Ray's Crazy World

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

2011-03-01T22:16:00.001+02:00

Lady Gaga's video for Born This Way, the first version, was released yesterday. If you haven't seen it yet then congratulations on getting yourself a shiny rock to hide under. I say first version because there will be another video for an acapella version of the song. All of Gaga's proceeds from this second video will go towards a charity, I'm guessing something LGBT related. If you can't wait and must have a Gaga branded item but also want to donate to charity buy her Viva Glam lipstick from MAC.

Back to the video, it seems that people don't really get it, at least none of my classmates did. While I was glowing with joy they were confused. I thought I should write a blog post (since it's been a while) explaining my take on the video and what I understood from it.

In the first ten second of the video there's a pink upside down triangle. That was a Nazi sign they applied on homosexuals in concentration camps. It symbolizes the present.

After that the story begins, and since it's harder to follow a story that you hear, here's a transcript of the 'plot'.

This is the manifesto of Mother Monster: On G.O.A.T, a Government Owned Alien Territory in space, a birth of magnificent and magical proportions took place. But the birth was not finite. It was infinite. As the wombs numbered and the mitosis of the future began, it was perceived that this infamous moment in life is not temporal, it is eternal. And thus began the beginning of the new race, a race within the race of humanity, a race which bares no prejudice, no judgment but boundless freedom. But on that same day, as the eternal mother hovered in the mulitverse, another more terrifying birth took place, the birth of evil. And as she herself split into two. Rotating in agony between two ultimate forces, the pendulum of choice began its dance. It seems easy you imagine to gravitate instantly and unwaveringly towards good. But she wondered, “How can I protect something so perfect without evil?

Now let me explain. The next few scenes depict the birth of the new race with the before mentioned characteristics. It's actually referring to little monsters, Gaga's loyal fans, who are usually so open minded they bear no prejudice, no judgment and have boundless freedom. You can see the birth itself as well as the hatching place (the heads).

Problem is that with the birth of the new race a new form of evil was born as well. This is most likely referring to religious fanatics and other soulless bodies that only bear hatred in their empty hearts. Evil is trying to harm the pure ones. The final question is how can she protect her little monster without evil, without hating and harming others just like they are harming her children.

At the two minute mark her fully grown children, the new race makes its appearance. Speaking of which, the 'horns' are the distinctive mark of the new race, and they are gorgeous I think. This is when the song starts. It doesn't matter if love him or capital Him, him is a person while Him is God. The birth of the new race took place out of God's will and hence God makes no mistakes, I'm on the right track, I'm beautiful in my way.

The lyrics are empowering on the same lane as the video and its plot. The third eye on her chin helps make another upside down triangle.

You might not understand why there is so much dance and joy in the video and I'll tell you that you're down right stupid if so. Can't you hear that you must accept yourself, love yourself and rejoice!? It is the dance of happiness, unity and love (hence it ends with a huge group hug as the new race has a tight bound in itself).

Another issue might be with the Don't be a drag, just be a queen verse. I must say that it has nothing to do with drag queens, it is not against them. It must rather be interpreted as an advice to keep your dignity and chip up high and not stop others who know what they are doing.

Then there's the whole Rico, the human zombie boy, scene. His tattoos are real while Gaga's aren't. I'm still not sure as to how to interpret it but I think it has something to do with versatility, hence the formal outfit which is in contract with the rebellious nature of ink on skin. Gaga has admitted that Willow Smith inspired her to whip her hair back and forth.

The birthing scene is back as the mitosis is infinite. My favorite moment is at the 5:34 mark when evil makes a strong comeback after another scene from its birth. Synchronized hand movement depicts the fact that the new race acts as one and supports each other, motif strengthened by the group hug.

The video ends on a high note as Gaga pays tribute to the King and Queen of Pop, Michael Jackson and Madonna. In the end the triangle is the right side up, symbolizing the fact that there is no wrong, creating a visual for the entire record while establishing a contrast with the beginning of the video.

The final frames of the music video depict Gaga popping a bubble gum balloon, only to get a message across, a passage from her Anderson Cooper interview on 60 minutes: People take me both too seriously and not seriously enough. I hope someone still remembers my seriously phase. In the same interview she declared the following: I just don't care what people think of me to be perfectly blunt.

