911 (Lady Gaga song)

"911" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). It is included as the album's eight track, and is preceded by a string arrangement, "Chromatica II", which transitions right into the beginning of the song. It was written by Gaga, Justin Tranter, BloodPop and Madeon, with the latter two also producing along with Benjamin Rice. It is a Euro disco song with influences from funk and techno. Lyrically, it talks about the antipsychotic medication the singer has to take.

"911"
Song by Lady Gaga
from the album Chromatica
ReleasedMay 29, 2020 (2020-05-29)
Recorded2019
StudioHenson Recording Studios
GenreEuro disco
Length2:52
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio video
"911" on YouTube

Background and recording
Madeon, co-producer of "911", previously worked with Gaga on her 2013 album Artpop.

"911" details and describes Gaga's relationship to her antipsychotic medication, olanzapine.[1] Gaga said: "It's about an antipsychotic that I take. And it’s because I can’t always control things that my brain does. I know that. And I have to take medication to stop the process that occurs."[1] BloodPop further elaborated:

[Medication] is not fun to talk about for most people, but it's a very real part of modern life for those who need it. This was her truth and she wanted to write about it even though she knew it would be painful to "go there". ["911"] hit me particularly hard as well because at the time I had to get on medication for OCD and depression for the first time in my life.[2]

In an interview with Rolling Stone, BloodPop confirmed that while Gaga was recording the song, she insisted that the studio be near pitch-black and that she wear a wig in order to feel like someone else as she wanted to "relive everything she was talking about in the song with every take".[3] Co-writer and producer Madeon added that they wanted to keep production quiet because "there’s so much life and impact in those lyrics that you want to let them breathe. You don’t need to drown them."[3]

Composition and lyrics

"911" is largely a Euro disco song.[4] The song sees Gaga using monotonous[5], robotic vocal effects on top of industrial synthesizers, a techno-funk groove[6], and a "trippy" chorus.[7] Throughout both verses, Gaga describes how her mental illnesses have directly affected the world all around her. In the chorus, she fully accepts and realizes her mental illness, explaining that her biggest enemy is, actually, herself.[8] The lines "I can't see me cry/Can't see me cry ever again/I can't see me cry/Can't see me cry/This is the end" are confirmed as a reference to the decreased emotional responses which are a side-effect of her medication.[9] Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly compared the song to the work of French electronic music duo Daft Punk,[10] while Nick Smith of musicOMH noted similarities to Kylie Minogue's "Speakerphone".[11] Jem Aswad from Variety found a "vocal nod to Lipps Inc.’s 1980 smash 'Funky Town' in Gaga’s trademark robo-dominatrix voice."[12]

"Chromatica II"
"Chromatica II"
Composition by Lady Gaga
from the album Chromatica
ReleasedMay 29, 2020 (2020-05-29)
Length0:41
Songwriter(s)
  • Lady Gaga
  • Morgan Kibby
Producer(s)
  • Gaga
  • Kibby
Audio video
"Chromatica II" on YouTube

"911" is one of the three songs on the Chromatica album which are preceded by an orchestral interlude. Gaga wanted to emphasize the "cinematic" feeling of the record and felt that it had distinct acts, "such as the sharp right turn it takes when '911' kicks in."[2] The interludes were composed by musician Morgan Kibby, who assembled a 26-person orchestra to record the string arrangements.[2] Talking about the creative process of "Chromatica II", the interlude preceding "911", she explained:

"Chromatica II" was the final piece we composed, and at that point it was clear to Gaga that it should fall right before "911", which was already complete. I remember this moment in the studio so clearly, because she lit up, and without any words I flipped the keyboard around, pulled up the string sound she was envisioning, and she started to play this amazing marcato idea. From there, we massaged it, and I focused on the harmonies and dynamics to make sure it amped the energy up.[2]

Upon the album's release, the seamless transition between "Chromatica II" and "911" became a fan-favorite and was discussed as an album highlight.[2] It generated several memes, with people editing the transition into classic scenes from movies and TV,[13][14] other internet memes, phrases, and videos,[15] and recreating the transition with similar sounding songs, most notably with Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head".[16] Annie Zaleski of Time magazine found the strings of "Chromatica II" a "delight", as they "crescendo and swerve" into "911".[17]

Critical reception

Spencer Kornhaber from The Atlantic found "911" a standout moment of the Chromatica album, and described it as a "playfully robotic" song which "reveals new intricacies with each listen."[18] Stephen Daw of Billboard ranked the track as the third best from the album, with "deeply satisfying production" and "some ridiculously clever songwriting", while saying that Gaga "is in her element when she is delivering camp."[19] Kory Grow from Rolling Stone thought the song "splits the difference between the Buggles and Kraftwerk, filtered through Gaga’s kaleidoscope", and noted that "she’s at her best... when taking musical risks", like with "911".[20] Jeremy J. Fisette from Beats Per Minute named it the "strongest song on the record".[21] Tom Johnson from The Line of Best Fit also found it an album highlight, saying that along with another track, "Replay", they are both "honest and thoughtful, brilliant dance music."[22]

