People are already going crazy for Lady Gaga's anthemic new single, 'Born This Way.' But we couldn't help but notice that in just about every article or review of the song (not to mention your comments, beloved PopEater readers), people are calling out its similarity to Madonna's 'Express Yourself,' with some even claiming it's a blatant rip-off.
While we wouldn't go that far -- we love Madonna (you have no idea), but people give her so much credit as a pop innovator you'd think she built the first synthesizer with her bare hands -- it's impossible to not see the thematic and melodic parallels between Her Madgesty's pop classic and Gaga's latest club jam.
If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, Madonna should be feeling pretty good this morning. People are loving Gaga's new tune, but the big story that has emerged since its debut this morning is its rather obvious similarity to the Material Girl's 'Express Yourself' (there's also a little 'Deeper and Deeper' in there, too, if you ask us).
Compare for yourself:
The buzz has sent the Internet aflutter, with "Madonna," "Born This Way" and "Express Yourself" all trending on Twitter, and headlines from The Atlantic ("Is Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' a Rip-Off of Madonna's 'Express Yourself'?") to the Washington Post ("Lady Gaga's New Song, 'Born This Way,' Premieres Online. We think Madonna Will Like It") drawing the comparison.
But as Vulture notes, "['Born This Way'] has Gaga, an artist constantly compared to Madonna, cheerfully swiping some melodies from Madonna's 'Express Yourself' -- because this is not the kind of song where that feels like a big deal, or anything much at all seems like a big deal."
Exactly. To us, Gaga's new tune feels like more of an homage than a rip-off. The 'Bad Romance' singer has made no secret of her respect for Madonna, and with that in mind, there's no way the thematic and musical similarities between 'Born This Way' and 'Express Yourself' were not purposeful. With its full-on disco swagger and lyrics about self-acceptance, Gaga is taking a page straight out of the Madonna handbook and not apologizing for it.
And why should she? Just about every female pop star -- from Britney Spears and Rihanna to Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera, whose 'Not Myself Tonight' video got raked over the coals last spring for borrowing imagery from the 'Express Yourself' video -- has been accused of aping Madonna at some point. At least when Gaga does it she has the class and pop sensibility to do it right. 'Born This Way' isn't a poor-man's retread of 'Express Yourself'; it takes the feel and concept of that empowerment anthem and ups the ante. Gaga cranks the bass and opens the door to everybody -- and it's something we should be celebrating her for.
'Express Yourself' -- song and video -- remains a high point in Madonna's particular brand of pop culture feminism, and in a lot of ways, it's probably her most successful "message" song. And sure, 'Born This Way' is cut from the same cloth, but who cares? Twenty-two years after 'Express Yourself' topped the charts, it's about time someone dropped a self-acceptance tune that holds a candle to the Queen of Pop's showstopper.
Let's just hope Gaga's likely-to-be-awesome video for 'Born This Way' -- she reportedly already filmed the clip with her 'Telephone' and 'Paparazzi' director Jonas Akerlund, himself a longtime collaborator of Madonna's (he directed her videos for 'Ray of Light,' 'Music' and, most recently, 'Celebration') -- is half as good as Madge's legendary David Fincher-directed clip for 'Express Yourself.'
What do you think, PopEater readers? Do you think 'Born This Way' hews too closely to 'Express Yourself,' or is Gaga simply paying her respects (in the best way she knows how) to the Queen of Pop?
Forget about Gaga's similarity - Express Yourself sounds like a rip-off of Vogue ... Madonna's the one borrowing from herself - leave Lady Gaga out of this ...
First of all, Gaga is paying tribute to Madonna, thats why they sound the same, DUH! Second, I like Gaga's version a lot better than Madonna. Madonna had her time to shine and now it is definitely Lady Gagas turn. So stop judging and give it a open minded listen you might be surprised. Gaga is a brilliant artist, and deserves some respect.
Madonna's "Express Yourself" is a rip off of the Staple Singers "Respect Yourself". Not only did she just change a few words here and there but she used the same music as well.
Madonna's got the money--hire the best lawyers and sue Gags for money and "specific performance"--that Gags wears only thick cotton dresses that cover eveything from below the ears to the tops of her shoes (flats, no spikes). And then Ms. Gaga should countersue. The lawyer Full Employment Act of 2011-2012!
I had to turn the radio off this morning. That song is awful!I personally dont like most of what she does, so it was no surprise to me. She definately needs to be more original, and do it without the crazy, attention-seeking antics.
I do not really care for gaga's music although I like her voice as a singer. I would like to see her as a session artist singing other people's songs rather than the crap she puts out. She acts like her music is the best cutting edge stuff out there but to me it is boring songs with no great hooks. Isn't this the song she told an interviewer that she wrote it in ten minutes? She must have been listening to Express Yourself while writing her song I take it. It sounds more like inspiration than total copying though, if she totally copied the song we would hear about a copyright lawsuit by now.
Actually, Madonna's I.Q. is just short of Bill Gates. It is in the "superior" category. Which of course explains how she was able to be successful for so long. She's a pretty good actress too!
I heard it on the radio this morning and I said to myself "This sounds like early 90s Madonna". Then to read this... and hear Express Yourself side-by-side, it would be nice to see Gaga do something original for once instead of making mediocre copies of another artist's work. Kinda dissapointing. I'll just listen to Madonna if I'm im the mood for that vibe.
