Lady Gaga Explains The True Meaning Of “Applause,” Sort Of

Sam Lansky | September 18, 2013 9:54 am

Searching for meaning in Lady Gaga‘s new single “Applause”? Don’t turn to the annals of history — nostalgia’s for geeks, remember! — just look no further than Mother Monster’s Twitter for an explanation.

The superstar took to Twitter earlier today to share some thoughts and feelings about the song’s meaning at the intersection of art and celebrity.

Let’s take a closer look.

Good! The self-seriousness of the song isn’t entirely sincere — it’s social commentary. Very meta, Gaga. I’m on board. It’s a response to those who might say that celebrities aren’t in it for purely artistic reasons.

Wait, so she’s a celebrity first, and an artist second, and requires the platform of celebrity in order to promote her artistry? Okay, that follows, sort of.

So the song is about using the platform of celebrity to promote her artistry, and getting the applause required to see whether she’s been successful in doing so? But doesn’t that make the song sincere?

So it’s not satirical, because she does live for the applause (plause plause), but she’s not like celebrities who do that, because she’s an artist.

And there you have it.

Or, in other words:

And then, just when she’s beginning to try our patience with all the philosophizing, she redeems it with something so sweet and genuine it’s irresistible.

Oh, Gaga. Never change.

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