Born This Way
by Lady Gaga
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 2316 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,955 out of 2316
  2. Mixed: 109 out of 2316
  3. Negative: 252 out of 2316
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  1. aaronpaul121
    Jun 2, 2011
    1
    Vocally, it was fine, but there is something in her voice that doesn't fit to the song. The song, lyrically, was really bad... it was horrible and disturbing. Although there was a message in it, it wasn't enough- vocally and musically- to bring it to life. Lady Gaga is a really good singer and I know she will bring something explosive to the music industry but this is not the song thatVocally, it was fine, but there is something in her voice that doesn't fit to the song. The song, lyrically, was really bad... it was horrible and disturbing. Although there was a message in it, it wasn't enough- vocally and musically- to bring it to life. Lady Gaga is a really good singer and I know she will bring something explosive to the music industry but this is not the song that blew me away. So disappointing......................… Expand
  2. thienbrand
    May 24, 2011
    10
    I love this album. In my opinion, it's my own album of this decade. Even her next albums are better, I still mark this year is the year which had changed my life. All the track are very good, especially Scheisse & Bad Kids. This album is nothing like Femme Fatale, Animal, Cannibal .v..v.. It can change the world.
  3. Bones
    May 25, 2011
    10
    Lyrically, it is not genius, even cheesy sometimes but I can assure you I enjoyed listening to the album, she improved her singing and she's proving it with her strong vocal performances in Bloody Mary, Electric Chapel & The Edge Of Glory. this is a must-listen
  4. Scio16
    May 24, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Born this way is the perfect compromise between past and future, tradition and innovation. Melodies are very tasty, lyrics are original and well groomed, the production is phenomenal... What else? Very very very good album!… Expand
  5. Jesse032886
    May 24, 2011
    10
    Lady Gaga has come to save pop music with â
  6. PopCulturist
    May 24, 2011
    10
    Is not that bad at all... from all the new pop albums this is the best, is strong and dont sounds like a remixed album (Femme Fatale for example). who says it sounds the same must be deaf there are only about 3/17 songs that sounds KINDA the same. The Tiny Mix Tapes critic is so childish, reading that review I couldn't imagine what kind of "profesional" will make it's critic based in howIs not that bad at all... from all the new pop albums this is the best, is strong and dont sounds like a remixed album (Femme Fatale for example). who says it sounds the same must be deaf there are only about 3/17 songs that sounds KINDA the same. The Tiny Mix Tapes critic is so childish, reading that review I couldn't imagine what kind of "profesional" will make it's critic based in how much they hate or love lady gaga, EVERYTHING has two sides bad and good and if you are supoused to be a profesional you should take both sides, the final result maybe is a 40 0r 30 BUT you took both sides before.... THAT'S WHAT PROFESIONAL PEOPLE DO Tiny Mix Tapes review looks like a troll review that hate Lady GaGa. it loses a lot of credibility.… Expand
  7. gemini0577
    Jun 14, 2011
    0
    While her first album was enjoyable, this effort seems... well, like no effort was put into it. The songs are generic and the shock factor is hardly shocking. The lyrics are so bad that in some instances, they derail a song that features a decent melody. If she spent more time being a singer and less time shocking the world with her odd-ball presence, this album would undoubtedly be a gem.While her first album was enjoyable, this effort seems... well, like no effort was put into it. The songs are generic and the shock factor is hardly shocking. The lyrics are so bad that in some instances, they derail a song that features a decent melody. If she spent more time being a singer and less time shocking the world with her odd-ball presence, this album would undoubtedly be a gem. Unfortunately it is not, thus showing where her focus truly lies.… Expand
  8. yesplease
    Jul 1, 2011
    3
    This album sounds like the work of a follower and not a leader. Whereas The Fame and The Fame Monster were guilty pleasures, Born This Way is simply torture.
