much.

No, I agree, but at the same time it seems pretty clear that she had something rather specific in mind for BTW the song in terms of being upfront and in-your-face with the message. It'll never be my preference, but I do think it'll be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to the album as a whole.

Well, in a sense it can be a good thing. Expectations may be lower now based off BTW instead of being impossibly high. It's always better to hold off on your A-material instead of blowing your wad prematurely. I do think Judas, if it is really good, is in a position to blindside people and generate a well-timed wave of excitement leading into the album.

It was always a concern of mine when they first announced the three-month gap between the single and album that hype could end up peaking long before the album actually came out. That's more of a problem if the follow-up/lead-in isn't as good as the lead single, I think, but I have a feeling the opposite will now be true.

I really hope for your sake that GH is the hottest **** on the album. I've never seen someone stan so hard for a snippet.

I think the BTW era will be pretty successful regardless of whether or not Judas is high quality (when you're coming off an era like TFM, it's pretty difficult to flop), but her NEXT era would suffer, imo. But I can't be bothered to be stressed about those matters. If the music isn't good, then let her flop.



I have work in the morning, goodnight.

I stan hard for "Government Hooker" (snippet) as well.

Forgive me if I'm wrong(truly), but it seems Nicole is like that(think she has talked about this).. it wouldn't surprise me if the snippet we heard was the one that turned out to be on the album and later along the lines Nicole will still "break it down". It just seems like that has been the case almost all the time XD Nothing against that tbh, it keeps the rest of us stans on our toes... loves it



Judas 4/19!

Heels? What heels?