Pure musical purity

May 31, 2010 8:28 PM

Bad Romance a capella SLYT
posted by cthuljew (84 comments total)

They should have done it on the subway in New York
posted by birdherder at 8:45 PM on May 31, 2010

For the record, I don't actually feel very strongly about Lady Gaga's music, one way or the other. However, this rendition of that particular song absolutely blew me away.
posted by cthuljew at 8:46 PM on May 31, 2010

4.5 million views: that is a truly astonishing number for a video like this, and gives some indication of LG's popularity. Even more astonishing is that the actual, original LG video has almost 217 million views: an insane number.
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 8:55 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]

Annoying geek aside: The track is by the University of Oregon's On the Rocks. Not all college a cappella groups are interchangable and as such should be credited in the post text. That is all.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 8:58 PM on May 31, 2010 [6 favorites]

I know who Lady Gaga is.
posted by mullacc at 9:05 PM on May 31, 2010

Lady Gaga was inside of us all along.
posted by Justinian at 9:07 PM on May 31, 2010 [3 favorites]

I really liked this. Thanks for posting it!

I think I'm doing this wrong, I'm not sure
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 9:11 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]

Is the "Whoa-oh-oh-oh" opening of Bad Romance a sample or a quote or a soundalike of another song? I swear it sounds exactly like something that's so familiar to me, like maybe a 80s or early 90s dance song? Maybe "Chains Of Love" era Erasure? Gah, it's driving me crazy.

Please no " hurf durf it sounds familiar because Lady Gaga is so unoriginal" jive. This is a serious question with a specific answer. I think.
posted by Ian A.T. at 9:13 PM on May 31, 2010

I saw this a few days ago, and enjoyed it, but if the fucking people recording it (or standing behind whoever is recording it) would have shut the hell up, I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
posted by Caduceus at 9:14 PM on May 31, 2010 [6 favorites]

This is as good as the Sims version.
posted by showmethecalvino at 9:19 PM on May 31, 2010

Caduceus, we're watching a live performance on campus, amid dorms or university buildings or somesuch. Those people in the background are the spectators, watching and enjoying, not the 'fucking people' recording it. If you want to get technical, we're the interlopers -- this performance is for their benefit, not necessarily ours. The youtube-ness comes after the fact.

If you're interested in a cleaner recording, perhaps the version they put on iTunes will strike your fancy.
posted by incessant at 9:22 PM on May 31, 2010 [5 favorites]

On the Rocks
posted by stbalbach at 9:27 PM on May 31, 2010

Please tell me that this is the thread where we can talk about the last episode of Glee.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:28 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]

Rather than inflict yet another GagaFilter FPP on y'all, I'll hijack this one to encourage you to also check out librarians getting their Gaga on.
posted by Jacqueline at 9:37 PM on May 31, 2010 [11 favorites]

Oh man, these were the same dudes that thought they were awesome for Rickrolling the subway in New York. It's like they are desperately trying to gobble up internet meme points.
posted by piratebowling at 9:38 PM on May 31, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh. Oh dear. That was a lot less entertaining that I had hoped.
posted by zarq at 10:03 PM on May 31, 2010

I thought that was brilliant! Thank you for posting this - it cheered this sick girl up.
posted by ukdanae at 10:06 PM on May 31, 2010

Cargo shorts
posted by nola at 10:10 PM on May 31, 2010 [7 favorites]

Collegiate a capella is totally show choir for frat boys.

JAZZ HANDS!
posted by Madamina at 10:43 PM on May 31, 2010 [3 favorites]

librarians getting their Gaga on

Can we just pretend this thread is for the awesome librarians? Those a cappella guys are just kinda ... smarmy.
posted by lunasol at 10:50 PM on May 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

Isn't part of the fun of Teh Internets posting when you don't like something? Hats off to these fellows, but this Gaga thing simply has to end.

Besides, I can't really picture the average MeFi denizen pedaling by on their vintage bike on the way to the local maker faire with their organic groceries nestled next to their Nathan Fillion-specific fanfic script and iPad in its crocheted cozy in their cruelty-free carry-all bag with the steam punk buttons on it really caring much about Lady Gaga.

