# Gaga's new 'Telephone' video- "I told you she didn't have a dick." **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292 "2010-03-12T20:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/101 "2010-03-17T16:25:09Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I suppose my position is this: even if it is shallow pop music, _what’s wrong with that?_ > > Maybe I’m weird, but sometimes I _want_ to listen to shallow music. Sometimes you just want to turn your brain off and bounce around to a fun beat and catchy harmony. Exactly. Sometimes you just want a little sugar for the ears. My only problem with Gaga, as I said upthread, is that it’s really dated derivative pop music she’s making. I wish she’d break a little more ground. But her music is fun, it’s catchy, got a good beat. What’s not to like? Who cares if it’s shallow? ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/102 "2010-03-17T16:28:11Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I suppose my position is this: even if it is shallow pop music, _what’s wrong with that?_ > > Maybe I’m weird, but sometimes I _want_ to listen to shallow music. Sometimes you just want to turn your brain off and bounce around to a fun beat and catchy harmony. > > Not everybody can be Bob Dylan, but more importantly: not everybody should be Bob Dylan. There’s a niche for a wide range of music and enjoying “shallow” music doesn’t preclude someone from being touched by a deeper song. > > Edit to add: a lot of the Gaga songs remind me of Prince songs- on the surface, they seem shallow and almost nonsensical, but there are double meanings behind each one, often well hidden with in the song. Sure, most of the hidden stuff is about sex, but that’s neither here nor there 🙂 I forgot to mention Prince in my earlier list. Thanks! And I like shallow music as much as the next person, but the lyrics in her songs–I’m embarrassed to sing them in my own apartment. ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/103 "2010-03-17T16:36:01Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > [Give “Speechless” a shot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7HvURBhMGE)- it’s a great song she wrote when her father refused to get heart surgery to save his life. > > My favorite line from the song: > Then again, if you’ve listened to the entire Fame Monster, you’ve probably heard the song. If the song _Speechless_ is anything related to a father/daughter relationship…I don’t even know what to think about that one. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/104 "2010-03-17T16:49:02Z")
> [@halfliquid](#): > > If the song _Speechless_ is anything related to a father/daughter relationship…I don’t even know what to think about that one. Are you kidding me now? Her father needed heart surgery and said he’d lived a long life, so he wasn’t going to do it. Her response was the song, where she says- in certainly almost a childish sort of way- if he doesn’t get the surgery, she’ll never sing again. Obviously, since dad has worked with her his whole life to help her get where she is now, this threat is what ended up convincing him into getting the life saving surgery. The lyrics (part of them, at least): > [@](#): > > I can’t believe what you said to me > Last night when we were alone > You threw your hands up > Baby you gave up, you gave up > > I can’t believe how you looked at me > With your James Dean glossy eyes > In your tight jeans with your long hair > And your cigarette stained lies Pretty clear, right? Daddy said he wouldn’t get surgery. He gave up on living. > [@](#): > > Could we fix you if you broke? > And is your punch line just a joke? > > I’ll never talk again > Oh boy you’ve left me speechless > You’ve left me speechless, so speechless Daddy needs surgery. Daughter will be so heart broken if he doesn’t that she wont be able to ever even speak again. > [@](#): > > I can’t believe how you looked at me > With your Johnnie Walker eyes > He’s gonna get you and after he’s through > There’s gonna be no love left to rye Daddy is killing himself through his lifestyle. > [@](#): > > If I promise to you boy > That I’ll never talk again > And I’ll never love again > I’ll never write a song > Won’t even sing along > > I’ll never love again > So speechless > You left me speechless, so speechless Pretty straight forward- she’s threatening her dad into getting the surgery. ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/105 "2010-03-17T16:55:50Z")
DiosaBellissima, did you enjoy the movie _Nowhere_? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/106 "2010-03-17T16:57:19Z")
> [@halfliquid](#): > > DiosaBellissima, did you enjoy the movie _Nowhere_? Never heard of it, but looking at IMDB, it came out when I was 11. Makes sense 11 year old me didn’t see what they describe as “90210 on acid”. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/107 "2010-03-17T17:00:31Z")
> [@halfliquid](#): > > If the song _Speechless_ is anything related to a father/daughter relationship…I don’t even know what to think about that one. I think this says more about your literary abilities than Gaga’s lyric writing. Do you also think Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Taken” is about walking around in a forest? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/108 "2010-03-17T17:01:11Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Do you also think Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Taken” is about walking around in a forest? It’s not? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/109 "2010-03-17T17:05:19Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Are you kidding me now? Her father needed heart surgery and said he’d lived a long life, so he wasn’t going to do it. Her response was the song, where she says- in certainly almost a childish sort of way- if he doesn’t get the surgery, she’ll never sing again. Obviously, since dad has worked with her his whole life to help her get where she is now, this threat is what ended up convincing him into getting the life saving surgery. > > The lyrics (part of them, at least): > Pretty clear, right? Daddy said he wouldn’t get surgery. He gave up on living. > > Daddy needs surgery. Daughter will be so heart broken if he doesn’t that she wont be able to ever even speak again. > > Daddy is killing himself through his lifestyle. > > Pretty straight forward- she’s threatening her dad into getting the surgery. Not knowing the intimate details of her life or her motivations for writing these songs, I’m left to interpret them with what I’ve got. Maybe she should have included this info with her liner in the CD. The only reference to her father is, “Thank you to my dad, for always protecting me from monsters.” And there’s a nifty insert with her striking a pose similar to Madonna’s True Blue. Cute headphones. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/110 "2010-03-17T17:08:55Z")
