The Definitive Ranking of 108 Lady Gaga Songs
Her sixth album, Chromatica, will be out in three days. Let’s take a look back at how she got here!
Lady Gaga first stepped onto the world stage over a decade ago, and it’s hard to fathom everything that she has accomplished since then. Though she struggled as a young musician in her early 20’s, the release of her first album skyrocketed her to superstardom in a fairly short amount of time. Her delight in the bizarre, coupled with an incredible intuition as a performer, made her the ultimate pop powerhouse.
With her early albums celebrating their 10th anniversaries, her debut as a lead actress in the Bradley Cooper-directed remake of A Star is Born, and her new Las Vegas residency, Gaga has had a busy couple of years. Now, as we prepare for the release of LG6 — Chromatica, expected May 29th — I wanted to revisit her catalog. It’s time to decide which of her songs are truly the best.
TW: some entries contain brief mentions of sexual assault & PTSD
This ranking will cover all of the songs and bonus tracks of her main album and EP releases — The Fame (2008), The Fame Monster (2009), Born This Way (2011), A Very Gaga Holiday (2011), ARTPOP (2013), Cheek to Cheek (2014), Joanne (2016), and A Star Is Born (2018) — as well as a handful of singles that were not affiliated with a full album. The ranking will not include:
- Her feature spots on other artists’ albums
- “Don’t Wait Too Long” and “Sophisticated Lady” from Cheek to Cheek (sorry, Tony Bennett)
- Dialogues or Bradley-Cooper-only songs from A Star Is Born (sorry, Bradley Cooper)
- Remixes, live / acoustic versions, or demo tapes of album songs
- Leaked songs from the pre-The Fame era that were not officially released
Okay, with the explanation out of the way, let’s get into it!
108. “Do What U Want (feat. R. Kelly)”
ARTPOP
R. Kelly singing about how he will “do what he wants to your body” was a regrettable production choice in 2013, and it certainly has not aged well since then. Unfortunately, not even a remake of the song featuring Christina Aguilera could make the original version go away.
107. “Gypsy”
ARTPOP
While it definitely has some musical potential before you get to the chorus, “Gypsy” is ultimately a very catchy tune with a very unnecessary ethnic slur. Pass.
106. “Aura”
ARTPOP
Similarly to “Gypsy,” “Aura” is marred by cultural insensitivity in the lyrics. Yes, the opening hook is intricate and very dance-y, but the burqa is not a fashion statement to appropriate — nor is it really the best topic for a white, non-muslim, American pop artist to sing about. Gaga, ever a pusher of the limits, pushed a bit too far on this one.
105. “Fashion!”
ARTPOP
You might be sensing a trend here. ARTPOP was a rough era all around for many different reasons. This particular song wasn’t problematic, so much as it was…bland. With the killer “Donatella” already on the album, a second song about fashion seems unnecessary. She did sing this one with RuPaul on Thanksgiving, though, so that was…something?
104. “Heal Me”
A Star Is Born
This song is a little too basic for my taste. Lyrically, it’s a little reminiscent of her single “The Cure,” but the comparison falls short after that.
103. “They All Laughed”
Cheek to Cheek
Cheek to Cheek is pretty solid in its instrumentation and vocals, but its weakness is its song choices. Of all the Great American Songbook songs to sing — of all the Gershwin tunes to sing, really — “They All Laughed” one is a mediocre pick.
If I had to guess, she probably included because she loves a good message of perseverance in the face of negativity in her music (see: the entirety of Born This Way). But, throwing in a forgettable song just for the platitude seems like a waste of album space.
102. “Goody Goody”
Cheek to Cheek
Pretty much everything about “They All Laughed” applies to “Goody Goody” as well. If she wanted a lesser-known tune to sing, that’s understandable, but there are just so! many! others! to! choose! from! However, I ranked this one slightly higher because banter between her and Tony is cute. Also, Gaga’s ad lib of “I’m not a goody, I’m a baddie.”
101. “Why Did You Do That?”
A Star Is Born
Eh. Meh. Hmm. It’s not awful, it’s just…bleh. Nothing really stands out about it, and honestly you start to forget how it goes, even after a few minutes of listening to it. Gaga herself doesn’t really like it either, so I’m gonna pass.
