Why did the majority dislike Born This Way when it was first released?

[Supersonic 49,376]

Personally, I had one of the worst day in my entire life when Born This Way dropped which clouded my senses clearly because I was all like "Throw this album in the trash can, I don't even wanna listen to it."

After I came to my senses I enjoyed it but some of the songs were not accessible to me. Judas for example, it took me probably more than one year to like the song (and I still have trouble with the chorus, it's a bit anti-climatic tbh...) I somewhat disliked the production because I didn't get where she was going or why she was sometimes purposely distorting the sound/her vocals on the record. Now that the record has aged a bit, I am able to understand her musical motives behind Born This Way better and enjoy it for what it is. A great pop record, and probably even the album of the decade that couldn't live up to its hype until 10 years later.

[Levine 23,562]

The BTW HATE campaign was the biggest move of the Media of the last 20 years (against a popstar). They really forced people to believe she is a flop, an evil person and a copycat. 

I've never seen something like that after the era. It seemed like they  had a meeting and decided to ruin her era/career. It was poisoing, VIOLENT and disgusting. They even posted photoshopped pics to make her look fat and gross. She was literally ALONE. 

I don't blame the fans who hated it before and love it now, it was't your fault. It was their fault. 

[AyeshaErotica 1,704]

1. the lead single BTW was kinda weak and could not match up to Just Dance and Pokerface

2. Gaga went from a Future Hot Famous Mega Star Style to a completely different direction that noone could understand

3. Album cover was too controversial

4. BTW is not really a cohesive album while TF is a cohesive album

5. The music videos are totally different compared to TF, they are bizarre

6. Gaga did not fulfill any expectations

__________________________

First I disliked 2/3 of the album. Now I like 2/3 of the album. However I really dislike some songs because of certain topics/lycris....

[Robotboy 1,700]

they were probably intimidated by its slayage , well the ones who cared to listen. the others just wanted to drag the most influential artist just because

[TiphEret 1,320]

I was disappointed because it didn't sound original, I am speaking of the single especially that sounded like a remake of songs from the 80's and it was hyped so much as something groundbreaking 

[Tove Lo 2,481]

I think I've always liked Born This Way (even long before I was a fan of her) I remember the Judas music video being released when I was like in 6th grade and I loved the song. Then I kept listening to the song until 8th grade and then downloaded the full album and really liked it.

[Nemo 4,291]

I'm not at all convinced of your premise. The song was #1 for six weeks, and personally, I thought it was pretty much the greatest thing I'd ever heard. Of course, there was a lot of "she ripped off 'Express Yourself'" nonsense, and the $0.99 sale controversy, but other than that, I didn't even see a lot of negativity until long after the release.

[Babel 41,431]

4. BTW is not really a cohesive album while TF is a cohesive album

Of course is all subjective, but I'm curious to know, how do you see TF more cohesive than BTW? I've always pictured both albums the other way around. BTW being her most cohesive album to date. 

[AyeshaErotica 1,704]

Of course is all subjective, but I'm curious to know, how do you see TF more cohesive than BTW? I've always pictured both albums the other way around. BTW being her most cohesive album to date. 

TF is all about being famous and living a famous life = has the same central issue = the fame = cohesive

I don't seen anything cohesive about BTW. Loosely grouped songs.  Not that this is a necessaily bad thing, an album does not need to be cohesive to be good but it is a plus somehow

[ARTPOPchamp 292]

Back when the Born This Way album was released, the majority of fans and the general public took a disliking to the album and Gaga's new direction as a whole. There was a lot of negativity which really damaged the Born This Way era. Gaga herself addressed the negativity over the Born This Way era several times. Some say it even started when the Born This way single first dropped. Some say it was because of how different Born This Way was compared to her older work, however The Fame Monster is completely different from The Fame is every aspect so I don't believe that excuse.

I actually disliked Born This Way back in 2011 as well, but I now love it. I find the album to be her second best, just behind her 8 track EP The Fame Monster. It's definitely much better than The Fame and ARTPOP. I also really like most of the performances and music videos.

Why do you think the album was disliked back then, but is appreciated now?