What's your take on the video? I think it's an either love it or hate it thing.

PS: Happy Birthday Lela!

53rd Grammy Awards

2011-02-14T20:37:00.000+02:00

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards were yesterday...yeah...

You can see the full list of nominees and winners at Grammy.com/nominees

Lady...Antebellum took home most of the gramophones, four to be exact, though the other Lady, Gaga took home three. The group swept the country side of the awards plus the Song and Record categories while Gaga nabbed their Pop counterparts plus the short form video award for Bad Romance. Gaga wasn't even in their categories so I ain't even mad. However Arcade fire taking home the grammy for album of the year is...painful. Looks like neither Gaga's nor Eminem's huge sales had any word in the decision. Next year though Born This Way better fucking break records in number of trophies. And here's the only performance that actually matters:

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

2011-02-11T14:15:00.000+02:00

I've been sitting here with the new post tab opened for over an hour now trying to write my opinion on Lady Gaga's freshly released Born This Way single. I'm sorry but words simply cannot express how wonderful, epic, great, awesome, strong, important, moving, motivating, inspiring this song is. Just fucking hit play below and start trippin'. You better be fucking ready for Sunday's Grammy performance and future video (which has already been shot). It will break records. Make history. Change lives.

Rihanna - S&M

2011-02-01T23:28:00.000+02:00

Rihanna has just set free her latest video for S&M, the first track from her latest album, Loud. The video is great, some people even call it her best video to date and I think they might be right. It's definitely interesting and suits the song well. In my opinion the video breaks into several acts, each of them discussed below.

The Crazy Room

The first scene of the video is shot in the pink zebra walled room. I think this is a literal representation of the depiction the press is making in magazines and on the web. I am pretty sure there's a man dressed as Gaga in there, that blonde is probably Britney and I'm sure Katy is hiding in there somewhere.

The Press Conference

Rihanna is dragged and pinned to a wall which I believe represents the fact that she is forcefully watched by the public eye, being put in a window display. The reporters are misinterpreting what she says, exactly how it usually happens, dramatizing events, ignoring the context and selling lies. Sensationalism. The reporters are wearing ball gags for the same reason Rihanna is having fun. This entire video is to prove that even though it's something you shouldn't enjoy, some people get pleasure doing it, hence the lyrics.

The good dog on the front yard

Perez is a known gossiper, he runs one of the webs juiciest celeb stories website. He is in a leash, Rihanna clearly controlling him. This shows that Rihanna does sometimes have control of the media and may stir that fire herself sometimes. She shows that she can play nice.

The prisoners

Unlike the last scene, Rihanna is now holding the paparazzi hostage.However she is still having fun, hence the popcorn. It seems as if it's her turn to watch what they are doing.

The headlines

How many silly stories do the reporters write? Enough to fill and entire room, who needs painting when you can just stick articles about you on the walls. You can see some pretty ridiculous headlines scrolling over her.

The clowns

Rihanna rook a more literal approach in portraying the media now by dressing them as the clowns that they are. Oh the silly things some people would do for a good story. The final shot portrays Riri just the way media usually does.

And to end things on a high note here's a Riri joke:

Rihanna : Oh na na, What's my name?

Person : Why are you asking what your name is?

Rihanna : Shut up and drive.

Person : Who do you think you are!?

Rihanna : Only girl in the world.

Person : Well you're not.

Rihanna : I love the way you lie.

Nicki Minaj - Moment 4 Life

2011-01-29T14:44:00.000+02:00

Recently I started listening to Nicki's Pink Friday album and I can't say that I regret it. At first I did not entirely dig the whole rapping thing, too much usually irritates me. However the album has some amazing instrumentals that them alone make the album worth giving a spin. If you want some more Nicki I recommend checking out I'm the best, Save me, Fly (features Rihanna) and Last Chance (features Natasha Bedingfield).

Moving on to her current single, Moment 4 Life. It features the Oh na na, what's his name? Drake. Recently it got the video treatment, the right way. In the video the two get married in a Cinderella kind of story. Nicki is really hot as always and does a lot of funny faces in the video. Adorable?

This is my first Nicki Minaj post so I hope you will all get to love her at least as much as I do.

