Why Is The Fame Considered Gaga's Worst Album?

[Lalaurie 0]

I love the Fame and it's very much in the present for me

[touchmetouchme 0]

ARTPOP is Gaga's worst album

IM ABOUT TO DRAG YOU TO VENUS 

[CHANTEL 2]

IM ABOUT TO DRAG YOU TO VENUS 

TRY ME

[Raikov 183]

"Don't ask me how or why

But I'm gonna make it happen this time
My teenage dream tonight
Yeah I'm gonna make it happen this time"

 

One of my favorite Gaga lyrics. I think this is the perfect description of people's attitude towards famous. They want to be famous. Why? Who knows. How? Don't ask. It's just gonna happen. It's about as realistic as a teenage dream ( ), yet people keep thinking with whatever they do "THIS time I'm totally gonna be famous." I know nerds and popular girls with this same attitude. Gaga captured that sentiment with four lines.

 

The Fame is ignored because now that the Gaga fanbase has inexplicably become flooded with hipsters, it's too mainstream. It's too obvious. It doesn't veil itself in metaphors. It doesn't proclaim itself to be revolutionary, like BTW or AP. It's an album that's unashamedly pop. Remember "pop culture will never be lowbrow?" TF doesn't apologize for being an album about s-x and partying. AP feels like an apology in this way; we've got songs like GUY, Sexxx Dreams, MANiCURE, JnD, Donatella, Fashion, that thematically belong on TF, yet we get these overblown explanations trying to hide the fact that they're goddamn pop songs and they are silly. I feel the same way about Telephone; that supposed "it's about my workaholic tendencies" explanation is BS and not supported by the text at all. It's a song she wrote for Britney that many people have pointed out could belong on TF (and this is probably why she tried to give it some thematic FEAR OF ____ meaning). Unlike TFM onwards, TF is what it is. She said she wanted people to feel famous. It accomplishes that goal beautifully, much better than AP accomplished its musical and lyrical goal of putting "art into pop."

 

If you want to give an air of disaffected intellectualism and worldly cynicism, TF is not the album for you. TF isn't an album you can use to make yourself appear smarter than you are. Unlike some people, TF isn't ashamed to be what it is. I applaud it for that. I think musically, Gaga has advanced from TF and so I wouldn't say it's her best album by a long shot. Nevertheless, it is a strong pop album and even if it were Gaga's "worst" album, that would not mean as much as saying, for example, that Ring Ring is ABBA's "worst" album. That album is universally considered by fans and critics alike to be ABBA's* worst record and also just not good on its own terms. Compare that to TF, which stands even when compared to the rest of Gaga's catalog and to other artists. TF isn't some kind of clunker or a necessary but painful stepping stone. It's good.

 

Also, Paparazzi being blasted for its chorus chord progression? BTW uses it in TEOG, Highway Unicorn, and all of Hair. AP uses it in Dope. Even that belies the fact that Paparazzi isn't as boring as it might seem. You shouldn't write off a song because it uses a tired chord progression. Applause doesn't change its chord progression at all. The only difference between Applause and DWUW's chord progressions is rhythm: Applause is i-VII-VI-VII-i. DWUW is VI-VII-i-VII. I don't think it'd be fair, though, to say that Gaga is being reductive   in her use of the VI-VII-i progression.

 

*I love ABBA, definitely one of my top bands, so don't think I'm hating on them or saying that Gaga is better than them. I'm pointing out there's a huge difference between an album being relatively weak compared to the rest of an artist's discography (TF) and an album just weak across the board (Ring Ring). Even the most diahard ABBA fans I know dislike Ring Ring and Waterloo.

[touchmetouchme 0]

"Don't ask me how or why

But I'm gonna make it happen this time

My teenage dream tonight

Yeah I'm gonna make it happen this time"

 

One of my favorite Gaga lyrics. I think this is the perfect description of people's attitude towards famous. They want to be famous. Why? Who knows. How? Don't ask. It's just gonna happen. It's about as realistic as a teenage dream ( ), yet people keep thinking with whatever they do "THIS time I'm totally gonna be famous." I know nerds and popular girls with this same attitude. Gaga captured that sentiment with four lines.

