Lady Gaga - “Bad Romance”

I have nothing smart to say about this. This video is ridiculous, weirdly executed, and thoroughly fun to watch.

Okay. One-and-a-half things to say. But they’re not even very smart.

I think there are two sane reasons for a Big Act to be on a Big Label today:

  1. Economies of Scale
    The one thing that is, by definition, almost impossible for indies and individuals to achieve on their own.
  2. Platforms for Spectacle
    Sure, you can do amazing, SRL-like things on your own, but going big can mean unusual access to resources, talent, and corporate insanity to make stuff like this happen.

Nonsense like Lady Gaga traipsing around in a fetishy, Manga/Fifth Element/Alien/Matrix mashup will not change the world, it won’t cure your Aunt’s cancer, and it won’t find you a job at NASA. It won’t even teach you the basics of synchronized line dancing.1

It’s unapologetically sold-out, asinine, and way way over-the-top.

But, you have to admit: it’s a pretty fucking grand bit of creativity and circus. And, although I have nothing smart to say about this, I think it’s a terrificly enjoyable artifact of today’s corporate and cultural zeitgeists. And, yes, in the same way as that execrable Black Eyed Peas record, it’s just really, really fun.

Man, I sure am thirsty now.

[via]

  1. Holy shit, did they not even do a second take? Was this choreographed by Britney Spears over a fax machine? Could they maybe just not hear the music through their shiny bondage/dancing helmets? Holy holy shit, that’s some awesomely great terrible dancing. ↩

Source: youtube.com

60 Notes/ Hide

  1. robbiemitchell reblogged this from merlin and added:
    vodka commercial.
  2. nicereminders reblogged this from sexismandthecity
  3. sexismandthecity reblogged this from genderconfusion
  4. heeeraldo reblogged this from merlin and added:
    I’ve watched this twice now,...I’m still searching...piece I...
  5. billycovington reblogged this from merlin and added:
    While Merlin has some great insights, this video makes me believe that...may just be this...
  6. obsessivecompulsive reblogged this from merlin
  7. schwegler reblogged this from merlin and added:
    Phi Kappa Society last night. merlin:
  8. haya reblogged this from merlin
  9. uneplateformedeplus reblogged this from merlin
  10. cameronchristopher reblogged this from ericnelson
  11. jack reblogged this from merlin and added:
    only just started appreciating Lady Gaga. She’s like the weird drama chick from high school
  12. mmmedicine reblogged this from merlin
  13. yellowhat reblogged this from merlin and added:
    I think that this really encapsulates many of the reasons why...appreciate Lady Gaga. I...
  14. genderconfusion reblogged this from merlin and added:
    weirdly fascinating pastiche...Britney Spears, Madonna, Beyonce, Thriller-era Michael...
  15. afuchs reblogged this from merlin
  16. poopsushi reblogged this from merlin and added:
    My thoughts exactly.
  17. sbjfour reblogged this from merlin and added:
    and for anyone NOT in know:...an Illuminati Puppet part...is...