When you really look at modern pop culture, one theme becomes pretty clear: Very few things change. They may grow. They may become more extreme or outlandish. But there aren’t a lot of people, events or ideas that are genuinely different.
One pop culture icon who considers herself to be pretty distinct is Lady Gaga. No one else has worn a meat suit to an awards show. Although Gaga is arguably the face of popular culture today, even she credits her persona to past inspiration. Her name comes from the Queen song ‘Radio Gaga.’ The entertainer’s creative team, Haus of Gaga, is modeled after Andy Warhol’s Factory.
But the most talked about – and often uncomfortable – debt Gaga owes is to Madonna. When Gaga first burst onto the scene, her envelope-pushing style was especially reminiscent of the queen in the 1980s. From there, her popularity, message and risky choices begged more Madonna comparisons. But most of the associations were general.
Then, Gaga’s hit single ‘Born This Way’ was released. It’s impossible to ignore the parallels between ‘Born This Way’ and Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself.’ In addition to their similar sounds, both songs preach equality and acceptance.
This week, the comparisons reached a whole new level. While Madonna was rehearsing for her upcoming MDNA tour, she pulled out ‘Express Yourself,’ which was probably expected.
Then, she seamlessly segued into the chorus of ‘Born This Way.’ That’s a little awkward. The mash-up was followed by Madonna’s 2008 song, ‘She’s Not Me.’
Now that’s a lot awkward.
Madonna has already commented on ‘Born This Way’ many times. She has described it as ‘reductive’ and admitted to Diane Sawyer, ‘Obviously, I’ve influenced her.’ Lady Gaga knows, Madonna knows, we all know: You can’t make today’s Mother Monster without the original mother, Madonna.
This shouldn’t be such a big deal.
Yes, after more than 20 years, a pop superstar reminds us of an earlier musical icon. That’s the point. Society marches on. Music moves forward. There are impressionable minds that need someone to obsess about and look up to. Unless a special hot tub is hanging around, there’s no time machine for anyone to go back to the ’80s in.
We’ll never get to experience the hysteria Madonna created with hits like ‘Express Yourself’ or ‘Like A Virgin.’
Yes, we have the Internet and can watch a video. But we can’t really feel it. We simply missed it. For us, the cone bra isn’t all that scandalous. Now, show us someone being carried around in an egg – that’s something different.
Whether you like her music or not, our generation needed its own Madonna. Lady Gaga offers a message unmatched by any other current musician. In a world filled with marriage equality controversy and LGBTQ teenagers taking their lives, young people need a role model.
They need someone who says it’s OK to express yourself. Unfortunately, a song that’s more than 20 years old won’t hold the same strength as one released in 2011.
I’m willing to bet that in 25 years, your children will be jamming out on the iChip implanted in their arms. They’ll explain that there has never been anything like this before, while you try telling them that Princess Galactica sounds exactly like Lady Gaga. Just don’t get upset that your mom laughs at you when they don’t listen.
Ariana Romero is a junior magazine journalism and political science major. Her column appears every week. She can be reached at akromero@syr.edu or followed on Twitter at @ArianaRomero17.