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. super-adn23
    Apr 23, 2012
    7
    I have always been thinking that Lady Gaga is one of the most overrated artists of all time and this album is the proof of it. She was beyond pretentious at saying this was going to be the album of the decade, the lead single is her worst single in her entire discography, and then she obviously picked the wrong singles. Even though it has some some of her best works like "GovernmentI have always been thinking that Lady Gaga is one of the most overrated artists of all time and this album is the proof of it. She was beyond pretentious at saying this was going to be the album of the decade, the lead single is her worst single in her entire discography, and then she obviously picked the wrong singles. Even though it has some some of her best works like "Government Hooker" and "Sheibe". It's, out of her three albums, her least good, if it's a nice characteristic.… Expand
  2. GabrielReis
    Apr 7, 2012
    10
    The BEST Album of the history, Judas, Born This Way, Marry the Night, Hair, The Edge of Glory, Black Jesus, You and I, so perfect! GaGa is so perfect, my favorite album. No more questions, GaGa is the new queen.
  3. geniusmusic
    Apr 4, 2012
    10
    One of the biggest and most meanful album of all the time! This is not just for fun,this is for thinking! And the songs are great musically..The album is about breaking the boundries of social life,pop and art!!
  4. gagalanaa
    Apr 3, 2012
    10
    Outstanding. She took a huge risk and it paid off. Gaga is truly ahead of her time artistically, don't be fooled by the people who say the title track sounds like express yourself because it sure as hell doesn't. It's utterly exceptional and has explored something more than just conventional pop and takes on a much deeper meaning, and not one that applies to more than just her fans. YouOutstanding. She took a huge risk and it paid off. Gaga is truly ahead of her time artistically, don't be fooled by the people who say the title track sounds like express yourself because it sure as hell doesn't. It's utterly exceptional and has explored something more than just conventional pop and takes on a much deeper meaning, and not one that applies to more than just her fans. You don't have to like it but you certainly have to listen to it. They are the kind of tracks that you can listen to everyday for a year and then one day you hear something new that makes you fall in love with them all over again. Both aurally and visually it has the power to make every other female star instantly look dated.… Expand
  5. Hollister
    Apr 3, 2012
    10
    This is conceptually Gaga's best album yet. It fluids very well from start to finish. It's definitely something very different from Gaga's previous work, it's a bit more ambitious but in different areas. It's something you really don't see these days and I'm talking about the overall "dated" sound, almost all of the songs contain a bit more mature and confusing lyrics, it's just notThis is conceptually Gaga's best album yet. It fluids very well from start to finish. It's definitely something very different from Gaga's previous work, it's a bit more ambitious but in different areas. It's something you really don't see these days and I'm talking about the overall "dated" sound, almost all of the songs contain a bit more mature and confusing lyrics, it's just not something pop stars usually do. What I'm trying to say is "I want your love and I want your revenge, you and me could write a bad romance" is much more accessible and understandable than "I'm on the edge of glory and I'm hanging on a moment of truth. I'm on the edge of glory and I'm hanging on a moment with you" What does that even mean? Not saying that it's a bad song, 'cause is not at all, i'm saying that this isn't your typical 12 songs bubble gum carefree pop star album. It's something more risky and complicated to digest, a very good body of work. That being said... Can a pop star survive with an album like this? Specially these days when it's so easy to call a hit-maker to make you a 3 minutes fun ready-for-the-clubs smash. There is more commercial competition these days than other musicians had to deal even 10 years ago. But then again Lady Gaga seems committed in stay far away for the pop star stereotype. You can just tell she wants transcend in Pop Culture so while Born This Way is a more worked record it may fail in giving her longevity. She doesn't need more polarisation. I'm very excited and interested to hear her next album an artist like her has so much potential and she's more talented talented than her peers but sometimes hard work beats talented. It doesn't matter how good a song, a video, a album is, if nobody hears it, if nobody remembers it: then it's not worthy.… Expand
  6. LukeDukem
    Apr 3, 2012
    9
    Very good album! I like it very much, especially ''Americano'', ScheiBe, ''Fashion Of His Love'' and ''You And I''. I really like it!. I can't wait for Gaga's next album!!
  7. BrendonStander
    Apr 2, 2012
    10
    This is the most meaningfull album she has out this far. She believes in it, so do her little monsters. Broke a World record with Born This Way, fastest selling single in Itunes history, a title , she will have for a very, very long time.
