The lowdown: To think one of Gaga’s best singles ever was almost left as an album track. This melancholy bedroom jam is expertly straightforward pop craftsmanship, with just enough flashes of the Gaga genius we originally fell in love with (a sex-as-fame metaphor, subversive gender politics) to leave a truly lasting impression. The throbbing ‘80s bassline is a fantastically sexy mood-setter, and though a controversial choice, R. Kelly's velvety verse adds the perfect extra touch—even if he's the last person on earth you'd want doing anything with your body. All that nearly seduced ATRL into crowning “Do What U Want” the winner of this rate; it traded the top spot throughout the voting period and appeared headed for a last-minute victory. In the final few votes, it fell short by less than six points.
ATRL says...: "Call her fat, call her untalented, call her stupid—as long as you know that you aren't gonna stop her," Edge of Glory wrote. "Instead of making a cheesy self-empowerment song like other pop stars, Gaga created a throbbing R&B anthem that ultimately becomes one of the greatest songs of her career thus far." J. YONCÉ agreed that it was "the best single of Lady Gaga's career, ruined by Lady Gaga." adrianbeane said it was "exactly what Gaga should be doing in 2013." Himeros thought Gaga's vocals were "extremely on point" and the song's double meaning showed "how she still has her moments as a writer." Dark Miracles called it "ARTPOP's highest peak, with most of the other songs not even getting remotely close."
Many members enjoyed the song mostly for R. Kelly's guest turn. "The only good bits are Gaga’s pre-chorus and R. Kelly’s vocals," bluth said. "The only part of the song that really clicks with me is the climax of R. Kelly’s verse!" madonnas wrote. "The rest is passable fluff." Penk thought "the synths in this are so addicting, and their voices meld together so perfectly." AriNikoBradshaw argued R. Kelly's "amazing verse carried the song 100%. His voice is the best part of the song and he should make it a solo song, to be honest."
Stevie "initially wrote this off as uninteresting and something that Mrs. Aguilera would love to get her paws on... While I was right about that, over time this has become one of my favorites on ARTPOP. I'm not sure where the 'art' is, but the 'pop' certainly is present and it's at its best in terms of the album."
Best bit: "Yeah, we takin' these haters and we roughin' 'em up/And we layin' the cut like we don't give a fuuuuuuck"
I want Partition to win but will be entertaining to see DWUW at #1
