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"Applause" is a song written by Lady Gaga and produced by DJ White Shadow in 2012. The song served as the lead single from her fourth studio album ARTPOP. It was originally intended to be released in August 19, 2013, but was rush released on 12 August, 2013 after some snippets of the song were leaked online.

Background

7-24-13 LM.com 001

Gaga first revealed the title of the song in November of 2012 through Little Monsters: "I Live for the APPLAUSE". She tweeted on January 4, 2013 part of the lyrics: "If only Fame came in IV form could I bare being away from you. I live for the way that you cheer and scream for me. The Applause."

On July 24, 2013, Gaga posted via Little Monsters handwritten lyrics with a visual for the song. The lyrics were slightly reworked from the first version revealed a year before. She explained that she documented the creation of the ARTPOP project in a series of notes and books filled with visual ideas and sketches.

When asked about the song, DJ White Shadow explained that it was written in 2012 and that Gaga was in pain due to her undiagnosed broken hip and labral tear while writing the song. When asked about the creation of the song, Gaga confirmed that she was in a lot of pain during the last weeks of the tour and that thanks to the applause of her fans, she was able to drown out the pain and finish the show.

At the time, they didn't know which song would be the lead single for ARTPOP. It was after she took some time off in 2013, that they revisited the song and selected it as the first single. He also revealed that he recorded the "screaming fans" heard on the track during one of the Born This Way Ball dates.

On September 18th, 2013, Lady Gaga revealed on her Twitter account the meaning behind a song, while asking people to remember the difference between "celebrities" and "artists".

“'Applause' is a very meaningful song to me, because it addresses what many think of 'celebrities' today, that we 'do it' for the attention.
Lady Gaga via Twitter Web Client
But some of us are 'artists' in this group called 'celebrity,' & what we create doesn't live on unless theres an audience to remember it.
Lady Gaga via Twitter Web Client
So I may need your attention at first, so I can sing you my song. But its the 'Applause' after that let me know if I've entertained you.
Lady Gaga via Twitter Web Client
Entertainment makes people happy, I live for the 'Applause,' to know I've spread that. I live to hear you cheer, to just be a part of that.
Lady Gaga via Twitter Web Client
I believe in show business. The 'Applause' is what breeds that thing that I love. When I know i've made you happy. When I know it was good.
Lady Gaga via Twitter Web Client

Druning an exclusive interview for DVD Japanese edition of ARTPOP, when Lady Gaga was asked why she chose "Applause" as the lead single, she answered:

I never choose my singles, so I didn't actually choose it. But I thought it was a great choice as a lead single because the album is very eclectic and it goes on a journey, so it was more about what was the first statement that we wanted to make and I liked the statement that it made because it brings back some very old sentiments about show business that I feel are very very absent right now. This idea that the performer lives for the applause as opposed to living for the fame separate from the stage. I don't care about that kind of fame. Just having people's attention all the time what I crave is performing live and making a connection with my fans and hearing them cheer because they're happy.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga talked about the meaning of the song and about importance of applause in her career in the track-by-track ARTPOP commentary on Sirius XM.

Well, this is the last track on the album. This was [always] going to be the last track, this is called "Applause". When I was on tour, and my hip was breaking, I didn’t really know why, because I was smoking up a storm, making sure that I couldn’t feel a damn thing all day long. [chuckles] Once I really realized what had been going on, and I realized how I was feeling, before on stage, I realized that it was the applause of the fans that really kept me going, because I would be ready to go onstage, and just be crying hysterically, like not understanding even, how I was feeling. I was feeling very dizzy, I had a lot of vertigo; I had pain, but, it’s like, fuck if I know what hurts the most, because I’ve been on tour for a year. So, everything hurts really bad, but I didn’t want to let them down. And I just couldn’t cancel, because the thought of leaving 50,000 or 30,000 or 12,000 or 8,000 kids in the arena just broke my heart. So, I went out every night, and I played and I played and I played until I couldn’t walk one night, and that was it. I realized in this moment that I live for the applause, but I don’t live for the attention; like, the way that people just, they just love you, because, you know, you’re “famous.” I live for, actually performing for people; and them applauding because, they’ve been entertained. And so, I wanted to make a song about entertainment, and about show business, and about the banging of the gong, and the critics, and how all of that sort of, weaves its way in and out of your life as you become a bigger and bigger entertainer, but that, ultimately what I live for is knowing that I’ve done something that’s made you truly happy, and made you truly have an experience with the stage, with the lights, with each other. So, this is the way I like to end the album.

