I actually think it's possible that Bad Romance was the beginning of her downturn. Bad Romance would have been fine if it was a one-time thing: it was by far the most-shocking and media-consuming thing she had ever done at the time. If she had backed up and released another Poker Face, it would have only helped her. But she kind of spiraled further into the weirdness, and whereas people were willing to let her lead them into the Bad Romance, they didn't want to go any further.

Exactly. People focus too narrowly on the one song or video, without taking into effect what it means in the larger context of things. I think her 2009 VMA performance is really where the descent began...

Well, back in May, not even the fans liked the album a whole lot. Most albums wear off as time goes on, but with Born This Way, the exact opposite happens. If this album was released last month, it probably wouldn't have made it on many year-end lists. A lot of reviewers were harsh with album when it first came out, but it's understandable.

People are quick to write Born This Way off, but it isn't about because the album is "uncool,' "emo," or "gay." The album's content is fine, though the added touch of 'rock' does it make slightly riskier. People are doing away with this album at first listen because of its execution. Lady Gaga herself was finally able to back herself up as an artist with this album, but instead of letting the album play out for itself she tried to manipulate every little detail about it to the public. In doing so, Gaga has come across as this no-fun-boring-cheesy-political activist. Gaga's most fun single since Poker Face, The Edge of Glory, was ruined by a dark, boring, and uninspired music video. Before that, Gaga proved to be a gimmick by releasing Judas during the start of Easter. Really now? This didn't help the Madonna controversy either. Lady Gaga has poorly executed a perfectly well crafted pop album. Just because she isn't singing about blacking out at last weekend's party doesn't mean the album is "uncool." This era is simply uninteresting because Gaga doesn't know how to have fun with herself. She could very well make these political statements and have fun at the same time, instead of appealing to a generation of music fans that are well on their way to retirement.

lol Nicole you are reaching. That was her defining moment thus far. Saying that was her descent, one of her first performances here, is like saying Madonna's descent was the wedding dress performance at the VMA's of "Like a Virgin". Alejandro was the descent, video-wise. For me, the teal under-arms was the descent of her performances.

Yes, if she has bright fun videos that were GOOD they would for sure help the music.

Yeah, I remember people thought the BR & Telephone videos were pop culture events.

Then Alejandro disappointed almost everybody. Born This Way's video tried too hard. Judas just flopped in general. The Edge of Glory video disappointed almost everybody. You & I video shocked no one. Marry the Night video shocked no one.

These aren't my personal reactions to the video (I like or love almost all of them), but the public knows what to expect.

my personal opinion is that it was overhyped by gaga and her fans and that really turned people off. i like some of the songs but album of the decade? no. (no shade intended)

How did her ''descent'' begin with the 2009 VMA performance when it basically turned her into a household name?

I agree completely.

Not the teal armpit hair, that was just stupid.

I just hate that Gaga can do SO MUCH if she stopped trying so hard.
I love that she's so into her work but she needs to realize that it's okay to let loose and make a fun pop song.

It was all Alejandro

It ruined everything.

No it was judas

Supporting gay rights makes her very cool. She doesn't need to make songs like "Hair" in order to do that, though. It's mainly the videos I have a problem with. Most of her best songs ever came out of Born This Way. But the visuals have always been married with the music, and when half of the marriage is ****, it ruins it all.

Disagree. Without BR, The Fame would have topped out at maybe a bit more than 5m WW. It wouldn't have outsold BTW (though I doubt BTW would have sold as much as it has without the cultural cachet she gained from BR). It remains the most important moment in her career in terms of reaching true superstar status.

One of the best ways to gauge reaction to something is how well the follow-up opens. Telephone was the most anticipated video in years, even from the ranks of the general public. The fact is that she was able to get people to go to "that weird place" with BR, but it was still well-received enough to become a huge event sustained by repeat viewings.

Telephone (song and video) was a hit, a bigger one than I think it would have been with any other pop star. Alejandro benefited greatly from her name as well, and the video still got a huge start off the momentum from BR/Telephone, but what happened to her video views post-Alejandro video? Off a cliff. People were more than willing to allow her weirdness up to that point.

The Alejandro video and BTW (the song) are her biggest commercial missteps and represent the beginning of her downturn in video power and singles power, respectively, though I like both. BTW is also another good example of gauging reception by how well the follow-ups fare. The song had one of the most massive debuts in history based on the goodwill generated from TF/TFM, but it obviously turned people off to her this era.