Positions, Charts, Numbers & Gaga

[REALITY 76,234]

I know, I know, another thread about this?? Well, I've decided to make on thread of my own, because this topic seems to be very controversial within the LM community—or really just GGD I suppose. I'm just really passionate about this particular topic and also sort of want to give my take on it. But, I guess, here it goes.

Can someone please explain to me why we're so focused on the three things I mentioned above in the title? Now, I get it, from a business and from a label's perspective, charts, positions, numbers, etc. are definitely important. No one's contesting that; however, Gaga herself has expressed numerous times that she doesn't necessarily care about where her positions lie, and unless you're her management or her team, I don't see why you have to worry about them either.

Secondly, let's discuss the issue of liking a song vs. not liking a song, and the genre of a song. You have every right to not like a certain song, you are completely 100% entitled to that opinion; however, when someone starts blatantly hating on the song and when someone says "I've waited 3 years for this?!", that's different. Gaga promised a single, and she promised an album. To say some of things that I've seen been said about Gaga, PI, and it's genre, I can't help but feel confused. I don't know what you were expecting, because Gaga never said "LG5 will be an electronic dance album", she never spoke about the genre directly—all she said was that we'd get an album. The notion that it would sound just like like previous works didn't come from her, it came from people who just assumed it would.

Lastly, going back to the charts and her success—or to some, lack thereof. Gaga has more than enough to sustain a living. She'd be perfectly fine if she didn't work another day in her life. The reason why she continues to make music and the reason why she continues to be in this industry is because she:

1) She loves to make music.

2) She loves us.

I mean, she's also expressed (prominently in the ARTPOP era) that she even thought about leaving the industry: I feel like some of us are taking her for granted.

So, when I also hear "Why isn't she #1?!" or "Why is she only #XX on the charts?!" I feel a sense of disappointment. Generally, we're not appreciating what she's doing for us. You may not like the sound, you may not like her style, and those are all completely valid, but when you start criticizing things on such a micro-scale and start comparing her to other artists and start comparing PI to other songs, and say "WHY IS IT DOING SO POORLY?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?!", it's sad. 

Call me preaching the "Music not the bling" philosophy, but I think that people need to take a step back and just appreciate and enjoy what she's given us, for heaven's sake, enjoy the fact that we have new music! First we complain about not having it for so long, and now that it's here, there have been more complaints than ever. 

 Of course we want Gaga to be successful, we all do, but not at the expense of something like her artistry, I'd rather have a "lackluster performing" song that's true and authentic to who she is than a "smashing hit" that isn't representative of her whatsoever. 

Charts and positions and numbers are secondary and are just results of our love for her. Last time I checked, we're all fans of her because we love her character, her advocacy, and her music, not because we see a "#1 hit".

[Azor Ahai 18,861]

They just keep coming and coming lol. How many of these have been posted today alone (Black) Jesus! 

[MaryJaneHolland 77,348]

Just now, M Monstre said:

2) She loves us.

"I know what my fans want"

"Interscope to treat Joanne as an indie act"

[KinneyUnderYou 0]

Amazing read, amazing thread. I completely agree. Unfortunately, a lot of people are devoted to the three things you mentioned above it is affecting them physically, and emotionally. They are focused on her life more than their own. Simply.

[REALITY 76,234]

5 minutes ago, MaryJaneHolland said:

"I know what my fans want"

"Interscope to treat Joanne as an indie act"

That doesn't mean that she doesn't love us or support us any differently.

Agreed, it's a bit strange, but we haven't heard the album yet, until we hear a couple of more songs or the entire album on 10/21, we'll just wait and see. 

EDIT - Plus, from her looks, to the people she's working with, the her vocal evolution, it's not like it's coming totally out of left field. 

[Delulu Rogers 7,235]

This fanbase is tearing at the seams. It'll be interesting to see how many fans gaga will have left this time next year after her "indie act." My guess would be less than half of what it is now if she chooses to not even promote or perform Joanne.

I don't care about charts or anything but it's so annoying when we learn that she doesn't want to promote or perform the new music. She literally has gotten rid of all her visuals, asthetics, costumes and behind all that is bad music (imo) after a highly anticipated comeback to which redone said would be the "album of the decade" and gaga saying she was gonna bring back "the just dance and bad romance girl."

"I know what my fans want" but i can't remember the last time she did something that the majority of us wanted/liked in terms of music and albums. The bling has been lacking since 2011, the music since 2013.

[FGGrayson 9,670]

18 minutes ago, Azor Ahai said:

They just keep coming and coming lol. How many of these have been posted today alone (Black) Jesus! 

better than hate threads i guess

[Phong Le 204]

I'm all about the awards. You guys can keep the charts. It as messy as the VMAs were with you guys. 

[blackstar 11,512]

Run the World by Beyonce peaked at #29 at BB Hot 100 and it was pretty huge hit