Explore Lady Gaga's Vegas Residency, a revival also highlighting America's cultural chaos
In 2011, Lady Gaga, a towering figure in American pop culture, delivered a passionate live performance on a Disney-affiliated platform in New York, fervently expressing her love for the nation. Fast forward to 2023, and Lady Gaga, a survivor of a traumatic sexual assault at 19 that led to a pregnancy and a "psychotic break," announces her return to the 'Jazz & Piano' Vegas Residency. Her resilience in the face of personal tragedy is a testament to her strength and dedication. This return, especially in the wake of the passing of her dear friend Tony Bennett, signifies not just a comeback, but a reassertion of her roots in jazz and piano. It serves as a poignant reminder of her 'A Very Gaga Thanksgiving' special, a time that now seems to inhabit a different cultural universe compared to the drastically transformed America of today.
Lady Gaga's journey to stardom was not an overnight success. From her early life as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, she showed a dedication to her art that set her apart. Her training at the Tisch School of the Arts and her early performances in the New York City club scene laid the groundwork for her future success. Her talent was undeniable, and her commitment to her craft was unwavering.
As she rose to fame, Gaga became a symbol of change in the music industry. Her unique style and bold persona challenged the norms of pop culture, pushing boundaries and redefining what it meant to be a pop star. Yet, despite her flamboyant image, Gaga remained true to her roots. Her passionate performance on network television (ABC) in 2011 showcased her love for America. She improvised lyrics about her deep affection for America, expressing that she would rather die than live without her country.
America has shifted dramatically over the past decade. What was once considered patriotic is now labeled as ultra-MAGA, racist, and bigoted propaganda. This shift has been reflected in the actions and statements of many celebrities, including Lady Gaga.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, Lady Gaga made a significant donation to the organization. This action, along with her vocal support for the movement, raised questions about her patriotism. Some might argue that she is expressing her love for her country in her own way, while others might see her silence on the corruption within the organization she supported as a questionable way of showing love for her country.
In a 2020 interview with BuzzFeed, Lady Gaga made a statement that encapsulates her stance during this period. She said, “When you’re born in this country, we all drink the poison that is white supremacy. I am in the process of learning and unlearning things I’ve been taught my whole life.” She went on to say, “Social justice is not just a literacy, it’s a lifestyle. What do I think about [posting] a black square? I think everybody has a different feeling about a black square. Do I believe Black lives matter? Yes. Do I believe this is going to get louder? Yes. Do I believe it should? Yes.”
In another statement, she expressed her outrage over the death of George Floyd and the systemic racism in America. She said, "The voices of the black community have been silenced for too long and that silence has proven deadly time and time again. And no matter what they do to protest, they are still met with no compassion by the leaders that are meant to protect them. Everyday people in America are racist, that's a fact."
It's easy to say you are patriotic until you have to sacrifice everything to be so. She shouldn't be judged for bending to the woke cult. Maybe she authentically felt this is how to show love for America but we can question and criticize her for ignoring corruption.
For instance, Sharon Osbourne, who donated $900,000 to the BLM movement, demanded her money back after learning about the corruption within the organization. Sharon's actions were a more authentic response than Gaga's silence on the issue
While Gaga may not have publicly returned to her patriotic roots, her recent announcement of the 'Jazz & Piano' Vegas Residency, after a hiatus of nearly four years, suggests a return to her musical roots. Her live performances, filled with raw emotion and undeniable talent, stand in stark contrast to the lip-syncing artists that now populate the music industry. This return serves as a reminder of a time when talent was the driving force behind success, not just catchy tunes and flashy performances.
The 'Jazz & Piano' residency is a unique offering from Lady Gaga, where she performs stripped-down versions of her hits alongside music from the Great American Songbook. This show is a true display of her versatility as an artist, showcasing her ability to traverse different genres and styles.
The return of the residency is also significant in the context of the recent passing of her longtime friend and collaborator, Tony Bennett. Her return to the 'Jazz & Piano' Vegas residency can be seen as a tribute to their shared love of jazz. It's a bold move in an industry where many artists stick to their comfort zone of big sales numbers sacrificing the prep, practice and attention to detail needed to pull off live performances with integrity.
In the current state of the music industry, where autotune and lip-syncing are often the norms, Lady Gaga stands out as a beacon of genuine talent and dedication. Her return to the 'Jazz & Piano' residency is not just a series of concerts; it's a statement. It's a statement that talent, versatility, and dedication to one's aristry still matter in the music industry. Is there hope for her to make the same grounded symbolic statement patriotically as she's doing musically?
In the wake of a cultural shift that has seen the definition of patriotism warped and contorted, Lady Gaga's actions and statements have been a focal point of discussion. The term "woke," which has come to signify using an authority outside of God to gauge one's moral compass, has been applied to Gaga's actions and statements.
During that highly successful Thanksgiving performance about a decade ago, a time that now feels like another galaxy, Gaga pledged her lifelong service only to three "men": her father, America, and Jesus Christ. This proclamation was a passionate expression of her love for the nation. Her ad-libbed patriotism in her rendition of "You and I" was so compelling, it could have replace the national anthem if she chose to officially rewrite the whole song in this vein.
Gaga's deep love for America, at the time, could be influenced by her family background. Her father, Joe Germanotta, publicly showed his support for Donald Trump in 2020, despite the president's criticism of his daughter for supporting Joe Biden. The Germanotta family's apparent value of liberty and freedom, fundamental principles of the country, could have influenced Gaga's patriotic sentiments.
While Gaga has yet to return to her patriotic roots, she seems to be doing so with her return to her 'Jazz & Piano' Vegas Residency, a return to her musical roots that may positively affect her views on how to express love for America.
