Lady Gaga, Do What U Want | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

On the 15th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, “Do What U Want” by Lady Gaga. 

Bring on the controversy, won’t you? Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 15^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Do What U Want” by 🎙 Lady Gaga. 

The Company You Keep  

“But do what you want with my body.” That lyric can send the wrong message. However, that’s not the chief issue with the song at hand.  Sometimes, it’s the company that you keep that’ll screw you over – totally ‘F things up’ if you will. In the case of Lady Gaga (who isn’t devoid of controversy), it’s 🎙 R. Kelly that screwed her over the most.  How so? Well, Kelly appeared as co-writer and featured guest on “Do What U Want,” an utterly catchy, now removed song from her 2013 album, 💿 ARTPOP. The chief controversy behind “Do What U Want” is mostly about the problematic R&B artist.

As a fan of the song, it makes me sad that it had to be removed, but it was the right thing to do without question. R. Kelly is talented but deserves NO sympathy for his horrendous behavior.  He is NOT a good man and no matter how great his music is, it doesn’t eclipse the horrid crimes he’s committed.  Tainting “Do What U Want” further are hearing him sing the lyrics, “Do what I want, do what I want with your body / Back of the club, taking shots, getting’ naughty.” If it weren’t R. Kelly, we wouldn’t blink an eye, but since it is, we can’t ignore it. Gaga made the right decision to vow never to work with him again. Doesn’t seem like anyone will be working with him anytime soon. 

Music Video 🎶📼 

Kelly is also part of another controversy associated with “Do What U Want” – the music video! Given the fact that “Do What U Want” was a single, a music video was set to be released.  That didn’t happen. Why? Lady Gaga pulled the plug on that as well back in 2014.  Why? Then sexual abuse allegations against Kelly, as well as the director, Terry Richardson.  Yikes! Making things worse, the video that was shot was NSFW – not a good look given the collaborators. 

Final Thoughts 💭

Lady Gaga comes out as the least controversial thing about “Do What U Want.”  The thing that derailed the song, were those problematic collaborators.  While there was a remix with 🎙 Christina Aguilera, the baggage accompanying it has totally tainted it. Gaga did right to cancel it – shut it down completely.

🎙 Lady Gaga • 💿 ARTPOP • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2013

Lady Gaga, “Do What U Want”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 15 [📷: Aidan Feddersen on Unsplash, Brent Faulkner, Interscope, The Musical Hype]