Lady Gaga Explains The True Meaning Of “Applause,” Sort Of
Searching for meaning in Lady Gaga‘s new single “Applause”? Don’t turn to the annals of history — nostalgia’s for geeks, remember! — just look no further than Mother Monster’s Twitter for an explanation.
The superstar took to Twitter earlier today to share some thoughts and feelings about the song’s meaning at the intersection of art and celebrity.
Let’s take a closer look.
‘Applause’ is a very meaningful song to me, because it addresses what many think of ‘celebrities’ today, that we ‘do it’ for the attention.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 18, 2013
Good! The self-seriousness of the song isn’t entirely sincere — it’s social commentary. Very meta, Gaga. I’m on board. It’s a response to those who might say that celebrities aren’t in it for purely artistic reasons.
But some of us are ‘artists’ in this group called ‘celebrity,’ & what we create doesn’t live on unless theres an audience to remember it.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 18, 2013
Wait, so she’s a celebrity first, and an artist second, and requires the platform of celebrity in order to promote her artistry? Okay, that follows, sort of.
So I may need your attention at first, so I can sing you my song. But its the ‘Applause’ after that let me know if I’ve entertained you.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 18, 2013
So the song is about using the platform of celebrity to promote her artistry, and getting the applause required to see whether she’s been successful in doing so? But doesn’t that make the song sincere?
Entertainment makes people happy, I live for the ‘Applause,’ to know I’ve spread that. I live to hear you cheer, to just be a part of that.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 18, 2013
So it’s not satirical, because she does live for the applause (plause plause), but she’s not like celebrities who do that, because she’s an artist.
I believe in show business. The ‘Applause’ is what breeds that thing that I love. When I know i’ve made you happy. When I know it was good.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 18, 2013
And there you have it.
Or, in other words:
And then, just when she’s beginning to try our patience with all the philosophizing, she redeems it with something so sweet and genuine it’s irresistible.
I AM DANCING IN MY ROOM I SOMETIMES STILL CANT BELIEVE IM A POPSTAR, everyday i pinch myself! *DANCING*
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 18, 2013
Oh, Gaga. Never change.