Lady Gaga released a second song from her upcoming studio album, 'Born This Way' - the entire album is due out May 23, 2011 - and some reviewers suggest that Judas begs, borrows and steals from one of her previous hits.
The song was released April 15 and has created a minor stir for its similarity to Bad Romance and for references to religion and in particular to Jesus and his famed betrayer, Judas Iscariot. At least one religious group has objected to the song and rumors that the video sees Gaga play both a Nun and Mary Magdalene. In the song she sings about her relationship to Jesus and Judas and how compelling she continues to find Judas.
Judas Reviews: Borrows from Bad Romance
Naturally objections have not deterred fans - it's at the top of the U.S. iTunes list - nor have they prevented reviewers from producing pieces on the song. Judas clearly does bear a resemblance to Bad Romance from her last album. The beginning, chorus, the theme of the lyrics are almost reprises from Bad Romance, the first single released from her album 'The Fame Monster'.
Rolling Stone Magazine said that “Though 'Judas’ certainly has its own charms and at least three insanely catchy hooks, it leans hard on Gaga's signature moves and basically sounds like a cross between ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Poker Face.’” The Village Voice said the song "definitely mines the same territory as ‘Bad Romance’ - lots of instantly memorable wordless vocalizing, a pummeling beat, lyrics about a romance that is, well, bad.”
The 'Chicago Examiner's' Peter Buchanan says that "Besides Madonna, Lady Gaga is also copying herself. The same thumping and disorganized dance beats can be found in the songs “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face.” And Eric Henderson of 'Slant Magazine' wrote that "The whole production bears more than just a passing resemblance to "Bad Romance," and in this case, it feels like a willful resurrection."
Superstar Twitters Reaction to Lady Gaga's Judas
There are reviews out there that do not note the resemblance and that love Judas, like the one from an iconic performer who has produced her share of hits and of controversy, Cher, who twittered about Judas. Her review was unabashedly positive of her peer. “Lovin GAGA's Judas ! Heard it bout a month ago in the Studio! Loved It Then ! Love it Now ! LOVE HER ALWAYS!” Cher's tweet said.
Overall, however, a cross-section of those reviewing the song note the closeness to Bad Romance and even Poker Face. Whether or not this will affect the performance of the single in the long run - it's status at the top of iTunes suggests not - remains to be seen.
Gaga Released Judas Early Due to Leak
Gaga was intending to released the song April 19, 2011 but it became leaked online so it was released early. The first song from the record was the title track, Born This Way, which came out with an extended video in mid-February and for a time was at the top of Billboard's Hot 100. It remained as high as 5th two months later.
The day after the releasing Judas, Gaga released the album cover for 'Born This Way.'
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