It’s kind of the flip side of “Bad Romance,” which would seem to be her official girls-who-kiss-boys video. There’s a deep pessimism and fear regarding inequalities of power, in that video, and there is a presentation of her body as essentially monstrous, which: what girl does not get that metaphor, really? But then there is also a celebration of her body, and its power, and it gets violent but I guess if there is a War Between the Sexes, (a) they started it and (b) someone’s got to lose. I’m a pacifist, when it comes to that war, personally, but that’s not to say I didn’t find the “Bad Romance” video thrilling. A friend was talking to me, and she was like, “I can’t figure out why that video makes me so happy.” And I was like, “because it sets you up to see Gaga’s sexuality as a way that she can be oppressed or hurt, and then it tells you to see her sexuality as a way for her to be powerful and victorious, and the transition from one way of seeing to the other is really great.” And she was like “yes, probably, but also I think I like the outfits and dancing!”
It’s like… from that description, Telephone should be basically be the best thing EVER for me. Because that is EXACTLY why I love Bad Romance, and watch it over and over and over again every time I remember it exists! And if Bad Romance is the girls-who-kiss-boys video, and I love it that much even though I am a girl who kisses girls, then the girls-who-kiss-girls video should be so much better.
I also love sisterhood a la Thelma and Louise! And OK, I basically hate Tarantino, but in a way that leaves room for reclaimery. I’m OK with the fact that three, now, of Lady Gaga’s videos involve murdering dudes at the end, even though I am not generally pro-murder. I really liked the murdering parts in the other two! I love crazy made-for-the-internet stunts like Let’s Make A Sandwich. I love totally bullshit “clothes” and hair that looks like a telephone!
Why do I not love this video???
I don’t get it.
