Jump to content

Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Critical reception: adding billboard review
Line 45: Line 45:
[[File:Gagaperforming1.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Gaga opening [[The Fame Ball Tour]] by performing "Paparazzi" in a short silver and black dress with geometric patterns and surrounded by metal plates - [[House of Blues]], [[San Diego, California]].]]
[[File:Gagaperforming1.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Gaga opening [[The Fame Ball Tour]] by performing "Paparazzi" in a short silver and black dress with geometric patterns and surrounded by metal plates - [[House of Blues]], [[San Diego, California]].]]


Gaga performed "Paparazzi" live on the UK programme [[The Album Chart Show]] on February 14, 2009 as promotion for ''[[The Fame (album)|The Fame]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ladygaga.com/forum/default.aspx?tid=323446&cid=454 |title=Paparazzi - The Album Chart show|date=February 14, 2009|work=[[Interscope Records]]|publisher=ladygaga.com}}</ref> On March 20, 2009, the song was also performed live at the [[AOL Sessions]] along with Gaga's other singles such as "[[Just Dance]]", "[[LoveGame]]", "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" and an acoustic version of "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]". The song was performed at [[95.8 Capital FM|Capital Radio 95.8 FM]] in an acoustic piano version on May 1, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theinsider.com/news/2100137_Lady_GaGa_performing_Paparazzi_Live_on_Capitol_Radio_London|title=Lady GaGa performing “Paparazzi” Live on Capitol Radio, London|date=May 1, 2009|work=[[The Insider (TV newsmagazine)|The Insider]]|accessdate=2009-05-11}}</ref> The song was a major part of Gaga’s performance in her first headlining [[The Fame Ball Tour|Fame Ball tour]] as the opening number of the setlist. The show started with a video intro called "The Heart". As the video got over, a countdown from ten to one happens and the screen drops to reveal Gaga emerging from the middle of the stage holding her hands upward. She wore a silver and black short skirt like a [[tutu]] with a triangular piece set on her right breast<ref name="merconcert"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/mar/26/entertainment/chi-0326-lady-gaga-ovnmar26|title=Lady Gaga delights|last=Downing|first=Andy|date=March 26, 2009|work=[[The Chicago Tribune]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> and high heeled ultra spike shoes. Gaga's hair was made an austere [[blond]] [[bob]] and she wore black sunglasses.<ref name="merconcert"/><ref name="ewconcert">{{cite web|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/lady-gaga-live.html|title=Lady GaGa live in L.A.: EW photo blog!|last=Pastorek|first=Whitney|date=March 14, 2009|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> She was surrounded by her dancers holding plates which were encrusted with crystals and completely hid them.<ref name="ottawaconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Concert+Review+Lady+Gaga+Fame+Ball/1439756/story.html|title=Concert Review: Lady Gaga's Fame Ball|last=Saxberg|first=Lynn|date=Mach 28, 2009|work=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|publisher=[[Canwest Publishing Inc]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> The plates were angled similar to the dress she wore. As the music started, the plates opened up and Gaga started singing the song while standing on the platform.<ref name="reutersconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE52F0IB20090316|title=Lady GaGa wows with big beats, bluesy surprises|last=Rosen|first=Craig|date=March 15, 2009|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> The stage was surrounded by mechanical fog and heavy lighting was being emitted from the background.<ref name="merconcert"/><ref name="ewconcert"/> The song progressed with Gaga moving her hands in choreographed moves along with her dancers moving the plates in the same rhythm.<ref name="merconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_11924085|title=Lady Gaga delivers crazy dance-pop show|last=Harrington|first=Jim|date=March 16, 2009|work=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> Pre-recorded music and mixing were provided in the background by DJ [[Space Cowboy (musician)|Space Cowboy]]. The performance ended with Gaga bringing out her disco-stick for the performance of next song "[[LoveGame]]". The performance was acclaimed for being a strong beginning for the show and the clarity of Gaga's voice.<ref name="merconcert"/>