Why would anyone want to be like Madge? I don't understand what was so impressive about her. We are surrounded with so many real singers with real talent. Madonna's only talent was her shock value that pushed the envelope lower and lower to the point of no return. Thanks to her my middle school girls wanted to dress like prostitutes. I am glad they grew out of that stage - no thanks to the recording industry though.
A rip-off of a rip-off...i'd rather listen to a dog snore.....and will AOL stop being People Magazine and start posting articles that mean something instead of promoting celebritoids.
It really does sound similar. She (or whoever Lady Gaga's collaberators are) have even mimiced the percussion tracks. However, back in the day, they used to say that Madonna would never be a vocalist. Next to lady Gaga, Madonna is the Queen of vocal divas!
It wouldn't surprise me if she's copying all of Madonna's stuff. She's emulating her image and publicity tactics and her Fernando song sounds exactly like one of Madonna's songs.....that hispanic sounding one...what's it called????
I'm not particularly a fan of this kind of music, but I actually think Lady Gaga has more talent than Madonna. Sounds a little similar, maybe, but then, there are a lot of songs you could say that about.
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People are already going crazy for Lady Gaga's anthemic new single, 'Born This Way.' But we couldn't help but notice that in just about every article or review of the song (not to mention your comments, beloved PopEater readers), people are calling out its similarity to Madonna's 'Express Yourself,' with some even claiming it's a blatant rip-off.
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The song is horrible! But finally the Lady Gaga overrated can die away. Never liked her. Been done before and better, by Madonna no doubt.
Reply
Forget about Gaga's similarity - Express Yourself sounds like a rip-off of Vogue ... Madonna's the one borrowing from herself - leave Lady Gaga out of this ...
Reply
First of all, Gaga is paying tribute to Madonna, thats why they sound the same, DUH! Second, I like Gaga's version a lot better than Madonna. Madonna had her time to shine and now it is definitely Lady Gagas turn. So stop judging and give it a open minded listen you might be surprised. Gaga is a brilliant artist, and deserves some respect.
Reply
Madonna's "Express Yourself" is a rip off of the Staple Singers "Respect Yourself". Not only did she just change a few words here and there but she used the same music as well.
Reply
Madonna's got the money--hire the best lawyers and sue Gags for money and "specific performance"--that Gags wears only thick cotton dresses that cover eveything from below the ears to the tops of her shoes (flats, no spikes). And then Ms. Gaga should countersue. The lawyer Full Employment Act of 2011-2012!
Reply
I had to turn the radio off this morning. That song is awful!I personally dont like most of what she does, so it was no surprise to me. She definately needs to be more original, and do it without the crazy, attention-seeking antics.
Reply
I do not really care for gaga's music although I like her voice as a singer. I would like to see her as a session artist singing other people's songs rather than the crap she puts out. She acts like her music is the best cutting edge stuff out there but to me it is boring songs with no great hooks. Isn't this the song she told an interviewer that she wrote it in ten minutes? She must have been listening to Express Yourself while writing her song I take it. It sounds more like inspiration than total copying though, if she totally copied the song we would hear about a copyright lawsuit by now.
Reply
she sucks! ripped off everything! her music sucks! it's for gay brits and gay people everywhere. it's time to get rid of gay music!
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The hook in "Express Yourself" was taken right out of The Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself." I haven't heard the Gaga song yet.
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Madonna and Lady Ga Ga are both a Rip off. Both are cluless to talent and both are brain dead.
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Actually, Madonna's I.Q. is just short of Bill Gates. It is in the "superior" category. Which of course explains how she was able to be successful for so long. She's a pretty good actress too!
I heard it on the radio this morning and I said to myself "This sounds like early 90s Madonna". Then to read this... and hear Express Yourself side-by-side, it would be nice to see Gaga do something original for once instead of making mediocre copies of another artist's work. Kinda dissapointing. I'll just listen to Madonna if I'm im the mood for that vibe.
Reply
Why would anyone want to be like Madge? I don't understand what was so impressive about her. We are surrounded with so many real singers with real talent. Madonna's only talent was her shock value that pushed the envelope lower and lower to the point of no return. Thanks to her my middle school girls wanted to dress like prostitutes. I am glad they grew out of that stage - no thanks to the recording industry though.
Reply
A rip-off of a rip-off...i'd rather listen to a dog snore.....and will AOL stop being People Magazine and start posting articles that mean something instead of promoting celebritoids.
Reply
It really does sound similar. She (or whoever Lady Gaga's collaberators are) have even mimiced the percussion tracks. However, back in the day, they used to say that Madonna would never be a vocalist. Next to lady Gaga, Madonna is the Queen of vocal divas!
Reply
It wouldn't surprise me if she's copying all of Madonna's stuff. She's emulating her image and publicity tactics and her Fernando song sounds exactly like one of Madonna's songs.....that hispanic sounding one...what's it called????
Reply
I'm not particularly a fan of this kind of music, but I actually think Lady Gaga has more talent than Madonna. Sounds a little similar, maybe, but then, there are a lot of songs you could say that about.
Reply
OMG I am so sick of hearing this song already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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the first time I heard this, I thought... "This sounds just like Madonna." then I read the reviews and now I know why, I like it though!
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It is all gay!!!!!!!!
Reply