100. “Hey Girl”
Joanne
I like Florence Welch, and I love Gaga (obviously), but I feel like a collab between these two songwriting queens could have been so much more. I would have loved to see them create a more uptempo song (à la “Dog Days Are Over”) or a song with a stronger melody (like anything in the Fame and Born This Way eras). But, who knows? Maybe they’ll work together again in the future.
99. “Million Reasons”
Joanne
I’m not the biggest fan of “Million Reasons,” and I wish that her other ballads did better in comparison. Even on the same album, I think the titular “Joanne” or even “Angel Down” were more interesting songs, and would’ve been a better choices as a single. But, I’m willing to concede that it might just be a matter of personal taste. She did an amazing performance of it at the Superbowl.
98. “Dance In The Dark”
The Fame Monster
The only reason I have “Dance In The Dark” listed so low is because for some reason, I just don’t like the way it sounds at “‘Cause when he’s looking / She falls apart.”
That’s literally it. I can’t really put my finger on why I don’t like how the melody sounds there, but I just don’t, and it’s my list. So. Sorry, to this man.
97. “Bad Kids”
Born This Way
“Bad Kids” had the unfortunate fate of being a slightly weaker track on an incredibly strong album. If it had appeared on ARTPOP, it might’ve even been single release material, but up against the heavy-hitters of its cohort like “Edge of Glory” or “Bloody Mary,” it kind of fades into the background.
96. Sinner’s Prayer
Joanne
“Sinner’s Prayer” is a song that sounds deep on the first listen, but then then you listen to it again, and it’s…really not. I do like the acoustic feel to it, though.
95. ARTPOP
ARTPOP
Much like the album named for it, “ARTPOP” is…okay. But is it Born This Way? Not even close.
94. Always Remember Us This Way
A Star Is Born
This song feels like bits and pieces of other Gaga songs. When she sings “I don’t wanna be just a memory, baby,” for example, it sounds a lot like “We can make it easy if we lift each other” in “Hey Girl.” I don’t know if that makes it better, or makes it worse, but it’s all I can really think about when I listen to it.
93. Hair Body Face
A Star Is Born
Meh. Similarly, “Hair Body Face” sounds a bit like an ARTPOP dropout. It doesn’t really match with the rest of the album, but it’s definitely the song that sounds the most like Lady Gaga the pop star, not Lady Gaga the actress.
92. Music To My Eyes
A Star Is Born
…alright, listen: I just don’t really like a lot of the Star Is Born stuff. Sorry! Tragic romance movies are not really my thing, and a lot of the material isn’t anything like the songs she sings for her “real” career as a musician.
This one isn’t so bad, though. Musically, anyways. The whole “Music to My Eyes” metaphor sounds like something that Connor4Real might’ve come up with, but what do I know?
91. Paper Gangsta
The Fame
It’s a bit of a clumsy foray into hip-hop (if you can call it hip-hop), but it could be much worse. The lyrics are kind of…flavorless, to say the least, but it actually has a pretty solid beat underneath it. In the grand scheme of Fame songs it’s slightly on the forgettable side, though, so here it sits at #91.
90. Let’s Face The Music And Dance
Cheek to Cheek
It’s fast, it’s melodically complex, I have incredibly neutral feelings towards it (as I do towards many of the song choices on Cheek to Cheek), but Gaga makes it sound like she could do this in her sleep. She probably could! Keep up, Tony.
89. Black Jesus † Amen Fashion
Born This Way
Far be it from me to call Lady “CEO of the Meat Dress” Gaga weird, but this tune is a little out there even for her. “On the runway, work it, Black Jesus, amen” is a lot of information to process all at once. Having said this, however, the song does kinda slap a little bit.
88. Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)
Born This Way
This is the start of the lukewarm Gaga songs. They’re not exactly bad, but they’re…not exactly great. This is a perfect example. I definitely don’t hate it, but I don’t seek it out. It just exists. Though I do like the “run, run, with her top down, baby she flies” part, so there’s that.
87. Diamond Heart
Joanne
Initially I was not crazy about this one, but I will admit that I had a change of (Diamond) heart after reading the lyrics more carefully. Here, Gaga talks about her experiences in New York as a young artist. She alludes to her previously-strained relationship with her father, her sexual assault at age 19, as well as to her eventual break into pop stardom. As the first song on the album, it sets the tone for Joanne as a more introspective affair.
86. Starstruck
The Fame
“Starstruck” is really just there to fill out the album, but as we’ve seen before, even mediocre songs on a good Gaga album are sometimes worth a listen. The chorus will definitely get stuck in your head after a while!