Gaga performed "Paparazzi" live on the UK programme [[The Album Chart Show]] on February 14, 2009 as promotion for ''[[The Fame (album)|The Fame]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ladygaga.com/forum/default.aspx?tid=323446&cid=454 |title=Paparazzi - The Album Chart show|date=February 14, 2009|work=[[Interscope Records]]|publisher=ladygaga.com}}</ref> On March 20, 2009, the song was also performed live at the [[AOL Sessions]] along with Gaga's other singles such as "[[Just Dance]]", "[[LoveGame]]", "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" and an acoustic version of "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]". The song was performed at [[95.8 Capital FM|Capital Radio 95.8 FM]] in an acoustic piano version on May 1, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theinsider.com/news/2100137_Lady_GaGa_performing_Paparazzi_Live_on_Capitol_Radio_London|title=Lady GaGa performing “Paparazzi” Live on Capitol Radio, London|date=May 1, 2009|work=[[The Insider (TV newsmagazine)|The Insider]]|accessdate=2009-05-11}}</ref> The song was a major part of Gaga’s performance in her first headlining [[The Fame Ball Tour|Fame Ball tour]] as the opening number of the setlist. The show started with a video intro called "The Heart" where Gaga played an alternate persona called Candy Warhol.<ref name="sunconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/sfl-lady-gaga-concert-review-040909,0,1486862.story|title=Lady Gaga's larger-than-life stage show shrinks without a band|last=Piccoli|first=Sean|date=April 9, 2009|work=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]|accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref> As the video got over, a countdown from ten to one happens and the screen drops to reveal Gaga emerging from the middle of the stage holding her hands upward. She wore a silver and black short skirt like a [[tutu]] with a triangular piece set on her right breast<ref name="merconcert"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/mar/26/entertainment/chi-0326-lady-gaga-ovnmar26|title=Lady Gaga delights|last=Downing|first=Andy|date=March 26, 2009|work=[[The Chicago Tribune]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> and high heeled ultra spike shoes. Gaga's hair was made an austere [[blond]] [[bob]] and she wore black sunglasses.<ref name="merconcert"/><ref name="ewconcert">{{cite web|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/03/lady-gaga-live.html|title=Lady GaGa live in L.A.: EW photo blog!|last=Pastorek|first=Whitney|date=March 14, 2009|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> She was surrounded by her dancers holding plates which were encrusted with crystals and completely hid them.<ref name="ottawaconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Concert+Review+Lady+Gaga+Fame+Ball/1439756/story.html|title=Concert Review: Lady Gaga's Fame Ball|last=Saxberg|first=Lynn|date=Mach 28, 2009|work=[[The Ottawa Citizen]]|publisher=[[Canwest Publishing Inc]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> The plates were angled similar to the dress she wore. As the music started, the plates opened up and Gaga started singing the song while standing on the platform.<ref name="reutersconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE52F0IB20090316|title=Lady GaGa wows with big beats, bluesy surprises|last=Rosen|first=Craig|date=March 15, 2009|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> The stage was surrounded by mechanical fog and heavy lighting was being emitted from the background.<ref name="merconcert"/><ref name="ewconcert"/> The song progressed with Gaga moving her hands in choreographed moves, with her dancers moving the plates in the same rhythm.<ref name="merconcert">{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_11924085|title=Lady Gaga delivers crazy dance-pop show|last=Harrington|first=Jim|date=March 16, 2009|work=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|accessdate=2009-04-30}}</ref> Pre-recorded music and mixing were provided in the background by DJ [[Space Cowboy (musician)|Space Cowboy]]. The performance ended with Gaga bringing out her disco-stick for the performance of next song "[[LoveGame]]". The performance was acclaimed for being a strong beginning for the show and the clarity of Gaga's voice.<ref name="merconcert"/>