  9. iamanicon
    May 23, 2011
    2
    All the chorus' sound the same. Few great tracks. Some don't even cut mediocre. Too many similar themes - i'm sure the unicorn one is just an extension of Marry the Night. Judas and Government Hooker stand out amongst numerous 80's b-sides.
  10. Tangers
    May 25, 2011
    1
    People say the bad critical reviews are from unprofessional critics but one thing you ought to know is that, if the reviews were unprofessional, metacritic won't summit it to their website !!! Facts !!!!
    Secondly, The silliness of hype, anticipation and mediocre never fails to astound.
    I listened to this album yesterday, i left it on replay the whole night while i was doing some work and    People say the bad critical reviews are from unprofessional critics but one thing you ought to know is that, if the reviews were unprofessional, metacritic won't summit it to their website !!! Facts !!!!
    Secondly, The silliness of hype, anticipation and mediocre never fails to astound.
    I listened to this album yesterday, i left it on replay the whole night while i was doing some work and up till now am yet to understand the whole concept of the album. All the songs sounds exactly the same.    … Expand
  11. jamesmanalili
    May 24, 2011
    1
    All the chorus' and underlying beats sound the same, cohesive, but the same. A lot of anticipation was built up for this album as she garnered it the "Album of the Decade"... Didn't live up to her own conceited hype. Oh yeah, and I thought Madonna released this album 20 years ago?
  12. little_birds86
    May 23, 2011
    0
    While her vocals are a strong point, everything else is bland, repetitive, and unoriginal. Worst-written album of the year by far. Filled with cliche banalities that should make even the most dedicated little monster shudder.
  13. kea95
    May 24, 2011
    10
    A true pop, electric opera. Leaves you breathless because of its high energetic beats. Totally amazing! One of the best albums to ever put out by any artist!
  14. MauroMagarelli
    May 23, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this is just aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg… Expand
  15. Scum
    May 23, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Solid album - songs like ScheiÃ… Expand
  16. JadGhamloush
    May 24, 2011
    10
    Lady gaga returns to the music scene with her record-breaking album BORN THIS WAY, which contains a song for everyone! Every song is different and has something special about it. Gaga has managed to marry electronic music with her glam rock influences which adds a refreshing twist to her music style. The reigning pop queen abandons the typical electronic sound which was displayed in TheLady gaga returns to the music scene with her record-breaking album BORN THIS WAY, which contains a song for everyone! Every song is different and has something special about it. Gaga has managed to marry electronic music with her glam rock influences which adds a refreshing twist to her music style. The reigning pop queen abandons the typical electronic sound which was displayed in The Fame. In my opinion, this album will make The Fame's success seem like nothing, because the effervescent tracks on this album are timeless!… Expand
  17. GTemporao
    May 24, 2011
    7
    Gaga has prepared a powerful and absurdly energetic pop ride for us, and she sounds as fearless and shameless as she can possibly do. The only problem is; not sounding positive all the time is necessary in any body of work, and Lady Gaga doesn't know how to decelerate herself in 'Born This Way'.

    In 'The Fame' and 'The Fame Monster' EP, Gaga's ability to deliver heartfelt drama was, well,    Gaga has prepared a powerful and absurdly energetic pop ride for us, and she sounds as fearless and shameless as she can possibly do. The only problem is; not sounding positive all the time is necessary in any body of work, and Lady Gaga doesn't know how to decelerate herself in 'Born This Way'.

    In 'The Fame' and 'The Fame Monster' EP, Gaga's ability to deliver heartfelt drama was, well, monstrous; "Brown Eyes", "Paparazzi", "Bad Romance", "Dance in The Dark" and "Speechless" are easily some of her best songs to date. Songs that are touching. Songs that are ultimately better than "Judas", clearly a remake of Bad Romance, "Bloody Mary", which sounds dull, and "Yoü and I", which is a good love song, but the world is full of great love songs and this one sadly doesn't stand out. So it seems that Gaga has given so much space to joyfulness and self-worship in 'Born This Way' that, when she tries to portray her angst, her vulnerability and the "agro of her furied heart", she just can't deliver in comparison to her previous albums.

