This year’s Best Song category at the Oscars is full of some interesting choices. Sam Smith’s “Writing’s On the Wall” is nominated, which makes me happy because it’s a really beautiful song. The Weeknd’s “Earned It” is up for an Oscar, which is surprising because it’s A) a good song and B) it’s a very, very popular song. And in case you missed it, Lady Gaga was nominated in this category. She cowrote the song “’Til It Happens To You” with Diane Warren for the documentary The Hunting Ground. It seemed like everything was coming up GAGA, first a Golden Globe for her acting, and now an Oscar nomination for Best Song.
The nomination in Best Song goes to the people who wrote the song rather than the artist performing the song. Since Lady Gaga is known as a singer-songwriter, I didn’t really think much about the fact that she and Diane Warren were listed as co-songwriters. But Linda Perry (of Four Non-Blondes) took issue with it. And it’s really, really funny. Linda got on her Twitter on Monday and sent out a series of tweets questioning Gaga’s Oscar eligibility for this particular song. You can read the tweets here, and here they are, compiled for readability:
Normally I wouldn’t respond to all this but I don’t know I’m feeling spunky. There was another artist that originally was gonna sing #TIHTY. I have Diane’s original demo with her singing. The only line that has been changed “Till you’re at the end, the end of your rope.” Originally was “TIL YOU GOT A HOLE RIPPED IN YOUR SOUL”. So I guess technically one line was changed so sure Gaga possibly “rewrote” a line. But chances are Diane still took part in rewriting that line which means Gaga contributed a few words. Is that writing? Not in my book.
I love Gaga so much respect and love this song that has nothing to do with anything. Why did Gaga get credit? Maybe because Diane wanted to ensure her support in promoting the song. Gaga is a very smart business women she knew a song written by Diane Warren would be up for an Oscar. And you know it’s hard getting music out there and heard. Especially a song from a documentary , so Diane knew if she gave Gaga writing credit it would ensure the support this song needed and deserved. And Gaga knows her power. I’m not putting anyone or anything down. I’m stating the truth . I credit Diane for writing this song, it is her experience her pain her words. That’s it kids.
Listen, one of you Gaga kids got upset when I said Diane wrote a great song. You can’t win on Twitter. I’m stating why I didn’t include. There’s no bitterness, I’ve stated Gaga killed this song so powerful so blown away by her performance. Don’t turn things negative. I’m stating my truth that’s it if you don’t like it, it’s ok just don’t spend anytime here.
You know who I would accuse to falsifying co-writer credits before Lady Gaga? Beyonce. Beyonce does this all the damn time, and she bullies songwriters into giving her co-authorship only if she just changed one line or so. I’m sure there are many big performers who pull this kind of thing regularly, but I’m just saying… Beyonce is known for those kinds of shenanigans. As for Gaga… I don’t think Linda Perry was exactly throwing shade, I think Perry was and is pissed off that Diane chose to or felt she had to give co-authorship credit to Lady Gaga for not doing much of anything as far as WRITING the song. And Gaga still would have been able to perform at the Oscars, even if she didn’t get a songwriting credit. Now if the song wins, Lady Gaga will have the O in her EGOT. Boooooo!!!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Her team bought the Billboard and the Globe.
might as well buy the Oscar.
Gaga’s on an award-winning shopping spree. Can’t wait for her to look shocked and amazed if she wins. I would be too, if I shouldn’t have been nominated in the first place.
It’s funny because didn’t Lady Gaga just win “woman of the year” for Time magazine or whatever mag it was? People were like ” Why her? What has she done this year?”. Now all of a sudden she’s getting nominated and winning awards. It’s like going backwards isnt’t it? Hmmm strange.
Gaga sucked in AHS Hotel, she played herself, monotone, barely any feeling, very cold, loomed like she was in one of her music videos. She stole Golden Globe from worthy actors n I mean real actors.
You know who I would accuse to falsifying co-writer credits before Lady Gaga? Beyonce. Beyonce does this all the damn time, and she bullies songwriters into giving her co-authorship only if she just changed one line or so.
^^^ the Joke on my FB went that “beyonce is “writing and producing that Venus of hottentot Biopic” and everyone kept saying: So Writers will work on this, she’ll come to the stud the last day change all Buts to Ands (wrong but who’s gonna check her?!) and get her writer credit?? LOLOL… Im surprised Gaga Is on that tip as well
Oh yeah. As soon as I saw the headline, I thought, just like Beyonce, and I’m glad Kaiser made that comparison.
Will she hide her tattoos again for the Oscars? Cause she was born this way.
I doubt she’ll win, tbh. I think it’s between Sam and Abel (The Weeknd).
When she first arrived, I would defend her to the end. Every song was a hit and I loved them all. Then to me, she became an alien and did all the wacky things she did to put the spotlight on her when it was already there. She became a cliché. I don’t bother with her anymore, just another performer. Come on back original Lady G, you were awesome. Sam Smith for the win btw.
