"Bad Romance" is a single which is sung and written by Lady Gaga, with the help of RedOne. The song also serves as first single off The Fame Monster. The song was first performed as a short acoustic version live on Saturday Night Live on October 3, 2009. The song premiered on October 6th during the finale of Alexander McQueen's Fashion Week show and on Radio One on October 19th. The digital single was released October 26th, in USA and Canada, and the day after, the single reached the #1 spot on both the American and Canadian iTunes Top Songs Chart. The song was then released October 27th, worldwide. The song is Gaga's biggest hit, next to "Born This Way". Despite it's huge success, the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. On October 2, 2009, the demo of the song leaked online. On the 21st January 2010, the instrumental without any back up vocals for "Bad Romance" leaked onto YouTube.
Writing and inspiration
After a concert in Russia, Lady Gaga was in Norway and got the inspiration to write "Bad Romance". A demo of the song was recorded in Amsterdam with RedOne, this version has less vocal tracks, and has a different beat at the intro and has been changed slightly in the chorus. Towards three quarters into the song, the French verse of the album version is replaced with "I want your love and I want your revenge. I want your love I don’t wanna be friends". The lyrics in general, talk about exploring the joys of a bad romance but this idea changes during the intermediate bridge when the lyrics talk about fashion. While being interviewed on the November 2, 2009 episode of It's On with Alexa Chung, Gaga pointed out that she was listing Alfred Hitchcock films (Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window) in the verse, "I want your psycho, your vertigo shtick / Want you in my rear window, baby you're sick." She stated, "What I'm really trying to say is I want the deepest, darkest, sickest parts of you that you are afraid to share with anyone because I love you that much. Along with the rest of the songs from The Fame Monster, "Bad Romance" deals with a monster. This song represents her "Fear of Love Monster".
In some interview, RedOne talked about the writing process of "Bad Romance"[1].
| “ | [Lady Gaga] is the type of artist you always want to work with and that’s why we always have something to give the world. She’s a generous woman and the realest artist out there. On her album notes, you’ll usually see two or three writers but she’s the only one. I’ll give you an example. This is so true. I’ll explain her generosity. Her huge hit "Bad Romance" lists her and I as writers. Do you know what I wrote? Nothing. I gave one suggestion. Do you know what that is? I told her to add the “oh, oh, oh, oh, oh” into the lyrics. That’s it. I didn’t want songwriter royalties for that. I don’t deserve it. She said to me, “You contributed to this song, Nadir. It’d be slightly different without you. You’re a part of the writing process.” Many producers, that means myself especially, don’t even touch the lyrics and she’ll still credit them just because producer royalties are nowhere near as much as the songwriter ones. It’s no lie whenever someone says that Gaga goes out of her way to guarantee everyone around is treated right. Fans, family, employees, friends, yes, even a waitress at some restaurant is treated like gold. That’s why I love her. I’ve produced so many artists from Nicki Minaj to Justin Bieber and none of them were as generous, kind, or caring as her. I consider us friends above all else so working with her never feels like a job. | ” |
In interview for Dainik Jagran (published on September 18th, 2019[2]), RedOne revealed how he came up with the idea of adding "Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh" to the song:
| “ | My music is all about energy you know. Like [...] seeing people feel this thing. That's what I envision when I do my music. If I'm in a good place of creation this thing comes and I start seeing people singing the song before it's even done. You start seeing, you know, 'Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh' [portrays a crowd at the concert screaming this and waving the arms]. You can see that thing. I remember when we were on a [tour] bus, I mean [me and] Gaga, we wrote the song on a bus. And I remember when I did the "Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh". I remember that part I saw [at a Swedish] festival, because I used to live in Sweden. I just got this emotional [feeling] on the festivals [...] in the middle of the summer. And you see people going like that. And I felt that was perfect. And then a few months later you have a stadium, singing "Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh". And that's what it is. [...] It comes from a vision, an emotional vision, for sure. And then it becomes reality. It's a blessing when it becomes reality. | ” |
—RedOne on Dainik Jagran | ||
Composition
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According to MTV, the song is similar in tempo to Gaga's previous single "Poker Face". The song opens with Gaga singing a portion of the chorus that then transitions into the "Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah/Roma-roma-mah/Gaga-ooh-la-la" hook. It is followed by the sound of drum beats and keyboard arrangement. The bridge with Gaga voicing the line "You know that I want you/And you know that I need you/I want your bad, your bad romance." It is followed by the full-throated chorus, where Gaga sings "I want your love/And I want your revenge/You and me could write a bad romance [...] Caught in a bad romance." According to About.com the music is best suited for viewing fashion designs and on the runway. Slant Magazine said that the music consists of new wave synths and a number of endless hooks. The Independent felt that the chorus has influences of the music of Boney M while The Guardian wrote that it recalled the music of Depeche Mode's fifth studio album Black Celebration (1986). The song is set in the time signature of common time with a metronome of 119 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of A minor with Gaga's vocal range spanning from the low-note of E3 to the high-note of A5. The song follows in the chord progression of Am–C–F–C–G in the verses and F–G–Am–C–F–G–Em–Am in the chorus.