People say a lot of people didn't like the album? I think it depends on where a person lives. In my country (Canada), everyone loved the Born This Way lead single and then Judas and the rest of the album. I think some people didn't like it because it was a different sound, it had a message and was a bout real topics, topics some people aren't comfortable to - s-xuality, religion, accepting people for who they are. But then they listened to the music more and what Gaga had to say and understood the messages creating an appreciation for the music. And now, after ARTPOP, so many more people like Born This Way because it was a much better sound for Gaga than ARTPOP, I hoped ARTPOP followed the sound of Born This Way, it could have marked a new direction for Gaga musically but then ARTPOP was a step back. I hope with LG5 Gaga is back on the Born This Way track and creates music that's harder and edgier like it. 

[Babel 41,431]

TF is all about being famous and living a famous life = has the same central issue = the fame = cohesive

I don't seen anything cohesive about BTW. Loosely grouped songs.  Not that this is a necessaily bad thing, an album does not need to be cohesive to be good but it is a plus somehow

Oh, you're thematically speaking, I see.

Well for me, BTW has a central issue too, and is Gaga speaking out loud (bold font and open mouth in the cover) her own struggles in life (messy makeup and hair) and celebrating them from start (Marry the Night, the opener, a song dedicated to celebrate life) to finish (The Edge of Glory, the closer, a song dedicated to celebrate death). Its all about the journey (MotorcycleGa), more than the destination itself.

I agree it was meant to be a more eclectic album than TF sonically. But that's what makes it good for me. It's all about reinterpretation ("halfway between fantasy and reality").

[Phlop 4,773]

The BTW HATE campaign was the biggest move of the Media of the last 20 years (against a popstar). They really forced people to believe she is a flop, an evil person and a copycat. 

I've never seen something like that after the era. It seemed like they  had a meeting and decided to ruin her era/career. It was poisoing, VIOLENT and disgusting. They even posted photoshopped pics to make her look fat and gross. She was literally ALONE. 

I don't blame the fans who hated it before and love it now, it was't your fault. It was their fault. 

Yeah the media was really starting to paint her off as a mess. But honestly, none of her contemporaries could ever dream of releasing such a crazy album. BTW is probably going to be her most iconic piece of work because of the content in it. 

The ARTPOP hate I can get because it was just messy from day one, but BTW was just hated on because it was different and opinionated. Gaga was legit bullied during the whole era, but unlike the ARTPOP era, she was relentless and strong and didn't give a **** about what people said. 

It's sad that she wasn't really appreciated during that era because her performances were top notch. Had the era been better received, we probably would've gotten the 8-9 singles she wanted and it wouldn't even have felt dragged out. I honestly think the BTW era's shortcomings came from her slowly crumbling management which completely disappaeared in the next era (and caused bigger image destruction).

Music wise though the album is her strongest lyrically and emotionally. I generally agree with the singles (not necessarily the order... Scheisse, TEOG or MTN should've been the second single not Judas) and the videos were great for the most part (sans TEOG, but that era was rushed by her management, a problem that happened with Venus and DWUW next album era).

So no BTW did not deserve the hate, but it was the rebellious glam punk rocker black sheep of her discography, it was kinda expected to have a mixed response.

[Kanye West 1,676]

The BTW HATE campaign was the biggest move of the Media of the last 20 years (against a popstar). They really forced people to believe she is a flop, an evil person and a copycat. 

I've never seen something like that after the era. It seemed like they  had a meeting and decided to ruin her era/career. It was poisoing, VIOLENT and disgusting. They even posted photoshopped pics to make her look fat and gross. She was literally ALONE. 

I don't blame the fans who hated it before and love it now, it was't your fault. It was their fault. 

Very good points. I agree. Gaga didn't deserve any of that.

[Dorothy Gale 7,575]

I just didn't like the album that much at first, I felt disappointed honestly. Now, most of the album has grown on me, but a lot of the songs felt so cheesy, and were uncomfortable for me to listen to with other people. I think if she had removed a few of the songs and made a 10 track album it would've been much better.

[Benji 20,113]

I loved Born This Way since it was released and still love it just as much. I don't think a majority ever disliked it? I mean the tour was HUGE for it and it clearly reached out to a wide range of people from different walks of life, something I noticed when I was looking at the crowd.

I don't know why or care if someone doesn't like it. They're missing out and probably hate themselves