I am prepared to be very, very wrong in 3...2...1
posted by littlerobothead at 11:08 PM on May 31, 2010 [3 favorites]

crocheted??? SIR, I AM A KNITTER, THIS WILL NOT STAND
posted by internet fraud detective squad, station number 9 at 11:11 PM on May 31, 2010 [17 favorites]

watched it earlier today - enjoyed it muchly!

i also have been saving these for the next lady gaga post - some have certainly been posted before.

more a capella - wait until at least a minute in.

librarians change the words

violins (actually a top 40 mashup, but starts with lady gaga)

girl with a guitar - cute vocals in a pomplamoose/paramore sort of way. (more of the same sort of thing)

rock remix

teens in the bathroom

jared leto with 30 seconds to mars

the best lady gaga medley you'll ever hear

and finally, elton john (with lady gaga - sort of cheating as a cover list, but great nonetheless)
posted by nadawi at 11:14 PM on May 31, 2010 [10 favorites]

I can't really picture the average MeFi [...] really caring much about Lady Gaga.

is this your first gaga thread? the lovers and the haters can usually take these threads into 100+ comments. not everyone is a little monster, but it appears that everyone has something to say about it - even if they profess that all they have to say is that they don't care.
posted by nadawi at 11:21 PM on May 31, 2010

...this Gaga thing simply has to end.

Your dissent indicates that the project has yet to be completed.

You. Will. Succumb.
posted by tigrefacile at 11:49 PM on May 31, 2010 [8 favorites]

I am a little monster, and happy to be such.

Others are not little monsters, and are happy to be such.

Perhaps, and I know this is a ridiculous request, the latter could stay the fuck out of Gaga threads, and the former could shut the fuck up about the latter?

I'm pretty certain that's what Gaga would want, anyway. Her whole point is being who you are and happy about it and not fucking with someone else's happiness.

Back to your separate corners.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:14 AM on June 1, 2010 [10 favorites]

i think the covers are fascinating partially to see who all gets something from lady gaga, and how different those influences can look when filtered through her fans. it's like she's a katamari of pop culture and the covers, fashion projects, etc are bits that have fallen off when she rolled on by.

in that vein - a few more links.

japanese little monsters

happy birthday, lady gaga
posted by nadawi at 12:32 AM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

If you want to get technical, we're the interlopers -- this performance is for their benefit, not necessarily ours. The youtube-ness comes after the fact.

As the recording is on the group's official YouTube channel, not that of some random spectator, I rather suspect that they were fully capable of doing a performance for the people around them, and then doing a separate one for YouTube, without all the damn background noise. That they didn't speaks to a rather peculiar laziness, since they clearly put some effort into the choreography. I feel no particular need to reward them financially for being inconsiderate as far as their internet audience goes, since I have access to plenty of excellent audio version of Bad Romance, and the only particular appeal this group has is their edition of choreography.
posted by Caduceus at 12:39 AM on June 1, 2010

Make that "addition of choreography." I've had a long day.
posted by Caduceus at 12:45 AM on June 1, 2010

@Ian A.T. Re your question: I was wondering myself. Then I started hearing Billy Joel "Careless talk....talking, talking"...
posted by bardophile at 12:48 AM on June 1, 2010

Ian A.T.: "8Is the "Whoa-oh-oh-oh" opening of Bad Romance a sample or a quote or a soundalike of another song?"

It always reminds me of Boney M's Rasputin.

HP LaserJet P10006: "Even more astonishing is that the actual, original LG video has almost 217 million views: an insane number."

... especially since that link apparently is only available in the US.
posted by brokkr at 12:59 AM on June 1, 2010

I am a little monster, and happy to be such.

Welcome back!
posted by empath at 1:32 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Also,

30 Seconds To Mars -- best 'celebrity' band? I don't think there is much competition.
posted by empath at 1:33 AM on June 1, 2010

I am prepared to be very, very wrong in 3...2...1

Yeah, Metafilter is full of GaGa-philes.
posted by empath at 1:35 AM on June 1, 2010

217 million is too small. There are 300 million Americans, and almost certainly nobody watches MTV anymore. SOME PEOPLE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN BAD ROMANCE!
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:39 AM on June 1, 2010 [8 favorites]

BTW, thanks. I was craving a "post your favorite Gaga parody/homage/cover" thread, but this shock collar jessamyn put on my neck makes it really tough to craft those posts anymore.

Love the Japanese Little Monsters. Haven't had a chance to watch even a third of the videos yet.
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:43 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Is it bad that I still read "LG" as Lucky Goldstar?
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:44 AM on June 1, 2010

nola: "Cargo shorts"

Leather pants.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 2:47 AM on June 1, 2010

I didn't know people still made Yugioh parodies. And in Flash instead of HTML5 compliant Youtube, no less.
posted by mccarty.tim at 3:00 AM on June 1, 2010

First of all, that was hilarious. And I could almost taste the beer.