    That, however, doesn't mean that Gaga hasn't made beautiful and meaningful songs for this album. If we focus on the cheerful and uplifting nature of 'Born This Way' alone, we can see that Gaga has never been this entertaining. "Marry The Night", the title track, "Government Hooker", "Hair", "Scheià    … Expand
  18. vitormtt
    Dec 16, 2011
    0
    liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiixxooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! TRAVA FEIA
  19. darkfanta
    Aug 26, 2011
    10
    This thing gets better everytime you listen to it, and already its shaping up to be one of the most underrated albums of the decade. Those panning this album are obviously unable to accept the change in style from The Fame and therefore I can only assume want their artists to keep producing the same stuff at every outing and not explore new avenues. If that's what you want; then thisThis thing gets better everytime you listen to it, and already its shaping up to be one of the most underrated albums of the decade. Those panning this album are obviously unable to accept the change in style from The Fame and therefore I can only assume want their artists to keep producing the same stuff at every outing and not explore new avenues. If that's what you want; then this masterpiece isn't for you. Whereas those of us who welcome the change in style can appreciate that tracks like U&I, The Edge of Glory and Hair are the highpoint of her career. Gaga is simply brilliant, I don't give a flying **** if Katy Perry has more Grammy nominations for her much LESS remarkable Teenage Dream; I never expected this album to be fully appreciated for what it is anyway. "I just wanna be myself, and i want you to love me for who I am.." We do, Gaga...we do.… Expand
  20. MarcoMarcovic
    Jun 4, 2011
    9
    This is very good pop album, with variety of melodies. Lady Gaga menage to stay in focus and to remain on the top of pop musicians in the world. It is darker than her previous albums, but it is at the same time a little better.
  21. packstar
    Jun 12, 2011
    7
    Its good to see that Gaga put away the meat dress and the fake hair pieces and actually made a decent album. Already hearing the songs 'Born This Way' and 'Judas' Gaga could deferentially pass off as Madonna. The album already has this feel to it that it just wants to be played in a night club on a buy one get one free booze night. Its nothing more than a collection of club tunes for aIts good to see that Gaga put away the meat dress and the fake hair pieces and actually made a decent album. Already hearing the songs 'Born This Way' and 'Judas' Gaga could deferentially pass off as Madonna. The album already has this feel to it that it just wants to be played in a night club on a buy one get one free booze night. Its nothing more than a collection of club tunes for a fickle audience. Then Gaga released 'Edge Of Glory' and after two or three listens the song begins to shake off the bad representation of the two songs prior. Its catchy (but with a staying power) Its not going to be that single everyone liked but then it got over played so now everyone hates it. The Album has some good tracks on it. 'Hair' had this 80's Kate Bush meets electronic dance pop and 'Bloody Mary' has an amazing dark, slow but harsh sound to it. Overall the album is quite good possibly better than Fame maybe just as good as The Fame Monster but its a good album. 7/10… Expand
  22. Panxulo
    Jun 18, 2011
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't like this album so much. Some tracks are fine, but I think there's no reinvention and, obviously, this is not the album of the decade.
    "Marry The Night" is a good album welcome. It shows what we all will hear: electronic beats.
    "Born This Way". I think this is the worst Lady GaGa's career single.
    "Government Hooker". She tries to show a soprano voice, but it's actually her voice with more vibrations. Anyway, the track is fine. It's near to metal sound.
    "Judas" is a mix of "Bad Romance" and "Poker Face". Nothing new, but the music.
    "Americano" is easily contagious, but lyrics are nothing. "I don't speak your.. Jesus Christo"... What is that? Nice track, anyway.
    With this album, we discovered that "Anatomy Of Change" was a remix of "Scheià    … Expand
  23. ashleyyy
    Jun 29, 2011
    10
    This is an amazing album! I think this album should win album of the year at the grammy's because it sold a million in a week ! Adele is her biggest competitor!
