On what seems like a very, very strong new album called “Joanne,” Lady Gaga is getting serious about a lot of stuff. Serious stuff. She’s got a song called “Angel Down” about Trayvon Martin in which she embraces Black Lives Matter and makes a stunning statement– very much like Bruce Springsteen did years ago with “American Skin (41 Shots)” about Amadou Diallo. There’s a weird clip that will give you an idea, and here are the lyrics:
I confess I am lost
In the age of the social
On our knees
Take a test
To be lovin’ and grateful
Shots were fired on the street
By the church where we used to meet
Angel down, angel down
But the people just stood around
I’m a believer
It’s a trial
Foolish and weaker
Oh-oh-oh
I’d rather save an angel down
I’m a believer
It’s chaos
Where are our leaders?
Oh-oh-oh
I’d rather save an angel down
Doesn’t everyone belong
In the arms of the sacred
Why do we pretend we’re wrong?
Has our young courage faded?
Shots were fired on the street
By the church where we used to meet
Angel down, angel down
Why do people just stood around?
I’m a believer
It’s a trial
Foolish and weaker
Oh-oh-oh
I’d rather save an angel down
I’m a believer
It’s chaos
Where are our leaders?
Oh-oh-oh
I’d rather save an angel down
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
I’m a believer
It’s a trial
Foolish and weaker
Oh-oh-oh
I’d rather save an angel down
Ohhh
I’m a believer
It’s chaos
Where are our leaders?
Oh-oh-oh
I’d rather save an angel down
Save that angel
Catch that angel
Catch that angel
Catch that angel
Otherwise, “Joanne” the album has a lot of depth. It’s also a hit for the moment, entering iTunes at number 2 and amazon at number 1. “Hey Girl” with Florence Welch is a tribute to Elton John and “Bennie and the Jets.” More traditional Lady Gaga fans will go for “Dancin’ in Circles.” “Come to Mama” is also very strong. More on the album later on Friday. But I wish Gaga had made the Grammy deadline on September 30th. She woulda been a contender.