Born This Way Lyrics

2011-01-28T01:00:00.000+02:00

INTRO:
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU LOVE HIM, OR CAPITAL H-I-M
JUST PUT YOUR PAWS UP
'CAUSE YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY, BABY

VERSE:
MY MAMA TOLD ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG
WE ARE ALL BORN SUPERSTARS

SHE ROLLED MY HAIR AND PUT MY LIPSTICK ON
IN THE GLASS OF HER BOUDOIR

"THERE'S NOTHIN WRONG WITH LOVIN WHO YOU ARE"
SHE SAID, "'CAUSE HE MADE YOU PERFECT, BABE"

"SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP GIRL AND YOU'LL GO FAR,
LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY"

CHORUS:
I'M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY
'CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET
JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU'RE SET
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

POST-CHORUS:
OOO THERE AIN'T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
OOO THERE AIN'T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN-
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE!

VERSE:
GIVE YOURSELF PRUDENCE
AND LOVE YOUR FRIENDS
SUBWAY KID, REJOICE YOUR TRUTH

IN THE RELIGION OF THE INSECURE
I MUST BE MYSELF, RESPECT MY YOUTH

A DIFFERENT LOVER IS NOT A SIN
BELIEVE CAPITAL H-I-M (HEY HEY HEY)
I LOVE MY LIFE I LOVE THIS RECORD AND
MI AMORE VOLE FE YAH (LOVE NEEDS FAITH)

REPEAT CHORUS + POST-CHORUS

BRIDGE:

DON'T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN
WHETHER YOU'RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN
YOU'RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT
YOU'RE LEBANESE, YOU'RE ORIENT
WHETHER LIFE'S DISABILITIES
LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED
REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY
'CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY

NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI,
LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE
NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE
CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE

REPEAT CHORUS

OUTRO/REFRAIN:

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

Graduation

2011-01-27T22:19:00.000+02:00

Have you ever wondered what your life will be like after graduation? Have you ever taken a moment in time to day dream about the future?

I often think about my future: future friends, future university, future achievements, future life. I hope that, one day, all of my dreams will come true. The first step on the path towards happiness is the day I finally graduate high school, degree day.

Unlike other people I already know what I want to do in life. I know that I will attend the West University of Timisoara, which I will for as soon as I get the results from my final exam, the Baccalaureate. Computers have always fascinated me but they are no longer a mystery though I would love to know more. Therefore I am planning on obtaining a bachelor's degree in computer science and become either a web designer or developer, though I could kill two birds with one stone. Luckily, the W.U.T offers students the opportunity to be taught in English so I will be able to combine two of my greatest passions.

I've come to realize that I do however have to move abroad in order to get a dream job at a multinational corporation. I believe that if one has enough will to learn he will be able to do that no matter where he is. I am not quite sure studying abroad is worth the money and time. Not even the best professor can teach an unwilling student.

The degree day will be both a beginning and an ending. Graduation day will close the last chapter of a book entitles High School, a novel way too long, tedious and only interesting in certain spots. It will also be a gateway to hopefully a better book, most likely called University. While some try to deny the fact that many friendships will end, I know the cold truth. We will all go our separate ways, only to be reunited by chance or decades. After all it isn't all bad as it most certainly means we will meet a lot of people with common interests, that is why college is sometimes called the best part of someone's life.

Future has yet to revealed though I am waiting for it with my arms wide open. Somehow I know that time will be good to me and I know that this blog and Gaga will always be there for me.

P!nk - Fuckin' Perfect

2011-01-26T16:28:00.000+02:00

Lately Pink has been showing us a more sensitive side of her.

Her last single, Raise your glass, united all the 'underdogs' and 'freaks' in joy. It's a catchy tune with a strong message buried underneath lyrics and a video full of sarcasm. It's sort of your typical Pink song thought it's trying to beam a serious message.

Perfect, or Fuckin' Perfect, is Pink's latest single and it just received the message of her last single and it pretty much amplifies it. Pink wants us to love ourselves no matter what. The music slowed down so it can be in tune with the lyrics.

The video, however, blew me out of the water. It's the best video of the year so far. It is very and I mean very graphical, fits with the message though. It's probably the best video, ahem, perfect video for the song.

