| "Alice" | |
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| Song by Lady Gaga | |
| from the album Chromatica | |
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| Length | 2:57 |
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| "Alice" on YouTube | |
"Alice" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga recorded for her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). It appears as the album's second track, preceded by a string arrangement titled "Chromatica I". It was written by Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Axwell, Justin Tranter, and Johannes Klahr, and produced by BloodPop, Axwell, and Klahr. The song references Lewis Carroll's 1865 children's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland .
The track received generally positive critical reception. In the United States, it appeared at the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs listing at number 7, while charting in a dozen other countries, including a peak of number 3 in New Zealand. A remix version by Lsdxoxo was released as part of Gaga's remix album, Dawn of Chromatica (2021). Gaga performed "Alice" live on The Chromatica Ball stadium tour (2022).
The song was written by Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Axwell, Justin Tranter, and Johannes Klahr, and produced by BloodPop, Axwell, and Klahr. [1] [2] Talking about the conception of the song, Gaga said: "I had some dark conversations with BloodPop about how I felt about life... So it's this weird experience where I'm going, 'I'm not sure I'm going to make it, but I'm going to try.'" [3] The track references Alice and the fictional setting Wonderland from Lewis Carroll's 1865 children's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland , [4] starting with the chorus "My name isn't Alice, but I'll keep looking for Wonderland". [5] The Daily Northwestern 's Wilson Chapman said the song "uses the Alice in Wonderland tale as a metaphor for struggling to find personal peace". [6] Gaga further elaborated on the song's background on Spotify:
In order to do hard things, we have to be willing to try. Sometimes trying involves dreaming. Some of us, I to be certain, must be able to imagine the greatness that's revealed within us when we overcome obstacles. Otherwise, what's the point? When we are sad this is more difficult, but I recall that there's always Wonderland... [7]
"Alice" is a house and dance-pop track [8] inspired by electronica, which demonstrates Gaga's upper register against kick drums and shimmering synths. [9] [10] [11] Lauren Murphy of Entertainment.ie said "Alice" has a "throbbing electronic pop beat". [12] Mark Richardson of The Wall Street Journal described "Alice" as a "kinetic house track with the trademarks of the genre—hissing offbeat high-hat, neo-Latin keyboards playing a cyclical melody". [13] The Atlantic 's Spencer Kornhaber said "Gaga sings of her racing mind needing a 'symphony' to clear it". [14] Craig Jenkins of Vulture said the chorus has "booming, chopped-up" vocals, and compared it to "vocal house standards" like "Follow Me" by Aly-Us. [15] Kory Grow of Rolling Stone said the "'ahhs' and an 'oh ma-ma-ma' stutter" in the chorus are reminiscent of the "Ra-ra-roma-ma" of Gaga's "Bad Romance" (2009). [5] Maxine Wally of W magazine said the "call-and-response verses and a huge backing track give off a whiff" of Haddaway's "What Is Love" (1993). [16] The Observer 's Emily Mackay said the song "takes her down a new rabbit hole, recalling the best of 90s chart house" like Ken Doh's "Nakasaki" and Ultra Naté's "Free". [17]
| "Chromatica I" | |
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| Composition by Lady Gaga | |
| from the album Chromatica | |
| Released | May 29, 2020 |
| Length | 1:00 |
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| "Chromatica I" on YouTube | |
"Alice" is preceded by an orchestral interlude called "Chromatica I", which opens the album and transitions directly into the track. As Gaga wanted to highlight that the album has three distinct acts, she recruited musician Morgan Kibby to produce interludes for the album, with the help of a 26-person orchestra who performed the string arrangements. [18] Kibby was brought into the studio after submitting the demo that would eventually become "Chromatica I". [19] With the long string runs at the beginning of this composition, Kibby pursued to recall "the majesty and grandeur" of Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor. She also aimed to reference classic scores from films such as THX 1138 and Outland . [18] In her interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music's Beats 1, Gaga talked about the background of "Chromatica I":
The beginning of the album symbolizes for me the beginning of my journey to healing. It goes right into this grave string arrangement, where you feel this pending doom that is what happens if I face all the things that scare me. That string arrangement is setting the stage for a more cinematic experience with this world that is how I make sense of things. [3]
Callie Ahlgrim of Insider appreciated how "Chromatica I" "blends into 'Alice' very smoothly", while Courteney Larocca from the same publication noted that it sounds like "it's opening a fantasy movie." [20]
Canadian singer and producer Grimes was set to remix the interlude for Dawn of Chromatica, as well as "Chromatica II" and "Chromatica III"; however, her contributions did not make the final cut. [21]
