Is Gaga a Mediocre Songwriter?

[Alxjcgn 2,200]

On 7/31/2026 at 1:28 AM, REALITY said:

Even though MAYHEM is my favorite album of hers (sonically), I also believe it's probably her weakest lyrically speaking. 

I agree, especially comparing it to other songs of her past. I do think the songwriting on LoveDrug's verses are impeccable though haha, and Disease is a well written song

[AVeryGagaHolyDick 32,018]

3 hours ago, Juanlittlem said:

I was joking  Ive seen people say it because of the "and in the mirror I get weak I get weak at the girl staring back at me theyre your eyes" but I dont see why

 

3 hours ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

“And in the mirror, I get weak at the girl staring back at me, they’re your eyes” is the lyric people mostly circle back to. 

I mean, I don’t like that song and never play it but did people forget about Fun Tonight? 

[Ladle Ghoulash 53,154]

8 minutes ago, AVeryGagaHolyDick said:

 

I mean, I don’t like that song and never play it but did people forget about Fun Tonight? 

I agree that it’s also very likely about Stef vs. Gaga, but I don’t think it being about her dad is a ridiculous interpretation 

[Ivy 13,723]

4 hours ago, Juanlittlem said:

I was joking  Ive seen people say it because of the "and in the mirror I get weak I get weak at the girl staring back at me theyre your eyes" but I dont see why

This part makes me think it's about fans, the way she used to say she sees herself in her fans  but I usually think it's about a breakup or a friend breakup, or the 2 sides of herself

[chathonnete 1,016]

Gaga is easily one of the best artists of all time

However in my opinion what she lacks of is delicacy in term of writing, sound and visuals, especially in the last few years. It tends to be a bit "on your face"/cartoonish and clumsy sometimes (still digesting TDD music video). But I'll always love our girl, I just wish she could sometimes be a bit more sensitive in her craft

 

[TheMontebello 1,154]

She's good to me. I think some of you have a narrow view of what is considered good songwriting.

[nkta 658]

6 minutes ago, chathonnete said:

Gaga is easily one of the best artists of all time

However in my opinion what she lacks of is delicacy in term of writing, sound and visuals, especially in the last few years. It tends to be a bit "on your face"/cartoonish and clumsy sometimes (still digesting TDD music video). But I'll always love our girl, I just wish she could sometimes be a bit more sensitive in her craft

 

TDD video seemed rush and unnecessary… I also think her trying to navigate music and filmmaking is damaging her image. Cause frankly that Wednesday appearance was bleak and not needed… Same with DWP2! And for both she recorded music and made music videos - which most didn’t seem to enjoy at all… Like I can enjoy Runway, but other songs from DWP2 makes me wonder - why? why? why release them at all?

[nkta 658]

2 hours ago, dracomalfoy said:

We can say all we want about her songwriting but she did write Yoü and I all by herself, thats a beautiful song to me. I think Marry the Night can be a bit obvious initially but the vocals, production and music video all improve the song.

I looooove Marry the Night, but You and I seemed always too straightforward and obvious to me… kinda boring even

[Ladle Ghoulash 53,154]

On 7/31/2026 at 8:41 AM, Ladle Ghoulash said:

I think she’s very good at what she does, which is write hooky, infectious, hamfisted, theatrical fantasies 

Circling back to this because I feel like people seem to forget that she worships artists like Meatloaf, AC/DC, Skid Row, Iron Maiden, Jim Steinman, Def Leppard, Zappa etc. so while I get that the absurdity might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s intentional.

[Sneaky Oliver 22,985]

3 hours ago, dracomalfoy said:

I dont put too much on songs like Runway, TDD because they were written for projects and not necessarily reflect her artistry.

The way this fanbase collectively forgot about GLAMOROUS LIFE 

[StrawberryBlond 15,569]

I think she's good, is sometimes great. But she does have her misses too. We all know an atrocious lyric here or there but every artist has that. As long as it's only occasional. Considering that she does so much of it herself, she really deserves her flowers. Where she really comes into her own is her vocals, performance and overall joy of the music. That makes up for any lyrical shortcomings. You can tell she's not doing this for money, she's in her own zone and that is so powerful and what makes her so good.

[TheARTPOPball 1,648]

On 7/31/2026 at 8:02 AM, MaybeKermit said:

Nobody had a problem with Joanne’s lyrics, it was the production/musical genre 

I’m referring to chromatica. There was and still lots of people that call it uninspired and lacking 

Edited yesterday at 08:23 PM by TheARTPOPball

[Oriane 22,778]

14 hours ago, AVeryGagaHolyDick said:

How do we know that?

I always thought the song was about her depression 

One person made a thread with this interpretation and everyone ran along with it, it's now official on GGD even though it was never confirmed and a bit of a reach tbh 

[GregJA 5,536]

Hits and misses. Some are... terrible  but she can still pull those off haha 

[Versace 8,080]

I think the same thing that makes her write cringe lyrics at times is the same driving force for her best written stuff. Gaga is an unconventional writer and if she tried to sharpen her writing too much or went too profound I think it can end up disastrous. So all in all I think she’s a great writer for consistently having a unique perspective.