Lady Gaga is our modern day David Bowie. Actually, she's more like David Bowie meets Elton John meets Queen meets Madonna. In addition to writing incredible hit song after hit song, she's also a really talented musician and artist as well. She can act, she can sing, she can dance and of course her sense of fashion is one-of-a-kind. There's no one like Lady Gaga. Here are 11 of my favorite songs by this once-in-a-generation artist.
Number 11 - "Bloody Mary"
From the Album “Born This Way”, released in 2011
Gothic, spooky, infectious and spiritual are some of the adjectives that describe this incredible song off Lady Gaga's second album, Born This Way. Within the song, Gaga transforms herself into the biblical figure, Mary Magdalene. Gaga referred to Magdalene on social media as "the ultimate rockstar's girlfriend". She also said the song is "about living halfway between reality and fantasy". This song is a catchy, upbeat, weird, unique, creative masterpiece, and one of the standout tracks of Lady Gaga's career!
Number 10 - "Angel Down"
From the Album “Joanne”, released in 2016
Let's be honest, Joanne was a bit of a departure for Lady Gaga and it wasn't my favorite album of hers, but this track was one of the best and deserves some praise. I really dig the acoustic and stripped down vibe. According to Gaga, this song is a tribute to her late aunt, Joanne Germanotta. What I really love about this song is that because it's so vulnerable, you can really hear Gaga's vocal's shine. This is definitely an underated song, and one of her best of all time!
Number 9 - "The Edge Of Glory"
From the Album “Born This Way”, released in 2011
This song is really, truly incredible. It's only this low on the list because Gaga has other truly iconic songs that deserve to also be on the list higher. 'Edge of Glory' is an anthem, filled with references to both the 70's and 80's and infused with modern electronic beats and rock vibes. On top of all that, we get Clarence Clemons (from The E Street Band) playing the saxophone and making an appearance in the music video!
Number 8 - "Gypsy"
From the Album “Artpop”, released in 2013
'Gypsy' is one of of those songs that has been the soundtrack for many of my workout sessions over the years. It's such a positive and uplifting song, even if the message is partly about Lady Gaga being lonely while traveling the world performing. A positive review on her wikipedia page states that 'Gypsy' is "the kind of arena anthem that already sounds like it's being belted in the middle of a sold-out Madison Square Garden". It deserves a spot on my all time favorite list, if for no other reason, for being extremely uplifting and motivational.
Number 7 - "Telephone"
From the Album “The Fame Monster”, released in 2009
Where does one even start to begin to explain the crazy awesomeness that is 'Telephone' featuring the one and only Beyoncé. The song is iconic, the music video is iconic and the collaboration between Gaga and Beyoncé at the height of their careers is iconic as well. Several media outlets have ranked 'Telephone' as one of Gaga's best songs. Billboard acknowledged the song as an "an ass-kicking piece of empowerment pop during Gaga’s most prolonged win streak". I also really love that the message was and is very timely - put down your phone, stop texting with the drink in your hand and go have fun on the dance floor with your friends!
Number 6 - "Applause"
From the Album “Artpop”, released in 2013
This song
Number 5 - "Bad Romance"
From the Album “The Fame Monster”, released in 2009
This song
Number 4 - "Alejandro"
From the Album “The Fame Monster”, released in 2009
This song
Number 3 - "Replay"
From the Album “Chromatica”, released in 2020
This song
Number 2 - "Marry The Night"
From the Album “Born This Way”, released in 2011
This song
Number 1 - "Paparazzi"
From the Album “The Fame”, released in 2008
This song