85. The Queen
Born This Way
This one was not included on the original release of Born This Way, and I suppose that makes sense. It’s not quite as immediately iconic as some of the others — it doesn’t have particularly memorable hooks or lyrics. They can’t all be winners.
84. I Don’t Know What Love Is
A Star Is Born
Gaga’s Star Is Born songs are kind of like frozen yogurt: fine if it’s the only option, but if you’re already a frozen dairy fan, chances are you probably like ice cream better.
83. Before I Cry
A Star Is Born
I like the…chorus? I guess?
82. Diggin’ My Grave
A Star Is Born
Okay, focusing on the good for a moment: Lady Gaga and Bradly Cooper are incredible duet partners. From the twang and the solid groove on a tune like “Diggin’ My Grave,” to their great chemistry on the love songs, it’s clear strength of the album isn’t in the songs, but the artists.
81. Jewels n’ Drugs
ARTPOP
“Jewels n’ Drugs” is okay. The melody is okay. The lyrics are okay. Twista is in it. It’s just…okay. Better than some of its fellow album members, but unfortunately that’s not saying a lot.
80. Fashion Of His Love
Born This Way
Like “The Queen,” “Fashion Of His Love” was not an original member of the Born This Way lineup. I do like it better, though, because of the Madonna vibes, and the chorus is a lot more memorable.
79. Come to Mama
Joanne
I like the melody a lot! The lyrics are kind of late-Beatles-era-John-Lennon-esque (which is a new and very long adjective of my own creation). I’m not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing.
78. Heavy Metal Lover
Born This Way
“Heavy Metal Lover” might not be the most popular, but it’s still worth getting down to. Her vocals aren’t on full display here or anything, but the way she sings the intro hook is very cool.
77. It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
Cheek to Cheek
Non-jazz musicians that make their first jazz album are legally obligated to include this song. This, or “Take the A Train.” I’m pretty sure it’s in the Constitution somewhere.
76. Dancin’ in Circles
Joanne
Never one to shy away from addressing the important topics, Gaga lets her lyrics here speak for themselves. I…have nothing to say that she does not say already.
75. Boys, Boys, Boys
The Fame
I think I’ve just listened to this song too much, so it doesn’t really thrill me the way it used to, but I could just as easily see it ranking higher on the list. It’s a bop! It doesn’t quite have the same long-term replay ability as, say, “Poker Face,” but it’s still good.
74. Angel Down
Joanne
“Angel Down” is ranked #74 and not #73, because…
73. Angel Down (work tape)
Joanne
…the work tape felt just a bit more raw and emotional. I know that I said that I wouldn’t include song demos in the ranking, but this one was actually included in the deluxe edition of the album. The only way I can think to describe “Angel Down” is that it somehow it feels a little Oscar-bait-y, but without being in a movie. It’s okay for a listen every now and then, but not really a song to play on repeat.
72. Christmas Tree
N/A
Heh…what a song. But, if you’re looking for family-friendly Christmas music, maybe listen to her rendition of “White Christmas” or something instead.
71. Look What I Found
A Star Is Born
Okay, I can kinda get into this song. I’ll listen to pretty much any Lady Gaga song that features some piano riffs, so she has my attention. It has kind of an old-school feel, and the melody is pretty easy to groove along with, too.
70. Government Hooker
Born This Way
Admittedly, this song hits different in the current political landscape. A banger in 2011, exhausting in 2020. Nevertheless, I recommend giving it a listen, as it is still a graduating member of the no-skip Born This Way class. Just try not to think about Trump.
69. Sexxx Dreams
ARTPOP
Oh, ARTPOP. Yeah, this one is pretty good. I kinda like how she switches back and forth between talking and singing. I also REALLY like how it was evidently listed as “X Dreams” in the clean edition, and the fact that anyone attempted to make a clean edition of ARTPOP in the first place.
68. I Won’t Dance
Cheek to Cheek
I’ve already made my feelings on the Cheek to Cheek song choices quite clear, so I won’t get into it with this one. However. I think “I Won’t Dance” works well as a duet, and especially as a duet between Gaga and Tony. Their friendship and general easy-going attitude towards one another comes across in all the songs they sing together, and this one is no exception.
67. Winter Wonderland
N/A
She’s at the Christmas song, she’s at the jazz song, she’s at the combination Christmas-jazz song. It’s a tried-and-true classic, and Gaga does wonderfully with it.
