Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” Lyrics Meaning

Let’s be frank. Fundamentally speaking, Christianity and homosexuality do not agree. According to Biblical statutes dating back to the days of old, men having romantic relationships with other men is something which the Law strongly disapproves of. 

Well since around the turn of the century when homosexuality began to become more commonly practiced and even encouraged in Western society, this reality of course resulted in ideological issues. And that is because Christianity, which is foundationally based on the selfsame law, also happens to be the dominant religion and fundamental belief system of Western society. 

Actually it is that dichotomy, if you will, which Lady Gaga is trying to rectify, as she establishes from the onset that she too is a believer in God.

And the way she sees it is that ultimately God loves us all. This is a belief which was instilled in her since childhood by her mother. Apparently this was not within the context of homosexuality but rather in terms of encouraging the vocalist to always love herself as is. That is to say that God ‘made her perfect’. And most simply put, she has carried this belief into adulthood. And in the song “Born This Way”, she is extending it onto the gay community, whom she obviously identifies or at least sympathizes with.

Lyrics of “Born This Way”

The aforementioned idea comes forth most expressedly in the interlude, as in the featured message of this passage being directly intended for gay men. But as for the chorus, it centers on Lady Gaga espousing self-acceptance in general. Or let’s say this song is premised on the notion that one’s sexual orientation is part of their natural makeup. And as such, it should be accepted just as with, say an individual’s body image.

The second verse also extends this theme beyond the realm of homosexuality but still features a reference to such a lifestyle. So another premise we can say this song is based on is sort equating homosexuality with other characteristics one may possess that make him or her an outcast. For instance, in the breakdown, as has also become a widespread practice in Western society, the vocalist puts being gay within the same category as being non-White, disabled, bullied or what have you. 

In other words, all of such individuals are minorities or the oppressed, if you will, within the context of mainstream society.

So this track definitely has a religious quality to it. Indeed based on the intro it is even intended to be, to some express. But it is not one in the traditional sense of such a designation. And why? Because it centers on people like Lady Gaga having been able to make peace with being both a believer and LGBT. 

And the way she has done so is by finding a middle ground between two opposing practices. On the Biblical side, she is citing the general love that God has for mankind. And on the LGBT side, she acknowledges that she was “born this way”, i.e. homosexuality or what have you being her natural disposition.

Did Lady Gaga write “Born This Way”?

Yes. Gaga wrote this hit tune with Jeppe Laursen. She and Laursen were also responsible for producing the song. They were assisted in that regard by the following music producers:

• Fernando Garibay
• DJ White Shadow

What musical genre is “Born This Way”?

It is purely an electropop song.

When was “Born This Way” released?

February the 11th of 2011 was when Lady Gaga and her management officially released this tune. It was the first single from her sophomore album, which is also titled “Born This Way”.

Awards/Honors

The song’s video picked up two awards at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2011. That same year, it won the “Best Song” category at the MTV Europe Music Award.

Within just five days of being released, “Born This Way” sold more than one million copies on iTunes alone. This feat was historic. Actually it entered into the Guinness World Records. Gaga became the record holder of the “Fastest-selling Song/Single” in the entire history of iTunes.

Chart Performance

“Born This Way” scored a number one in the United States (the Hot 100). Outside of the U.S., it also achieved the same remarkable feat in at least 7 other major regions.

• US – 1
• UK – 3
• New Zealand – 1
• Ireland – 1
• Germany – 1
• France – 2
• Finland – 1
• Denmark – 2
• Canada – 1
• Belgium – 1
• Australia – 1

Controversies

Many have criticized the track for being too similar to “Express Yourself”, a 1989 single by Madonna.

Popular Covers

Since coming out in 2011, “Born This Way” has been covered by a plethora of artists and bands. Some of these names include:

• “Weird Al” Yankovic (2011)
• Glee Cast (2011)
• Karmin (2011)
• Leo (2018)
• Maria Aragon (2011)
• Sweet Little Band (2011)
• The Key of Awesome (2011)

Sampling

Below are just a handful of artists that have sampled “Born This Way”:

• DJ Earworm in the 2011 song “World Go Boom”
• Ital in the 2012 song “Doesn’t Matter)”
• Jon Lajoie in 2011’s “F–k Everything”
• The Chipmunks in 2011’s “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now/Firework”

The “Born This Way” Album

Born This Way was a song released in February 2011 by American sensational singer and actress Lady Gaga as the lead single from her second studio album, Born This Way. 

This eponymous lead single was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from fans and critics, and most people attribute the album’s success to the attention it gained. Gaga collaborated with producer Fernando Garibay on the writing and production of the album. The pair received assistance from other artists including Moroccan-Swedish songwriter and producer RedOne.

The album debuted in the top five albums of numerous major music charts worldwide, including the Billboard 200. In addition, it sold over one million copies in its first week in the United States, making it one of the best first-week album sales at that time.

Again, at 99 cents, the album’s sales within its first two days on Amazon were estimated to be around 440,000 copies. Four of the album’s songs, thus, Born This Way, Judas, The Edge of Glory, and You and I, all reached in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 list, and the lead single “Born This Way” became the 1,000th song to reach the top position since the chart’s inception in 1958.

Due to its sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersectional feminist elements, the General Secretary Department of Lebanon temporarily banned the album because they regarded it as bad taste and a mockery of Christianity.