Insider's Callie Ahlgrim praised the song for presenting "classic Lady Gaga in all her blood-pumping, bass-thumping glory", and further added that although Alice's Adventures in Wonderland "has become an oft-used reference in pop music", she appreciated "the way it complements the themes of the album; it makes sense to imagine Gaga as a wide-eyed, curious Alice type and 'Chromatica' as a surrealist third space in between earth and escapism." [20] Billboard 's Stephen Daw ranked "Alice" as Chromatica's sixth best track and wrote, "Remember how deliriously entertaining early 2000s post-rave dance music was? Lady Gaga certainly does as she exhibits on ['Alice']... Gaga throws listeners down a sonic rabbit hole of kick drums and shimmering synths..." [22] The magazine's Jason Lipshutz described the song as a "post-rave triumph". [23] Quinn Moreland of Pitchfork considered the lyrics "Maestro, play me your symphony/I will listen to anything/Take me on a trip, DJ, free my mind" one of Chromatica's "wild lyrical clunkers". [24] USA Today 's Patrick Ryan described the song as "hypnotic". [25]
Spencer Kornhaber from The Atlantic listed "Alice" as one of the standout moments of Chromatica with its "gasping chorus." [26] Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times said she "can imagine putting the song on repeat during this cruel summer", while the newspaper's Caryn Ganz said "Alice" has "glittery hopefulness". [27] BuzzFeed News' Alessa Dominguez said that Chromatica "starts strongly" with "Alice" and sees Gaga sing with "glam-theatrical fervor". She added, "The song captures the record's house-inspired sound, its escapist themes of feeling untethered from the world, all complemented by Gaga's vocal theatrics, delivered with operatic flair. As she sings 'Take me home,' you want to follow her down the rabbit hole." [28] Slate 's Carl Wilson wrote, "this song serves to suck us down the rabbit hole into the album's Wonderland, which Gaga signals is foremost the dance floor... Its brisk house workout, with thematically appropriate downshifted vocal effects. It may not stick in your head. But it sets the mood." [29]
On a more critical note, Patrick Gomez of The A.V. Club criticzed the song's production, thinking it "becomes sleepy as it relies on a generic '90s dance-floor beat throughout". [30] Dan Weiss from Spin thought that the Alice in Wonderland metaphors "are sadly not far enough from the shallow". [31] Evan Sawdey of PopMatters called it the record's "least memorable track". [32]
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2023) |
In the United States, "Alice" was the "only non-advance track" from the album to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, according to Billboard's Gab Ginsberg. [33] The song peaked at number 7 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Songs chart. [34] [35] "Alice" debuted at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart. [36] [37]
For Gaga's third remix album Dawn of Chromatica (2021), "Alice" was reimagined by Berlin-based Philadelphian producer Lsdxoxo, who described his version as "' Promiscuous Girl ' on 2CB "[ sic ]. [38] [39] The remix includes heavy beat, and "weighty kick drums". [40] In his review of Dawn of Chromatica, Robin Murray from Clash called Lsdxoxo's "Alice" remix, along with Coucou Chloe's take on "Stupid Love", "dancefloor bumpers". [41] Writing for Gigwise, Alex Rigotti opined that the remix version's "energy remains disappointingly static, and it betrays the desperate, almost deluded hope that the original 'Alice' contained." [40]
In 2022, Gaga performed "Alice" live at The Chromatica Ball stadium tour as the first song of Act One of the show. [42] Similarly to the album, the song was preceded by the instrumentals of "Chromatica I" as an intro. [43] Gaga appeared on stage lying on an operating table while singing the song. [44] She was wearing a blood-red gown with peak-shoulders – designed by her sister, Natali Germanotta, along with black leather boots and fingerless gloves. [45] [46] [47]
In his concert review, NME 's Nick Levine noted it was a "slightly shocking staging that underlines the thinly veiled mental anguish in her lyrics. 'Where's my body? I'm stuck in my mind', Gaga sings pleadingly." [44] Laviea Thomas of Gigwise also highlighted the performance, writing that "belting out some completely unhinged, unearthly and simply iconic screams, 'Alice', is a stomping introductory – I've never heard Gaga scream like this before, her vocal range is truly undefeated." [48]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Chromatica. [49]
"Alice"
| "Chromatica I"
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| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [69] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Top Dance/Electronic Albums, Dance/Electronic Albums is a music chart published weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks the top-selling electronic music albums in the United States based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart debuted on the issue dated June 30, 2001 under the title Top Electronic Albums, with the first number-one title being the original soundtrack to the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. It originally began as a fifteen-position chart and has since expanded to twenty-five positions.