Critical reception
It was announced on August 2, 2010, "Bad Romance" became only the second song in history to earn 10 MTV Music Video Awards nominations, along with Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer".
On October 24, 2011, "Bad Romance" was listed on Time magazine's list of “All-TIME 100 songs”. The list of songs include those that have been released since the first issue of TIME magazine in 1923. TIME.com released a statement regarding the song.
- "Aren’t pop stars supposed to be sweet? Britney, Christina and Katy just wanted to love and be loved by you. Even Madonna’s early work was largely about thanking her lucky stars and wanting to dress you up in her love. But Gaga doesn’t want any of that. On the lead single from her second album, The Fame Monster, she pines for a destructive relationship that she knows will end in disaster. (Or, according to the music video, a singed bed and a corpse. Either/or.) She will play mind games. She will use you. “Bad Romance” is an infectiously catchy dance song about all of the crazy, messed-up feelings people have for one another."
Reference in popular culture
- On November 17, 2009, couple: Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras, did a performance to the song on So You Think You Can Dance.
- In the "Miami, We Have a Problem" episode of CSI: Miami, the song was used as an intro to the episode.
- The song was covered on the Fox musical comedy television series, Glee, by the Glee Cast, on the episode "Theatricality".
- In the "The Last Days of Disco Stick" episode of Gossip Girl, Lady Gaga made a cameo as a performer. This episode aired on November 16, 2009.
- Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt sang a cover of the song at hitRECord.org's third Summer in the City show, on September 6, 2010.
- Chelsea Handler made her entrance at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards to the song, while wearing a white house as a headpiece, and a dress, with a dove hidden underneath.
- On The X Factor live finale 2010, some of the contestants covered the song.
- Gunter, a character from the movie Sing, sang "Bad Romance" for his audition.
Commercial release
"Bad Romance" is the first single from The Fame Monster. The song is written by Lady Gaga and RedOne. She debuted an acoustic part of it on Saturday Night Live. She shot the video for "Bad Romance" on the 16th and 17th of October, 2009. The single was released on October 27, as digital download.
Physical releases
Australia (2726752)
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Label:  Format: Slimline jewel case Released: November 27, 2009 Barcode: 602527267524 Photography: Hedi Slimane Design: Uncredited  |
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| # | Name | Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Romance" (Radio Edit) | 4:24 | |||||||
| 2. | "Just Dance" (Deewaan Remix) (feat. Ashking, Wedis, Lush and Young Thoro) | 4:17 | |||||||
France (2730863)
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Label: Format: Cardboard Released: January 10, 2010 Barcode: 602527308630 Photography: Hedi Slimane Design: Uncredited  |
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| # | Name | Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Romance" (Radio Edit) | 4:22 | |||||||
| 2. | "Bad Romance" (Bimbo Jones Radio Remix) | 4:00 | |||||||
| 3. | "Bad Romance" (Chew Fu H1N1 Remix) | 7:13 | |||||||
Germany / United Kingdom (2726752)
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Label: Format: Slimline jewel case Released: November 27, 2009 Barcode: 602527267524 Photography: Hedi Slimane Design: Uncredited |
|---|
| # | Name | Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Romance" (Radio Edit) | 4:24 | |||||||
| 2. | "Just Dance" (Deewaan Remix) (feat. Ashking, Wedis, Lush and Young Thoro) | 4:17 | |||||||
United States — The Remixes (B0013969-22)
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Label: Format: Jewel case Released: January 12, 2010 Barcode: 602527319810 Photography: Lauren Dukoff Design: Uncredited  |
|---|