66. Til it Happens To You
N/A
Written for survivors of sexual assault, by a survivor herself, “Til It Happens To You” is a beautiful anthem. Gaga has been very open in recent years about coping with mental illness, and her struggles with PTSD as a result of her own assault.
The song might have benefitted from the signature Gaga-and-piano acoustic treatment — the drums and full string orchestra feel like a bit too much in parts of it — but she achieves a somber, powerful effect nonetheless.
65. Venus
ARTPOP
“Venus” is a bit of an odd song, but odd is ARTPOP, and odd is Lady Gaga. She lists the planets (and yes, one dwarf planet). There are references to the Birth of Venus painting by Sandro Botticelli, both in her lyrics and in the seashell bikini outfit that she wore during the era. And she coins the word “Aphrod-eezy”, which I’m sure Kanye is kicking himself about. There’s a lot going on in this one, but it’s working for me.
64. Judas
Born This Way
“Judas” is another song that I’m willing to be a little flexible about in my ranking here. I almost ranked it lower than this, but then I remembered what a banger it is and moved it up. Right now it’s here, because I am still a bit neutral towards it, but I would like to acknowledge its status as one of the many powerhouses that make Born This Way so great. It’s not my all-time favorite, but I respect it a lot. If you, personally, would rank Judas higher than this, you are valid, and I’ll allow it.
63. Anything Goes
Cheek to Cheek
There are good Gaga songs, there are bad Gaga songs, and there are solid Gaga songs. “Anything Goes” is solid. There isn’t anything about it that’s out of this world, but it’s a decent vocal performance from both of them.
62. Cheek to Cheek
Cheek to Cheek
Similarly, “Cheek to Cheek” is a good vocal jazz duet (arguably THE vocal jazz duet), so of course it belongs on this album. I don’t think that Tony and Gaga brought anything new to it, per se, but it’s a great rendition of a classic.
61. So Happy I Could Die
The Fame Monster
The chorus is absolutely infectious. I get this song confused with “Monster” a little bit, and I’m not sure why — they are a bit similar, but not in a bad way. Maybe there’s a mashup waiting to happen there.
60. Hair
Born This Way
I don’t have a lot to say about “Hair” but I do want to confirm that the theater-kid levels of melodrama and angst in this song was for me, a teenager listening to music on my iPod in 2011, actually very great. I’m incredibly fond of it to this day.
59. I’ll Never Love Again
A Star Is Born
Like I’ve said before, I’m not the biggest fan of A Star Is Born, but even I like this song. It’s very tender, and just so pretty. Apparently, Gaga filmed it just after learning that her best friend, Sonja Durham, had passed away from stage IV cancer. In spite of her devastating loss, she gives an incredible performance, the deep emotions of the song come across loud and clear.
Note: the soundtrack includes the film and the extended edition of this song, but because they’re incredibly similar, I counted them as one.
58. Monster
The Fame Monster
I love the B horror movie vibes. Also, the very opening of the song (“Don’t look at me like that / You amaze me”) recently circulated as a meme on TikTok this past year, and I think that’s great.
57. Americano
Born This Way
Born This Way was released in May 2011, and I distinctly remember spending the next few months listening to it on repeat. “Americano,” to me, sounds like summer. I like the beat, I like the drama of it all, I’m here for it.
56. Retro Dance Freak
?
What’s interesting about “Retro Dance Freak” is less the song itself (although it’s pretty good), but the fact that it’s not quite clear to me which album it truly belongs to. It was released as a bonus track for The Fame in Japan only, but it was also included on the international edition release of The Fame Monster. I think an argument could be made for either, which says a lot about how the Fame and Fame Monster eras were really quite similar.
55. Just Another Day
Joanne
Say what you want about the lyrics (boiled down, they’re basically a wordier “59th Street Bridge Song”), but the trumpet solo is excellent! And I especially liked that she introduced Brian Newman by name. Instrumentalists don’t get enough credit!
54. I Like it Rough
The Fame
Yet another solid tune from the Fame powerhouse. I love the “I’m shiny and I know it” bridge.
53. La Vie En Rose
A Star Is Born
God, I wish they had included this song on Cheek to Cheek. She also puts her French (famously heard on the “Bad Romance” bridge) to good use here. We stan a multicultural queen.
