'Glee' Covers 'Born This Way': The Story Behind The Song

McKinley High singers took on Lady Gaga's instant hit on this week's 90-minute episode.
By Aly Semigran


Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele on the "Born This Way" episode of "Glee"
Photo: Adam Rose/FOX

Lady Gaga's smash "Born This Way" is a song that seemed almost tailor-made for "Glee." The track's inspirational lyrics, aimed in particular at the LGBT community, echo the very sentiment creator Ryan Murphy tries to convey each week on the popular series.

So it was of no surprise that Tuesday night's super-size 90-minute episode of "Glee," about self-love and acceptance — which happened to be titled "Born This Way" — featured Gaga's anthem about those very subjects. (The chorus urges, "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.")

Gaga is no stranger to getting "Glee" love, as the one-of-a-kind pop star was the subject of season one's "Theatricality." But before castmembers Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz and Naya Rivera gave "BTW" a "Glee" twist, the song already made its mark on 2011's musical landscape. Released on February 11, two days earlier than its planned release, "Born This Way" was the first single off of Lady Gaga's upcoming album of the same name.

The club-ready tune, which was penned by Gaga, Paul Blair, Jeppe Larson and Fernando Garibay, became an instant hit. It not only debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the 1,000th song to do so, but it also marked Gaga's seventh top 10 song in a row.

But that's not to say all of these impressive feats didn't come without some criticism. While the song garnered mostly positive reviews, at first listen many critics and experts said the song sounded similar to some other classic pop ditties, most notably Madonna's "Express Yourself."

For instance, John Polly of the Logo network told MTV News back in February, "She seems to borrow pretty heavily, clearly visually, and sonically, from Madonna. Which is probably super smart, I mean, why wouldn't you?"

But that didn't stop Gaga (she argued to NME magazine that the only real similarity between her song and Madge's classic was the chord progression) and her Little Monsters from turning "BTW" into an anthem. As her friend/ celebrity blogger Perez Hilton told MTV News, "It is a very gay song — unapologetically gay, in-your-face gay — but it's also a universal song that can relate to everyone."

In addition to all that, "BTW" became the fastest-selling song in the history of iTunes, when it sold more than 1 million copies worldwide in just five days. Sales were no doubt propelled by the singer's various live performances of the song, most memorably her appearance at the 2011 Grammy Awards. It was there that the 25-year-old star arrived in an egg. The superstar has also been sharing the song with concertgoers on her Monster Ball Tour.

"Born This Way" not only made its mark onstage, but onscreen as well, with the premiere of its music video in late February. Keeping in line with her other unconventional vids, the seven-minute-plus clip features everything from outer-space to zombies in tuxedos to unicorns (not to mention a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Madonna controversy in which Gaga sports the star's iconic gap in her front teeth.

And as with anything that becomes part of the pop culture mold, parody is bound to follow. While "Glee" pays tribute, "Weird Al" Yankovic found his own way to pay homage. The 51-year-old singer created a silly spinoff of the song with his take on Gaga's onstage antics called "Perform This Way."

"Perform This Way" caused a bit of a stir, but not because of its jabs at Gaga. There was a bit of a misunderstanding between Gaga and Yankovic after he criticized her manager for denying his request to release his song. But as it turned out, Gaga had never heard the song in the first place.

Yankovic explained on his blog, "Even though we assumed that Gaga herself was the one making the decision (because, well, that's what we were TOLD), he apparently made the decision completely on his own." He later noted she "loves the song." Because that is, after all, the Gaga way.

What did you think of the "Glee" cover of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"?

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662734/glee-lady-gaga-born-this-way.jhtml

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Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj And Ke$ha 'Till The World Ends' Remix Leaks

Reworked tune features an opening verse by Minaj as Ke$ha sings atop Spears' vocals throughout the song.
By James Dinh


Britney Spears' "Til The World Ends"
Photo: Jive

Britney Spears isn't the only pop titan dancing until the world ends: Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha have joined forces to add a new spin on an all-female remix of Femme Fatale's second single, "Till the World Ends."

The reworked dance anthem, which leaked online Friday (April 22), appears to have surfaced earlier than expected as noted by a series of countdowns on all three of the stars' websites.

