JUDAS

Lady Gaga's 2nd released single Judas was released 8 days before Easter and 4 days before Judas denied Jesus. The video, on the other hand, was said to be released on Easter, but later that rumor was proved wrong. The video was released today on E! News. It leaked early, starting off with a slow-death similar to Born This Way. I waited until the World Premiere to see it. So, let's get to it. Judas: the Video.

The video as a whole is, simply put, a masterpiece. The music video was co-directed by Gaga herself and her creative director Laurieann Gibson. The video is the most-expensive video ever to be created. It cost an astounding $10 million. The video is Gaga's modernized video of Jesus' feeling of betrayal by the Judas, the man who denied Jesus 3 times. While watching the video, I started to think about how I would collect my thoughts and what I would say about the video. The one question I will never be satisfied with even if provided with an answer is, How can we interpret, relate to or attempt to understand the video without including our own religious views and values? Gaga has stated that the video is not a "biblical lesson" nor about religion, but it is merely a deep metaphor for her feeling of betrayal by the harmful men she has loved in the past and continues to fall in love with.

The video is about how Gaga is (and has already) created a modern day Jerusalem.
The video starts out with Gaga riding on the back of a motorcycle, holding on tightly to Jesus. Gaga leads 12 other bikers, followers, who are wearing black leather jackets with the names of the apostles stitched onto the back of them. Do the other biker apostles represent the public? Do they represent the media? or do they resemble the fans? In my opinion, they represent her "little monsters", her die hard fans. I, myself, am a huge fan of Gaga. Is Gaga commenting on how loyal her fans are to her, and how they will follow her no matter where she goes, or what she does? Gaga leads the modern day apostles into Jerusalem where the true meaning of the song, video and Gaga's life-stories are exposed.

Gaga leads her followers into town, the modern Jerusalem, and the video takes off. She starts the dance off with her 12 background dancers. Having 12 background dancers is a small but important detail because Jesus had 12 apostles who followed him and who spread his word after his resurrection. Gaga changes into a red outfit. Red is the color of blood and fire, but also is the color of love, passion and energy. So, another question is asked. Is the video supposed to portray a light and loving mood, or a dark and dramatic mood?

Gaga enters an "Electric Chapel", which could possibly resemble her ideal, modern day church. The "Electric Chapel" is actually a church. This part of the video provides a possible answer to my previous question, which character represents the media, the fans and the general public? Gaga dances and sings in the bar full of people who watch her. These people in the bar represent the public AND the media. About 20 people watch Gaga dance and sing and are possibly judging her, forming their own ideas. This could possibly represent the media AND the public because when we look at Gaga, see her videos, or hear her sing, we all immediately form our own ideas of her. Whether the ideas and thoughts and opinions others form on Gaga are positive or negative, she doesn't care. She keeps dancing on. Later on in the scene, more people join the dance. The one dancer that caught my eye (besides Gaga) is a girl in the back left of the group, who appears to be wearing a shirt with Lady Gaga's face on it. This small detail was certainly included by Gaga to make a point. The point of this is to show how people will always listen to Gaga, watch her videos, and form their own opinions on her. This dancer just happened to be one of Gaga's Little Monsters. This could possibly show that Gaga is hopeful for her future, she will keep pushing on, breaking musical records and pushing her limits as far as they can go. In Rolling Stone magazine, she said "I want to be a legend. Is that bad?" Gaga, you're well on your way.

Gaga is guided by Judas and Jesus, passing through the chaotic and seemed-to-be angered crowd to the Alter where it looks like Gaga is going to pick between Judas and Jesus and marry one of them. On the way, Lady Gaga pushes Judas away, and again holds onto Jesus, her virtue. However, Gaga continues to say that she is in love with Judas. As of now, it seems that Gaga has made her choice. Like a masochistic relationship, Gaga goes back to the ones who hurt her to most. But this time, it seems that she is her own worst enemy. Because she is with Jesus but is truly in love with Judas, Gaga inflicts confusion on herself, causing her love circle to continue on. This idea of addictive and sadistic behavior connects to one of the themes of her first album the Fame, and especially in the song I Like It Rough. Now back to the video.