  24. Eduardo_Finatto
    Sep 14, 2011
    10
    This album is just awesome, i loved it. Bloody Mary, Scheibe, Marry the Night, Hair and The Queen are certainly the best tracks, but all musics are great. I just didn't like Highway Unicorn too much, it has a bad song but Gaga's volcals are perfect in all tracks.
  25. EmannuelBN
    Jan 27, 2012
    2
    The songs are almost a recycling or reuse of Fame Monster. They do not sound as natural as before, are not spontaneous, some are saved, but give a headache continues. Lady GaGa has promised much but turned all the way to a kind of public.
  26. retrophysical
    Feb 2, 2012
    10
    Honestly, it's a phenomenal album. Packed with self-appreciation anthems, Born This Way doesn't disappoint. Tracks like 'Americano', where Gaga is singing in Spanish and 'Scheisse' where Gaga features lyrics in German- and faux-German- while singing a feminist anthem are where Lady Gaga truly shows off her musical talents and capabilities. From the opening track 'Marry the Night' (which isHonestly, it's a phenomenal album. Packed with self-appreciation anthems, Born This Way doesn't disappoint. Tracks like 'Americano', where Gaga is singing in Spanish and 'Scheisse' where Gaga features lyrics in German- and faux-German- while singing a feminist anthem are where Lady Gaga truly shows off her musical talents and capabilities. From the opening track 'Marry the Night' (which is about Gaga's love for her home city New York) through to the final track 'The Edge of Glory' (about her grandfathers death), the album doesn't fail to disappoint. In my opinion, the strongest tracks are 'Bloody Mary' and the weakest is 'Electric Chapel'.… Expand
  27. Mayfair
    Mar 20, 2012
    3
    This album is a mess and disappointing. I expected much more of Gaga, now I know that Lady Gaga is overrated. Songs like Judas, ScheiÃ
  28. BlacKat1025
    Mar 27, 2012
    2
    I fail to see what the praise about. It's mediocre at best, and it comes across as pretentious, almost patronizing. Could barely sit through the album...I cannot stress enough how OVERDONE it is. Ugh. Was never a fan of Gaga before, certainly not one now.
  29. TwistedFantasy
    Aug 3, 2012
    8
    Lady Gaga focused on quantity over quality, which caused a few bad fillers to make the album (Bad Kids/Americano), but there are some really great songs, like Judas, Marry the Night, and Edge of Glory. I would have preferred her to focus less on the "be yourself" message, and instead just focus on the music, since the better songs on the album are the once that aren't all preachy. ThereLady Gaga focused on quantity over quality, which caused a few bad fillers to make the album (Bad Kids/Americano), but there are some really great songs, like Judas, Marry the Night, and Edge of Glory. I would have preferred her to focus less on the "be yourself" message, and instead just focus on the music, since the better songs on the album are the once that aren't all preachy. There are some great songs though. This could make an excellent album if a few songs were removed. There's something for everyone on Born This Way.… Expand
  30. RebelRebel
    Jul 4, 2013
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is easily one of the worst pop albums ever it's beyond boring and all songs sound the same Lady Gaga has lost this album is so bad in one word awful … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2011
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. Billboard.com
    Sep 25, 2014
    86
    Lady Gaga promised her fans (perhaps a tad prematurely) that her new album would be the greatest of the decade. But even if the next nine years bring something better, we're unlikely to hear anything bigger than Born This Way.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 8, 2011
    60
    Born This Way feels like the first proper Lady Gaga album. [Aug. 2011, p. 114]
  3. Prefix Magazine
    Jul 6, 2011
    60
    Gaga has always been able to anchor her haughty conceptual undertakings with simple, catchy tunes, but with Born This Way, the persona and the message are starting to bleed into the songs. It's not a good look.
    Read full review
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