52. Swine
ARTPOP
“Swine” is the sort of song that you think you don’t like that much, but then once you’re actively listening to it, you realize you like it a whole lot. Definitely one of the better ARTPOP tunes, and the drop is surprisingly good!
51. White Christmas
A Very Gaga Holiday
Well, it’s no “Christmas Tree,” but if you like the Christmas classics, she definitely delivers here. Plus, she even throws in an entirely new verse that she wrote as a bonus!
50. Again Again
The Fame
“Again Again” is good! It does not have the same ‘feel’ to it as the rest of the album, which is likely why it was included as a bonus. However, it does have a nice clean piano accompaniment, and excellent vocals from Gaga.
49. Mary Jane Holland
ARTPOP
I literally used to skip this song when I’d listen to ARTPOP (among the others we’ve been over already), but one of my very dear friends got me to give it another chance, and I’m so glad I did. It’s actually really catchy! Not very frequently played, however. I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve never heard it; you’d have to be a pretty involved Little Monster to listen to anything from ARTPOP that’s not “Applause.”
48. Grigio Girls
Joanne
I actually really like this song; it’s certainly among my favorites for the Joanne era. I’m not sure why it speaks to me so much, but something about it captures female friendships in a mellow and very relatable way. I like the ways that Gaga describes the time she spends with her friends. I also think that the added context of her using this song as a means of coping with the terminal illness of her close friend Sonja is quite poignant.
47. Money Honey
The Fame
“Money Honey” is not the prom queen of the Fame era, but it was on the prom planning committee, and I appreciate all of its hard work for the community. I absolutely love her rich-and-famous-themed songs; they’re just such a good time, every time. Also, the synth-y hook here is just cool.
46. Applause
ARTPOP
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45. Born This Way
Born This Way
THE song of 2011. THE song you have heard at least once at every pride parade you’ve been to since then. THE song that has one of the worst Glee performances I’ve ever seen, which is saying a lot. (Side note: where can I buy the shirt that just says “TROUTY MOUTH”?)
It’s definitely not perfect as a song, either. The whole “listing races” section is pretty yikes, and listeners over the years have pointed out that her use of the word “transgendered” instead of “transgender” is incorrect. However, at the time of its release, many people took solace in the message of support and acceptance. I kind of hope that in 10 or 20 years, another song like this comes out — maybe a re-release from Gaga herself? — with a few of those adjustments, so a future generation gets to experience it anew.
44. Firefly
Cheek to Cheek
“Firefly” is actually one of a few Cheek to Cheek song selections that I think was a great choice. It’s a lesser-known tune, but it’s memorable and interesting, and it fits as a duet performance perfectly.
43. Dope
ARTPOP
The simple piano, the slur in her voice, the vocals as always…yes. Excellent. It doesn’t fit the rest of the album in the slightest, but we stan.
42. Nature Boy
Cheek to Cheek
This song is not an easy one, but she (and Tony!) navigate the interval jumps flawlessly. The flute compliments their singing well, too.
41. The Cure
N/A
“The Cure” was released shortly after Joanne, apropos of nothing, really. I had thought she would put it on the next album, but at least for now it looks like it will not be appearing on Chromatica. That’s okay– it can definitely hold its own as a single.
40. Perfect Illusion
Joanne
This one was the release that kicked off Joanne. I wouldn’t say that it’s definitive of the era, as the rest of the album sounds quite different, but it slaps anyways. And that key change? Whew.
39. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
Cheek to Cheek
No disrespect, Tony, but if this was a competition, she’d be winning.
38. Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered
Cheek to Cheek
A bonus track?! They made “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” a bonus track, but kept the other ones on there? I don’t understand their logic, but I’m glad they at least included it. It’s a pretty famous standard, so instead of giving just a typical rendition of it, she kind of spices it up a bit with a quicker tempo, and some good instrumental hits from the band.
37. G.U.Y.
ARTPOP
I like “G.U.Y.” ARTPOP lyrics talk a lot about sexuality, and I like the “Girl Under You” metaphor she uses to describe taking control of her own happiness and wellbeing in intimate relationships. Also, the music video has a bunch of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in it, for some reason. What’s not to love?
36. Marry the Night
Born This Way
Here’s some free advice: if you ever write an album as strong as Born This Way, make sure whatever opening track you choose is as strong an opening track as “Marry The Night.” It perfectly sets the tone for the album, it’s incredibly iconic, and it rules.