==Charts==
==Charts==

Revision as of 11:16, 11 May 2009

"Paparazzi"
Song

"Paparazzi" is a song written by Lady Gaga and Rob Fusari who is also the producer of the track for Lady Gaga's debut album, The Fame. The song will serve as the album's third single in the United Kingdom. Initially, "LoveGame" had been planned to be released in the United Kingdom, but it was decided that "Paparazzi" would be released instead because of the potentially controversial lyrics and video of "LoveGame".[1]The song was written by Gaga to portray her struggles and her love for fame. An up-tempo dance song, the lyrics of "Paparazzi" depicts the idea of a stalker following somebody to grab attention and fame.

"Paparazzi" has been critically appreciated for its fun-filled, club-friendly nature and is deemed the most memorable and telling song from the album. The song has already charted in the United Kingdom. Gaga performed the song in a number of live appearances including her first headlining Fame Ball tour where she performed it as the opening number of the show, wearing a geometric patterned shaped black dress.

Writing and inspiration

In an interview with About.com, Gaga was told that there were different interpretations of the single. She responded by stating:

Well I'm so glad there are a few different interpretations, that was the idea. The song is about a few different things – it's about my struggles, do I want fame or do I want love? It's also about wooing the paparazzi to fall in love with me. It's about the media whoring, if you will, watching ersatzes make fools of themselves to their station. It's a love song for the cameras, but it's also a love song about fame or love – can you have both, or can you only have one?[2]

Music and lyrics

Lady Gaga "Paparazzi"
A 23 second sample from "Paparazzi" where the chorus plays with Gaga singing the lines "I'm your biggest fan" in an uptempo composition.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Paparazzi" has a similar up-tempo composition like previous singles "Just Dance and "Poker Face"[3] and carries a sultry beat.[4] The chord follows in the following progression of Bm--G--Bm--G--Em--G---D-Em--C.[5] Lyrically "Paparazzi" deals with stalking and refers to the trappings of "Fame".[6] The dictionary meaning of "Paparazzi" refers to them as a freelance photographer, especially one who takes candid pictures of celebrities for publication. But the lyrics of "Paparazzi" portray a different meaning especially the lines "I'm your biggest fan/I'll follow you until you love me/Papa-paparazzi/There's no other superstar/You know that I'll be your/Papa-paparazzi." The idea portrayed is that of a stalker who is following somebody being his/her biggest fan.[7] The lyrics also portray the desire of capturing the attention of the camera as well as achieving fame, with those lines.[8]

Critical reception

Jill Menze of Billboard, while reviewing The Fame Ball Tour complimented Gaga's vocals on the song by saying "... the fame-obsessed ballad 'Paparazzi' showed how adept she can be with her range."[9] Alex Petridis of The Guardian said that "You may quickly tire of hearing the album's theme constantly reiterated, but the tune of Paparazzi takes up residence in your brain and refuses to budge."[10] Matthew Chisling of Allmusic called the song as desirous and said that it "salt[s] and pepper[s] the album with a nasty, club-friendly feeling of fun and feistiness that an excellent, well-produced dance album should have."[11] Ben Norman of About.com said "My favourite tracks on the album are 'Paparazzi,' 'Paper Gangsta,' and 'Brown Eyes.'" He also went on to define the term Paparazzi and its significance claiming it to be about stalking. He also said that this song was amazing.[7] Priya Elan of The Times felt that "even the trio of songs that provides the core of the album's celebrity theme ('Paparazzi', 'Beautiful Dirty Rich' and the title track ['The Fame']) don't ruminate on the addictive inanity of fame, choosing instead to observe passively."[12] Evan Sawdey of PopMatters.com said that both "Paparazzi" and previous single "Poker Face" are comparable with the musical styles of first single "Just Dance" but went on to add that "never once does it feel like Gaga is deliberately repeating herself; instead, her faults only come from covering territory that she’s obviously not prepared for."[3] Ben Hogwood of MusicOMH.com called it a top notch, diamond encrusted pop.[6] Freedom du Lac of The Washington Post said that even though Gaga turns somewhat serious while singing disapprovingly "Paparazzi", the song comes across as flat and faceless as well as vapid.[13] Erika Howard of the New Times Broward-Palm Beach called it the most telling track from the album.[8] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times said that "'Paparazzi' is a love letter from camera to subject but stops short of admitting that the affection runs both ways. Any notion that Lady Gaga is sketching an elaborate stunt is stopped cold at the lyric sheet, a perverse flaunting of simplicity that betrays no cynicism whatsoever."[14]

Chart performance

The song made its debut on the UK Singles Chart at number ninety-nine in February 2009 due to digital downloads after the release of The Fame. The song has so far peaked at number fifty-eight with little airplay and no video.[15]

Live performance

File:Gagaperforming1.jpg
Gaga opening The Fame Ball Tour by performing "Paparazzi" in a short silver and black dress with geometric patterns and surrounded by metal plates - House of Blues, San Diego, California.

