Madonna's Brother Slams Lady Gaga as a Copycat

By Christine Fenno Posted Feb 13th 2011 12:36PM

Sure, there are two decades between the two songs in question, but Christopher Ciccone, younger brother of Madonna, says he's nevertheless astounded at how similar Lady Gaga's new single, 'Born This Way,' sounds to one of his sister's beloved anthems, 1989's 'Express Yourself.'

Gaga intends to perform her instant hit song at the Grammy Awards tonight, but first, Ciccone wanted the chance to express himself to RadarOnline this weekend.

"All I can say is 'What the F--K!" the director-designer says. "It sounds just like 'Express Yourself.' I can't believe it to tell you the truth."

As soon as the Gaga single debuted, listeners online began buzzing about the familiar beat, melody and vocals. Even the Washington Post described 'Born This Way' as "vaguely" reminiscent of the Madonna hit.

But Ciccone seems outraged, not flattered. Now 50, he was closely involved in Madonna's career when 'Express Yourself' was one of her signature songs, and he worked on the design and direction of her wildly successful tours during that era.

These days, Ciccone is reportedly estranged from his famous sibling, after penning the tell-all 'Life With My Sister Madonna' in 2008. Just last month, he analyzed Madge's obvious influence on Gaga's successful career, telling RadarOnline: "I can see a lot of my sister's influence in what Lady Gaga is doing today. It's like 'Madonna on speed' actually....I think Lady Gaga is a great writer, singer, and performance artist, but sometimes she goes too far with her costumes and persona and it must be hard for her fans to identify with that."

Tags: Lady Gaga, madonna

Comments

(78)

Sunday 13 February

By art

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maybe PopEater's inside source can ask a friend of Madonna.

By larry

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Madonna is mad because she is 50 and young people don't care what grandma has to say about anything anymore............Once GaGa came on the scene Madonna was oficially over................

By Diane P

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Couldn't have said it better myself

By vivi

You are an idiot. Madonna is 52 actually and fabulous. She is HARDLY a 'grandma'. She is fabulous eternally. Gaga is also fabulous. And is not a copy of Madonna. Madonna has obviously influenced the younger generation. There wasn't anyone much like Madonna before she arrived. Now the younger gals are honoring her in their very own way.

Gaga is so mega talented. Anyone who doesn't like her is just afraid of her showstopping creativity.

She is daring and SO gracious. I saw her in concert and she is a doll. So sweet.

More stars should have this kind of character.

By Tina Darling

Halleloo!!!

By debvikingsfan

Madonna has been over the hill for about 20 years now-but refuses to see that she is no longer relevant or even attractive. Lady GaGa is somewhat of a more talented performer than Madonna EVER was. Madonna needs to tell her bro to stfu. Madonna needs to stay home and wear her age fitting grannypanties in good health, and maybe stop making an arse out of herself humping men young enough to be her sons. Madonna has lost her edge due to age and lack of relevancy. Bye Madonna-retire already and stop making peopl elaugh at you.

By Rob

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Sounds nothing like it and GaGa has TALENT!

By melody Kramer

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Stealing is stealing .. Gaga should have enough faith in her own talents to not have to ride Madonna's coattails.First the name Gaga was taken from one of Freddy Mercury's songs, now the melody' Born Like This' taken from Madonna's Express yourself.

Berating Madonna's brother isn't going to change Gaga's plagerism.

By Jane

Gaga is so famous, she doesn't need to plagiarize anyone's music.
Why would she steal Madonna's old sh**?

By sheila

He is 100% right. I have thought this for a long time. This generation didn't really know early Madonna, but Lady Gaga is far from original. Everything she has done Madonna did before. She is very talented, but her look is all copied.

By Victoria

You know you're old when none of this crap really matters anymore. Seems like you've seen it all before, somewhere.

What Lady Gaga needs to be sure of is that she doesn't self destruct with blow up her nose like so many others who came before.

By cher

I can't believe people are saying that because I was talking to my daughter about the sone and said the same thing. It sounds so similar especially when she starts the talking part.

By pgrlights

He is a a-hole alcoholic...He lives down the street from me. All the nurses in the ER know him. He has no ground to stand on talking about anyone.

By Terri Leigh

Yes I agree with about Lady Gaga's extreme fashion sense. She looked great in her Bad Romace video, but that was for show. She shold tone it down a bit and wear reagular clothes as anyone else in the business. As for the song I don't feel it has anything to do with Madonna.

Why on earth should Gaga tone it down? For who? For what? That girl OWNS herself! I love a dame like that. She is brave and doesn't care about what the naysayers say.

By AdopteeAmanda

Thankful for what? Having a less talented idiot rip her off?

By leeh

Let's look @ Lady GaGa as a new and improved version of the 80's & 90's for this generation, her fans can't relate to a 50+ still trying to bring it, anyway Lady GaGa's voice is so much better than Madonna's.

By jklapper93

Does this mean Madonna's going to return Cheri Currie's corset?

By Enough Already

Madonna and Lady Gaga are made from the same mold - limited talent who need to shock in order to generate buzz for their music!

By ken

100% Agree

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