35. Is That Alright?
A Star Is Born
“Is That Alright?” isn’t as immediately recognizable and beloved as “Shallow”, but it’s still good enough to play in the big leagues. It’s a gorgeous piano ballad, and she, as always, is giving us 100/10 in the vocals department.
34. The Edge of Glory
Born This Way
If you were a big fan of the vocal smokeshow in A Star Is Born, and were left wondering “since when” Lady Gaga has been able to sing like that, allow me to introduce you to the entire rest of her catalog. Starting with “The Edge of Glory”.
This is classic Born This Way, and it’s classic Lady Gaga. It’s energetic enough to dance to, but it gives her enough space to show off her vocal range and strength a little as she pushes upwards with “the edge, the edge, the edge, the edge.” Plus, it was released as a single and is fairly well-known on pop radio stations, so you have a pretty decent chance of hearing it while out and about at your local hair salon or pizza parlor. Bonus!
33. John Wayne
Joanne
“John Wayne” helps Gaga illustrate the other main theme of the Joanne era: cowboys are cool and sexy. And she’s right.
32. Orange Colored Sky
A Very Gaga Holiday
I wish they put this one on Cheek to Cheek! I wish they put this one on Cheek to Cheek! I wish they put this one on Cheek to Cheek! Arrgh! She does such a great job with it, and it would’ve been nice to hear her and Tony duet with it. Still, I love this performance of it, and she sounds great with the trumpet (Brian Newman, of course).
31. The Fame
The Fame
Finally, the title song! Just like the album and Gaga era that it named, “The Fame” is here for a good time, not a long time. The bouncy, clean, and beach-y guitar that appears throughout the album is front-and-center here. I love the nod to the David Bowie song of the same name, in the little riff during the chorus.
30. Electric Chapel
Born This Way
The electric guitar riff at the beginning is cool as hell. It makes sixteen-year-old-me want to flip a table over. Or, more likely, daydream about flipping over a table as I listen to it on the bus.
29. Your Song
N/A
Lady Gaga’s friendship and occasional musical partnership with Elton dates all the way back to The Fame era in the late 2000’s, and it’s clear that she has taken inspiration from his work as a performer. I love that she covered one of his songs like this as a tribute to him.
28. Scheiße
Born This Way
“Scheiße” is Born This Way royalty. It is SO. Good. And, as if it hadn’t given us enough already, it also brought forth the most legendary fan performance of all time:
I absolutely love this video. The song is SO good for dancing, and the fact that this fan was killing the game so hard that Gaga invited them on stage? It’s just perfect. I. LOVE. This. Video.
27. But Beautiful
Cheek to Cheek
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. What else is there to say? She’s incredible.
26. & 25. The Chromatica Singles: Stupid Love & Rain On Me
Chromatica
Because Chromatica has not been officially released yet, I was hesitant to include “Stupid Love” and “Rain On Me” in this ranking, but I still wanted to mention them. “Rain On Me” gets the lead for now (“RAIN……..ON……ME!”), but the competition was incredibly close.
If the rest of the album is anything like these two, we’re in for a really good time. I love the 80’s energy, I love the return to a more electronic sound, I LOVE that she did a collab with Ariana, and I’m so, so, so unbelievably excited for the full album.
24. Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)
The Fame
If you’ve heard this song, you might be wondering what it’s doing so high on the list. It’s one of the lesser-known, lesser-liked songs on The Fame Monster, and it’s a tough crowd there for standing out. Sure, it might not be the strongest song, lyrically or melodically, but I’m absolutely obsessed with the music video. Go watch it right now.
Tell me you don’t want someone to cook you some pasta while you lay around in bed and sing to your enormous great danes. Get it, woman, you’re living the dream.
23. Donatella
ARTPOP
I can’t tell if I like “Donatella” because it’s a bop, or because I’m just nostalgic for the gory glamor of The Fame. Either way, it’s definitely one of the stronger ARTPOP tracks. In fact, it actually reminds me of…
22. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
The Fame
…”Beautiful, Dirty, Rich,” which did the whole “messy young socialite” thing first. I’ve already said it so much about all the other Fame songs, but it bears repeating: this era was undefeated.
21. Shallow
A Star Is Born
“Shallow” will surely be remembered in one of those “100 greatest Hollywood songs of all time” compilations in the years to come. Kudos to Bradley and Gaga for the very believeable chemistry, too. If you don’t feel the overwhelming urge to belt “I’M OFF THE DEEP END, WATCH AS I DIVE IN, I’LL NEVER MEEEEEET THE GROUUUUUND” along with her, you are lying. Whether it’s sung on the stage at the Oscars, or in a London train station, this song so incredibly iconic.