Gaga performed "Paparazzi" live on the UK programme The Album Chart Show on February 14, 2009 as promotion for The Fame.[16] On March 20, 2009, the song was also performed live at the AOL Sessions along with Gaga's other singles such as "Just Dance", "LoveGame", "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" and an acoustic version of "Poker Face". The song was performed at Capital Radio 95.8 FM in an acoustic piano version on May 1, 2009.[17] The song was a major part of Gaga’s performance in her first headlining Fame Ball tour as the opening number of the setlist. The show started with a video intro called "The Heart" where Gaga played an alternate persona called Candy Warhol.[18] As the video got over, a countdown from ten to one happens and the screen drops to reveal Gaga emerging from the middle of the stage holding her hands upward. She wore a silver and black short skirt like a tutu with a triangular piece set on her right breast[19][20] and high heeled ultra spike shoes. Gaga's hair was made an austere blond bob and she wore black sunglasses.[19][21] She was surrounded by her dancers holding plates which were encrusted with crystals and completely hid them.[4] The plates were angled similar to the dress she wore. As the music started, the plates opened up and Gaga started singing the song while standing on the platform.[22] The stage was surrounded by mechanical fog and heavy lighting was being emitted from the background.[19][21] The song progressed with Gaga moving her hands in choreographed moves, with her dancers moving the plates in the same rhythm.[19] Pre-recorded music and mixing were provided in the background by DJ Space Cowboy. The performance ended with Gaga bringing out her disco-stick for the performance of next song "LoveGame". The performance was acclaimed for being a strong beginning for the show and the clarity of Gaga's voice.[19]

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[15] 58

References

  1. ^ "Lady GaGa gagged". Thesun.co.uk. www.thesun.co.uk.com. April 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  2. ^ Slomowicz, Ron (June 10, 2008). "Lady Gaga Interview". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  3. ^ a b Sawdey, Evan (January 12, 2009). "Lady GaGa The Fame". PopMatters.com. PopMatters Media Inc. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  4. ^ a b Saxberg, Lynn (Mach 28, 2009). "Concert Review: Lady Gaga's Fame Ball". The Ottawa Citizen. Canwest Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2009-04-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Lady Gaga - Paparazzi - guitar tabs". Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  6. ^ a b Hogwood, Ben (January 12, 2009). "Lady Gaga - The Fame". MusicOMH.com. OMH. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  7. ^ a b Norman, Ben (October 2, 2008). "Lady Gaga - 'The Fame'". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  8. ^ a b Hobart, Erika (March 31, 2009). "Some Like It Pop". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  9. ^ Menze, Jill (May 4, 2009). "Lady Gaga / May 2, 2009 / New York (Terminal 5)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  10. ^ Petridis, Alex (January 9, 2009). "Lady Gaga: The Fame". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  11. ^ Chisling, Matthew (September 9, 2008). "allmusic ((( The Fame > Overview )))". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  12. ^ Elan, Priya (January 10, 2009). "The Big CD: Lady GaGa - The Fame". The Times. Timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  13. ^ Du Lac, Freedom (October 28, 2008). "'Fame' Isn't Worth Getting GaGa Over". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  14. ^ Caramanica, Jon (May 3, 2009). "An Artist Whose Chief Work Is Herself". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  15. ^ a b "Paparazzi UK Singles Chart peak position". The Official Charts Company. chartstats.com. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  16. ^ "Paparazzi - The Album Chart show". Interscope Records. ladygaga.com. February 14, 2009.
  17. ^ "Lady GaGa performing "Paparazzi" Live on Capitol Radio, London". The Insider. May 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  18. ^ Piccoli, Sean (April 9, 2009). "Lady Gaga's larger-than-life stage show shrinks without a band". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  19. ^ a b c d e Harrington, Jim (March 16, 2009). "Lady Gaga delivers crazy dance-pop show". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  20. ^ Downing, Andy (March 26, 2009). "Lady Gaga delights". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  21. ^ a b Pastorek, Whitney (March 14, 2009). "Lady GaGa live in L.A.: EW photo blog!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  22. ^ Rosen, Craig (March 15, 2009). "Lady GaGa wows with big beats, bluesy surprises". The Hollywood Reporter. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paparazzi_(Lady_Gaga_song)&oldid=289233632"