| # | Name | Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Romance" (Chew Fu H1N1 Fix) | 5:11 | |||||||
| 2. | "Bad Romance" (Kaskade Remix) | 4:22 | |||||||
| 3. | "Bad Romance" (Bimbo Jones Remix) | 4:00 | |||||||
| 4. | "Bad Romance" (Skrillex Remix) | 4:23 | |||||||
| 5. | "Bad Romance" (Grum Remix) | 4:51 | |||||||
| 6. | "Bad Romance" (Richard Vission Remix) | 5:23 | |||||||
| 7. | "Bad Romance" (Hercules & Love Affaire Remix) | 5:12 | |||||||
United Kingdom (2726754)
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Label: Format: 7" vinyl in a transparent plastic Released: November 23, 2009 Barcode: 602527267548 Photography: Hedi Slimane (A), Slam (B) Design: Stewart Armstrong  |
|---|
- Side A (45RPM)
| # | Name | Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Romance" (Radio Edit) | 4:24 | |||||||
- Side B (33RPM)
| # | Name | Time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Paparazzi" (DJ Dan Club Mix) | 6:39 | |||||||
Digital releases
The Remixes, Pt. 2
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Label: Interscope Format: Digital Released: February 9, 2010 Barcode: None Photography: Lauren Dukoff Design: Uncredited |
|---|
| # | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Romance" (Grum Remix) | 4:49 |
| 2. | "Bad Romance" (Richard Vission Remix) | 5:21 |
| 3. | "Bad Romance" (Hercules & Love Affair Remix) | 5:11 |
| 4. | "Bad Romance" (Hercules & Love Affair Dub Remix) | 5:11 |
| 5. | "Bad Romance" (DJ Dan Remix) | 3:43 |
Remixes
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Performances
| Dates | Location | City | 
|
|---|
| 2009 | |||
| Dec 5 | Jingle Bell Ball | New York, NY | 
|
| 2010 | |||
| May 3 | Costume Institute Gala | New York, NY | 
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| Jun 24 | The White Tie and Tiara Ball | Old Windsor |
|
| 2011 | |||
| May 9 | Robin Hood Gala | New York, NY |
|
| Jul 3 | Lady Gaga Day | Taichung City | 
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| Jul 7 | Marina Bay Sands | Marina Bays | 
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| Jul 13 | Gaga Live At Sydney Monster Hall | Sydney | 
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| Oct 15 | William J. Clinton Foundation | Hollywood, CA |
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| Dec 3 | KISS FM's Jingle Ball | Los Angekes, CA | |
| Dec 9 | Z100's Jingle Ball | New York, NY | |
| 2013 | |||
| Dec 6 | Annabel's | London |
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| 2014 | |||
| Mar 13 | South by Southwest (SXSW) | Austin, TX |
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| 2016 | |||
| Apr 13 | Parker Institute Foundation | Los Angeles, CA |
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| July 28 | "Camden Rising" Concert at BB&T Pavilion | New Jersey |
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| 2017 | |||
| Apr 15 | Coachella | Indio, CA |
|
| Apr 22 | |||
| Sep 8 | Toronto International Film Festival | Toronto | 
|
| Dates | Location | Channel |
|
|---|
| Dates | Location | Station |
|
|---|
| 2011 | |||
| Sep 23 | iHeartRadio Music Festival | iHeartRadio |
|
| 2013 | |||
| Dec 8 | Jingle Bell Ball | Capital FM |
|
| Tour | Dates | Performances |
|---|
| Monster Ball: Theater and Arena versions | 2009 - 2011 (all dates) | 201 |
| The Born This Way Ball | 2012-2013 (All dates) | 98 |
| Lady Gaga Live at Roseland Ballroom | Mar 28—Apr 7, 2014 | 7 |
| artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball | 2014 (All Dates) | 79 |
| Joanne World Tour | 2017-2018 (All Dates) | 49 |
| Enigma | 2018—2020 (All Dates) | 29 |
| Jazz & Piano Engagement | 2018-2024 (All dates) | 48 |
| The Chromatica Ball | 2022 (All Dates) | 20 |
| Total of performances | 531 |
Lyrics
Album version
[Intro]
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
[Refrain]
Rah-Ra-ah-ah-ah
Roma-Roma-ma
Gaga-Ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Rah-ra-ah-ah-ah
Roma-Roma-ma
Gaga-Ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
[Verse 1]
I want your ugly,
I want your disease.
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
(Hey!)
I want your drama
The touch of your hand (Hey!)
