Lady Gaga emerged in late 2008 as one of the most promising new pop stars. In just three years she amassed eleven consecutive top 10 pop hit singles including three that went all the way to #1. The visual art of music video has always accompanied her musical creations. This is a guide to her top 10 music videos.
10. "Just Dance" (2008)
Photo courtesy Interscope
Directed by Melina Matsoukas
Lady Gaga and her dancers arrive at a party that seems to have ended and kick things back in high gear. There are cameo appearances here by Colby O'Donis, Akon, and her DJ Space Cowboy. That blue lightning bolt beneath Lady Gaga's right eye is a tribute to her idol David Bowie.
9. "Judas" (2011)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Lady Gaga and Lauriann Gibson
Lady Gaga's single "Judas" performed less well commercially than her previous hits, but it still managed a brief appearance in the top 10. The music video recreates elements of the Jesus and Judas story with motorcycle gangs.
8. "Born This Way" (2011)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Nick Knight
The music video for Lady Gaga's #1 smash hit "Born This Way" is a conceptual piece about the birth of good and evil and their eternal battle. Beyond the concept, however, it is centered on dancing. The clip is a feast for the eyes and moves in a different visual direction from all Lady Gaga music videos that came before. Our attention remains riveted on what Lady Gaga will do next.
7. "Alejandro" (2010)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Steven Klein
Famed fashion photographer Steven Klein was enlisted to direct Lady Gaga's music video for "Alejandro." Lady Gaga saw the clip as a "celebration and admiration of gay love." Much of the dancing is seen as inspired by the musical Cabaret and choreographer Bob Fosse. The music video generated some controversy due to its use of religious imagery particularly a segment of Lady Gaga ingesting rosary beads.
6. "Marry the Night" (2011)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Lady Gaga
The epic "Marry the Night" video is an autobiographical effort directed by Lady Gaga herself. It details life changing events that ultimately led to her signing as a recording artist. The clip is over 13 minutes long with an extended introduction taking place in a psychiatric clinic.
5. "You and I" (2011)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Lauriann Gibson
Filmed in Springfield, Nebraska, the music video for "You and I" is one of Lady Gaga's most complex. She said, "The video is quite complex in the way that the story is told, and it's meant to be slightly linear and slightly twisted and confusing, which is the way that love is." It was celebrated as a return to perform in being a visual feast for the eyes and containing sometimes bizarre but ultimately fascinating elements.
4. "Paparazzi" (2009)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Jonas Akerlund
Lady Gaga's music videos took another step forward here in artistic achievement. She co-stars with Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard in a tale of love, conflict, and revenge. Along the way is stunning, colorful imagery that makes it very difficult to turn away even when the content is disturbing. The story here is continued in the "Telephone" video.
3. "Poker Face" (2008)
Photo courtesy Interscope
Directed by Ray Kay
Lady Gaga's emergence from a swimming pool wearing a silver metallic harlequin mask at the opening of this video is iconic. The music video received four MTV Video Awards nominations and won Best New Artist.
2. "Telephone" (2010)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Jonas Akerlund
The music video for "Telephone" continues the story begun in "Paparazzi" but everything is just bigger and more grand. Homages to Quentin Tarantino and Madonna are included. The basic plot line is that Beyonce breaks Lady Gaga out of prison and the pair continue on a crime spree. The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards. It won Best Collaboration but lost Video of the Year to "Bad Romance."
1. "Bad Romance" (2009)
Courtesy Interscope
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Lady Gaga's music video for "Bad Romance" is one of the most acclaimed of all time. It received 10 MTV Video Music Awards nominations and won seven of those. In addition it received the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Video. The basic story in the clip is that Lady Gaga is kidnapped by a group of supermodels, drugged, and sold to the Russian mafia. Along the way the visuals and dancing are consistently stunning.