Now about the 217 million views: subtract all the views from people - would should I call it - "hitting the WTF???? button" over and over ... and you get 17,000 views.
posted by Twang at 3:43 AM on June 1, 2010

30 Seconds To Mars -- best 'celebrity' band? I don't think there is much competition.

You could argue The Bacon Brothers (totally different music, though), and She & Him top Jared's so-called band artistically, but they are definitely the most successful celebrity band.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:36 AM on June 1, 2010

That was a billion kinds of amazing!! Loved it!!!
posted by pearlybob at 5:08 AM on June 1, 2010

I guess I am still groggy, because right up until the song actually started I read all instances of "Romance" as "Medicine" and was honestly expecting an a capella version of the Bon Jovi song.
posted by Monster_Zero at 5:36 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Collegiate a capella is totally show choir for frat boys.

Wow, have you ever met any guys in college who do a capella? Not exactly frat boys. Usually far from it.

I'm not saying they don't all get smashed after a show, but drinking does not make someone a frat boy. Being in a frat makes someone a frat boy.
posted by FritoKAL at 5:52 AM on June 1, 2010

at least they dont sing out of key like Lady Gaga does when she sings live
posted by titboy at 5:55 AM on June 1, 2010

My son hit this one out of the ballpark for me with his observation, "Bad Romance is the new Thriller."

It's the song everyone wants to dance to, whether you are a diehard Lady GaGa fan or not.
posted by misha at 6:31 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

nadawi: ... it appears that everyone has something to say about it - even if they profess that all they have to say is that they don't care.

I'm not.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:03 AM on June 1, 2010

librarians getting their Gaga on

Oh um. Hi.
posted by athenasbanquet at 7:52 AM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Is the "Whoa-oh-oh-oh" opening of Bad Romance a sample or a quote or a soundalike of another song?

I'm pretty sure it's either Billy Joel or Bon Jovi.
posted by straight at 7:59 AM on June 1, 2010

Not all college a cappella groups are interchangable ...

This is true. Some are worse.
posted by invitapriore at 8:00 AM on June 1, 2010

What, no Noteworthy yet?
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:01 AM on June 1, 2010

Please tell me that this is the thread where we can talk about the last episode of Glee.

You mean the one where they promised me Gaga deliciousness and then gave me KISS and a duet wherein a mother crooned 'bluffin with my muffin' to her estranged teenaged daughter?

honestly i have no idea why i keep watching that show it just makes me angry
posted by shakespeherian at 8:13 AM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

Here's a version by MeFiFav acoustic guitarist Igor Presnyakov.
posted by straight at 8:18 AM on June 1, 2010

"Subhuti," said the Blessed One, "in the world there are four sorts of person: Those who are little monsters, those who are not little monsters, those who are both little monsters and little non-monsters, and those who are neither little monsters nor little non-monsters."
"Yes, Lord," replied Subhuti.
"Throughout the six realms, Subhuti, there are little monsters who perform their own versions of Lady Gaga songs.
There are devas who perform Lady Gaga songs, and there are devas who do not perfrom Lady Gaga songs.
There are asuras who perform Lady Gaga songs, and there are asuras who do not perfrom Lady Gaga songs.
There are humans who perform Lady Gaga songs, and there are humans who do not perfrom Lady Gaga songs.
There are animals who perform Lady Gaga songs, and there are animals who do not perfrom Lady Gaga songs.
There are hungry ghosts who perform Lady Gaga songs, and there are hungry ghosts who do not perfrom Lady Gaga songs.
There are hell beings who perform Lady Gaga songs, and there are hell beings who do not perfrom Lady Gaga songs."
Subhiti venerated the Lord Buddha and said, "O Lord, what of the beings of the MetaFilter realms, the blue realm, the green realm, and the gray realm?"
Then the Blessed One spoke, responding, "Oy, Subhuti, can we just not even talk about your imaginary internet friends? For fuck's sake."
The assembled monks were joyful to hear the words of the Blessed One.
posted by everichon at 8:25 AM on June 1, 2010 [16 favorites]

I really enjoyed the 30 Seconds To Mars version.
posted by TooFewShoes at 8:33 AM on June 1, 2010

(RAH)² (AH)³ + [ROMA (1+MA)] + (GA)² + (OOH)(LA)²
posted by WCityMike at 8:39 AM on June 1, 2010 [21 favorites]

Her whole point is being who you are and happy about it and not fucking with someone else's happiness.