I want you leather studded kiss in the sand
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
(Love, love, love
I want your love)
[Pre-Chorus]
You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad
Your bad romance
[Chorus]
I want your love
And I don't want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your love
And all your lover's revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
[Refrain]
Rah-ra-ah-ah-ah
Roma-roma-ma
Gaga-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
[Verse 2]
I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cuz you’re a criminal
As long as you're mine
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
(uhhhh)
I want your psycho
Your vertigo stick
Want you in my rear window-oh
Baby, it's sick
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
(Love, love, love
I want your love)
[Pre-Chorus]
You know that I want you
('Cuz I'm a free bitch baby!)
And you know that I need you
I want it bad
Your bad romance
[Chorus]
I want your love and
I want don't your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your love and
All your lover's revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
[Refrain]
Rah-ra-ah-ah-ah
Roma-Roma-ma
Gaga-Ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Rah-ra-ah-ah-ah
Roma-Roma-ma
Gaga-Ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
[Breakdown]
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk passion baby (Work it)
I'm a free bitch baby
[Bridge]
I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends
Je veux ton amour
Et je veux ta revanche
Je veux ton amour
I don't wanna be friends!
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh! I want your bad romance)
No, I don't wanna be friends (I want your bad romance)
(Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh! Caught in a bad romance) (I want your bad romance)
I don't wanna be friends! (I want your bad romance)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!)(I want your bad romance)
Want your bad romance! (I want your bad romance)
(Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh! Caught in a bad romance)
Want your bad romance!
[Chorus]
I want your love
And I don't want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your love
And all your lover's revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Want your bad romance!
Caught in a bad romance
Want your bad romance!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Want your bad romance!
Caught in a bad romance
[Refrain]
Rah-Ra-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma!
Gaga-Ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance!
Demo version
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
I want your ugly,
I want your disease.
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad, a bad romance
I want your love
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving,
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love love love
I want your love
I want your psycho
Your vertigo stick
Want you in my rear window
Baby, you're sick
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad, a bad romance
I want your love and I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving, all your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk fashion baby
Work it move that bitch crazy
I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends
Cuz I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
I want your love and I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving, all your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh
Caught in a bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah
Mum-mah-Mum-mah-mah
Rah-Rah-ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance
Music video
|
|
The music video was directed by Francis Lawrence, and Gaga said that she was "impressed" with herself and the outcome of the music video. She explained, "I knew [Lawrence's] ability as a director is so much higher than what I could [do]." Her creative team Haus of Gaga managed the art direction for the video. The music video received 7 MTV Video Music Awards, making a record for most awarded music video by a female artist. The music video premiered on November 10, 2009.
On VEVO, the word "bitch" is censored to "bit". (This was uncensored in the original upload, but after it was reuploaded with a 1080p remaster in 2020, it has been censored for unknown reasons.) The censored version of the video (which has not been uploaded on VEVO, but was broadcast on several TV networks) removes the scenes with Gaga in the shower and mutes the word "bitch" entirely. Some TV network versions also blur out the product placements.
On December 31st, 2018, the music video for “Bad Romance” has surpassed one billion views on YouTube.
Background
During an interview with Rolling Stone, Gaga confirmed that movie director, Francis Lawrence, had directed the music video, and that she was "impressed" with herself and the outcome of the music video. She explained, "I knew [Lawrence's] ability as a director is so much higher than what I could [do]." Her creative team Haus of Gaga managed the art direction for the video. Gaga further explained her experience of working with Lawrence to MTV News (November 2009):
Design by Haus of Gaga, made by Tom Talmon Studio.
Gaga created a pair of razor-blade sunglasses as she believed that it portrayed a tough female spirit. She emphasized that:
| “ | I wanted to design a pair for some of the toughest chicks and some of my girlfriends [...] they used to keep razor blades in the side of their mouths, [...] That tough female spirit is something that I want to project. It's meant to be, 'This is my shield, this is my weapon, this is my inner sense of fame, this is my monster. | ” |
The white latex suits in the video were inspired from the character Max's wolf costume for the movie Where the Wild Things Are. She also wears Alexander McQueen's 12-inch high shoes and outfits from his Spring/Summer 2010 "Plato's Atlantis" Collection.
Synopsis and fashion credits
Bath Haus of Gaga
The video begins with Gaga sitting in a white throne, wearing a golden dress and glasses made from razor blades. She is surrounded by several people and her signature harlequin Great Dane. She has her finger on the mute button of an iPod speaker (from which a synthesized excerpt of the fugue in B minor from Book 1 of the Well-Tempered Clavier by Johann Sebastian Bach emanates as an intro to the music video), and when she releases it, "Bad Romance" begins to play and Gaga appears shocked. The lack of the mafia member which is murdered suggests that this scene occurs at the end of the storyline.