  8. suhas2000
    Mar 30, 2012
    0
    I think my score says it all! One of the most over-hyped artists of our times with nothing new to offer or contribute... Unlike the one she's supposedly following in footsteps of (I'm referring to the original one here, Madonna) who always pushed boundaries with some agenda right from the beginning of her career, Lady Gaga seems to be doing the same thing over and over again, along withI think my score says it all! One of the most over-hyped artists of our times with nothing new to offer or contribute... Unlike the one she's supposedly following in footsteps of (I'm referring to the original one here, Madonna) who always pushed boundaries with some agenda right from the beginning of her career, Lady Gaga seems to be doing the same thing over and over again, along with the weird looking outfits.… Expand
  9. MED
    Mar 28, 2012
    1
    An album with so much potential completely spoiled by the insufferable pretense of the woman who made it. This is a cautionary tale of what happens to a megastar when they start believing their own hype.
  10. doc2be
    Mar 28, 2012
    3
    Mediocrity defined here. The Fame Monster was superb and the tour surrounding that release was stellar. This album is overrated. Aside from a handful of songs (Bloody Mary, Heavy Metal LOver, Government Hooker), the rest is very pretentious and try hard. What I hate the most is the way the lyrics are written - so condescending and 'omniscient (all-knowing)'. There is no song tat can beMediocrity defined here. The Fame Monster was superb and the tour surrounding that release was stellar. This album is overrated. Aside from a handful of songs (Bloody Mary, Heavy Metal LOver, Government Hooker), the rest is very pretentious and try hard. What I hate the most is the way the lyrics are written - so condescending and 'omniscient (all-knowing)'. There is no song tat can be honestly related to. I am so surprised at how below average this is after the brilliant Fame...… Expand
  11. Jeffersson
    Mar 28, 2012
    10
    A very good album with a wide range of rhythms, ranging from pop to rock stickier most representative, with nods towards electronics more delicious and juicy.
  12. MladenML
    Mar 27, 2012
    0
    This album is one of those shocking-to-be-shocking albums, I literally can't tell the difference between the songs and almost every chorus begins with an "I'm"! I'm gonna marry the night, I'm on the edge of glory, I'm beautiful in my way, I'm just a holy fool.... She's become such an ego maniac, the songs are loud, lyrics are plain stupid, it's nothing but a big mess!
  13. 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.
  14. TommyA
    Mar 26, 2012
    0
    Born This Way is probably one of the worst albums of 2011. As a fan of Gaga's previous works, I must say this is a horrible offering. Her songs are too preachy, and the album is way too boring. The first two tracks are by far the worst part of the entire album, with Marry the Night being the most boring song of the year and the title track being incredibly preachy and, if you don't mind meBorn This Way is probably one of the worst albums of 2011. As a fan of Gaga's previous works, I must say this is a horrible offering. Her songs are too preachy, and the album is way too boring. The first two tracks are by far the worst part of the entire album, with Marry the Night being the most boring song of the year and the title track being incredibly preachy and, if you don't mind me saying, it sounds similar to an 80s song by another pop artist. The only good thing about this album is Bloody Mary (and yes, it's bloody brilliant), but it doesn't save the album from being an utter disaster. The Fame Monster was amazing, but I have no idea what she was thinking here. Better luck next time, Gaga… Expand
  15. iamgeo
    Mar 26, 2012
    9
    Born This Way is definitely Gaga's darkest album. It has a lot of gems such as "Marry the Night", "ScheiÃ
  16. RIProo
    Mar 26, 2012
    7