When Gaga finally arrives to the Alter, after all the wardrobe changes and fashion statements, it is time for her to make her choice. Who will she choice? At the Alter, Gaga pulls out her lipstick gun, and scribbles over Judas' mouth in red lipstick. Her actions are so significant because they show that Gaga has made her choice, she choices Jesus. But what does this really mean? She is scribbling her red lipstick over Judas' mouth, the man she continues to cling to. In this scene, the red symbolizes love and energy. Her action shows that she will forever be in love with Judas, and that her love will always be with Judas. Although she lets go of Judas, in away, she will never be anyone else'. She really is a Holy Fool. However, this is the turning point, the climax and the most interesting part of the video.
Gaga drops to the floor, gun in hand, and breaks out into a cry. A different setting shows Gaga being overcome by a huge wave of water that engulfs her, knocking her over. This represents how Gaga felt at the time. Gaga realizes the mistakes she has made, and the guilt she is feeling from how she has betrayed Jesus. In real life, this 3 second scene represents all the tears she has cried over those who have hurt her. Gaga's choice is made up in the video after she she is overcome by water, which symbolizes purity, and washes Jesus' and Judas' feet in a stone tub surrounded by fire. The crowd is outraged by her choice. She, like Judas, has betrayed Jesus. Just like how Gaga's loved ones have betrayed her, she does the same to Jesus. Gaga wants to love Jesus, but she knows that he is not her love, only her foundation. Gaga deepest desire is the love of Judas. However, Gaga will stick with Jesus because she knows it is the right decision. Does this make Gaga cruel? Another important question is asked: Is Gaga portrayed more like Judas or Jesus? Gaga has stated that she portrays Mary Magdalene, Jesus' closest disciple. However, Gaga seems to betray Judas when she choses to love Judas. This leads me to believe that Gaga is really being portrayed as herself and not one of the Biblical figures. But, In the beginning of the video, Gaga lead the followers into Jerusalem. Although Jesus and Judas are already played by different actors in the video, I think that Gaga wanted the viewer to think about the question I just asked. Gaga lead her 12 apostles into Jerusalem, which is why I believe she is more similar to Jesus. On the contrary, Gaga is similar to Judas in the sense that she betrayed the one she loved, Jesus by pretending to love him, and on the inside, wants Judas. Gaga is in between yet another dilemma.

Another small detail is that in the end, the crowd starts to jump up to Gaga and Judas, and for the one second they do so, the viewer can see that they crowd is actually dancing. Their paws are up! and they are dancing. Just like in the Monsterball. This one second scene is significant because it shows that Gaga surrounds herself with people who care about her, which makes me believe she will choose Jesus, her virtue, the force that is best for her. Sometimes Gaga might feel like she is doing something bad, but this shows how her Little Monsters will still fight for her. This bold video has received criticism from religious groups, but it isn't about religion. It is about celebrating your faith, fighting for your art and to find the light that shines even in the darkest room. It's about love, and happiness and doing whatever makes you happy. Set yourself free, love and be proud of you. After all, this is all for you.

The question of whether or not opposites attract is brought up in the video. Gaga is opposite of Judas in the beginning, which explains why Jesus was the other option in her romance. However, the change of Gaga turning into Judas is evidence that opposites do not attract. If she is this dark, betraying force (Judas), wouldn't she be attracted to Jesus, a light in the dark, a savior? There is no right or concrete answer. I'm sure Gaga wouldn't have an answer for this question if I asked her it. Either way, it's incredibly thought-provoking.

The video in a literal sense is about Gaga's love struggle between Jesus and Judas: Right and Wrong, Good and bad.

All her videos are about the struggles Gaga faces. In most songs however, there is only one main struggle expressed. She is torn between lovers, battles self-confidence issues and self-acceptance in Born This Way, homosexuality and religion in Alejandro, love and fame in LoveGame, and the struggle for her to find her own fame in ALL of her songs. She is manipulated through deception. Perhaps Judas deceived Gaga in thinking that he was good?

To sum up the video in one word took a long time for me to do, but after about 15 minutes, I finally came up with it. Captivating. This video, all her music, her fashion statements and outfits, her performances, her appearances, EVERYTHING is so fascinating, so captivating. We can never take our eyes off of her. She pushes the limit each time we see her. & Judas certainly takes it to the next level. She creates symbols through people used as metaphors and biblical references, lyrically, musically and her fashion statements in the video. The video is the most futuristic and figurative video out there. (until other videos come out from Lady Gaga).
It really is about Gaga's (and the Little Monsters'!) obsession with Pop Culture, Music and Fashion. It's a celebration of life and limitless freedom.

Why is the video shorter than her other videos?
The video comes to an an abrupt ending, with Gaga being stoned to death. This shows that Gaga will have to "live" (ironic) with the consequences of her continuously choosing to love a guy that hurts her the most. The video has no solution or resolution for Gaga. Only time and future will tell how our (and Gaga's) future pans out. Whether she learns from her mistakes and moves on and makes light of the dark situation or continues to hide behind Judas' shadow, the future will tell. However, her betrayal in love has been a long time struggle for Gaga. Like she says, "All artists are eternally heartbroken."

I have seen a tremendous change in the Lady in the last 6 months. Gaga has become much more mature, confident and focused in her music, fashion statements and performances. I'm not saying that she was immature before 6 months ago. I am saying that now she is 25, incredibly successful, and her music is about many different things, but seems to be about one focused idea. Her music seems to be no longer about her desire for fame, but is more about her desire for self-acceptance and confidence. She continues to evolve and change and create herself.

I can talk about Lady Gaga forever. I have so much to say about her. She is incredible. I could write 10 paragraphs about her every performance, every outfit and every song, but she evolves so quickly that I need to keep these thoughts inside, or else, I would have to write a blog entry 5 times a day just to keep up with her.

Final Question: Will Gaga stick with Jesus, her virtue, her morals and her basis and foundation, or will she continue to lure over Judas, the demon she clings to?
I'll leave you to think about it.
Ps.. Thanks for reading. Much appreciated. Judas: Don't stop until he's yours.

The New Era.
A+ Gaga: It is so captivating/ thought provoking. Judas is celebrating faith. A Cultural Baptism.