- Lady Gaga wears a dress and heels by Alexander McQueen, the razor-blade glasses by Haus of Gaga designed by Tom Talmon Studio, "Liquid leather" nails polish by China Glaze, and Gold Mesh from Jo-Ann Fabric.
Monster
Sunlight begins to pan across the walls of a bath house activating the fluorescent lighting, and a sign is shown that reads: "Bath Haus of GaGa". A group of dancers wearing white long-sleeved leotards with knee high boots and matching crowns crawl out of white, egg-shaped pods. The center pod has the word "Monster" written on it, and Gaga emerges from it wearing a similar outfit to the dancers, who begin to dance behind her.
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (8).jpg (567 KB)")
- Lady Gaga wears a latex jumpsuit and mask crown by Haus of Gaga, shoes by Alexander McQueen and boots by Pleaser (dancing part).
Kidnapping
When the chorus of the song begins, two supermodels pull her out of a bathtub, rip her clothes off and force her to drink a glass of vodka. Afterwards, this setting is used to show Lady Gaga in the bathtub. During these instances, Lady Gaga's eyes are digitally enlarged.
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (2).jpg (669 KB)")
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (6).jpg (645 KB)")
- Lady Gaga wears an outfit by Rachael Barrett, heels by Alexander McQueen, and “Alpine Snow" nails polish from OPI in Matte.
Reflection
For a brief instant, Lady Gaga is looking at herself in a mirror while the rest of the room is darkened.
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (9).jpg (481 KB)")
- Lady Gaga wears a dress and heels by Alexander McQueen, a custom crown by Lauren Machen, and sunglasses by Alpina.
Conscious
Close ups of Lady Gaga are shown throughout the music video. The shots of the face show an image of remorse, sadness and vulnerability. At one point, Lady Gaga is crying. Also, Gaga is seen dancing naked in a shower and pulling out pieces of her hair. Her body is digitally altered to show the spine and decrease the size of her waist.
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (3).jpg (625 KB)")
- Lady Gaga wears customized boots by Demonia, a custom bat headpiece by Shinji Konishi, and “Alpine Snow" nails polish from OPI in Matte.
Auction
As the second verse begins, Gaga, wearing a diamond-covered outfit complete with a crown, seductively dances for the members of the Russian Mafia who are bidding on her with Wii nunchucks (which double as product placement). She straddles one of the men, played by Slovenian model Yuri Bradac, and performs a lap dance on him. Afterwards, he raises his bid and becomes the highest bidder for her, at ₽1,000,000, which is shown on several HP-Beats computers.
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (1).jpg (696 KB)")
- Lady Gaga wears a trench coat by Burberry Prorsum customized by Vava Dudu, an outfit and diamond crown by Franc Fernandez, and a necklace by Butler & Wilson.
Diamond Display
Lady Gaga is seen being displayed to the bidders while diamonds, which are descending from the ceiling, are surrounding her in order to make the mafia members fall into greater lust. Lady Gaga strikes several poses and the camera rotates around her as these poses are made.
.jpg "Bad Romance Music Video HD (7).jpg (683 KB)")
- Lady Gaga wears underwear by Agent Provocateur, heels by Alexander McQueen, a mask by Keko Hainswheeler for Komakino, a crystal rosary by Benjamin Cho, and "Liquid leather" nails polish by China Glaze.
- Russian mafia members: Masks by Jaiden rVa James.
Orbit Display
In this scene, images of Lady Gaga posing in an orbit-like contraption are shown. She strikes several poses and the camera rotates around her as these poses are made.
- Lady Gaga wears underwear by Agent Provocateur, heels by Alexander McQueen, custom Corset Orbit by Nasir Mazhar, and “Alpine Snow" nails polish from OPI in Matte.
Murderous Intent
During the breakdown, Gaga is seen walking around the room in a golden outfit. This scene is also inter cut with a portion of the bedroom scene. Where, in the bedroom scene, when Gaga stops in front of the mafia member, an image of the gold laden Gaga is seen making a hand gesture meant to replicate a gun.
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- Lady Gaga wears an outfit and stilettos by Alexander McQueen, and a headpiece by Charlie le Mindu.