    I prefer "The Fame" and "The Fame Monster" because for me that was the real Lady gaga...... However this is a good album, good sounds and good lyrics. The best songs are The edge of glory, heavy metal lover, born this way, you and i, marry the night and Bloody Mary. Good album but this is not the "new Thriller" or the best album of the future 10 years. Only in 2011 there are a lot ofI prefer "The Fame" and "The Fame Monster" because for me that was the real Lady gaga...... However this is a good album, good sounds and good lyrics. The best songs are The edge of glory, heavy metal lover, born this way, you and i, marry the night and Bloody Mary. Good album but this is not the "new Thriller" or the best album of the future 10 years. Only in 2011 there are a lot of albums better than this and also "The Fame" and "The Fame Monster" are better than this. I like it and i like her, but i don't like when some artists say that their album will be the greatest in the world. ( sorry for my English )… Expand
  17. KerimBlue
    Mar 25, 2012
    7
    Great album. I'm not much into pop but something about Gaga makes me want to listen. To me, this is definitely her best album. She takes a more serious approach about standing up for yourself and knowing that everybody is the way they are on purpose. However, I don't really like all the religious songs. A little is fine, but songs like "Black Jesus - Amen Fashion" make me turn the volumeGreat album. I'm not much into pop but something about Gaga makes me want to listen. To me, this is definitely her best album. She takes a more serious approach about standing up for yourself and knowing that everybody is the way they are on purpose. However, I don't really like all the religious songs. A little is fine, but songs like "Black Jesus - Amen Fashion" make me turn the volume down. This aside, the album is full of great songs like the electric "Heavy Metal Lover" and the rebellious "Born This Way."… Expand
  18. JoelSN
    Mar 24, 2012
    8
    Almost a year after the release of "Born This Way" it is a good moment to re-analyze the sophomore effort (not counting "The Fame Monster") of one of the world's biggest pop stars. When the lead single of this album ("Born This Way") was released, it was clear that this would be a very polarising record. GaGa was on top of the world after a very successful (and really good) first effort:Almost a year after the release of "Born This Way" it is a good moment to re-analyze the sophomore effort (not counting "The Fame Monster") of one of the world's biggest pop stars. When the lead single of this album ("Born This Way") was released, it was clear that this would be a very polarising record. GaGa was on top of the world after a very successful (and really good) first effort: "The Fame (Monster)". The expectations were very high, and her interviews and tweets were really creating a hype bubble that was really difficult to control. That probably was her biggest mistake. "Born This Way" is a good album, but it is also extremely pretentious, and it doesn't really fit (except for some songs) into the actual pop scene. She was just leading herself into a disaster, because it was impossible to full-fill the massive expectations she was creating. That led to incredible first week numbers (1 million albums US, 2 million albums worldwide), but a quite regular chart maintenance. Nonetheless, this shouldn't blur our vision of the album. "Born This Way" was a risk, an act of self expression, and a different approach to mainstream music with some really great songs: "The Edge of Glory" stands as one of the best songs of her career, with an incredible saxophone performance by Clarence Clemons, "Born This Way" is a 80's-dancey inspirational record, unfairly shadowed for certain comparisons with "Express Yourself", and "Heavy Metal Lover" is a sexy, heavy, electronic masterpiece that sould have not have remained as an album track, to name a few. The album also exposes her songwriting skills on songs like "Highway Unicorn" or "Bad Kids". Her Bruce Springsteen-ish, 80's inspired sound was refreshing for today's pop, even if she still relied on dancey beats that could make her fit into mainstream radio. I feel like the album deserved a biggest success (even if it was the second best-seller album of 2011), and it could have got it with a better singles treatment. The only downside of the album if the sometimes messy production of Garibay, which I ignore if was intentional, but should be reviewed.

    Highlights: Scheisse, The Edge of Glory, Heavy Metal Lover    … Expand
  19. LittlePenny
    Mar 23, 2012
    10
    The lyric and production of the album is definitely a step up for Lady Gaga. One of the best album of 2011. Definitely worth your money. My favourite tracks are The Edge of Glory, You and I, Marry The Night and Judas. Check it out.
