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Lady Gaga, Zombieboy: Wacky Wednesday No. 39 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Interscope; Rich The Barber Font from Font Space; Wendel Natan from Pexels; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]In the 39th edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique “Zombieboy,” performed by Academy and Grammy award winner, Lady Gaga.

Do you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze, break down, and explore songs from various musicians of various genres that can be considered unique, unusual, or ‘wacky.’  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  With the background established, in the 39th edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique “Zombieboy”, performed by Lady Gaga. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence!

Lady Gaga, MAYHEM [📷: Interscope]“We about to be up all night, waking up a zombie / So put your paws all over me, you zombie-boy (You zombie-boy).” Oh, snap, Lady Gaga! The intro sets the tone for “Zombieboy”, the colorful seventh track from the Academy and Grammy award winner’s seventh studio album, MAYHEM. Gaga penned “Zombieboy” with James Fauntleroy and producers Andrew Watt and Cirkut (Henry Walter).  The song was written as a tribute to her deceased friend, Canadian artist, actor, fashion model, and musician Rick Genest (1985 – 2018), nicknamed Zombie Boy.

Gaga’s assertive vocals appear at the top of the record. Following the assertive, commanding intro, an infectious groove is established. The glorious sounds consist of a fat bass line, crisp rhythmic guitar riffs, and picturesque keys and synths. Returning the focus to the star, Lady Gaga, she delivers carefree, playful, talk-sung vocals. She infuses a heaping dose of personality into her performance. “Boy inside a cage, lookin’ angry and tired,” she sings in the first verse, and continues, “Like you’ve been up for days…” Wacky Wednesday (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Rich The Barber Font from Font Space; Wendel Natan from Pexels]In the second verse, she asserts, “Think you’re really sly, like a lion on the hunt for / This kitten over here, this kitten over here (Meow).” Woo! In the pre-chorus, she characterizes Zombieboy as “…an animal / And you’re closing in on me / Yeah, you’re an animal / And it just can’t be this way.” D-d-d-damn! Even with her playful approach, Lady Gaga brings mad pipes – she can sing! Beyond her core vocals, Gaga brings timely ad-libs. The melodies are tuneful throughout, particularly the centerpiece, the chorus!

“Oh, I can’t see straight, and my hands are tied

I could be your type from your zombie bite

No, I can’t see straight, but the feeling’s right

I could be your type from your zombie bite.”

Ultimately, “Zombieboy” is successful, thanks to being fun, outlandish, and over the top, which Lady Gaga excels at.

Lady Gaga » MAYHEM » Interscope » 2025
Lady Gaga, Zombieboy: Wacky Wednesday No. 39 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Interscope; Rich The Barber Font from Font Space; Wendel Natan from Pexels; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

 


the musical hype

The Musical Hype (he/him) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education and music theory/composition, respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Music and writing are two of the most important parts of his life.