It's been a year

2011-01-26T16:04:00.001+02:00

It's been a long time since I came around

It's been a long time but I'm back in town

And this time I'm not leavin' without you.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T19:02:00.000+02:00

Happy Birthday to ... ME!

2010-12-13T00:01:00.001+02:00

I'm A Free Bitch Baby

2010-12-11T22:34:00.001+02:00

You and me could write a bad romance

2010-12-09T19:04:00.004+02:00

And something to go perfectly with it

Natalia Kills - Mirrors

2010-12-05T20:23:00.001+02:00

Shut your mouth and close the door.

My God am I enjoying this. It's been almost a week since I've started listening only to Natalia Kills, the newest and brightest dark pop star. Now, after the OMG-ish CAE exam, it's time for me to spread the word.

Mirrors is her first single off the future album, Perfectionist. The song is just screaming Rather R and The Fame Monster. But don't take this the wrong way, I LOVE those albums, they are the apogee of last year in terms of music. Sadly both Gaga and Riri and moving away from the dark pop area, leaving a hole to be filled, Kills might be the one to fit.

Amazing video and song. This is serious. Shit is about to go down. You can slap me if I'm wrong

Do yourself justice and plug in your best headphones before pressing play on the video below. My ears are about to blow and so should be yours.

ThanksGaGiving

2010-11-25T20:16:00.003+02:00

P!nk - Raise your glass

2010-11-22T19:59:00.001+02:00

This is the first post from my new laptop. I thought I should mention that. Now nothing can stop me from blogging, I've even been thinking of starting to truly tumblr, not only stalk other people. I would've wanted the first post to be something Gaga related but there's no new material from her and I'm afraid you'll slay me if I post some random remix. I still love her, don't worry, not posting about her does not mean I got over the whole Little Monster thing.

Back to the real subject, Pink's Raise your glass song is quite great. It's somewhere in top ten on the Billboard chart but who cares. Last night she performed it on the AMAs and it was quite fun, she put on quite a show for the audience. Right after seeing that I YouTube'd her only to realize in shame that she also has a video for the single. Been released at the beginning of this month. And my God, is it awesome.

It's fun, interesting, awkward, quirky and cool, all at the same time. It's also a typical Pink video, has a lot of funny scenes, all related to the lyrics.

She recently announced that she is pregnant so I guess that means double the reason to raise your glass for her. So raise your glass is you are wrong for all the right reasons and hit that play button.

Rihanna - Loud

2010-11-20T16:12:00.001+02:00

Thought I'd leave you a little something to enjoy while I am pretending to be busy. There are some really good tracks on Rihanna's latest album, Loud. I love them all, for very different reasons. Give the album a spin and tell me in the comments below what your favorite song is.

Oh na na

2010-11-14T20:03:00.004+02:00

Tired of sitting in the backseat Rihanna took control over her newest video, which features Drake. Featuring a different kind of love story, not a dysfunctional one unlike Love the way you lie, Rihanna falls in love with Drake, or the other way around.

The fairly limited range of locations helps keep the story somewhat fluid thought I still don't know what is up with those drummers even after watching the video a couple of times. Not to worry, the song is great and makes up for the ordinary video.

Billboard's Hot 100 top has the song placed on the very top. I guess people really like the song. Plus, Only Girl is on the 4th place so she's quite cool at the moment.

Baby you're a Firework

2010-11-02T22:32:00.006+02:00

You just got to ignite the light and let it shine. Just (dance) own the night.

I liked Katy's Firework from the very beginning. Her Teenage dream album was released this summer and I've had it on heavy rotation during my work weeks. It did not sell very well but I love it.

My God is the video amazing or what? There are so many things to love about it.

First of all, Miss Perry is done with silly wigs, for now at least, and she's looking as beautiful as always. It is clear that she loves purple, as does Gaga (lavender)...and my sister. Speaking of which, I need a new purple T-Shirt and maybe an orange one.

Second of all, special effects are great though computer generated. They help us visualize the lyrics. The crowd of people is made entirely out of winners from a local competition, all fans of Katy.

