Oh. My. God. I love the "Bad Romance" video so hard. And I love it even more now that I've broken it down frame-by-frame and discovered the underlying themes and hidden meanings. Let's begin:
Fade in. Ms. Gaga, ever the generous host, is just chilling with her minions, listening to music.
She is wearing her razor-blade sunglasses, because a girl can never be too careful. The world assaults us with images! We must fight back! (Or, as she told MTV News: "I wanted to design a pair for some of the toughest chicks and some of my girlfriends - don't do this at home! - they used to keep razor blades in the side of their mouths… That tough female spirit is something that I want to project. It's meant to be, 'This is my shield, this is my weapon, this is my inner sense of fame, this is my monster.") I certainly hope you're taking notes.
FYI: Motherboard, barbed wire or fine screen door mesh manicures are the new hot shit. Adjust accordingly.
Suddenly, there's a flash of light.
A room! With Ukranian vodka! This must be a dream. Or a nightmare?
Coffin-like pods line the floor. Note the one which reads "Monster," as therein lies our heroine.
By the way: Since The Lady refers to her creative team as the Haus of Gaga, this scenario, naturally, takes place in the Bath Haus of Gaga.
The Lady emerges, wrapped up for freshness.
It's important to loosen up the joints and muscles after being transported — nay, kidnapped — into a questionable dimension. Working out with friends keeps you motivated.
Speeding through a hole in the time/space continuum often leaves a layer of grime. Bathing is a must.
Here, her eyes are wide with knowledge, not fear: She is a captive!
Product placement! Did you know that Dr. Dre, who has his own Beats By Dre headphones, worked with The Lady to make Heartbeats by Lady Gaga?
Back to the story: Gaga is ripped from the bath by her captors.
She is really just an innocent young thing, what could they possibly want with her?
Well, first they'd like to strip her of her latex garments…
…Then they'd like to force imported vodka down her throat. The usual Tuesday night stuff.
Fueled by liquor, Gaga is trussed up in a sparkly ensemble, robbed of her Burberry overcoat and forced to dance.
So many male bidders, so little time!
The Man With The Gold Chin Strap takes an interest in Ms. Gaga. Gold+Man= Goldman? As in Goldman Sachs? Is Gaga part of the bailout package?
Her brain aches; she must make a choice. She can flee. Sure. But she can also stay and dance her ass off, use this man the way he wants to use her. She could really, really use the money, you see…
…She's got a little problem with her spine. And Oxford won't cover the surgery.
So she dances. She seduces him because she has to. And because she can.
According to The Woman's Dictionary Of Symbols & Sacred Objects, the bond between cats and women has always been strong. There was a time that the patriarchy, suspicious of this connection, would accuse any woman seen talking to or petting a cat of witchcraft. Cats were sacred to the Ancient Egyptians, and festivals for the the cat goddess Bast were huge. The Norse goddess Freya rode in a chariot drawn by cats, and felines were generally thought to be magic. So save your shaved pussy jokes until the end.
Oooh, looky! Our favorite ankle-snapping Alexander McQueen shoes from his Spring 2010 show in paris. You know, the Futuristic Interplanetary Mutant Alien Queen one. Not Derelicte In Wonderland… that's so Fall 2009.
If you saw the McQueen ensembles and thought to yourself, "Who wears that? Now you know.
Anyway: Gaga drags herself and her bear carcass peignoir to do what she knows she must do.
Mr. Goldman awaits, hand creeping toward his stimulus package.
He'd like to see what he's purchased.
She's happy to oblige.
But! Little does he know — she has power, strength, and can, like a young Drew Barrymore, start fires with her mind.
(See, she has already informed the others that there will be a revolt! That's where the red and the leather come in: Viva La Revolucion!)
Yes, the bed is aflame. Fire can be symbolic of passion, but in this case, she is using it as a weapon, to destroy her enemy.
In the end, her sparkbra is saved, but Mr. Goldman? He is merely a charred skeleton.
The moral: Buy flame-retardant lingerie.
Here's the video clip, sans commentary. Enjoy.
Lady Gaga Says 'Bad Romance' Video Is About 'Tough Female Spirit' [MTV News]
Bad Romance Exclusive Premiere [Facebook]
Lady Gaga Bad Romance [YouTube]
Earlier: Questions About The High Fashion & Domestic Violence In Lady GaGa's Video
An Analysis Of The Underlying Themes In Britney's New Candie's Commerical