 

The Fame is ignored because now that the Gaga fanbase has inexplicably become flooded with hipsters, it's too mainstream. It's too obvious. It doesn't veil itself in metaphors. It doesn't proclaim itself to be revolutionary, like BTW or AP. It's an album that's unashamedly pop. Remember "pop culture will never be lowbrow?" TF doesn't apologize for being an album about s-x and partying. AP feels like an apology in this way; we've got songs like GUY, Sexxx Dreams, MANiCURE, JnD, Donatella, Fashion, that thematically belong on TF, yet we get these overblown explanations trying to hide the fact that they're goddamn pop songs and they are silly. I feel the same way about Telephone; that supposed "it's about my workaholic tendencies" explanation is BS and not supported by the text at all. It's a song she wrote for Britney that many people have pointed out could belong on TF (and this is probably why she tried to give it some thematic FEAR OF ____ meaning). Unlike TFM onwards, TF is what it is. She said she wanted people to feel famous. It accomplishes that goal beautifully, much better than AP accomplished its musical and lyrical goal of putting "art into pop."

 

If you want to give an air of disaffected intellectualism and worldly cynicism, TF is not the album for you. TF isn't an album you can use to make yourself appear smarter than you are. Unlike some people, TF isn't ashamed to be what it is. I applaud it for that. I think musically, Gaga has advanced from TF and so I wouldn't say it's her best album by a long shot. Nevertheless, it is a strong pop album and even if it were Gaga's "worst" album, that would not mean as much as saying, for example, that Ring Ring is ABBA's "worst" album. That album is universally considered by fans and critics alike to be ABBA's* worst record and also just not good on its own terms. Compare that to TF, which stands even when compared to the rest of Gaga's catalog and to other artists. TF isn't some kind of clunker or a necessary but painful stepping stone. It's good.

 

Also, Paparazzi being blasted for its chorus chord progression? BTW uses it in TEOG, Highway Unicorn, and all of Hair. AP uses it in Dope. Even that belies the fact that Paparazzi isn't as boring as it might seem. You shouldn't write off a song because it uses a tired chord progression. Applause doesn't change its chord progression at all. The only difference between Applause and DWUW's chord progressions is rhythm: Applause is i-VII-VI-VII-i. DWUW is VI-VII-i-VII. I don't think it'd be fair, though, to say that Gaga is being reductive   in her use of the VI-VII-i progression.

 

*I love ABBA, definitely one of my top bands, so don't think I'm hating on them or saying that Gaga is better than them. I'm pointing out there's a huge difference between an album being relatively weak compared to the rest of an artist's discography (TF) and an album just weak across the board (Ring Ring). Even the most diahard ABBA fans I know dislike Ring Ring and Waterloo.

you really just wrote all that?  :air:

[Just A Holy Fool 2,560]

Its not a bad album, its just she has shown immense growth as an artist since then, so I think that's why I feel less connected with it personally. I loved it at the time, and still enjoy it, but its a progression.

[brizoda 3,855]

for the GP is the best álbum, but for LM is her worst

[Psychedelic 1,098]

It's one of her best albums for me, it's the album that made me fall in love with Gaga, and I still long for a part of FameGa to return someday. ARTPOP is her worst effors so far imo.

 

I loved the days when she was unapologetic. She would sing about s-x, money and fame but everybody was prasing her as soon as she sat on that piano and did her thing, despite her lyrics. With ARTPOP's underpeformance, that Gaga seems to be long gone, as she tries to justify why people wouldn't understand ARTPOP. I'm like, guuurl if you know your art, if you know your talents, then don't try to explain them, let them speak for themselves like back in The Fame days, no matter whether succesful or not... you say 'music not the bling' right? then, why so much talk about it?

 

 

 

Says who???

Meracritic scores:
78 The Fame Monster
71 The Fame and BTW
64 Cheek to cheek
61 ARTPOP

I can agree with the critics in that TF and TFM are her best albums.

 

THIS. Critics are damn right. Some of them might give biased opinions but overrall, they dotheir job well, that's why they are atual professional critics, not some stupid hipsters part of "x" fanbase!

