"Shadow of a Man" is a 2025 song by Lady Gaga that was recorded for her seventh studio album, Mayhem (2025). It was first teased in the concert special Gaga Chromatica Ball (2024). Written and produced by Gaga, Andrew Watt, and Cirkut, it is a disco-funk song featuring electropop synths, and lyrics that convey a message of women's empowerment. Gaga described it as the track that most reflects where she was in her life at the time, saying the song embodied her experience of "learning how to dance in the shadow" of the men she often found herself surrounded by in her career.
Music journalists gave "Shadow of a Man" a generally positive reception, often picking it as one of the album's highlights. Michael Jackson's influence on the production and Gaga's singing style was also a common observation. Commercially, it had minor chart placements in some countries following Mayhem's release. In 2025–2026, Gaga performed the song live during various promotional concerts and The Mayhem Ball tour, with the choreography and her appearance also prompting journalist comparisons to Jackson.
Release and composition
"Shadow of a Man" was written and produced by Lady Gaga alongside Andrew Watt and Cirkut.[2] A short clip of the song was first teased at the end of Gaga Chromatica Ball (2024), a concert film of Gaga's 2022 stadium tour in support of the album Chromatica (2020).[3] The full track was later released in 2025 as the eleventh song on the standard edition of her studio album Mayhem.[4]
Talking about the song shortly after the album's release, Gaga said: "In my career, I was often the only woman in the room, and this record was a chance to proclaim that I've learned how to dance in the shadow of those men".[5] She also said it is the track from Mayhem that probably best represents where she was in her life at that time.[6] A Beats Per Minute article interpreted the song's lyrics as a message of empowerment, particularly for pop artists facing constant scrutiny and questions about their relevance.[7]Billboard's Stephen Daw highlighted the way in "Shadow of a Man", Gaga critiques the unequal pressures on female artists, who are expected to work harder for less recognition than are men. As the song builds to an intense, high-energy chorus, she fiercely pushes back, refusing to keep accepting blame for things that were not her fault ("I don't wanna be the one to fall on the knife").[8]Black Girl Nerds found "Shadow of a Man" Gaga's most introspective song to date, writing it references the way Gaga has dealt with feelings of being overshadowed by male artists during her career, and addresses the complexities of identity and personal growth.[6] In a round-table discussion by Atwood Magazine, Kevin Cost interpreted the song's main message as: "I am me, and not a single person can darken my light".[9]
A sample of the song's pre-chorus and chorus, showcasing Gaga's dynamic vocals and the disco-infused electropop style critics compared to Michael Jackson's work.
"Shadow of a Man" is a disco-funk[10][11] song featuring electropopsynths[8] and "gurning" guitars.[12]Sputnikmusic's Dakota West Foss said both "Shadow of a Man" and "LoveDrug" create a sonic thread by blending a slightly dark ABBA-inspired vibe with "Ratatat-esque guitar licks".[13] According to Arielle Gordon of Stereogum, the track "recalls the locomotive house of French Touch", a sound Gaga had already explored with Chromatica.[14] India Block of the Evening Standard said Gaga was "re-visiting some of her biggest hooks" on Mayhem, including "Shadow of a Man", which she thought "samples from her Beyoncé collab hit 'Telephone'."[15]
"Shadow of a Man" was heavily compared to the singing style and catalogue of Michael Jackson; Pitchfork and Rolling Stone writers described the track as "Michael Jackson-tinged"[16] and "Michael Jackson-infused", respectively.[17] Journalists from both Consequence and Attitude remarked that the influence was so pronounced it seemed as if Jackson's "spirit" was summoned for the production.[18][19]Paste's Sam Rosenberg added that the song is "pure Michael Jackson, so much so that you half-expect to hear a 'Shamona!' or 'Hee-hee!' in the background".[20] Comparisons were made to Jackson's "classic" eras, in particular Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987).[7][10][21]
Critical reception
