Ciccone Madonna 1,362 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 In a latest interview of Stephen Bray, co-author of Express Yourself when asked about BTW and Gaga he said Q:Stephen, as the co-author of Express Yourself, I just wanted to ask you about the Born This Way controversy. The song is widely described as an Express Yourself‘s “rip off/homage/parody” depending on how much of a Gaga fan people are. If I’m not mistaken, Express Yourself was inspired by Respect Yourself, a song from the early 70s by The Staple Singers. We are very curious to hear your voice on this as you are the one who put together the chords of this acclaimed Madonna classic? A:Stephen: I like the idea that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I think the world of Lady Gaga, she is clearly a creative giant so I don’t find the situation controversial at all. If you’ve ever seen that “everything is a remix” video it shows how so much work is inspired and shaped by what has come before. I think it’s a question of staying on the “inspired by” side of the fence when writing. There is definitely a common thread of Self-Esteem and Self-Respect in the Staple Singers song and Express Yourself and I’m sure there are a whole lot more titles we could find that explore that theme. http://www.madonnatribe.com/interviews/madonnatribe-meets-stephen-bray-breakfast-club/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slayy 752 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Preach Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERFECTIONIST 2,139 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 I thought the co writer of EYS admitted to help write born this way by that title my hobbies include lying about PI leaking and getting everyone shook on GGD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebeldeFaith 5,401 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 That click-bait title though. Can I vanish into a cheeseburger pizza? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PopThatArt 2,193 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 More than anything it was Madonna's hungry fans who came for Gaga prompting Madonna to comment, prompting media to start the "feud" between the two, the media and fans like drama, then what Madonna said was blown up and people tried to detract from the greatness of Born This Way and of Lady Gaga's creativity. If Madonna was mature, she would have known better than baiting media with comments and tacky little jabs at Gaga during her tour but, Madonna was hungry for attention like her fans are. Go see A Star is Born Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hELXIG 42,954 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 All these years later! Shut them DOWN Stephen Bray! I'll be myself until they fūcking close the coffin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manicholic 3,694 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Lol Express Yourself was a complete and utterly shameful rip-off of Respect Yourself and i suppose it's not at all shocking that Bray still won't own it There's nothing harder for people to do than admit they were fooled. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiuga 1,970 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 The way gaga sang the chorus line at the VMAs and the country version of the song can totally prove that she didn't rip off express yourself. it sounds a bit similar only because of the 80s instrumentation and the similar chord which again are used in many 80s songs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Bromance 5,809 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 2 hours ago, chiuga said: The way gaga sang the chorus line at the VMAs and the country version of the song can totally prove that she didn't rip off express yourself. it sounds a bit similar only because of the 80s instrumentation and the similar chord which again are used in many 80s songs I couldn't agree with you more. I don't care what you think about unless it is about me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReidOne 12,427 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 This is great! Finally some logical perspective on the whole thing. By the way --- Stephen Bray is much more than Madonna's songwriter. He is also one of the primary songwriters for 'The Color Purple' musical taking Broadway by storm right now (starring J-Hud). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.