Lady Gaga on Sirius XM

On April 30th, 2021 during "no skips” ARTPOP party at the Scarlet Bar in Chicago DJ White Shadow revealed: "Originally this song wasn't going to be on the album"

Composition

Applause has been pinned to the electropop and Eurodance music genres, with vocals reminiscent to those of Annie Lennox and David Bowie. Written in the key of G minor, the song follows a chord progression of Gm-F-Eb-Cm-F-Gm and has a tempo of 140 beats per minute. Gaga's vocals span from a low note of F3 to a high note of A5, covering nearly two and a half octaves.

Commercial release

Applause Music Video Poster 001

Promotional poster for the "Applause" music video.

On July 28th, 2013, Gaga took to Twitter to announce that the pre-order for ARTPOP has been moved up to August 19, 2013, saying that her single, "Applause" will be released that day as well. This confirmed all speculation that "Applause" was the lead single. The song was registered onto Gaga's BMI on August 29, 2013.

Due to multiple leaks of Applause on August 11, Gaga announced on Twitter that the single will be released on August 12, 2013. The day prior, Gaga retweeted a fan including a link to an Universal Music Group page dedicated to fight leak. However, due to the song being available through various snippets that, Gaga later tweeted that it would be released on iTunes at midnight.

On October 17th, 2013, during an interview via phone call on 101.9fm The MIX radio station Lady Gaga was asked: did the leak of "Applause" drive her crazy, as for an artist, or was she okay with something like that?, and she answered:

"Well, I mean it wasn't great 'cause it kinda blew our whole plan, you know, we had a whole wonderful plan in place for the song, and for Good Morning America. There was a lot of wonderful things that we had planned to kind of all happen at once. So, that more people would know that "Applause" was out that day. But, you know, you know, shit happens. So, it had to come out. It had to come out. And I'm just so happy to see how wonderfully "Applause" is done because everybody loves to doubt you when you've been on top for a long time and they want to see you fail, but "Applause" has really been doing. So, it's going-- it's on track to become one of my biggest radio hits ever. It's my, it's my third biggest radiohead after "Bad Romance" and "Poker Face"."

In the same interview Lady Gaga appreciated that radio hosts liked "Applause", saying: "That really means a lot to me because, you know, that song, you know, when people were talking smack about the song because it didn't hit number one right away. You know, this is not about what the song actually sounds like. This is just like gossip pissing contest. You know, what I do is I make records. I make records and I make music and I care about making good songs and that's all that I care about."

Social media promotion

See reference for more details.

Before the release of "Applause", Gaga released a few photograph from the album photoshoot with Inez and Vinoodh. Usually her posts came from either Twitter or Little Monsters and were lated also posted on her active social media accounts such as Facebook and Google+. The content of these posts were mostly either lyrics or a caption with the photos along with the number of days remaining until the premiere of the single.

Artwork

7-23-13 LM.com 002

On July 23rd, 2013, Gaga's makeup artist, Tara Savelo of the Haus of Gaga posted a photograph of Gaga painting on a canvas that read "Applause" along with a caption reading "26 days".

On July 28th, Gaga revealed via twitter that the single cover would be revealed later that day on Women's Wears Daily's website. At 7:30 PM, Women's Wears Daily posted the single cover in a gallery about Gaga's career. Gaga also posted the single cover on her Twitter later that day.

"Artwork for new single 'Applause' comes tonight on @womensweardaily's site for coverprint on newstands 2moro. Photography Inez+Vinoodh -GAGA" — Twitter on July 28, 2013

The artwork was shot by Inez and Vinoodh, who also shot the music video for "Applause". The photograph features colorful, emotional and theatrical, capturing Gaga with a Pierrot-esque face, her rainbow of makeup artfully smeared and her hair covered under a head wrap. Gaga added colors to the printed photograph which was later scanned to be the single artwork. The central image is placed on a double black bordered white canvas, the text was handwritten by either Inez or Vinoodh. 

Release history

The physical single was available as a 2-track CD single including the album version of "Applause" alongside the instrumental version, it was also released on a 12" Picture Disc vinyl exclusive for Black Friday of 2013 and included eight remixes of the song.

Physical releases

International CD Single

Applause cover Label:
Interscope Records Streamline Records

Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: September 11, 2013
Barcode: 602537524891
Photography: Inez and Vinoodh
Design: N/A
   

Applause BR

# Name Time
1. "Applause"   3:32
2. "Applause" (Instrumental) 3:32


Region Date Format Catalog # Barcode
Us Ca August 12, 2013 Digital download
Globe-green August 13, 2013
Us August 19, 2013 Mainstream radio
Jp September 11, 2013 UICS-9138 4988005790477
CD Single UICS-5051 4988005790484
De September 13, 2013 602537524891
Fr 602537542352
Sg
Hk
Sk September 18, 2013 DS30695
In October 1, 2013 3752489 602537524891

Picture Disc Vinyl

The picture disc vinyl was released on November 29, 2013 as a 'Black Friday' store exclusive for Record Store Day, both in the US and in the UK. The content of the vinyl is exactly the same on both vinyls, with the only difference being the country of manufacture and the color and position of the sticker on the plastic sleeve, the US sticker is white, and the UK sticker is clear.