> [@halfliquid](#): > > Not knowing the intimate details of her life or her motivations for writing these songs, I’m left to interpret them with what I’ve got. > > Maybe she should have included this info with her liner in the CD. The only reference to her father is, “Thank you to my dad, for always protecting me from monsters.” Most musicians don’t explain the metaphors they use in their songs ever. If I remember correctly, there are several Beatles songs whose meaning is oft disputed, mostly because the band members refuse to specify the actual topic. I mean, you don’t honestly believe she’s thanking her dad for protecting her from the Swamp Thing, right? You realize “monster” is a rhetorical device she uses repeatedly throughout her music. ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/111 "2010-03-17T17:10:36Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > I think this says more about your literary abilities than Gaga’s lyric writing. Do you also think Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Taken” is about walking around in a forest? Don’t you mean _The Road Not Taken_, dumbass? ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/112 "2010-03-17T17:11:45Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Most musicians don’t explain the metaphors they use in their songs ever. If I remember correctly, there are several Beatles songs whose meaning is oft disputed, mostly because the band members refuse to specify the actual topic. Whatever. I really hate that one Beatles song about that man made of eggs and his bff, the walrus. I mean, seriously? What the hell is that about? We don’t need stupid kiddie song lyrics in our pop music. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/113 "2010-03-17T17:16:08Z")
> [@halfliquid](#): > > Don’t you mean _The Road Not Taken_, dumbass? Personal insults aren’t allowed in Cafe Society, **halfliquid**. Please don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/114 "2010-03-17T17:16:38Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Most musicians don’t explain the metaphors they use in their songs ever. If I remember correctly, there are several Beatles songs whose meaning is oft disputed, mostly because the band members refuse to specify the actual topic. > > I mean, you don’t honestly believe she’s thanking her dad for protecting her from the Swamp Thing, right? You realize “monster” is a rhetorical device she uses repeatedly throughout her music. Sorry, I didn’t have an alcoholic father who needed heart surgery, so of course I wouldn’t interpret this song this way. And, this information would probably be news to the majority of people who have actually followed her. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/115 "2010-03-17T17:19:17Z")
> [@halfliquid](#): > > Sorry, I didn’t have an alcoholic father who needed heart surgery, so of course I wouldn’t interpret this song this way. And, this information would probably be news to the majority of people who have actually followed her. You don’t have to know the specifics, though, to realize it’s a meaningful song about someone she loves harming themselves in some way. Certainly, knowing the situation in which it was written makes it more touching, but that’s the case with most songs. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/116 "2010-03-17T18:04:38Z")
I don’t tend to engage in debate about the lyrics in pop songs because that is 100%, completely beside the point of pop music. Pop music is meant to be listened to and enjoyed, often danced to. It is not intended to be dissected like some idiotic red wheelbarrow. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/117 "2010-03-17T18:50:01Z")
Okay, that linked interview finally loaded and I can watch it - hoo boy. “In other news, overwrought Moral Majority member doesn’t approve of Lady Gaga’s video!” Sandy Rios apparently thinks lesbians are disgusting, and watching music videos and art will turn you into a pedophilic rapist. Nice discussion, too; we have the interviewer who is on the same side as the interviewee (under a very thin guise of being neutral and playing devil’s advocate). Rios - American kids have been raped of their innocence (with the implication that videos by people like Lady Gaga are responsible for it). Bleah. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/118 "2010-03-17T21:13:44Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > The whole “writing incredibly shallow music to make fun of incredibly shallow music” thing puts her on shaky ground. [Pop music will never be low brow.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ-ElQDzmdw&NR=1&feature=fvwp) That’s a video of Gaga performing Just Dance. Watch the first 20 seconds to see my point. I think that is Gaga’s artistic mission. She isn’t out to create high brow music, she’s out to shatter the distinction between high and low brow art. She’s trying to make pop music that sounds like pop music, but doesn’t fit neatly into either the high or low brow categories. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/119 "2010-03-17T21:38:16Z")
Is your point that her music is indeed low brow? Otherwise I don’t get it. There is absolutely nothing high brow about that, not even remotely. I get that this girl is doing something a little more special than Mandy Moore or Jessica Simpson, but some of you guys are going overboard on her. The _best_ she can hope for (and I think she has a good chance of acheiving it) is to carry Madonna’s torch. She’s not the anachronistic love-child of Jorge Luis Borges and Beethoven, come to open our eyes and save us all from meaningless, recycled culture, and her farts do not cure cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292/120 "2010-03-17T22:54:37Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > and her farts do not cure cancer. Yes they do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gagas-new-telephone-video-i-told-you-she-didnt-have-a-dick/532292.md?page=7)