Mary Siroky of Consequence described "Shadow of a Man" as "emotionally resonant" and noted it represents the undeniable peak of the album's energy.[5][18]AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung found it an "effortless pop anthem".[4]Variety's Steven J. Horowitz said the track "struts with the type of cool of wearing sunglasses at night".[22] Gary Grimes of Attitude chose "Shadow of a Man" as a standout moment on Mayhem that amplifies the album's momentum and pairs well with the lead single "Disease". He said the closing electric-guitar riff adds a memorable punch, leaving listeners wanting more of that sound.[19] According to JT Early of Beats Per Minute, "Shadow of a Man" is an "addictive", "defiant and triumphant" track that would have made an excellent album closer and is a strong candidate for a future single.[7] David Cobbald of The Line of Best Fit said tracks such as "Zombieboy" and "Shadow of a Man" are "top scoring on the record".[23] Writing for Salon, Coleman Spilde deemed the track "sensational", noting its hook outshines anything male pop artists have put out since Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006).[24]
Screen Rant's Chris Hedden said "Shadow of a Man" is "an empowering bop that reminds the listener that with the talent she has, Lady Gaga won't be put into anybody's shadow. Whether they be men or otherwise."[25]Billboard's Stephen Daw ranked it as the fifth-best track on Mayhem, highlighting its message of female empowerment and the "bulldozing chorus".[8]Elle included "Shadow of Man" in its list of the best new songs the reviewers heard in March 2025, saying: "With rapid-fire lyrics and an infectious energy, it's one of the high points of her latest album".[26] According to Dazed writer Alim Kheraj, Mayhem reflects Gaga's confident artistic maturity. He singled out "Shadow of a Man" for avoiding the pitfalls of melodrama or cliché, arguing that the track presents Gaga in a more fully realised form, echoing the persona she embodied in the "Marry The Night" music video.[27]
Vulture's Kristen S. Hé felt the song is "infectious, but it arguably suffers the most for being cut from the same cloth as Mayhem's other disco-funk tracks".[10] According to Peter Piatkowski of PopMatters, "Shadow of a Man" is "perfectly serviceable MTV-pop" that "sounds like warmed-over 1980s dance-pop karaoke".[28]The Independent's Adam White said "Michael Jackson would be proud" of the track, and considered it a solid, if not top-tier, effort from Gaga.[11] Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times was more critical, noting that although "Shadow of a Man" is impressive in how closely it echoes Michael Jackson, he felt it lacked further artistic purpose.[29]
Commercial performance
During the release week of Mayhem, "Shadow of a Man" entered the Billboard Global 200 at number 85.[30] It was one of twelve tracks from the album to appear on the chart, ranking as the ninth highest-charting track among them.[31] In the United States, the song reached number two on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart[32] and number eleven on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart.[33] On the latter chart, Gaga simultaneously placed nine songs from the album, with "Shadow of a Man" ranking as the eighth highest-positioned track.[34] In Canada, the track debuted at number 91 on the Canadian Hot 100.[35] Across Latin America, the track topped the Peru Anglo chart[36] and reached number two on the Venezuela Anglo Airplay ranking.[37]
Gaga performing "Shadow of a Man" during The Mayhem Ball tour
The first live performances of "Shadow of a Man" were during Gaga's 2025 promotional concerts for Mayhem, which included a headlining set at Coachella.[47][48] Gaga performed it as a mash-up with fellow Mayhem track "Kill for Love".[49] She was dressed in a gray jacket and hot pants,[50] with Los Angeles Times's Mikael Wood describing her look as "a sexy military officer".[51]Variety's Chris Willman felt the song's "Michael Jackson-ism" was also reflected in the choreography during its live debut.[52]
The track reappeared on the setlist of Gaga's The Mayhem Ball tour (2025–2026), positioned as the opener of the penultimate act. In this iteration, it was performed independently of "Kill for Love" and featured an expanded introductory section.[53][54] Gaga wore a bespoke Louis Verdad military-inspired tailcoat, detailed with silver accents such as crystal cross appliqués. The piece featured precise, fitted tailoring with a tightly drawn waist and a flared double-tail design that extended behind her.[55] Livia Caligor of W Magazine noted how Gaga once again paid homage to Michael Jackson. She observed that in "Shadow of a Man", Gaga draws on both the sound and imagery of Jackson's work, with a silhouette reminiscent of the Dangerous Tour and the arm bands echoing his military-style uniforms. Caligor added, "The parallel is clear: this is another artist who also blurred the boundaries between persona, performance, and pain."[55] Robin Murray of Clash called the rendition "impressive".[56]
On January 14, 2026, Gaga performed the song at Mayhem: Requiem, a one-off concert, held at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles.[57]
12"Top Singles (Week 11, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
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