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is known for reinventing her image and showcasing versatility in entertainment. Gaga started performing as a teenager by singing at open mic nights and acting in school plays. She studied Collaborative Arts Project 21 before leaving to pursue a music career. After a contract cancellation by Def Jam Recordings, Gaga worked as a songwriter for Sony/ATV Music Publishing. In 2007, she signed with Interscope Records and KonLive Distribution. Her breakthrough came the following year with her debut studio album, The Fame, and its singles "Just Dance" and "Poker Face". The album was later reissued along with The Fame Monster (2009), which yielded the successful singles "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Telephone".
"Just Dance" is the debut single by American singer Lady Gaga. She co-wrote the song with Akon and his producer RedOne. It also features vocals from Colby O'Donis and was released on April 8, 2008, as the lead single from Gaga's debut studio album, The Fame. The song was written by Gaga in 10 minutes as "a happy record". "Just Dance" lyrically speaks about being intoxicated at a club.
American singer Lady Gaga has released five solo studio albums, two collaborative studio albums, two film soundtracks, three remix albums, two compilation albums, four EPs, two live albums, 39 singles, and 14 promotional singles. Gaga made her debut in August 2008 with the studio album The Fame, which peaked at number two in the United States, where it was subsequently certified triple Platinum, while topping the charts in Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Its first two singles, "Just Dance" and "Poker Face", reached number one in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and for the latter, becoming the world's biggest single of the 2009 calendar year. The album spawned three more singles: "Eh, Eh ", "LoveGame" and "Paparazzi". The latter reached the top ten in many countries worldwide, and number one in Germany.
"Bad Romance" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her third extended play (EP), The Fame Monster (2009)—the reissue of her debut studio album, The Fame (2008). Gaga wrote and produced the song with RedOne. Following an unauthorized demo leak, Gaga premiered the song's final version during the finale of Alexander McQueen's 2010 Paris Fashion Week show in October 2009 and released it as the lead single from The Fame Monster later that month. Musically, it is an electropop and dance-pop song with a spoken bridge. Inspired by German house and techno, the song was developed as an experimental pop record. Lyrically, Gaga drew from the paranoia she experienced while on tour and wrote about her attraction to unhealthy romantic relationships.
"Monster" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her third EP, The Fame Monster (2009). Inspired by her "Fear of Attachment Monster", the record was produced by Nadir "RedOne" Khayat, and written by Gaga, RedOne and Space Cowboy. Gaga had explained that "Monster" describes her fear of sex and relationships, and described the lyrics as being in love with the bad boy all the time, but instead of running away, one keeps going back to the same person. She added that the fear in "Monster" erupted from her need to have a stable relationship. Incorporating the usage of heavy bass lines, descending keyboard lines and "massive" choruses, "Monster" contains zombie-like metaphors and a reference to Gaga's debut single "Just Dance".
Chromatica is the sixth studio album by American singer Lady Gaga, released on May 29, 2020, by Interscope Records and subsidiary Streamline. Gaga supervised the production with longtime collaborator BloodPop and a variety of other producers to create a concept album returning to her dance-pop roots, eschewing the stripped-down style of its predecessors Joanne (2016) and A Star Is Born (2018). Chromatica draws inspiration from early 1990s house music, seeing Gaga adopt a cyberpunk-inspired persona.
"Stupid Love" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga. The track was officially released on February 28, 2020, as the lead single from Gaga's sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020), after being leaked in January 2020. It was written by Gaga, Max Martin, Ely Rise, and the song's producers, Tchami and BloodPop. The lattermost stated this was what started his work on Chromatica with the singer. It is a house-infused dance-pop, electropop, and disco song that talks about gathering the courage to fall in love again after a heartbreak.
"Rain on Me" is a song by American singers Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande from Gaga's sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). It was written by Gaga, Grande, Nija Charles, Rami Yacoub, Tchami, Boys Noize and its producers, BloodPop and Burns. An upbeat house, dance-pop and disco song, the song features a synth-disco beat and funk guitars. The song explores resilience in defiance of the hardships in life.
