Jun 9

Jun 9 Poker Face, by Lady Gaga

The art of sexuality: power and performance

Poker Face was released in September 2008 as part of Lady Gaga’s debut album, The Fame. It was the best selling single worldwide in 2009 and is one of the best selling singles of all time, topping 14 million copies. Not bad for a catchy pop song! But then it is so much more than just that - it manages to elevate itself above cheesy to a song with darker undertones and sass. I put it in my ‘Lift Your Spirits’ category, because that’s what it does for me, but it is hard to pigeon-hole and could just as smoothly sit within ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’ or ‘It’s Getting Hot in Here’ or a variety of other buckets you care to dream up.

How do they do that?

Quite a lot has been written about the lyrics, their bisexuality, innuendo and more blatant sexual references. They are supposed to refer to a woman using her sexuality on both men and women to get what she wants, showing female sexuality as something that can be powerful and controlling. The point about wearing a poker face is that the observer can't tell the difference between her showing attraction for a man whilst actually fantasising about a woman - it’s all a performance.

So what is happening in the music itself to support this idea? On the surface, it’s just a Synth pop song. But the choice of that style of electronic, synthesised music in itself I’m sure must be deliberate, due to its association with alternative sexuality (think Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Communards) as compared to the masculine, hetro-sexuality of the phallic guitar-based rock world.

It is in a minor key, which instantly gives it that slightly darker undercurrent. Much of the verse is on one note with a repeated rhythm that you first hear to the words: “P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face” and which then carries through the verse. It is what gives the song its robotic feel, an often maligned characteristic of Synthpop, but also gives it edge. At the same time it is enticing, as if you are being dared to join in with something that perhaps you know you shouldn’t…

About 2m25s into the song is what I always think is a somewhat odd Betty Boop moment, half spoken in a stylised, high pitched voice beginning at the words: “I won't tell you that I love you, kiss or hug you”. Whilst I find it an odd interlude in the song, again, it seems to me that it must be a deliberate reference. Betty Boop was one of the first animated sex symbols, but smarter than the bimbo image first leads you to believe. The inclusion of a reference to a cartoon version of female sexuality to words that deal with deception and control adds greater emphasis to the overall message of the song. Whilst it stops short of a “"Boop Oop a Doop” there is yet the sense of a knowing wink at the end of the performance. A statement that no-one can ever really know what’s behind the facade, behind the poker face!

Hope you enjoy it or feel inspired to listen to something new today.

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