Adam Lambert is working with Lady Gaga: Who benefits more?
Adam Lambert announced yesterday in a series of messages on his Twitter page that there’ll be at least one more A-list collaborator on For Your Entertainment, his upcoming debut album: “Yes it’s true: I spent yesterday in the studio w the insanely talented and creative Lady GaGa recording a song that she wrote! I love her.” “Gaga wrote the song a while ago and she thought it would be a good fit for me. It’s a solo track. I feel so honored and lucky to be asked.” “GaGa just gets it, ya know?”
Gaga may get “it,” but I’m wondering which artist gets the biggest career boost from this collaboration (even though it sounds like Gaga was only working behind the scenes, and not actually performing a duet with Adam)? On paper, the balance of power is a no-brainer: Runner-up from a televised singing contest that’s produced as many Katharine McPhees as it has Kelly Clarksons teams up with a woman whose singles have been a fixture in the Top 10 (”Paparazzi” is currently No. 7) for the last year and whose album remains at No. 27 on Billboard’s Hot 200 after 50 weeks on the chart.
And yet, maybe it’s not that simple. For all her chart success and blogosphere buzz, it seems as though Lady Gaga has morphed into a celebrity that a lot of folks love to hate. While I couldn’t stop giggling every time I caught sight of her fanciful “bird’s nest accouterment” (pictured) at last month’s VMAs, an EW.com poll the following day found that 71% of our readers were sick of Gaga’s fashion hi-jinks. And I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen or heard the Lady’s name without an immediate outcry of “Lady Gag Me” or “I’m so sick of her face!” So maybe the equation is more like this: “Beleaguered diva whose backlash is threatening to drown out the sound of her ubiquitous radio hits latches on to up-and-coming star with hotly anticipated album and seemingly endless media good will.”
To be honest, I’m not sure who really benefits more from this pairing. How ’bout you guys settle it with a good old-fashioned duel poll, and then further the debate in the comments section below. (And to stay abreast of all my Idol-related musings, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak.)
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Oct 21 2009 04:00 PM
‘Glee’ Exclusive: Madonna is on board! Is Adam Lambert next?
Are you sitting down, Gleeks? Well you might want to, because we have some exclusive Glee news that’s positively Madge-ical. EW has learned that Madonna has given Glee the rights to her catalog and that an all-Madonna-music episode is in the works for early next year. The hit series has been building an audience and filling the iTunes charts with its cover songs, and Madonna’s involvement is a testament to how big the show is getting. Also, an amazing Glee cover of a classic Madonna track has the potential to be even bigger than the show’s blockbuster take on “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Quinn totally has to do “Papa Don’t Preach.” And I can completely see Rachel tackling “Material Girl.”
But Madonna might not be the only pop star getting some Glee love. Co-creator Ryan Murphy tells EW that he’s considering approaching American Idol runner up Adam Lambert about appearing on the show (next year, Glee will be paired with Idol on Wednesday nights). Nothing is official yet but Lambert does seem like an ideal choice for Glee.
Which Madonna song do you wanna hear Glee cover, Music Mix-ers? What would you think about Adam Lambert possibly appearing on the show?
For more on Glee, check out EW’s cover story on the Fox phenomenon, on stands this Friday.
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More in-the-moment stories:
Adam Lambert Calls Michael Jackson’s Musical Style ‘Groundbreaking’
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Adam Lambert’s ‘Time For Miracles’ Video Premieres
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Adam Lambert’s ‘Time for Miracles’ Cracks the Top 10 on iTunes
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I was indifferent about Lady Gaga until I saw her on SNL and read her bio. I realized what an accomplished musician and musical genius she is — only 23 yrs old! Both she and Adam are fine, versatile musicians and performers much like Freddy Mercury. I think they would be sensational together IF they manage to avoid much of that chaotic stage carnival production stuff she typically does. If they could keep their themes and production lines simple (sometimes even sophisticated and/or other worldly) and showcase their HUGE and UNIQUE personal talents, I think they would be jaw-dropping. But if they submerge their talents mainly in Zodiac-like productions they could easily resemble jesters…IMO. BTW, I LOVE Zodiac but I heard Adam quicker than I could see him — there is so much going on and so many fine performers.
I agree with you. I enjoy GaGa’s music, but I really don’t care for her stage antics and I definitely don’t like her fashion statements! I’m all for unique, edgy, and am very open-minded, but I just think she’s beyond tacky and it teeters on trying-too-hard …. which always comes across as phony when people do it. I think she and Adam would make an awesome show together if, like you say, the production can focus on their talents rather than stage theatrics.
I agree about Zodiac, too. I really like Adam in it. He sings well, and I like the shockiness of his outfit and performance. However, often times theres just way too much going on at one time and it takes away from enjoying it as much as we probably could.
Sounds like she is in danger of becoming a parody of herself. She is a creative force and will do best when she stays in touch with herself. The performance has to come from the heart; otherwise, one just goes through the motions. Audiences always want the red meat of fresh material and running on that treadmill can be exhausting. I’m very much looking forward to hearing the song she wrote for Adam.