Applause Vinyl Label:
Interscope Records Streamline Records

Format: Vinyl, 12" PIcture Disc
Released: November 29, 2013
Barcode: B0019-492-11
Photography: Inez and Vinoodh
Design: N/A
   

Applause BR

Side A
Side B

Digital releases

Remixes

Applause Remixes Label: Interscope
Format: Digital
Released: 30 September, 2013
Barcode: None
Photography: Inez and Vinoodh
Design: Not credited

Radio premiere

Remixes

Remix Length Releases Year
Chew Fu ReFix 4:48 2013
DJ White Shadow Trap Remix 4:08 Applause (Remixes)
DJ White Shadow Electrotech Remix 5:48
Empire of The Sun Remix 4:05
Viceroy Remix 4:25
Purity Ring Remix 3:04
Fareoh Remix 4:52
Bent Collective Club Remix 7:26
Goldhouse Remix 4:36

Prior to the release of the Remix EP, each remix (excluding the two DJ White Shadow remixes, as they had been released via soundcloud and youtube earlier) premiered on a different website throught late September, 2013.

  • The Purity Ring Remix premiered on Dazed Digital on September 20, 2013.
  • The Empire of The Sun Remix premiered on Rolling Stone on September 23, 2013.
  • The Bent Collective (Steven Redant, Danny Verde & Guy Scheiman) premiered on Towleroad on September 24, 2013
  • The Goldhouse Remix premiered on Idolator on September 25, 2013.
  • The Fareoh Remix premiered on Earmilk on September 26, 2013.
  • The Viceroy Remix premiered on Dancing Astronaut on September 27, 2013.

Performances

The song was first performed at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

Lyrics

See reference for more details on the release of select lyrics.

Starting on July 24, 2013, Gaga revealed part of the lyrics via posts on her social media accounts.

I stand here waiting for you to bang the gong
To crash the critic saying, "is it right or is it wrong?"
If only fame had an IV, baby, could I bear being away from you
I found the vein, put it in here

I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause
Live for the way you cheer and scream for me
The applause, applause, applause

Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch (make it real loud)
Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch (make it real loud)

A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (make it real loud)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (make it real loud)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch

I've overheard your theory "Nostalgia's for geeks"
I guess sir, if you say so, some of us just like to read
One second I'm a Koons, then suddenly the Koons is me
Pop culture was in art, now art’s in pop culture, in me

I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause
Live for the way you cheer and scream for me
The applause, applause, applause

Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch (make it real loud)
Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch (make it real loud)

A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (make it real loud)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (make it real loud)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch

Woo...
Touch, touch
Woo...
Touch, touch, now...
Woo-oh-oh-oh...

I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause
Live for the way you cheer and scream for me
The applause, applause, applause

Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch (make it real loud)
Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch (make it real loud)

A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (make it real loud)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (make it real loud!)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch

A-R-T-P-O-P

Music video

Applause
Premiere date August 19, 2013
Director(s) Inez and Vinoodh
Fashion director Brandon Maxwell at Haus of Gaga
Choreographer Richard Jackson at Haus of Gaga
Director of photography Dave Devlin

On July 17th, 2013, Inez posted a photo of her and Vinoodh on the set of the "Applause" to her instagram account. On July 26th, an image of the clapboard from the filming of the "Applause" Music Video was released. The music video was filmed on July 17. This confirmed it was directed by Inez and Vinoodh. On July 31st, 2013, Gaga tweeted that the video was to be released the same day as the single on August 19.

On August 8th, Gaga posted a photo from on the set to LittleMonsters.com: "I can't wait for you to see the 'Applause' video 8.19, directed by my darling friends @inezandvinoodh!!"

It was confirmed that the music video for Applause would be released on Good Morning America (GMA) on August 19th as planned before the leak of the single. Gaga tweeted that she would be in Times Square in New York to watch the premeire of the music video on some of the big screens. She described the video as a "classic black and white battles color in a theatrical bid for applause!" and that the video won't be longer than the actual song unlike her previous music videos.

In an exclusive interview for DVD Japanese edition of ARTPOP Lady Gaga told about concept behind the video for "Applause":

[...] And the whole concept of the video is I am this sort of classic figure, all in black, I didn't really want to wear any wigs. I don't know why it felt like it was defining me in a certain particular way that I didn't want to be defined anymore. So, it's me as a performer sort of performing desperately to be classic and to be simple, and to be minimal in that moment. I'm begging for simplicity. And then as that's happening a series of all my inspirations in a series of all the sort of movements in my career so far. They are doing magic tricks around me and they're sort of lo-fi. And the whole concept is that we would be do willing to do anything for applause, to make you happy, to entertain you. And then, by the end, I'm walking down the runway, and this archive [John] Galliano, and I'm crying holding my, my broken limb with a bouquet of flowers falling out of the hip and, and I'm, and I'm saying: I miss you, I miss you, I wish, I could be with you. I live for this moment. Thank you for still being here.