You know what people never tire of true talent and good music, we get tired of shock, outrageous behavior, etc, if its not authentic, we see right through it and it becomes boring. I agree with you, but artists/entertainers today think fans do want the good stuff and just want shock
A lot of the classic greats engaged in outrageous behavior. Being wild and crazy was a big part of rock n roll. I don’t take issue with Gaga being outrageous. I take issue with her singing about rape and talking about being a victim while also working with accused sexual predators herself. Its her hypocrisy that bothers me.
Em: She arrived at the Grammys one year in a giant egg with four half naked men carrying it. That isn’t outrageous to me, it’s bizarre look at me please behavior. She isn’t rock n’ roll to me, she’s weird. I still like her voice and as I said, loved her in the early days. Now she’s somebody that I used to love as the song goes.
Showing up in an egg would be Gaga’s attempt at merging art and pop. I don’t really care if someone is crazy if they have talent and great music to back it up. Gaga has talent although the music has been lacking since her first album. I feel she’s at a point where she cares more about racking up awards than making great music. It appears to be working for her though.
It was over for me when she showed up at some awards in the meat dress. that was just gross.
OMG I forgot the meat dress. I remember feeling bad for the people around her because it was flipping meat. This is an eccentric young woman who had life by the balls and then decided she needed more. I’m commenting way too much, but it annoys me. She was good and could have been better but had that have to outdo Madonna mentality at the time. While I don’t care much for Madonna, she was outrageous in the day, it took less to shock back then, but she did it over and over again. I doubt too many up and comers will show up to the party dressed as a pork chop. Enough said
I suspect Gaga’s earlier songs were hits mainly because of the help she got when she was affiliated with Akon, his production team, and songwriter/producer RedOne. When she and Akon parted ways and the creativity was left up to her, what resulted were all those stunts and outrageous outfits and few good songs.
So I can believe that Gaga got co-writing credit for changing a line or two. Unfortunately, this happens all the time. Madonna is guilty of this.
Example of Madonna’s lyrical gems:
from “I Love New York”
I don’t like cities
But I like New York
Other places make me feel like a dork
and:
If you don’t like my attitude
Then you can F off
Just go to Texas
Isn’t that where they golf?
When you read lyrics Madonna wrote solely by herself – like the song above – without the help of talented songwriters like Stephen Bray and Patrick Leonard, you realize how others are doing most of the heavy lifting while the frontman (Madonna, Gaga, Beyoncé, etc.) takes most of the credit. Gotta maintain the illusion that these self-absorbed performers are also such productive creators. SMH.
@Belle: we see the wannabe weirdo, but Bowie (RIP), for example,was a true artist and a true excentric person, he embraced his weirdness.
I liked Gaga at the beginning: I thought she was fun, and her albums were decent, but after a while she has started to take herself too seriously.
Well said and totally agree. Just my opinion, she seemed a bit disingenuous and burnt out after one album whereas artist like Bowie, Madonna etc keep going because they are true to form. I am not convinced she is.
Love Linda Perry. Love 4 Non Blondes. Love that my 12-year-old daughter sings along to What’s Up.
Me too. I happened to stumble into a local bar performance 4 Non Blondes had in the early 90s for some record industry types. They were fantastic then, and I was so glad to see them break out.
I give huge props to the songwriters because that sh!# is hard and time consuming. That’s a full time job. I’m not surprised Gaga and Beyonce barely lift a pen (or whatever), how could they have time with all of the performances and appearances? I think Madonna is the same with getting credit (and $) and not providing much input. Glad someone is risking their career to speak out
Did I miss the Globe discussion about Gaga? Love American Horror Story, and I thought she exceeded my (low) expectations in it, and she did fine. It was a one note performance but i think they wrote it that way. But, a Globe? I mean Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Mare Winningham, etc. all acted circles around her.
Linda Perry isn’t risking her career. Perry is a respected songwriter and producer. In the music industry Diane Warren and Linda Perry outrank Lady Gaga. Perry has nothing to worry about.
Oh that’s good to hear! I only knew her from her early days.
Yeah, I’d say that is true. Diane Warren is pretty much songwriting royalty and Linda P. has been around forever and also is developing quite the legacy in songwriting and such. I’d even wager that Linda knows everyone knows, and since Gaga’s become a bit of a joke, has no worries about telling the truth.
Gaga writes most of her own songs. She just seems to have had very little involvement in writing this particular song but may end up getting an Oscar anyway.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I feel like Gaga played herself. Dead eyes, coked up, and covered in blood.
Did Denis O’Hare even get a nomination? He deserved all the accolades for Liz Taylor. Liz is one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever seen on television. I think the fact that trans people haven’t complained about Denis playing a trans woman speaks the loudest volumes. I know hyper-masculine, conservatives dudes who dig Liz. Denis really did something amazing with that character.
Totally agree. Liz is amazing. Gaga was just so outclassed by the other actors. Wouldn’t have even continued watching if not for Liz, tbh.
Agree about Denis O’Hare. His parallel storyline with Kathy Bates and their sons was one of the best in the series.
Linda Perry starring as..The Salt in Gaga’s game! HAHAHAHA! Who’d have thought? Most entertaining post today.
I’m so sick of these ‘singers’ who take credit for other people’s work. Just sing the song. That’s your work done. End of.
