Perform This Way Lyrics

[Verse 1]
My mama told me when I was hatched
Act like a superstar
Save your allowance, buy a bubble dress
And someday you will go far
Now on red carpets, well, I'm hard to miss
The press follows everywhere I go

I'll poke your eye out with a dress like this
Back off and enjoy the show!

[Chorus]
I'm sure my critics will say it's a grotesque display
Well, they can bite me, baby—I perform this way!
I might be wearing Swiss cheese or may be covered with bees
It doesn't mean I'm crazy—I perform this way!

[Bridge]
Ooh, my little monsters pay
Lots ’cause I perform this way
Baby, I perform this way
Ooh, don't worry, I'm okay
Hey, I just perform this way
I'm not crazy—I perform this way

I'll be a troll or evil queen
I'll be a human jelly bean
'Cause every day is Halloween
For me...

[Chorus]
Hope you won't think it's cliché if I go nude today
Don't call the cops now, baby—I perform this way

No reason I should regret all the attention I get
I'm not completely crazy—I perform this way, yeah

I perform this way-hey, I perform this way-hey
I'm always deviating from the norm this way-hey
I perform this way-hey, I perform this way-hey
I'm really not insane—I just perform this way-hey

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About

Genius Annotation

“Perform This Way” is a parody of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” lampooning Gaga’s public persona, her outfits, and the similarity of her song to Madonna’s “Express Yourself”.

Originally Al posted on his personal blog that Gaga rejected his parody. In frustration, Al immediately released its music video in the belief that his plan to use the song as Alpocalypse’s lead single were over. The video featured Al’s head superimposed on top of the bodies of a contortionist and a dancer as they imitate Gaga in comical fashion. Later the video was nominated for a Grammy. All proceeds from the song and video went to the Human Rights Campaign.

However, after Al’s story of rejection made the news, it was revealed that Gaga’s manager was specifically the person who rejected it and had never actually forwarded it to her. Sources close to Gaga immediately responded to the press with claims that she was so busy touring she hadn’t had a chance to hear it. She soon approved of the parody and Al later explained that it was just a misunderstanding.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did "Weird Al" Yankovic say about "Perform This Way"?
Genius Answer

Originally Al posted on his personal blog that Gaga rejected his parody.

I wrote and recorded what I thought was going to be the first single off of my new album: a parody of “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga called “Perform This Way.” But after hearing it, Lady Gaga decided not to give me permission to release the song, so… it won’t be coming out commercially anytime in the near future. Sorry.

Gaga soon approved of the parody and Al later explained:

It was a big misunderstanding, miscommunication. The bottom line is it’s a happy ending. Lady Gaga approves it; she’s totally cool and she really likes the parody.

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Credits
Released on
April 25, 2011
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