ARTPOP Review: Donatella
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| Photo: The-Fame.org |
Some songs are seemingly penned to cater to a certain crowd and, one of the best kept secrets in music is that Lady Gaga has a rather large gay fanbase. I know, I couldn’t believe it either but ‘Donatella’ is, in short, a song written purely for the gays. It is inspired by the iconic nonchalance of Donatella Versace. She, a lot like Gaga herself, doesn’t really care what you think – and nor does this song. If there wasn’t an overriding sense of admiration, the lyrics could be construed as catty but instead they come off as funny, well intentioned jabs – Gaga ensures things remain interesting by serving the truth tea on her muse but if Donatella herself didn’t grumble, nor should we.
It’s undeniably album track material but it’s a grower – particularly the layered vocals in the chorus that give a welcome sense of mayhem that makes up for one of the most straightforward instrumentals on ‘ARTPOP’. The structure offers a little more to get your teeth stuck into – a drop out for the bridge and a chorus of parts; industrial bleeps through to a soaring ode to Ms. Versace’s more radiant qualities. All of this is marvellous enough, but the entire song is eclipsed and summarised by it’s unforgettable introduction – a drink pouring, followed by an admission ‘I am so fab’. Yes, Gaga, I suppose you are.
Photo: The-Fame.org
Words: Simon McMurdo