20. Alejandro
The Fame Monster
This is the perfect karaoke song. Not only is it easy to sing along with, but it has that violin and the incredible spoken opening that you can ham up on stage. The Fame Monster, much like its predecessor The Fame, knew drama like no other. This is textbook Gaga, and I’m living for it.
19. Just Dance
The Fame
If you aren’t a big Lady Gaga history aficionado, I highly recommend watching a little bit of the Ikea Parking Lot performance. In late 2008, as she was starting to gain traction in pop culture, Gaga performed a small benefit concert for Rady’s Childrens’ Hospital of San Diego…in an Ikea parking lot. She performed a handful of her early songs, and “Just Dance” was one of them.
“Just Dance” was the single that made her famous, and it’s not just about the song. The Ikea Parking Lot performance shows the true keys to Gaga’s success: her belief in herself, her skill as a performer, and her commitment to her art form. Yes, the stage is small, and yes, it’s kind of weird that it’s in front of an Ikea, but you wouldn’t know it by the performance. Gaga sings and dances like she’s playing at a sold-out Madison Square Garden. Her fame was not luck: it was the product of her hard work.
18. A-YO
Joanne
“A-YO” is pure joy. It’s exciting, it’s energetic, and it really just makes you want to dance.
17. Yoü and I
Born This Way
The slower songs on the pop albums are usually criminally underrated. “Yoü and I” did get a decent amount of attention as a single release. Unfortunately, its quasi-predecessor, “Speechless,” did not.
16. Speechless
The Fame Monster
Both have a very similar sound, and both are comparatively more mellow than the rest of their respective albums. Gaga seems to be singing to someone specific. She describe little snippets of relationships that are hinted to have fallen apart. I think it’s very romantic, and with powerful choruses like this, the sing-along potential is high.
15. Bloody Mary
Born This Way
The simple pizzicato violin in the beginning is haunting. She really excels in the intersection of spooky and dancey, and this song is a great example. She should make a Halloween album.
14. Brown Eyes
The Fame
“Brown Eyes” is the “slow” song for the Fame, and it’s quite pretty. It really makes me wish that some of her very early songs, which have a very similar sound, were released on an official studio album. I mean, “Wonderful,” “Future Love,” HELLO?? For now, I’ll just have to listen to “Brown Eyes” and think about what could’ve been.
13. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
Cheek to Cheek
This song was a bonus track for the iTunes deluxe edition of Cheek to Cheek, and what a bonus it is. Gaga honors both the original Cher and the iconic Nancy Sinatra recordings, while still incorporating her own flair for the dramatic. I think this song choice was spot on for her. She starts calmly, and builds the tension up to belt through an incredible ending. It’s excellent.
12. LoveGame
The Fame
LET’S PLAY A LOVE GAME, PLAY A LOVE GAME, DO YOU WANT LOVE, DO YOU WANT FAME, ARE YOU IN THE GAME? THE LOVE GAME!
11. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
Cheek to Cheek
If there was still any trace of doubt about Gaga’s raw abilities as a musician, take a listen to “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.” Her voice! Her skill! Give this woman another Grammy!
10. Joanne
Joanne
Gaga hasn’t necessarily shied away from writing personal songs, but underneath the layers of cowboy chic, the Joanne era contains some of her most personal music to date. The titular “Joanne” is one of them.
Lady Gaga’s aunt, Joanne Stefani Germanotta, passed away from Lupus several years before Gaga was born. While it is likely a much more complicated and personal issue for her and her family, from an outsider’s perspective, the song is a beautiful tribute. It’s incredibly elegant in its simplicity.
9. Lush Life
Cheek to Cheek
The famous Billy Strayhorn standard is notoriously difficult to sing, but you wouldn’t know it by listening to Gaga. It’s rare to hear her showcase her vocal strength depth the way she does here, and it’s absolutely exquisite.
8. Paparazzi
The Fame
Oh, “Paparazzi” is so good. If you haven’t seen any recordings of her live performances from the Fame years, please take a moment now to watch her performance of this song at the 2009 VMAs — if you don’t want to watch the whole thing, skip ahead to the reveal at 3:10 to get what I’m talking about:
The CHOREOGRAPHY. The SOCIAL COMMENTARY. The MID-2000’s HOT-TOPIC PANACHE of it all! If you dig it, I also recommend the music video, which is equally grim and delightful. If it’s not your thing, congratulations on never having a emo phase. Either way, though, you really have to respect the artistry.