"Free Woman" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga recorded for her sixth studio album Chromatica (2020). Gaga co-wrote it with the song's producers BloodPop, Axwell and Johannes Klahr. "Free Woman" was released as the album's fifth track, several weeks after a high-quality demo version of the song was leaked onto the Internet. It is a Eurohouse and Eurodance song that draws influences from the music of the 1990s. Gaga was inspired by her real life events; the song talks about her coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), from which she suffered after being sexually assaulted by a music producer. Gaga also wanted to celebrate her LGBT+ fans; she wrote the song especially with the trans community in mind. The song's lyrics talk about reclaiming one's identity and answer the question "what does it mean to be a free woman?".
"911" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga recorded for her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). It appears as the album's eighth track, preceded by a string arrangement titled "Chromatica II". It was written by Gaga together with Justin Tranter, BloodPop, and Madeon, with the latter two also producing along with Benjamin Rice. It is a Eurodisco, synth-pop, and electropop song with influences from techno and funk. Gaga sings in monotonous, robotic vocal effects for most part of the track. Lyrically, "911" talks about mental health and the antipsychotic medication Gaga takes.
The Chromatica Ball was the seventh headlining concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga in support of her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). Comprising 20 shows, it began on July 17, 2022, in Düsseldorf and concluded on September 17, 2022, in Miami Gardens. Initially conceived as a six-date-long, limited tour, new dates were added after it was delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Sour Candy" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga and South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released for digital download and streaming on May 28, 2020, as a promotional single off Gaga's sixth studio album, Chromatica. The song was written by Gaga, Madison Love, Rami Yacoub, Teddy Park, and its producers BloodPop and Burns. It is a deep house, dance-pop and electropop song with a house, dance and electronic beat and lyrics which compare the artists to the titular sour candy.
"Sine from Above" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga and English musician Elton John from the former's sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). It is included as the album's fourteenth track, and is preceded by a string arrangement, "Chromatica III", which leads right into the beginning of the song. It was produced by BloodPop, Burns, Axwell, Liohn and Johannes Klahr, and had a wide array of songwriters involved. It is an electronica-influenced electropop song with a drum n' bass breakdown, and lyrically it talks about the healing power of music.
Raushaan Glasgow, better known by his stage name LSDXOXO, is a Berlin-based musician born in Philadelphia who made a name for himself in New York City as a DJ and producer. Glasgow is well known for his energetic DJ sets, of which manipulate mainstream sounds by craftily layering pop tracks and vocal samples between Baltimore club, ghetto house, hardcore, electro and techno.
Love for Sale is the second collaborative album by American singers Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, released on September 30, 2021, by Columbia and Interscope Records. It is the sixty-first and final studio album of Bennett's career, and Gaga's seventh. Following Cheek to Cheek (2014), the duo's first collaborative album, Love for Sale was recorded between 2018 and early 2020, consisting of their renditions of various jazz standards by American composer Cole Porter, to whom the record is a tribute.
Dawn of Chromatica is the third remix album by American singer Lady Gaga, released on September 3, 2021, by Streamline and Interscope Records. Consisting of remixes of songs from Gaga's sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020), the album embraces an underground, hyperpop production and features collaborations with numerous pop, electronic and Brazilian musicians.
"Hold My Hand" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga, released on May 3, 2022, through Interscope Records. It is the lead single to the soundtrack for the film Top Gun: Maverick (2022). The song was written and produced by Gaga and BloodPop as "a love letter to the world during and after a very hard time". Benjamin Rice received additional production credits. Musically, "Hold My Hand" is a "hopeful" arena rock track, featuring an anthemic chorus and an electric guitar.
"Angel Down" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. It serves as the concluding track on the standard edition of her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). Influenced by the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012, it was written by Gaga and her long-time collaborator RedOne, during the initial recording sessions of the album in 2015; he also produced its work tape version. In late 2015, she played "Angel Down" to Mark Ronson, who later produced the official rendition of the track, along with BloodPop. It is a torch song, as well as protest song against shootings involving African Americans in the United States. The piano ballad also touches on topics of social media.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help) Lady Gaga songs | |
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| The Fame | |
| The Fame Monster | |
| Born This Way | |
| Artpop |
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| Cheek to Cheek | |
| Joanne | |
| A Star Is Born | |
| Chromatica | |
| Love for Sale | |
| Top Gun: Maverick | |
| As featured artist |
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| Other songs recorded | |
| Other songs written/produced | |