It can happen to singers too. Kesha is the main writer of all of songs but has had to share writing credits with people who had no involvement in the writing process. She’s also co-written songs but never received any writing credits. So she’s either sharing royalties or getting none at all when she’s put in most of the work.
People have been able to bully and exploit Kesha. I don’t think anyone can do that to Diane Warren. I feel like she gave up writing credits to bring more attention to the song. Whether it will backfire or not remains to be seen.
You know, I’m Team Perry on this one and if this shapes up to be true, Gaga could/should have her name removed from the nomination. You have to contribute a significant portion of the song to get nominated for this award. It’s why Beyonce wasn’t nominated alongside the song writers for “Listen” and why Babyface didn’t get any acknowledgement for “When you believe”. There should be no exception for Gaga. If she didn’t write the song, she shouldn’t be award for it. The music branch of the Academy needs to investigate and fix this.
+1
Beyonce gets called out on this all time. But in this instance, Gaga is being called out and it’s well deserved.
Diane Warren deserves an Oscar. If Gaga helps her get it….then ok.
The people that need to know, know.
This is Diane Warren. The idea that she would have needed to sit down and write a song with anyone is almost ridiculous.
I feel like Diane probably made a choice to give LG co-writing credits. I don’t think Gaga could have demanded it from someone at Diane’s level. Still it doesn’t matter. If Gaga played very little role in the writing of the song, she doesn’t deserve an award.
I’m positive that the only way Gaga got the co-writing credit was with Warren’s permission. Diane wants that Oscar – she’s never won before, and I’m betting that they’re hoping that a well known performer will help campaign.
I still can’t believe Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa’s song was not nominated for an Oscar. It was a HUGE song and universally loved. It brought out so much emotion.
+1 out of touch oscars
It wasn’t eligible. The song wasn’t really featured in the movie, just the credits.
Linda Perry getting the truth out! Thanks for covering, but why use such an unattractive photo of Linda?
She looks unnatractive in every photo I’ve ever seen of her.
Did she kill someone? I thought a tear drop tattoo meant you killed someone.
A writing credit = good money. Avril Lavigne changed one word in her break-out song to “Take off all your PREPPY clothes” and she got a writing credit.
Hmm…that also seems silly to get credit for, but from another point of view, that changed lyric really resonates in the Avril song. So I can kind of see where making a small change could be viewed as impactful and possibly worthy of credit.
However, looking at the ‘new’ Gaga-influenced lyric, to me the older lyric actually resonates more, ‘a hole ripped in your soul’ communicates something much more powerful, painful and vivid than just being ‘at the end of your rope’. I think her contribution detracts from the song.
I have no idea who Diane Warren is so…I guess I’ll have to google her. I only know Linda Perry bc she is married to Sara Gilbert, which reminds me that Dolly Parton was on The Talk and she said that Elvis wanted to record “I will always love you” with her, but he wanted half of the royalties for the song, so she said no. She said she willed them to her siblings or her siblings are listed as owners of the song. I have no idea how that works. I guess I thought if you wrote the song you get royalties, but I guess you can will them whoever.
They all do it…Stefani, Swift, Beyonce, Gaga, Timberlake, Spears, etc. Is it right? Nope, but I guess that’s the give and take of writing songs for big name artists that the songwriter can’t sing or doesn’t have the star power to sing.
Was Warren against Lady Gaga’s cooperation in this song or did Gaga take credit all to herself and song was nominated only with Gaga as its sole writer ?
If not and Warren was all for Gaga, then Perry just sort of “helped” Warren a lot by trying to get away her chances at winning the Oscar.
Really smooth, Linda. Not.
Also, it is easy to google, what Gaga herself said in December about this song and her working with Warren:
“It was already kind of a finished piece when I came in to work on it with Diane. We made some changes so it would speak to more people than just rape survivors. The song kind of became a conversation between two women who’d been sexually abused. Finding our common connection through this song and her sharing that with me — Diane doesn’t co-write with anybody, ever — it meant a lot to me; it was really a gift. She was saying, ‘I want to share this with you; this is ours.’ And that’s what we’re saying to people: We want to share our pain with other people.”
I’m still really interested in knowing what had happened with her face. She doesn’t look like the same person at all. It’s like Renee Zellwegger all over again!
Google: Lina Morgana and Lady Starlight GAGA is a industry manufactured rip off.
Hmmm. The thing is, songwriters get royalties/risiduals for songs for many, many years whenever the song is used/played. The singers do not, if they haven’t written the song. I know Linda Ronstadt recently said she thought she’d be singing forever, and wrote her autobiography to “make some money” because she had done mostly covers, and only the writers of the songs had gotten royalties, not her. When Parkinsons took her voice, she was sadly left without future income.
So this brings up a whole other can of worms with Gaga being named as co-writer of the song…
*residuals
Not really, if you look at the rest of Diane Warren’s catalogue.
Her royalty stream is considerable already, and it was her idea to give Gaga half of the credit.
She is well aware of the repercussions financially.
An Oscar winning song will sell more copies, get more airplay = make more money. So, win/win.
She’s already apologizing. Knew she would. Incredibly unwise thing to say.