Mixing the dance tune's original sonic swirls with heavier bass, Britney tourmate Minaj starts off the remix by throwing down an aggressive verse, in which she calls out a female hater: "A-A-A-A-A-AYE!/ Chimpanzees is hatin', but I take it all in stride/ Put her in a jungle with bananas on the side/ Told you they'd revive your career, but somebody lied/ I ain't talkin' poultry when I say this chicken's fried."

After Minaj spits a few introductory bars, Spears delivers the song's first verse before an introduction for the all-star trio. "It's Britney, bitch. I'm Nicki Minaj and that's Ke$ha!" the Young Money MC proclaims.

Ke$ha, who originally wrote the track for the pop princess, takes part in singing the club-ready track's chorus. Spears soon takes back control of the song as Ke$ha shadows the singer's lines toward the end of the second verse and bridge. Unlike the original version, the "Till the World Ends" remix also features a stuttering dubstep dance break.

News of a star-studded collaboration was hinted earlier this week when producer Dr. Luke tweeted, "@NICKIMINAJ killed it tonight!!!! thanks!!!"

Have you heard the all-star "Till The World Ends" remix? Share your reviews in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662570/britney-spears-kesha-nicki-minaj-til-the-world-ends-remix.jhtml

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Rihanna Glams Up the 2011 MET Gala

Joining in on quite the big evening in the Big Apple, Rihanna turned up for the 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' Costume Institute Gala in New York City on Monday (May 2).

The Barbadian beauty sashayed through the Metropolitan Museum of Art venue while clad in a gorgeous black Stella McCartney dress adorned with a lacy texture.

The annual fete finds actress Salma Hayek acting as honorary chair alongside husband Francois-Henri Pinault with fellow co-chairs including Oscar winning actor Colin Firth, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and well-regarded designer Stella McCartney.

As for the celebratory occasion, this year's rendition of the Met gala ushers in the ?Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty? exhibition displaying the late designers collection of works.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/costume-institute-gala-2011/rihanna-glams-2011-met-gala-501901

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WHO RAN IT?: Chanel Iman Vs. Kerry Washington

 

Recently, two of our favorite YBF chicks, Chanel Iman and Kerry Washington were spotted in the same outfit from the 2011 summer/spring Gucci collection.  Decide who ran it best inside....

 

Last night Kerry Washington rocked a bold and vibrantly colored Gucci dress from the spring/ summer 2011 collection to the Mary J. Blige honors concert in New York City. Washington paired the dress with Gucci's purple Malika clutch and purple and gold heels. A couple of months ago, half way across the world Chanel Iman wore the same dress to the 500 by Gucci party in Milan. Iman paired the racy frock with Gucci Kelis Suede & Python Ankle-Strap Platform Sandals.

So..........

 

 WHO RAN IT?

 

 

And in case you missed it........

 

Jennifer Lopez rocked the same Gucci outfit in a different color at the 1st Annual UNICEF Women of Compassion Luncheon with a daring plunging neckline which is completed with strappy sandals and gold jewelry.

 

Source: http://theybf.com/2011/05/02/who-ran-it-chanel-iman-vs-kerry-washington

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Beyonce's New Single, 'Girls (Who Run The World),' Leaks Online

A demo version of the girl-power track hit the Net late Monday.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé
Photo: Al Pereira/ WireImage

A version of Beyoncé's forthcoming single "Girls (Who Run the World)" has hit the Internet, and as you might guess from the title, it's a thumping girl-power anthem. It samples Major Lazer's "Pon de Floor" and serves as B's lead single off her forthcoming new album, set for release later this year.

A rep for the singer had not returned MTV News' request for comment regarding the leaked track or the final version's release date as of press time.

The song opens with a keyboard and a heavy club beat as Beyoncé chants, "Girls!/ We run this mutha/ Girls!/ Who run the world." The club banger delivers on what Beyoncé has teased about the album: "I'm mixing every type of genre that I love and I'm inspired by every type of genre. ... I'm not in a box. It's not R&B. It's not typically pop. It's not rock. It's just everything I love all mixed together in my own little gumbo of music."

Beyoncé sings in her signature staccato style on the track. "It's hot up in here/ DJ don't be scared to run this, run this back/ I'm repping for the girls who taking over the world/ Have me raise a glass for the college grads," she sings.