Bedroom
When the chorus is played for the third time, Gaga is shown wearing a faux polar bear hide jacket. She walks toward the man, who is sitting on a bed, unbuttoning his shirt. Gaga has a look of indifference on her face and removes her jacket and sunglasses. Suddenly, the bed spontaneously combusts with the man still sitting on it.
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- Lady Gaga wears underwear by Agent Provocateur, a coat by Benjamin Cho, heels by Alexander McQueen, a rat headpiece by RP/Encore, sunglasses by Carrera, and “Alpine Snow" nails polish from OPI in Matte.
- Russian mafia leader: Chin protector by Manuel Albarran.
Blood Red
Starting at the build up towards the final chorus, Lady Gaga is seen lying on the floor with a troop of dancers following suit. Then begin a heavily choreographed dance sequence which is inter cut with the bedroom scene until the music finishes playing.
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- Lady Gaga wears an outfit by Alex Noble customized by Haus of Gaga, and boots by Pleaser.
Charred Corpse
The video ends with Gaga lying beside a smoldering skeleton on top of the destroyed bed with ashes everywhere. She smokes a cigarette, while her pyrotechnic bra activates and a mouse sits atop her head.
- Lady Gaga wears underwear by Agent Provocateur, the Pyro-Bra by Haus of Gaga, a rat headpiece by RP/Encore, heels by Alexander McQueen, and “Alpine Snow" nails polish from OPI in Matte.
3-D version
A 3-D version of the music video was made, however, there is no talk of a future release. The video looks to be mostly in black and white, little scraps of color here and there. The major notices are the dancers while in the "Bath Haus of GaGa", the crystals that surround Gaga while she poses for the ring of men, the fire, and her Pyro-Bra. The track that's placed with the video is the clean version of the song. To view this version, the 3-D glasses are provided in The Super Deluxe Fame Monster Pack.
Behind the Scenes
Credits
Song
Personnel
- All instruments played and programmed — RedOne
- Recorded — RedOne at Record Plant (Los Angeles, California,
), FC Walvisch () - Mixed — Mark "Spike" Stent
- Assisted — Matty Green
- Engineered — RedOne, Dave Russell, Eelco Bakker (FC Walvisch)
Music video
- Casts
- Lady Gaga — Herself
- Supermodels Bath girls — Unknown (x2)
- Russian mob boss — Jurij Bradač
- Russian mobsters — Josh Thomas, Shawn M., Tye MoHawk, Ian Fisher, Sean Mackey (x7)
- Director — Francis Lawrence
- Producer — Heather Heller
- On set photographer — Lauren Dukoff
- Production Company — DNA, inc.
- Director of photography (Cinematographer) — Thomas Kloss
- Art direction — Haus of Gaga
- Editor — Jarrett Fijal for Bonch
- Stylist — Nicola Formichetti
- Stylist assistant — Fouad
- Hair for Lady Gaga — Syd Curry
- Make up for Lady Gaga — Billy B
- Make up assistant — Tara Savelo
- Manicurist for Lady Gaga — Kimmie Kyees
- Makeup for dancers/actors/extra — Katrine Lieberkind
- Choreographer — Laurieann Gibson
- Dancers — Amanda Balen, Molly d’Amour-Goslin, Graham Breitenstein, Montana Efaw, Sloan Taylor-Rabinor, Valerie "Raistalla" Moise, Pamela Jean-Smith
- Production designer — Charles Infante (Nominated MTV VMA: Best Art Direction)
- Sets — Vision Scenery
- Scenic Artists — Antje, Jon, Michael
- Visual effects — Tim Jarvis for Skulley Effects
- Telecine (Colorist) — Dave Hussey for Company 3
- Commissioners — Nicole Ehrlich, Kathy Angstadt
- ISRC — USUV70903493
Products placement
- Parrot by Philippe Starck
- Ukranian vodka brand, Nemiroff
- HP Envy ‘Beats Limited Edition’ laptop from Monster
- A nunchuck from the gaming system the Wii.
- Carrera Champion/P Sunglasses
Publishing
- Sony/ATV Songs LLC / House of Gaga Publishing LLC (BMI)
- Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Songs of RedOne LLC (BMI)
References
- The Fame Monster booklet
- BMI | Repertoire Search
- Billboard.com
- FC Walvisch Studio
- Nicola Formichetti's Blog: Francis Lawrence directs Lady Gaga's music video for Bad Romance
- Nicola Formichetti's Blog: Bad Romance music video Fashion Credits
