Perform This Way
Producer
Perform This Way Lyrics
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...
I'm so completely original
My new look is all the rage
I'll wrap my small intestines 'round my neck
And set fire to myself on stage
I'll wear a porcupine on my head
On a W-H-I-M (Hey! Hey! Hey!)
And for no reason now I'll sing in French
Excusez-moi, qui a pété? (Express yourself!)
[Chorus]
Got my straight jacket today, it's made of gold lamé
No, not because I'm crazy—I perform this way!
I strap prime rib to my feet, cover myself with raw meat
I'll bet you've never seen a skirt steak worn this way!
[Verse 3]
Don't be offended when you see
My latest pop monstrosity
I'm strange, weird, shocking, odd, bizarre
I'm Frankenstein! I'm Avatar!
There's nothing too embarrassing
I'll honestly do anything
But wear white after Labor Day
'Cause baby, I perform this way!
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
About
“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
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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