"Artpop" (stylized as "ARTPOP") is a song by Lady Gaga released on her fourth studio album ARTPOP. Gaga confirmed during a track-by-track commentary with Sirius XM that the song is also known as the "Swan Song". It was also the first song written for the album, and the one worked on the longest out of the other tracks.
Background and composition
The song was first mentioned on a photo posted on Instagram and LittleMonsters.com by Gaga on August 3, 2012. It included lyrics: "We could, we could, belong together. ARTPOP." The same day, she also revealed a photo of a tattoo that read "ARTPOP".
Lady Gaga talked about the creation and meaning of the song and collaborating with DJ White Shadow in the track-by-track ARTPOP commentary on Sirius XM.
| “ | So, this is the swan song of the album. This record was one of the first songs, I think that it was the first song that I wrote. This is also production by DJ White Shadow, and I worked on this with him, probably the longest out of all the songs. It was very interesting the way that it all kind of happened; once we made it, we really didn’t want to do anything to it, and I’m not really like the, I like to edit and change and let things grow, but "ARTPOP" is really an inferno, and it’s the only song on the record that I didn’t really want it to go anywhere, or “explode” or orgasm because in a way that’s kind of like composing something that would be just like every other, sort of, orgasm that I’ve ever had; and, because it’s really the center of the record, I really wanted there to be a more infinite tone to this concept of ARTPOP, that: we can put art in the front, and not have the corporate world controlling art anymore. How can we, the artists, beckon for our ideas, and for our visions to be the most important thing, the thing that’s driving, driving culture, that’s driving these corporations. I didn’t really want it to grow too much. I wanted it to kind of hypnotize people, and kind of become like a mantra; and I say, [lyric from "ARTPOP"] “We could belong together (ARTPOP).” So, it’s really a metaphor for love, between me and my fans; if we can belong together, then maybe art and pop can belong together, in that order. | ” |
Performances
| Dates | Location | City | 
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| 2013 | |||
| Sep 1 | iTunes Festival | London | 
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| Sep 7 | Le Poisson Rouge | New York City | 
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| Nov 10 | artRave | Brooklyn, NY | |
| 2014 | |||
| Feb 20 | Porter | New York City |
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| Dates | Location | Channel |
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Lyrics
Come to me
In all your glamour and cruelty
Just do that thing that you do
And I'll undress you
Keep it tight
Sometimes the simplest move is right
The melody that you choose
Can rescue you
A hybrid can withstand these things
My heart can beat with bricks and strings
My ARTPOP could mean anything
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP, ARTPOP, ARTPOP)
Come to me
With all your subtext and fantasy
Just do that thing that you do
In a perverse hue
Lovers' kites
Are flown on beaches for public sight
The color palette you choose
Can profit you
A hybrid can withstand these things
My heart can beat with bricks and strings
My ARTPOP could mean anything
Could try to sell you out or I
Could show you all the reasons why
My ARTPOP could mean anything
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP, ARTPOP, ARTPOP)
Brushes with darkness won't help you create
Your destiny of self but ARTPOP could mean anything (anything)
I try to sell myself but I am really laughing
Because I just love the music not the bling (music not the bling)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP, ARTPOP, ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP)
We could, we could belong together (ARTPOP, ARTPOP, ARTPOP)
Free my mind, ARTPOP
You make my heart stop
Video use
An ARTPOP Film Starring LADY GAGA
On November 20, 2013, Lady Gaga posted a short fashion film, shot by Inez and Vinoodh as well as the Haus of Gaga. This video was filmed during the ARTPOP photshoot. In the video, Gaga is seen in various sets and outfits, some of which include the motherboard chair, and the prosthetic arm, as well as new and unseen sets. The video was first debuted at the artRave in Brooklyn, New York, on November 10, 2013.
"G.U.Y." Music video
"Artpop" is featured as the first song from the "G.U.Y." music video. A new remixed version of the song is used which featurs an extended instrumental introduction. The video begins in the desert (Hearst Ranch) with businessmen fighthing about money while carrying bows and arrows. Gaga is seen as a Phoenix lying down with an arrow stuck on her back. The businessmen then leave the scene without trying to help Gaga as they are too busy trying to catch the falling money. The song is used from the start of the video up until when she arrives at Hearst Castle.
Credits
| Writers | Lady Gaga, DJ White Shadow, Dino Zisis and Nick Monson |
| Producer | |
| Co-producer | Dino Zisis and Nick Monson |
| Recording by | Dave Russell and Benjamin 'Ben' Rice at Record Plant, Hollywood, CA
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| Assistant recording | Benjamin 'Ben' Rice and Daniel Zaidenstadt at Record Plant |
| Mixed by | Dave Russell at Record Plant, Hollywood, CA Heard IT! Studios, North Hollywood, CA
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| Assistant mixing by | Benjamin 'Ben' Rice |
| Additional mixing by | Dino "Speedlove" Zisis at Record Plant |
| Additional programing by | Rick Pearl |
| Piano arrangement | Lady Gaga |
| Guitar arrangement | Lady Gaga and Nick Monson |
| Background vocals | Nicole Ganther, Natalie Ganther and Lyon Gray |
| Background vocal arrangement | Lady Gaga |
| Union contract administrator | Ivy Skoff |
| Mastering | Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering, Burbank, CA
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| Published by |
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References
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