"Boy you know you love it/ How we're smart enough to make these millions/ Strong enough to bear the children/ Then get back to business/ See, you better not play me/ Don't come here, baby/ Hope you still like me/ If you hate me," she goes on to declare. "My persuasion can build a nation/ In this hour/ Our love we can devour/ You'll do anything for me." Her vocals fade out as the song closes. But the song's message is clear.

"It'll be big. It'll probably be one of the bigger Beyoncé music videos ever done," director Francis Lawrence said of the video for the song. "And I can say that I think the song is unbelievable." He added, "It is a fantastic song, so I really hope that song catches for her, and I think the video's gonna be really fun and cool and different for her."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662236/beyonce-single-leak-girls-who-run-the-world.jhtml

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Mother's Day Style Stealer: Claire Huxtable Keeping It Real With Shoulder Pads

photo of claire huxtable and the cosby show

"The Cosby Show" matriarch Claire Huxtable was a woman of formidable strength, shoulder pads and style. Since we're celebrating cool moms this week, in honor of Mother's Day, we'd be remiss to leave Ms. Hux out: Her superior '80s wear showed everyone—including hubby Cliff—who really was the boss. After the jump, our Claire-inspired look!

Source: http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-style-stealer-claire-huxtable-keeping-it-real-with-shoulder-pads/?eref=RSS

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Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes Attend ?The Kennedys? Premiere

And so it FINALLY premiered!!! We’ve watched ‘The Kennedys’ from start to finish but were worried it would never get a premiere considering the series was dropped by after it was shot. Thankfully, someone FINALLY picked it up and all is … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/03/29/tom-cruise-and-katie-holmes-attend-the-kennedys-premiere/

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WHO RAN IT?: Chanel Iman Vs. Kerry Washington

 

Recently, two of our favorite YBF chicks, Chanel Iman and Kerry Washington were spotted in the same outfit from the 2011 summer/spring Gucci collection.  Decide who ran it best inside....

 

Last night Kerry Washington rocked a bold and vibrantly colored Gucci dress from the spring/ summer 2011 collection to the Mary J. Blige honors concert in New York City. Washington paired the dress with Gucci's purple Malika clutch and purple and gold heels. A couple of months ago, half way across the world Chanel Iman wore the same dress to the 500 by Gucci party in Milan. Iman paired the racy frock with Gucci Kelis Suede & Python Ankle-Strap Platform Sandals.

So..........

 

 WHO RAN IT?

 

 

And in case you missed it........

 

Jennifer Lopez rocked the same Gucci outfit in a different color at the 1st Annual UNICEF Women of Compassion Luncheon with a daring plunging neckline which is completed with strappy sandals and gold jewelry.

 

Source: http://theybf.com/2011/05/02/who-ran-it-chanel-iman-vs-kerry-washington

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Liv Tyler: Steven Tyler Wears My Clothes

Liv Tyler: Steven Tyler Wears My Clothes

It's no wonder that Liv Tyler is a huge fan of her dad's fashion choices on American Idol. It seems much of the time Steven Tyler is actually wearing his daughter's clothes!

"His blouses! My dad wears girls' clothes -- it's so funny," Liv told Vulture. "Sometimes I see him and I'm like, 'Nice shirt!' -- because it's from my closet."

But, besides liking his style, Liv is in awe of the Aerosmith rocker. The devoted daughter says she's not at all surprised by the gaggle of new fans that her dad has acquired since taking his post on the Idol panel.

"I think he's really handsome. I feel really proud of him," she says of Tyler, 62.

And while we may not always understand what he's talking about (he once told a contestant, "Slap that baby on the a** and call me Christmas!"), Liv says her father's colorful comments make complete sense to her.

"I think he's a really amazing, magical man and all those funny things that he says that people find so strange, my whole life I've been hearing them and they make me laugh," she says. "And I speak his language; I understand what he's talking about."

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/liv-tyler-steven-tyler-wears-my-clothes/1-a-345318

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Inside Angelina Jolie?s And Brad Pitt?s Home Life

Although Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are pretty much required to go trotting around the globe for their movies, things are changing for the Jolie-Pitt clan as the older kids start school. It looks like Los Angeles is becoming the … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/03/23/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-home-life-family/

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