If you even glance at music blogs once a month, there is no way that you have not experienced the GaGa firestorm that has consumed pop music lovers around the globe. It is pretty staggering to see just how pervasive she has become in the span of a year, especially when you take into account that her first single “Just Dance” didn’t even hit #1 in the US until this past January. Now, you can’t listen to a pop radio station an hour without hearing one of her five hits.
In reading Will-W’s review of The Fame Monster, due in stores and online November 23rd, I was struck first by his enthusiasm for the opus, but I started to wonder about her still-building popularity. Four top 10 singles is a huge year for any artist, but “Bad Romance” makes #5, and there are at least two more hits waiting in the wings. Should GaGa have left her monsters waiting to build some anticipation? Or did she do the right thing by striking while the iron is still hot? I know that this was supposed to be part of a re-issue (a practice I already have a huge bias against), but it appears that this has grown well beyond the original plan. “Bad Romance” is almost a given to hit #1 soon (possibly even in two weeks, once the EP hits, and Fame Monster may give Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment a run for the #1 album.
You know what song “Bad Romance” reminds of at times? Don’t laugh…New Kids on the Block’s “Step By Step”. And there’s a reason for that. After the huge response to Hangin’ Tough and the resulting tour, “Step” sounded like a huge, well, step ahead, with a much larger sound and an arena-inspiring chorus. “Step” is the one song of theirs from the 80s that actually holds up well. To me, there are a lot of comparison between NKOTB and GaGa right now (minus the branded bedsheets). Both seemed to come out of nowhere, both broke wide open globally, and both racked up multiple top 10 hits off of their breakthrough records (Hangin’ Tough was NKOTB’s 2nd album). And let’s not forget that they have already recorded together on the GaGa-penned “Big Girl Now”.
Here’s the big difference, though. New Kids had a bit of a break from the charts between 1989 and 1990 (Christmas single “This One’s For the Children” excepted). There is no break for GaGa, who is still at #7 on the Hot 100 with “Paparazzi”. Even with a break, the NKOTB backlash started in 1990, and continued on through the next couple of years, culminating in 1992 when they were accused of lip-syncing music sung by other singers. The fact that “If You Go Away”, arguably their finest moment, only got to #16 that year in the US demonstrates how quickly the biggest group in the world can plummet. I am not wishing a similar backlash for GaGa, as I hope she keeps pushing boundaries for years to come. My concern is that the public at large may not be as dedicated to her longevity, and she will be left behind for the next flash in the pan.
So what do you all think? Too much too soon? Cash in while the demand is there? Some other option?
Stumble It!
Pop Music Notes 
I think her case is unique in that most of know that her album was bumped more than a half of a year. She rode that whale in the Just Dance video till that fucker probably popped, and was more than ready for some new stuff. I for one, applaud her taking notice of, and showing some love to the people that support her. I think her seemingly unwavering affection and respect for her fans will keep her in the Fame game for years to come.
But does catering to “the fans” give her longevity? There will always be a certain portion of an artist’s fanbase taht can never get enough, but it’s more for the casual fan that I have questions.
Thanks so much for the mention, John. I share the exact same sentiments and posted about similar concerns too. It is all too much, too soon. I am worried that her uniqueness might wear itself out and that it all becomes a novelty rather than focussing on what really matters most to me, the music.
We should always live in the moment though. Even if it doesn’t last forever, she has achived greatness.
Amen to living in the moment. The novelty effect is a big one, too. Not to compare her talents, but Vanilla Ice was huge, huge, huge, and then went bust. I would hate to see the same thing happen here.
She certainly has achieved amazing things – loving the NKOTB comparison. I was in the mood for someone to do a cover of “Tonight” the other day 😛 Anyway, I do wonder whether she can keep this relentless (seemingly) pace up of “shocks”, thrills and imagery. I think that’s one of my main gripes with her is that she seems to be plowing through madonna’s career (and others) in a year instead of over a number of years – yet that may very well be the reason the world loves her. I’m dreading the Sex book being released at Easter 😛 (I jest!)
Maybe the biggest shock will be when she can eliminate the novelties and shocks and just be an artist.
Interesting perspective. I’m on the fence. I feel that ‘Monster’ is fantastic, for sure, but I think, as someone who supported her before ‘Just Dance’ exploded, everyone’s passionate obsession with her can be pretty intense sometimes.
I doubt SHE’ll burn out musically, because she seems like a real innovator and true fan of good pop. However long the public will adore her is another story…I guess only time will tell. As Paul said – I thinks he’s more associated with crazy outfits and wacky interviews and insane performances than her music at this point. It’s kind of sad, really.
Trust that I agree with you on the creativity end of things. She seems like she will be putting out crazy genius music for years to come. It will be interesting to read the breakdown of her career 10 years from now.
I didn’t make the NKOTB connection (at all) but once reading your post, I see the chart resemblences now. I dunno. I think LG is very smart and striking while she’s still hot. My thought is if she chose to wait 1-2 years writing and producing new album, who knows what the musical climate will be like then? At least the new songs are GOOD. I cannot get them out of my head! Genius, really.
The brilliance of all this is that she actually seems to be in control of her career at this point. How cool is that? She’s still a rookie, and yet she’s calling the shots.
It’s a good question. As a music fan, I’m always eager to hear new music from an artist as soon as possible (I can “burn out” and be ready for them to move on if they stay with one album campaign for long, but as long as there’s new music there’s no such thing as overload on a particular artist for me), but that’s not your question. The amount of public demand will be something to watch for.
The interesting thing with GaGa is that there has been at least a little bit of variety in her music (especially “Paparazzi”, which I thought had no chance in the US initially). With the next two logical singles being “Alejandro” and “Monster”, there’s even more variety in the music, so maybe she dodges the burnout bullet.
i hear you loud and clear
i’m in the process of writing my own theory of the Gaga effect..its Madonna just at a light years pace…hope to post it in the next hour or so ..tell me what you think?
cheers
anthony
And she did well
born this way came but it was A REDUCTIVE version of Express Yourself ( Madonna -stated herself lol )
And then the wheels fell off
No more big singles
No more big sales
No more care
Joanne was out of the charts in 3 weeks
Not even a hit in the UK and Aus
She’s got a statement but I think she’s failed hard especially when compared to the Queen of Pop – MADONNA !!
Well, there is a bit of over-exposure but when the songs are this strong I think she’ll be ok. I kind of wish The Fame Monster was its own separate album and postponed until next year but saturation seems to be the new music marketing technique!
Funny you should say that, because here it is now its own CD. You can get it on its own, or as a Deluxe Edition with The Fame included.
Pingback: Random Notes – 11-19-09 « Pop Music Notes
Pingback: Top Pop Singles of 2009 « Pop Music Notes
Pingback: 2009 – The Year in Albums « Pop Music Notes