Let's keep her away from the LARP thread then, shall we?
posted by everichon at 8:39 AM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

I am not little, but I am famous, and maybe that counts.

For what, I do not know.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:09 AM on June 1, 2010

It seems the my link description should be revised to "librarians, including MetaFilter's own athenasbanquet, getting their Gaga on." :)
posted by Jacqueline at 9:12 AM on June 1, 2010

Loved the video, athenasbanquet -- I saw it this morning, looked for the most recent Gaga thread to post it in, and found it already had been. Twice. Gotta love lyrics like "boolean limits pare things down to just what fits."

Collegiate a capella [sic] is totally show choir for frat boys.

Some of these folks might be surprised to find out they're frat boys.
posted by Zed at 10:08 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

honestly i have no idea why i keep watching that show it just makes me angry

AMEN. I'm coming out of the hateorade closet today...

I cannot stand Glee. There. I said it. It makes me want to punch things. I knew better than to watch the Gaga episode, and now I am glad I did not.

Whew. I feel better getting that off my chest.

(Insert 'eponysterical' joke in 5...4...3...2...)
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:29 AM on June 1, 2010

Glee has snarky teenagers with angsty problems and musical numbers, which means it is basically written directly for me, and I love every bit about it, even the creepy Poker Face cover.

Need moar Glee threads.
posted by NoraReed at 10:52 AM on June 1, 2010

Need moar Glee threads.

I like Glee, but I think we do not need more threads of the [N LOVE | N SUCKS] variety. Glee would out-Gaga Gaga, in that regard.
posted by everichon at 11:20 AM on June 1, 2010

We need Glee and Gaga threads without haters so that we can properly discuss our feelings regarding Puck/Finn slash fiction.
posted by NoraReed at 11:59 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

My son hit this one out of the ballpark for me with his observation, "Bad Romance is the new Thriller."

A dancer friend pointed out to me that one of the more fascinating things Gaga (and her choreographers) is doing is the recapitulation of a lot of iconic dance movements (going along with her recapitulation of the last 20 years of dance music), quoting them in her videos. The most obvious of course is the monster paws in BR referencing the zombie dance in Thriller, but off the top of my head she also hits the mashed potato and the Charleston in that one.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:02 PM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

We need Glee and Gaga threads without haters so that we can properly discuss our feelings regarding Puck/Finn slash fiction.

No way. Finn/Kurt. Mmmmmmmmmmm.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:03 PM on June 1, 2010

I mainly watch Glee for Chris Colfer's wardrobe, and, to an only slightly lesser degree, Chris Colfer.

Obsessive-compulsive Guidance Counsellor is also fun at times.
posted by everichon at 12:08 PM on June 1, 2010

Which, thinking as I type, as usual:
I mainly watch Lady Gaga for Lady Gaga's wardrobe, and, to an only slightly lesser degree, Lady Gaga.
posted by everichon at 12:09 PM on June 1, 2010

I'm pretty sure Glee is the High School Musical version of Heroes, with the wildly inconsistent characters and etc.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:10 PM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

Damn, I'm never getting this song out of my head, am I?

/not actually complaining
posted by Space Kitty at 1:20 PM on June 1, 2010

I inexplicably link Bad Romance to Rasputin by Boney M. I think it's the "rah rah" bit.
posted by djgh at 1:45 PM on June 1, 2010

Because I'm not sure it's been posted yet - the same song, by the same people, but not in the same location. This one looks to be in a cafeteria somewhere, and although you can't hear it quite as well the atmosphere is way better.

I'm on the fence as regards the Gaga - sometimes it seems like the overwhelming weirdness is just there for its own sake, and it rings a little hollow. (Glasses made of cigarettes? Really?) More than that, the weirdness really doesn't fit with the songs, which are little more than well-crafted pop.

That said, when I say "well-crafted" I really mean it. They're very catchy, fun to sing along to, you definitely recognise one when you hear it, and they're simple enough to play as well. I was a happy man when I found how easy it was to play Bad Romance on the uke.
posted by ZsigE at 2:21 PM on June 1, 2010

Sad: Gaga tests positive for lupus
Hilarious: The side-by-side shots of her and Larry King, where she's dressed as him in drag
posted by biddeford at 2:53 PM on June 1, 2010

Is the "Whoa-oh-oh-oh" opening of Bad Romance a sample or a quote or a soundalike of another song?

