Why Monsters put Bad Romance on such an unreachable pedestal?

[MaryJaneHolland 77,348]

3 minutes ago, DelusionalGaga said:

But all the videos you posted are from the peak of the streaming era. BR as a song and video was released in 2009, so its numbers are impressive if you consider how old it is. 

The fact that BR can compete with songs from the streaming era says a lot, I think you misread my post.

[Thomas P 18,479]

I refuse to believe anyone on this site put any Justin Bieber song anywhere near Jesus. 

[brizoda 3,990]

because Bad Romance is XXI century's best song

[MaryJaneHolland 77,348]

Just now, brizoda said:

because Bad Romance is XXI century's best song

Not when Bloody Mary exists 

[socotra 3,356]

Retrospectively, I can see how it's a bit difficult to describe the significance of BR - it peaked at #2, was just #8 on the Year-End list, and its commercial peak has now been eclipsed by other songs.

However:

- It was the music video when it was released. Compare the BR video to what it was going against in 2009 and 2010:

Do you see the difference? The Bad Romance video just went so far against what her contemporaries were putting out – it was fresh, exciting, unprecedented. And it was the first YouTube hit. I think people forget the force that Gaga once was on social media, and that was in large part due to the massive hit Bad Romance was (and that Telephone and Alejandro were as well). 

- Sonically, Bad Romance also sounds different than what everyone else was releasing. The hook is insanely infectious – unlike On the Floor, I Gotta Feeling, Rude Boy, Tik Tok, etc, there's a quality hook/chorus – she sings in a lower register than most female pop artists at the time, and like the video, it sounded quintessentially Gaga. It was a combo of cutting edge and traditional pop that made it a success. It has this quality about it that makes you say, "This is a solid song." In other words, it lacks the cheapness of Tik Tok, On the Floor, Rude Boy, Down, etc. I think the video also added to that legitimacy.

If streaming had been around during The Fame and The Fame Monster eras, there is no doubt in my mind that every single Gaga released from Just Dance to The Edge of Glory would've hit #1 (with the exceptions of LoveGame and Judas). Her music videos just couldn't be topped and her singles were perennially in the Top 20 year end charts from 2009 to 2011. 

I don't think that the success of Bad Romance is necessarily unattainable for Gaga (or another artist) again – it's just very difficult to *simultaneously* have:

1.) A quality song

2.) A song that presents something new to the genre

3.) A song with an innovative, fresh music video

 

[mamo 19,606]

bad romance changed the game.

that's why. 

[RochestrMonstr 3,482]

37 minutes ago, MaryJaneHolland said:

 

The OP literally says "success wise"  How about y'all reading what I wrote instead of jumping to gang up on me? 

I apologize if you felt I ganged up on you. I did read your post and agree that there are other songs that have been bigger hits that are not put on the same "pedestal" by little monsters.  I was just trying to explain why some monsters (such as myself) might feel this way.  

It's interesting how sometimes "iconic" does not directly relate to "successful". Obviously BR was a huge hit, but it wasn't the biggest hit of all time by any means.  But clearly it stands out as her most iconic (some people may argue, but it seems to be a general statement among the fanbase).

A good example is Avril Lavigne. Sk8er Boi is quite possibly her most iconic song, and that only peaked at #10 on the Hot 100. She had bigger hits, but that seems to be the one that resonates the most when people remember her. 

 

[SolidSnake 2,804]

1 hour ago, MaryJaneHolland said:

I always see comment where people on this forum are talking about a certain artist's signature song and BR is usually mentioned as a measurement and everyone starts saying how that song is not "even close" to Bad Romance. Like for example, "What is Rihnna's signature song?" and someone says "Diamonds and Umbrella are her BR and PF" and people would start quoting how Diamonds is not on BR's level and stuff like that. Why?  Btw, I just used these songs as an example, but I think everyone gets what kind of posts/comments I'm talking about.

NOTE: Mostly, success-wise.

BR is a very complex song lyrically, it had a legendary video, it's part of pop culture and ALL OF THAT, but I can think of at least 20 songs since BR's release that reached it's success or even bigger success and that's not a bad thing, that doesn't degrade BR's importance, but acting like THAT unreachable... 

Just a few that came to my mind.

Keep watching BR so it reaches 1B views btw

 

This entire thread made me laugh. BR is not complex lyrically lol. Most of the songs on Joanne outrank it lyrically, and none of these songs you linked are even on the same planet on Bad Romance quality wise. 

[ANVEEROY 61,677]

LMAO critics declared Bad Romance as the best song of Gaga

Just see the tour crowds when she starts singing Bad Romance. 

this video proves that the power of BAD ROMANCE!! 

[Phlop 4,773]

The only songs by other pop artists comparable are:

Beyonce: Single Ladies

Rihanna: Umbrella / We Found Love

Britney: BOMT/OIDIA

Justin Bieber: Sorry

Katy Perry: Firework

Mariah: We Belong Together

Madonna: Vogue

Michael Jackson: Thriller

Prince: Purple Rain 

etc

 

Bad Romance is Gaga’s creative, popularity, and iconic peak. I don’t even like the song as much as other singles, but it’s def her most well known. Poker Face might have sold more, but BR was an image.

 

[geopang 4,831]

What an insult to Bad Romance to compare it to all those trashy songs 

[ModernEcstasy 9,113]

Bad Romance was knocked from its pedestal for me when I heard Joanne (Piano Version)!

The first time I heard it, I was moved to literal tears and I will never forget that. Stunning! 

[Mythos 3,199]

Ewww, how dare you compare all those awful songs to Bad Romance? 

 

[FentyGa 14,340]

Bad Romance isn't nearly as good or as big as y'all say.

[Decodekid 28,855]

from the songs you mentioned above only uptown funk is better than bad romance for me