My thoughts on Lady Gaga’s tribute to David Bowie at the 2016 Grammys
Lady Gaga performs a tribute to David Bowie at the 58th annual Grammy Awards on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Los Angeles. AP
It seemed like the most logical choice for the producers of the 2016 Grammy Awards to handpick Lady Gaga to perform in the tribute for David Bowie, being that both of them are known for being experimental artists. However, what may have seemed good on paper did not translate when the time arose.
This was the case with Lady Gaga’s less than favorable tribute for David Bowie at the recently concluded 2016 Grammys. Even though she was able to perform bits and pieces of David Bowie’s greatest hits via the effect heavy-laden medley she did, her showing still appeared uninspired to me, at best. It also felt forced… as she tried too hard to capture the magnetic and charismatic presence the great David Bowie possessed.
Right there, it was an impossibility to pull off. In fact, one can say that was an unrealistic expectation for her to accomplish.
A tribute is a tribute. It is exactly the way it should be. It is remembering what came before… it is a showing of respect and admiration for his work and it should not be meant to mimic the late artist in every possible and conceivable way… whether it is the choice of wardrobe, performing techniques, and how the tribute as a whole was presented ! Watching at home, though, I got this weird “karaoke vibe” from Lady Gaga’s flashy yet ultimately lackluster tribute to David Bowie.
What was lost there is this–perhaps more people had wanted to see what Lady Gaga could do as an artist. What would have been her so called artistic vision for the tribute ? Lady Gaga has always bragged that she is a true artistic individual. People do remember those sort of things… where were those that night?
The reality is that it is an impossibility for Lady Gaga to “embody” even some of that musical brilliance and genuine artistry the late David Bowie possessed throughout his stellar and multi-decade-spanning career for the sole reason that she is not David Bowie. To add to that, many people view Lady Gaga as a “novelty act” and someone who merely happened to have a career high for less than four years and then one who practically dropped off from the radar and was forgotten since then.
To be brutally frank here, she is “yesterday’s news!” A result of her being too trendy and relying too much on shock value are precisely the very reasons her music career took a nosedive to near obscurity. What used to be her strong points have caused her fans to turn away from her, grown weary as they have of her antics. I applaud them for that as she was just too much of a “freak show” already.
Lady Gaga’s time has passed. But David Bowie’s music and artistry will remain timeless and have become a source of inspiration to so many. He never rode a trend. In fact, in many cases, David Bowie started numerous trends in the music industry, intentional or not. All of this proves he was such an original.
How could someone like that of a Lady Gaga do justice to music coming from a music legend? They are miles apart. And this sustains my belief that some things are just meant to be left alone.
Yes ! It is proper that they are honoring David Bowie. Yes, it is fitting they are acknowledging everything he has contributed to the music industry. Yes, it is right they are keeping his memory alive through his music.
But, please, don’t get Lady Gaga to have anything more to do with the legacy of David Bowie !