I keep hearing "Every Day is Halloween" by Ministry in Bad Romance. I wouldn't be surprised if that song influenced LG:
"well i let their teeny minds think
that they're dealing with someone who is over the brink
and i dress this way just to keep them at bay..."
posted by memewit at 5:28 PM on June 1, 2010

biddeford - that's one of the things she does. here she is with barbara walters, dressed like her version of barbara walters
posted by nadawi at 7:14 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

oh - and here she is dressed like the queen to meet the queen.
posted by nadawi at 7:49 PM on June 1, 2010

This appears to be what the kids on Digg and /b/ are laughing at. I have to say, it's not very good, but it's sad that she's getting made fun of for her size. No idea how to form a triage to counteract the trolling.
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:25 AM on June 2, 2010

Will any of the IANADs here tell me if there is such a thing as a "borderline positive test" for lupus? Some people on the comments of the linked blog were skeptical.
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:26 AM on June 2, 2010

There are a lot of different tests involved. Rheumatology is crazy complicated. I have something called mixed connective tissue disorder, which is rheumatology code for "some positive tests, some symptoms, but we can't rule anything in definitively."

It can take years to definitively diagnose lupus, even when it does exist. It is sneaky, it goes away and comes back, it mimics other things...

There are about a billion different lab tests for the various autoimmune disorders, of which lupus is only one.

What I am assuming about this statement by Lady Gaga is that she, like the vast majority of people, is interpreting the ANA as a "test for lupus" when in reality, it is one of many tests that indicates a possible autoimmune disorder. It can be positive without any kind of symptoms or problems.

It can, indeed, be borderline. Many people have borderline tests who never go on to have any symptoms or problems. It's basically a "test again later" result.

The treatments for lupus range from Advil to chemotherapy, depending on the severity and type of symptoms, but none of them are benign. So, no rheumatologist I've ever encountered would do anything for a borderline ANA with no symptoms, family history of lupus or not.

That doesn't mean Lady Gaga is lying--there is a lot of doubt and mystery surrounding autoimmune disorders and the doctors really do have to wait, retest, wait. Meanwhile, they will tell you that they can't rule anything out, but RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT you don't have lupus, AS FAR AS THEY CAN TELL. Oy.

I get blood tests every 6 or 3 months, depending on the results of the previous tests and any symptoms I might have. It can be nerve-wracking to be constantly getting tested and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
posted by internet fraud detective squad, station number 9 at 7:39 AM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

Thanks for eponysterically determining if Lady Gaga is lying or not.
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:46 AM on June 2, 2010

That was just off of the top of my head, but perhaps all of those amazing internet skeptics might not believe me, in which case they can simply use google:

Lupus Foundation of America

My Doctor said my lupus test came back "borderline positive." What does this mean?

The screening test for lupus is called the ANA (antinuclear antibody). All lab tests have normal values. If a test result comes back and the value is at the upper limit of normal, this is often referred to as being on the border or borderline. These results are often very difficult to interpret; and the assessment of its importance is dependent on meeting other criterion. It is likely that a borderline positive ANA assumes more importance if other criteria are also present.

posted by internet fraud detective squad, station number 9 at 7:46 AM on June 2, 2010

You are very welcome.

Some of the smartest and most thorough doctors I've ever met are rheumatologists. They're like the Sherlock Holmeses of doctors because autoimmune disorders are so complex and sneaky.
posted by internet fraud detective squad, station number 9 at 7:48 AM on June 2, 2010

It's never lupus.
posted by Jacqueline at 9:21 AM on June 2, 2010

Once again, P.S. 22 beats all GaGa newbs: Just Dance, feat. Tirzah and Mariah.

The On the Rocks version was forgettable, imo. I got bored after 30-45 seconds, and that's a song that's hard to bore with ("Pure musical purity"?! Ew.)

30 Seconds To Mars -- best 'celebrity' band? I don't think there is much competition.

You could argue The Bacon Brothers (totally different music, though), and She & Him top Jared's so-called band artistically, but they are definitely the most successful celebrity band.

Coconut Records is better than any of them. (bonus Chloe Sevigny!)
posted by mrgrimm at 11:06 AM on June 2, 2010