Lady Gaga's Born This Way Vs. Madonna's Express Yo

A lot of people seem to think Gaga's new single Born This Way sounds almost exactly like Madonna's Express Yourself song. There are a few similarities, but they're relatively minor to the entire thing. I personally think Gaga's song is brilliant. Music wise, it's a home run. No one can carry a hook like Lady Gaga or even write like Lady Gaga. This song is gonna sell big and it's about get raped by nightclubs across the globe. With all due respect to Madonna, Express Yourself shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Gaga's latest monster. Well, judge for yourself.

They sure DO sound very similar don't they? Does Madonna have a lawsuit? BTW, was Madonna at the Grammys?



TIS

There is A HUGE difference between the two songs. Did you listen to them both separately? I don't understand what people are saying here. There is no way this is a rip-off. Everyone knows Lady Gaga was influenced by several artists, including Madonna, but all artists are influenced by other artists. There seems to be some sort of rivalry going on between Madonna fans and Lady Gaga fans and by the looks of it, that is what is going on here. I've never understood this. Madonna is to me, the greatest female recording artist of our time. As good as Gaga is, she has not gone where Madonna has gone.

But no Madonna was not at The Emmys. I don't think she's ever been at The Emmys. I think you meant The Grammys though lol, but no she wasn't there either.

Yes, I did mean Grammys. I only listened to Lady Gaga's song because having two daughters who were die hard Madonna fans, I am very familiar with Madonna's song.

You can't see a resemblance? They were talking about this on the radio this morning.



TIS

The resemblance that I notice doesn't make the song. Yeah there are certain parts where I can see why some people might think it sounds a little like Gaga's song, but to me it isn't significant. The direction is completely different. The tempo is different, they both sing it differently and while the melody may be similar when you consider the difference in tempo, it still isn't the same. Madonna's song has a very stable melody throughout almost the entire thing, but Gaga's melody is taking several turns. Almost jumping with her vocals.

Vinny,

I am not sure what constitutes a lawsuit in this kind of case, but do know there have been many regarding song ripoffs in past years.

Earlier this year, our local radio station had a story on Katy Perry and her song "California Girls." During the song, I think it is Snoop Dog, who says, "I wish they all could be California Girls."

They talked about how The Beach Boys might file a lawsuit. They interviewed Brian Wilson on the phone and he said he liked the song and had no intention of filing a lawsuit on his part but couldn't comment on the record company or anyone else. Anyway, I don't know if he'd have a case or not because it was only that one line of the song that was discussed. Then again.....a Beach Boy could say that the BB "Own that phrase" no?

TIS

I really doubt The Beach Boys have a case here. It would have to be a little more significant than this one line. I just don't see any sane judge going forward with a case like that. As for Madonna, I really don't know. There seems to be a lot of people who think Gaga ripped her off, so there maybe enough room for a lawsuit. I just hope Madonna does the right thing and lets this be. Gaga isn't here to replace Madonna. No one will ever replace Madonna.

Vinny,

I don't know either. I have heard this GaGa story all morning on the radio, but have not heard that it concerns Madonna or if she will file a lawsuit.

To me, I see a similarity but have no idea what a judge would consider for it to be a "ripoff" of another song. Maybe one of our lawyers (DT & Kly) here would know.

Actually, I don't have music by her, but I don't mind Gaga.

TIS

I haven't seen it for myself, but apparently Madonna on her YouTube page had just uploaded her MTV VMA performance of "Express" from back in the day.

A subtle swipe?

Yeah I noticed that too. It doesn't have to be on her orders, but I have a feeling it is. She's active on the internet.

Quite frankly, and this from somebody that never was a fan of hers....I'm siding w/ Mrs. Ex-Sean Penn on this one.

I'm reminded back in the late 1990s when then-current "shock singer" Marilyn Manson was being outrageous on stage and off, and the great Alice Cooper in a hilarious interview knocked him down a few pegs for his lack of originality.

So yeah Madonna Louise Ciccone, go ahead and jab that newcomer a tab.

Oh really lol. This is just amazing to me. I actually consider myself a bigger fan of Madonna than Gaga, but on this one, I'm most certainly pulling for Gaga. If two songs that are THIS different from each other can spark a lawsuit, then Bob Dylan should sue Ice-T for stealing his entire material.

As for Alice Cooper. That guy is laughable. Where is he today? Marilyn Manson has proven to be a much better musician than Alice Cooper. Album sales, tours, fan base, all of it makes Alice Cooper look like a struggling nobody.

Well I got great news. It looks as if Madonna is agreeing with me here. Coming from a very reliable source, she is supporting Gaga's single 100%.

Now sip some Cristal and celebrate

when I first heard the title of the song, I thought it was remake of the Sylvester song "Born This Way".

You'd be hard pressed to find a completely original artist from the last 30 years. Madonna,herself, is influenced by many old artists and entertainers. The most clear one is Josephine Baker.


and I don't know how many people here remember, but Madonna lifted the track for "Justify My Love" directly from a Public Enemy record.

When I heard that Lady Gaga had a song, "Born This Way," I thought it was a reference to the fct that she has...well, let's just say that she leaves the toilet seat up occasionally.