THE EDGE OF GLORY

It's finally here! Lady Gaga's 3rd single THE EDGE OF GLORY was released today at 4:15 pm. The song is already one of my favorites. I know. How is this possible? How is it that each new song Gaga releases is better than the previous one? It's incredible. The song is about the recent death of Gaga's grandfather. She said THE EDGE OF GLORY is about the death of her grandfather. More specifically, it is about the moment when his grandfather was laying on his death bed and looked into his wife's eyes. He looked at her and she could tell that he was saying that he lived the best life he could. He gave it his all, he lived on THE EDGE OF GLORY. It was a moment of realization, a grand epiphany. As Gaga said in an interview with Guiliana Rancic of E! News:

"The song's about when I watched my grandpa die. I believe that he looked my grandmother in the eye and realized that he won. Like he was a champion at life and that's when he was able to let go. So the edge of glory, represents that, being on the edge of that glorious moment."

In this moment, all truth is revealed. All secrets are revealed without speaking. The moment is alive. It is like an unspoken universal language that consists of no word yet everyone can understand. It's hard to speak it, but at this moment of silence and serenity, nothing goes not understood. This is the feeling that Gaga experienced and brings to life through the song. Gaga says in her Google interview,

"It's about your last moment on earth, the moment of truth, the moment before you leave earth."

He looked at his wife in content. It was a beautiful and serious moment and Gaga was there to witness it. Not only was she there are this life changing event, she captured the essence of the moment and transferred it into her song THE EDGE OF GLORY. What is so amazing is that this song is special and close to Gaga's heart. She transferred the sadness into a song that makes light of it. The song is without a doubt a powerful ballad. One can tell that from the first time listening to it. (At least I did). All of Gaga's songs represent events in her life, her personal struggles or monsters, as she refers to them. She then expresses them into words that are so figurative and symbolic that it allows the listeners, the Little Monsters, to analyze and take a part the song. Right when get to the core of it, we patch it back together, back to it's original state. Just like a surgical procedure, us Little Monsters become doctors.

"I'm on the edge of glory
And I'm hanging on a moment with you
I'm on the edge with you
Another shot, before we kiss the other side."

Gaga is using her grandpa as the focal point in which she can funnel ideas through. What she is saying is that this was the last moment her Grandma and Grandpa had together on Earth until they eventually see each other again in Heaven.

"I'm on the edge of something final we call life tonight
Alright, alright
Pull out your shade 'cause I'll be dancing in the flames
Tonight, yeah babe"

This song is symbolic but easy to understand. Gaga is speaking from her grandma's point of view, but incorporates her feelings about the situation. Not just her grandpa's situation, but what if that was her. Would Gaga feel burdened by her name? Would she not be proud if she had 1 more moment left to live? Well, only Gaga knows that. However, if I had to guess, I think she would be pretty happy and proud of the life she lived. The life she created.
Question for you: What do you think Gaga's last word to her grandpa was?
I'm guessing, I love you.

"I need a man who thinks it right when it's so wrong,
Tonight yeah babe,
Right on the limits where we know we both belong tonight
It's time to feel the rush,
To push the dangerous
I'm gonna run back to, to the edge with you
Where we can both fall in love"

Her words are so beautiful. I cannot think of any other word to describe it. It's just: honest. This song is a perfect example to show that POP music is honest and beautiful. And POP music is Gaga's religion.

And what have critics said about the song?
Rolling Stone's thoughts about THE EDGE OF GLORY:

"This one sounds crazy in print—it's a massive power ballad with heavy club beats that features Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band wailing on his saxophone—but somehow it all seems totally natural when you actually hear it. There's an element of cheesiness to it, but it's totally captivating and incredibly catchy. If any of these new Gaga tunes demands to be a big, fat hit, this is it. The inclusion of Clemons is an inspired touch that amplifies the song's Eighties stadium rock vibe, but his actual performance is amazing and ranks among the best of his career."

My friend Lucas said that it is one of the most exciting songs ever released. What a bold statement right? However, I can't say I disagree. The vocals are oh-so defined and strong. Gaga shows just how incredible her voice. Her vocal range is phenomenal. Oprah called said that she was truly a phenomenon. I couldn't agree more.

"I'm hanging on a moment of truth,
I'm on the edge of glory."

The song ends sadly, but we can infer that Gaga has accepted the loss and views it as a blessing. The moment was unforgettable for Gaga. This song is another hit. Something inside of me cringes when I say, "the song is a hit". I only cringe when I say it about this song. Not Bad Romance nor Poker Face. This song, and as well as Speechless, are ballads that speak for themselves. It means to much to Gaga to just be labeled as a "hit". It was Gaga's first experience with death in the family. The ballad will be the Dance and The Dark/ Speechless of the album. It's dark and has a sad tone hidden underneath the Gaga's voice, the Electro-Pop feel (and saxophone). I can hear Gaga hiding back tears as she sings it. It cuts to the middle of your heart.

"I'm on the edge of something final we call life."

What powerful lyrics. So poetic and simplistic, but causes us to think and reminisce on the events that sculpted our lives and made us the people we are today. Imagine how amazing this will sound when Gaga performs it live. The song has such a Celine Dion feel to it. The rhythm and Gaga's vocals are what make me to believe so. Gaga and Celine should perform this together. That would cause this song to reach it's maximum potential. Whether she keeps the Pop album feel, slows it down or sings it and plays the piano, the performance will touch the listeners in a way similar to how Speechless Vevo performance and Gaga's performance of Telephone and Dance in the Dark that was for Alexander McQueen. Completely captivating and moving. But proceed with caution. THE EDGE OF GLORY is the catchiest song I have ever heard and I have been singing it non-stop since 4:15. Not saying it's a bad thing.