  20. FRISSONNER
    Mar 23, 2012
    10
    Pretentious, yes. Innovative, no. Different and unapologetic yet pushing buttons and standing on it's own platform. YES. 'Born This Way' may have been an overhyped piece of overproduced music coming with your side of gaga sounding like a preachy incomplete transformer, but it does stick to it's theme and does what only a few other albums have been able to do this year. Stray away from thePretentious, yes. Innovative, no. Different and unapologetic yet pushing buttons and standing on it's own platform. YES. 'Born This Way' may have been an overhyped piece of overproduced music coming with your side of gaga sounding like a preachy incomplete transformer, but it does stick to it's theme and does what only a few other albums have been able to do this year. Stray away from the trend. The album has it's gems [Marry The Night, Government Hooker, Hair, Bloody Mary] and it has it downfalls [Judas, Americano, **** Black Jesus]. All in all, it's pop music in many different forms. It's appealing to all audiences especially with it's central theme of freedom, however the message along with a lot of the music get's lost. Still one of the best pop albums of the last 5 years I must say.… Expand
  21. MarcoAC
    Mar 22, 2012
    6
    It really seems to be a great album, when enjoyed without much depth, based on sound. You think, "Oh My God, I'm feeling at the end of the 80s." But do not get excited, and if you do not change your mind, simply do not pay attention to the lyrics. Repetitive and wants to look something epic, which makes each verse something forced and unnecessary. Give Gaga, you're not the Madonna andIt really seems to be a great album, when enjoyed without much depth, based on sound. You think, "Oh My God, I'm feeling at the end of the 80s." But do not get excited, and if you do not change your mind, simply do not pay attention to the lyrics. Repetitive and wants to look something epic, which makes each verse something forced and unnecessary. Give Gaga, you're not the Madonna and never do something like Like a Prayer, Ray of Light, Music or Bedtime Stories.… Expand
  22. 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
  23. breakawayx
    Mar 19, 2012
    3
    Very few noteworthy songs. The album is far too pretentious and fails to deliver the catchy dance anthems which fans and critics had come to love. The singles were far too simple, there are a few songs which save the album, Edge Of Glory + Scheisse for example. Worth a listen but don't buy into the hype.
  24. paulgreen
    Feb 24, 2012
    10
    I love it!
  25. edwardmatias
    Feb 20, 2012
    5
    The sounds are not good for the human ears. Lyrically senseless. Somehow religiously blatant. BUT THERE IS THIS GAGA WITH A HUGE VOCAL EVOLUTION! In this album, Gaga proved she is a singer. There are only few tracks on Born This Way that made me rate this a lot higher: Born This Way, The Edge Of Glory, You And I, and The Queen. These four tracks can stand alone! The rest ---- i don't like them.
  26. KleineSean
    Feb 5, 2012
    8
    Lady Gaga really did an amazing job promoting this album. The amount of hype created made this one of the highest-selling albums in 2011. However, and I don't really like saying this since I'm a fan of hers, this album wasn't as great as The Fame or The Fame Monster -which I actually consider her best work to date-. Anyway, it was a good album, with great production -Gaga, Garibay, RedOneLady Gaga really did an amazing job promoting this album. The amount of hype created made this one of the highest-selling albums in 2011. However, and I don't really like saying this since I'm a fan of hers, this album wasn't as great as The Fame or The Fame Monster -which I actually consider her best work to date-. Anyway, it was a good album, with great production -Gaga, Garibay, RedOne and Blair are really amazing musicians and their creativity has no limits. Most of the songs were very well done with very deep lyrical content which maybe only her fans get to know (e.g. Judas) and amazing beats.
    Interscope made a risky move with this album by not concentrating on the singles sales (not a lot of single material) but on the album sales, but thanks to all the promotion this album had, they could achieve this.    … Expand
  27. 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
  28. MarcosPaulo
    Feb 1, 2012
    10
    Born This Way se mostrou o melhor álbum lançado no ano de 2011 e sem dúvidas um dos melhores cds pop lançado nos últimos anos. No álbum podemos encontrar batidas destruidoras, sintetizadores e letras fortes nas quais Lady Gaga não teve medo de se arriscar a lançar.Born This Way se mostrou o melhor álbum lançado no ano de 2011 e sem dúvidas um dos melhores cds pop lançado nos últimos anos. No álbum podemos encontrar batidas destruidoras, sintetizadores e letras fortes nas quais Lady Gaga não teve medo de se arriscar a lançar. Parabéns Gaga pelo álbum Born This Way ser um sucesso de vendas e críticas positivas e nos presenteie cada vez mais com álbums semelhantes ou até melhores que esse â… Expand
  29. 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.
  30. LuizCC
    Jan 13, 2012
    4
    The most fussed-over album of the last year, it is a big break in Lady Gaga's carreer. It has not the fresh of "The Fame", and is a little bit disappointing. It's a real production mess, all the songs do not mach with each other, but they all have something in common: they sound being recorded in the middle of a highway full of motocycles. Even the spiritual purpose of Love Youserlf in theThe most fussed-over album of the last year, it is a big break in Lady Gaga's carreer. It has not the fresh of "The Fame", and is a little bit disappointing. It's a real production mess, all the songs do not mach with each other, but they all have something in common: they sound being recorded in the middle of a highway full of motocycles. Even the spiritual purpose of Love Youserlf in the songs sound fake, actually rubbish. It's not the album of the decade, as she said, as it's not even the album of the past year.… 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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