Writing for PopMatters, Evan Sawdey thought that even though "Gaga is still hiding behind vocoders and numerous filtered vocal effects", the song is one of the best moments of the album as her "real life and experiences are seeping through the gaps in the 4/4 rhythm chains".[4] Caryn Ganz of The New York Times listed the "winking monotony" of "911" as one of the moments she enjoyed from the album.[23] Los Angeles Times's Mikael Wood called it a "catchy, fist-pumping song".[24] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine thought that Gaga's "distorted vocals" and the "euphoric swoon of the track’s pre-chorus" create an "effective contrast".[25] Dan Weiss from Spin criticized the song for being "so breathlessly wordy you can’t remember (or even find) the hook".[26] Mark Richardson from The Wall Street Journal thought that "911" along with another song, "Enigma", "find Lady Gaga deploying the more bombastic style of her earlier hits to lesser effect."[27]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[28]

  • Lady Gaga – vocals, songwriter
  • BloodPop – producer, songwriter, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Madeon – producer, songwriter, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Justin Tranter – songwriter
  • Benjamin Rice – vocal production, mixer, studio personnel
  • Tom Norris – mixer, studio personnel

Charts
Chart performance for "911"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[29] 76
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[30] 85
France (SNEP)[31] 141
Greece (IFPI)[32] 81
Italy (FIMI)[33] 92
Lithuania (AGATA)[34] 61
New Zealand Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ)[35] 5
Portugal (AFP)[36] 84
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[37] 1
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[38] 10
US Rolling Stone Top 100[39] 87

References
  1. Lowe, Zane (May 21, 2020). "Lady Gaga: The Chromatica Interview". Apple Music. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  2. Nolfi, Joey. "Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica' team reveals the history and future of her new era". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  3. Spanos, Brittany (May 30, 2020). "Welcome to 'Chromatica': Inside Lady Gaga's Triumphant Dance Floor Return". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  4. Sawdey, Evan (May 29, 2020). "Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica' Hides Its True Intentions Behind Dancefloor Exuberance". PopMatters. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  5. Pareles, Jon; Morris, Wesley; Ganz, Caryn; Zoladz, Lindsay (May 29, 2020). "Here's the Lady. Where's the Gaga?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  6. "Lady Gaga 'Chromatica' Review: First Listen". Billboard. May 29, 2020. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. "Lady Gaga: Chromatica review – A star is reborn in this return to fully fledged pop". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  8. Antar, Adam (May 28, 2020). "Chromatica: a review and analysis of Lady Gaga's new album". Medium. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  9. "Lady Gaga praises mental health medication in new song 911". Music-News.com. May 29, 2020. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  10. Greenblatt, Leah (May 29, 2020). "Lady Gaga's Chromatica offers a glitter-dusted escape from strange times: Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  11. Smith, Nick (May 29, 2020). "Lady Gaga — Chromatica". musicOMH. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  12. Aswad, Jem (May 29, 2020). "Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica': Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  13. Percival, Ash (June 23, 2020). "The Internet Is Having A Lot Of Fun With Memes Of Lady Gaga's Chromatica II/911 Transition". HuffPost. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  14. Samhan, Jamie (June 25, 2020). "Fans Hilariously Put Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica II' Into '911' Transition Over Film Scenes". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  15. "Chromatica II Into 911". Know Your Meme. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  16. "Everyone Is Obsessed With This Flawless Edit Of Lady Gaga And Kylie Minogue". Junkee. June 16, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  17. Zaleski, Annie (May 29, 2020). "Lady Gaga's New Album Chromatica Is the Soundtrack for 2020's Most Epic Bedroom Dance Parties". Time. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  18. Kornhaber, Spencer (June 1, 2020). "Lady Gaga Is Back and Smaller Than Ever". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  19. Daw, Stephen (May 29, 2020). "Ranking All 16 Songs From Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica': Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  20. Grow, Kory (June 1, 2020). "Lady Gaga Returns to the Dance Floor on 'Chromatica'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  21. Fisette, Jeremy J. (June 3, 2020). "Album Review: Lady Gaga – Chromatica". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  22. Johnson, Tom (June 1, 2020). "Lady Gaga returns to dance pop infamy while turning her attention inwards". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  23. Jon, Pareles; Morris, Wesley; Ganz, Caryn; Zoladz, Lindsay (May 29, 2020). "Here's the Lady. Where's the Gaga?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  24. Wood, Mikael (May 31, 2020). "With 'Chromatica,' Lady Gaga wants you to dance your pain away. Would that you could..." Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  25. Cinquemani, Sal (May 29, 2020). "Review: Lady Gaga's Chromatica Is a Concept in Search of an Album". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  26. Weiss, Dan (June 3, 2020). "On Chromatica, Lady Gaga Struggles Along With Us to Find What Normal Is". Spin. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  27. Richardson, Mark (June 3, 2020). "'Chromatica' by Lady Gaga Review: An Invitation to Escape Into Disco". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  28. "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com.
  29. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 8 June 2020". No. 1579. Australian Recording Industry Association. June 8, 2020. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  30. "Lady Gaga Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  31. "Top Singles (Week 23, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  32. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 22/2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  33. "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 23" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  34. "2020 23-os SAVAITĖS (gegužės 29-birželio 4 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  35. "HOT 40 SINGLES". Recorded Music NZ. June 8, 2020. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  36. "Portuguesecharts.com – Lady Gaga – 911". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  37. "Lady Gaga Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  38. "Lady Gaga Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  39. "Top 100 Popular Songs (May 30, 2020)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
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