7. MANiCURE
ARTPOP
The diamond in the rough of ARTPOP is “MANiCURE” for sure. The stomp-clap and electric guitar feel like a breath of fresh air in an album drowning in its own EDM beats. The double entendre of manicure / man-cure is an instant classic.
6. Telephone
The Fame Monster
Collaborations are — or at least, were, in the pre-Chromatica era– relatively rare for Gaga. Several of the ones that do exist, like “Jewels n’ Drugs,” “Do What U Want,” and “Hey Girl”, can be a little more lackluster compared to the rest of the catalog. “Telephone”, however, completely bucks the trend. Although they have very different musical aesthetics, Gaga and Beyoncé’s voices blend beautifully together.
And, if this was a ranking of just her music videos, it would easily make the top three: Beyoncé and Gaga poisoning an entire diner and driving out into the sunset together is near impossible to beat. The incredible costumes, the plot, the dancing, everything is just perfect. I love “Telephone”. I love it so much.
5. Summerboy
The Fame
Fresh. Campy. Absolutely delightful. If it were a drink, it’d be strawberry daiquiri. If it were a food, it’d be funfetti cake. If it were a notebook, sticker, or pencil case from the late 90’s, it would certainly be Lisa Frank. It’s just so much fun.
Similar to “Eh, Eh,” Gaga’s voice is breathy with just a pinch of valley-girl, but here, her lyrics connect the song to the themes in the rest of the album. The “trophy wife with a dark secret” aesthetic is prevalent in several of her Fame songs and music videos, and “Summerboy” fits right in with it. I just want to lounge by a pool in the sun somewhere and listen to it on repeat.
4. Poker Face
The Fame
While “Just Dance” was her first officially released single, “Poker Face” was the one that truly cemented her celebrity status. Its release skyrocketed her from a one-hit wonder to a bonafide pop star, and it’s practically become synonymous with her whole brand. Here, too, the music video is worth a watch: the outfits! The SERVE!!
3. Teeth
The Fame Monster
I, and I cannot stress this enough, am obsessed with this song. I have been since I first heard it. What an absolute banger. The driving beat will carry you straight from “what even is this?” to “where has this been all my life?” in sixty seconds or less.
Like several of the Gaga songs I’ve included in the top 10, Teeth is deeply underrated. It was never released as a single (it was robbed), and it only charted in the UK, where it peaked at 107 (it charted at #1 in my heart). Thankfully, however, the internationally revered music buffs they have working at Discovery Channel have used it in their promos for Shark Week, and that’s a decent consolation prize.
2. Disco Heaven
The Fame
Speaking of underrated: “Disco Heaven” is literally one of the best songs in her catalogue, and it was literally a bonus track.
The steady pulse of the bass and guitar together is absolutely electrifying. It’s catchy, it feels good to listen to, you don’t need to think about it, you just need to dance. While I don’t want to discredit Gaga’s ability to write emotional, personal lyrics, she really excels at creating music just for the sake of a good time.
“Disco Heaven” is also a major reason to be excited for Chromatica. Fan rumors, hints from the woman herself, and the official release of “Stupid Love” all point towards this latest album being a disco rager, and this is the place where Gaga thrives. As of right now, it remains to be seen what Chromatica will be like, but if it’s even a little bit of a return to the Fame era, it’s going to be GREAT.
1. Bad Romance
The Fame Monster
“Bad Romance” is truly the paramount achievement of Lady Gaga’s career so far. The beat is bouncy, the lyrics are memorable yet still slightly mysterious, the vocals are on point, and the music video is, for lack of a better word, freaky-deaky.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve listened to it over the past decade, and I still feel like I hear something else that I never noticed before — there’s just so much to love. The little xylophone tapping a triplet and eighth note every couple of measures. The Alfred Hitchcock references. The bridge, which is in French for absolutely no reason at all. The way she absolutely kills it coming back off the bridge into the chorus. Whether listening to it over the speakers in a grocery store on studio-quality headphones, it feels like a new song each time.
In summary: Lady Gaga is talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique. Don’t forget to buy Chromatica this Friday — I’m almost certain these rankings will need to change. ◆
