Lady Gaga, “Judas” | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

In the 18^th  edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, “Judas” by Lady Gaga. 

Bring on the controversy!

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.  In the 18^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Judas” by 🎙 Lady Gaga.

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Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa / I’m in love with Juda-as, Juda-as…” Woo! That’s #sketch, 🎙 Lady Gaga. Early on in her career, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assert Lady Gaga and controversy are synonymous with one another. She was the definition of a firecracker in pop music and pop culture who has since tamed considerably.  One of her most controversial songs hails from her 2011 album, 💿 Born This Way.  That song is 🎵 “Judas” which makes some Christians feel some type of way.  Expectedly, with the name Judas, Lady Gaga refers to the fallen disciple, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.  Even if you’re not a person of faith, Judas is considered to be one of the most loathed individuals, right there with Satan himself.  Lyrically, Gaga gets Biblical on “Judas,” in a most blasphemous way – depending on how you examine it.

One of the first things to understand about “Judas” is that it is a dance/dance-pop record.  Yes, there are religious references (“I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs”), but the intent is not malicious or heretical.  Essentially, Lady Gaga is in love with a bad boy, who she likens to the infamous Judas.  She uses the actions that Judas used against Jesus in the context of her own situation (“Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain / Even after three times he betrays me”).  Basically, she’s knows this main 🎵 “Ain’t Shit”, 🎙 Doja Cat, but she’s drawn to him, like so many women and men are to bad people.

“I’m just a holy fool, oh baby

It’s so cruel, but I’m still in love with Judas, baby.”

Holy fool, indeed, Lady Gaga, but we’ve all been foolish when it comes to men/women.  She goes on to assert in the second verse, “Even prophets forgave his goofy way.” That lyric may be a controversy unto itself! According to the late Billy Graham, Judas was not forgiven for his betrayal of Jesus.  Of course, examined through the lens of a pop song and nothing more, this is just another lyric speaking to the charm of this sinful man as well as arguably, a flaw within Lady Gaga herself.  Of course, there are more eyebrow-raising moments, including her confession that “I am beyond repentance” and more notably, “Judas, kiss me, if offenced, or wear ear condom next time.” Well, we know that a condom is prophylactic, so an ear condom is essentially telling those offended not to listen – tune it out, block that sugar honey iced tea! Interestingly, some Christian commentators aren’t as bothered by “Judas,” or at least find redeeming qualities.  In a post for Christ Pop Culture, for example, Stephen Hale characterizes the song as “a surprise statement of faith”. Perhaps part of the reason is that Lady Gaga knows she’s making a bad choice: “Jesus is my virtue, and Judas is the demon I cling to / I cling to.”

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Music Video 🎶📼

Beyond controversial lyrics, there is an entirely different component that makes 🎵 “Judas” controversial – the music video 🎶📼.  Honestly, the visual is much more blasphemous than the lyrics. Of course, who you determine how you feel about this song and the video.  Clearly, there are plenty of non-Biblical things adapting Biblical characters. The disciples are bikers for one, something that seems far-fetched from their roles. Lady Gaga is torn between two hotties – Jesus (portrayed by Arrow actor, Rick Gonzalez) and Judas (portrayed by the Walking Dead actor, Norman Reedus). There is an instance where both are in a tub… baptismal pool… Okay, okay – it’s a lot, even for the most devout. Still, keep an open mind and remember, this is a song, and the music video is a piece of art.

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Final Thoughts 💭 

The question is, after listening to and watching the music video of 🎵 “Judas”, do I/you need to repent? Perhaps, if you’re driven to do so.  All said and done, this is an extremely clever pop song in my eyes.  Personally, the religious elements don’t affect me as a Christian, but then again, I’m incredibly progressive.  Other’s might be bothered.  What’s important to remember that I can’t emphasize enough is the fact that it is a song – don’t overthink it.  Controversial, yes, but it is a song, all told.

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🎙 Lady Gaga • 💿 Born This Way • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2011

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Lady Gaga, “Judas”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 18 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, cottonbro, Darkmoon_Art,  TheDigitalArtist, inna mikitas, Interscope, Isabela Catão, Jonathan Nenemann, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Tazz Vaughn, Victoria Borodinova, zzzvector]

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