Now the characters. Woah. A sick girl (which actually shaved her head for the video), a self-depreciated girl, a different magician, a boy tired of being witness to his parents' fights and a gay couple (actual couple). The director confessed he wanted to create a video with a deep meaning. I suppose he's done it right as all the characters manage to show their inner firework.

Did the lyrics make you go boom, boom, boom, even brighter than the moon? They certainly appealed to me. These words are now carved into my soul:

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow.

You and I

2010-10-20T15:31:00.001+03:00

I want your ugly.

I want your disease.

I want your everything as long as it's free.

I want your love.

These are the opening lines from Bad Romance, a truly amazing record by Lady Gaga that has not only changed my perspective and opinion on pop music and culture but also changed my life.

It was the spring of 2008 when I first listened to Just Dance, Gaga's debut single. Back then I had no idea I would fall in love with that funky looking blonde girl. Fast forwarding to the autumn of 2009, Gaga had already established her presence on the pop music scene trough several number one hit wonders and was about to unleash her bad romance.

Mesmerizing you with some Russian violin compositions and blowing your mind with futuristic beats and honest lyrics, her song had me hooked right from the beginning. Accompanied by what was going to be declared Video of the year by MTV, the tune was destined for success and glory.

How did it change my opinion about pop music? Simply put, it had all the right things in all the right places: hidden meanings buried within the lyrics, amazing dance moves, French words heavenly pronounced and a great storyline overall.

It made me realize that pop is so much more than pretty girls pretending to sing while dancing or the other way around. I've become an avid fan ever since.

I am a very proud Little Monster.

Ale Ale Jandro

2010-10-17T11:26:00.000+03:00

Who knew an acoustic guitar over Gaga's masterpiece, Alejandro, could sound so...so...amazing?
Definitely didn't cross my mind. Such a lovely Sunday, isn't it?

The Night is Fading, Heart is Racing

2010-10-16T22:18:00.000+03:00

Hold me like a pillow

2010-10-15T23:36:00.002+03:00

La rebelle fleur unleashed her video for Only Girl (In the world), the debut single from a new era. A LOUD era, get it?

Funny little thing, the video actually matches the new look of my blog. Speaking of which, you might notice Gaga "in the top right corner" (I'll now quietly hope for the inside joke to reach its destination). It is rumored that Rihanna and Gaga got together for Broken Heels, a song destined to smash tops, hearts, ears...and heels. And like all good things it quickly got cut off by some fancy label company representative denying the existence of such collaboration. I still want it to be real. Oh and the album shall be released mid-November, on 16th or so.

But now let's focus on the one and only girl, here's the official video:

Enjoyed it? I sure hope you did. It's in the whole 'nothing darker than deep purple and quite red' theme. RiRi is continuing the clean/pure/innocent bride fashion motif from the VMA's. Colorful balloons and a spinning Barbadian never went together so well. That long swing looks like fun and that lonely rose flower is just an emphasis on the nature leitmotif.

The slow motion synchronized visual effects in the end make you realize Rihanna is gorgeous, in case the silly faces in the beginning haven't quite convinced you.

Talking 'bout endings, you didn't think that was it, did ya? Oh na na, I have more to tell you! What's my name, a chill song which features Drake just leaked onto the interwebz. Hit the play button below and enjoy this awesome Friday. Yes, TGIF.

I'm the only one that you'll ever love

2010-10-13T22:15:00.000+03:00

Aston, the classical pop band, is back with a new video, Only Girl (In The World), Rihanna's current single.

They've done a great job with the arrangements as the song is easy to follow and lyrics come naturally. If you haven't yet memorized the lyrics you can find them in my original post that's in the side bar on the right.

Their debut album is coming out next Friday and this is the track list:

Telephone (Lady Gaga)
You've Got The Love (Florence & The Machine)
Viva La Vida (Coldplay)
Bulletproof (La Roux)
Confide In Me (Kylie)
Never Tear Us Apart (INXS)
Rude Boy (Rhianna)
Knights Of Cydonia (Muse)
Halo (Beyonce)

Only Girl will be an iTunes exclusive as will come as a bonus for purchasing the entire album. I'm looking forward to hearing the entire album, especially Halo and You've got the love. Hope they've done something special to the songs.

Who's the hottest bitch in heels right now

2010-10-04T21:44:00.002+03:00