 

 

The Fame is ignored because now that the Gaga fanbase has inexplicably become flooded with hipsters, it's too mainstream. It's too obvious. It doesn't veil itself in metaphors. It doesn't proclaim itself to be revolutionary, like BTW or AP. It's an album that's unashamedly pop. Remember "pop culture will never be lowbrow?" TF doesn't apologize for being an album about s-x and partying. AP feels like an apology in this way; we've got songs like GUY, Sexxx Dreams, MANiCURE, JnD, Donatella, Fashion, that thematically belong on TF, yet we get these overblown explanations trying to hide the fact that they're goddamn pop songs and they are silly. I feel the same way about Telephone; that supposed "it's about my workaholic tendencies" explanation is BS and not supported by the text at all. It's a song she wrote for Britney that many people have pointed out could belong on TF (and this is probably why she tried to give it some thematic FEAR OF ____ meaning). Unlike TFM onwards, TF is what it is. She said she wanted people to feel famous. It accomplishes that goal beautifully, much better than AP accomplished its musical and lyrical goal of putting "art into pop."

 

If you want to give an air of disaffected intellectualism and worldly cynicism, TF is not the album for you. TF isn't an album you can use to make yourself appear smarter than you are. Unlike some people, TF isn't ashamed to be what it is. I applaud it for that. I think musically, Gaga has advanced from TF and so I wouldn't say it's her best album by a long shot. Nevertheless, it is a strong pop album and even if it were Gaga's "worst" album, that would not mean as much as saying, for example, that Ring Ring is ABBA's "worst" album. That album is universally considered by fans and critics alike to be ABBA's* worst record and also just not good on its own terms. Compare that to TF, which stands even when compared to the rest of Gaga's catalog and to other artists. TF isn't some kind of clunker or a necessary but painful stepping stone. It's good.

 

 

and you're an ABBA fan, that must be the reason your opinion is so on point I love ABBA too :nooo:

[Paper Gangsta 6,693]

Because it is

[PoisonM 17]

TF = TFM = BTW = ARTPOP, this is just an evolution!

[Battle 4 Ur Life 6,713]

Because it is

 

 

tks sis, somebody had to say it.

 

TFM is her best almost tied with ARTPOP, followed by BTW. TF is really her worse album, but it doesn't mean it's a bad one by any means, it just has more filler, like BTW.

[FrancoRedHawk 35]

"The Fame" is my least favorite album  because it has the highest number of songs that I skip. However, I will not deny that fact that it was necessary and played an important role in her career. Without it, there would be nothing.

[Jesse 59]

It's one of her best albums for me, it's the album that made me fall in love with Gaga, and I still long for a part of FameGa to return someday. ARTPOP is her worst effors so far imo.

 

I loved the days when she was unapologetic. She would sing about s-x, money and fame but everybody was prasing her as soon as she sat on that piano and did her thing, despite her lyrics. With ARTPOP's underpeformance, that Gaga seems to be long gone, as she tries to justify why people wouldn't understand ARTPOP. I'm like, guuurl if you know your art, if you know your talents, then don't try to explain them, let them speak for themselves like back in The Fame days, no matter whether succesful or not... you say 'music not the bling' right? then, why so much talk about it?

 

Makes me feel good to know there is other people that think the same.

I think shes been slowly killing her character. I dont see her as Lady Gaga anymore, not as she is right now; insecure, trying to prove her music is art, screaming in the woods to show shes an artist. Ironically i used to see her as a modern shock art icon during her previous eras, but after AP i see her as a try-hard artsy wannabe.

[Paper Gangsta 6,693]

 

tks sis, somebody had to say it.

 

TFM is her best almost tied with ARTPOP, followed by BTW. TF is really her worse album, but it doesn't mean it's a bad one by any means, it just has more filler, like BTW.

I completely agree with this, we have same taste

EDIT: actually TFM and AP are tied for me

[Psychedelic 1,098]

Makes me feel good to know there is other people that think the same.

I think shes been slowly killing her character. I dont see her as Lady Gaga anymore, not as she is right now; insecure, trying to prove her music is art, screaming in the woods to show shes an artist. Ironically i used to see her as a modern shock art icon during her previous eras, but after AP i see her as a try-hard artsy wannabe.

 

MTE, I feel good too, knowing there are more people who kinda get that vibe from gaga lately... Not that I don't support her or I completely stopped liking her. I just don't stan anymore, it's just not the same for me and I'm entitled to my opinion. But we better run sis, the AP stans must be on their way to scalp us!