Lady Gaga

Synopsis

On August 19th, 2013, MTV News spoke to Inez van Lamsweerde, one half of the directing duo Inez & Vinoodh, about the video. "She'll do anything in this video to make her audience happy and give them inspiration". Inez said on the phone, hours after the premiere, noting that she and Vinoodh were inspired by silent movies and early horror films. "We wanted to bring it back to a very basic element". She added, "There were all these kinds of, let's say, tricks in there, but then the big idea was really to have her symbolize this moment of her hip breaking. That's why she's sort of holding up her right leg as a trophy and this idea that no matter what it takes, she'll get back onstage."

Bed Bug

Inez van Lamsweerde told MTV News this scene was originally meant “to be a tiny vignette in the video that would look back at a past time in her life when she was fresh out of school and living in the Lower East Side and dreamt of whatever her future would be. And that was there to represent that. She used to have that kind of hair when she was 18, 19, so we said that’s that past moment. When we started shooting it, it felt so great we said “Let’s do the whole song on this mattress and do the choreography laying down”. And she performed so incredibly it felt like such a real, raw feeling. It made it as the thread through the whole video. That’s the real and the rest is sort of the dreams she had”.

Lady Gaga wears a bra by Pretty Wild, shorts by Valentino Couture, and boots by Azzedine Alaïa.

Top hat

Lady Gaga wears a jacket by Maison Margiela, a custom bodysuit by Natali Germanotta and Muto-Little Costumes with Swarovski Elements, and Pleaser platforms customized by Natali Germanotta.

Jester/Pierrot

Lady Gaga wears a custom coat by Gareth Pugh, a catsuit by Mila Schön, and boots by Pleaser and Azzedine Alaïa.

Daggers/Illusionist

Thorn Cage

Lady Gaga wears a corset and skirt by Olivier Theyskens, and boots by Pleaser.

Catwalk

Inez told MTV News the fashion show was all Gaga’s idea: “She always had it in her head that she wanted to do a fashion show, where she would be flying instead of walking. She always been incredibly inspired by fashion and its energy, so it felt extremely right to have that part of her life represented”.

Lady Gaga wears wings by Junker Designs, a catsuit by Mila Schön, and boots by Azzedine Alaïa.
Dancers: Bloch and rupskin dancewear, blonde hair headpieces by Charlie le Mindu, and headpieces by Theresa Dapra.

Botticelli Babe

She explained that "we were extremely inspired by Botticelli's painting," for that look where Gaga appears in a clam shell bikini, her curls cascading around her shoulders. She added "[We were also inspired by] having this idea that she goes through this struggle to go back onstage, which is in that pink laser tower. And she's sort of dragging that leg as a trophy and making it back on stage as a fully-realized, complete new person and that's why the Botticelli came to mind".

Lady Gaga wears a custom bra and panties by Perry Meek for Haus of Gaga.

Applause dance

For a song like "Applause", the directors knew they needed a way to get hands in there so they found the most unexpected way to do it. She said, "The glove-kini! That's Brandon Maxwell, her fashion director that had that made. The song's called 'Applause'. There had to be hands".

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac tweeted on July 21, 2012, that he was working on a outfit for Lady Gaga's next video. He collaborated with her on "Telephone" and she also wore some of his creations in the past.

Lady Gaga wears a custom bra, briefs, a neckpiece and gloves by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

Black Swan

The scene where Gaga's head appears on a black swan was not inspired by the Darren Aronofsky film, but instead more by Gaga's fascination with eggs. "She's always had the egg reference in her work and since this video is kind of about a rebirth and at the end there's the Botticelli 'Birth of Venus' reference, so we said, 'OK, an egg... a fur egg and what comes out of a fur egg?' In our minds, a black swan with her face on it," Inez said.

Onstage

She added "[We were also inspired by] having this idea that she goes through this struggle to go back onstage, which is in that pink laser tower. And she's sort of dragging that leg as a trophy and making it back on stage as a fully-realized, complete new person and that's why the Botticelli came to mind".

Lady Gaga wears a gown and platforms by John Galliano, a bodychain by Mathieu Mirano, a necklace worn as a headpiece by Maison Halaby, and a leg by Marla Weinhoff.
Dancers: headpieces by Luke Brooks.

Mask scene

Lady Gaga wears a custom mask by House of Lavande.

Lyric video


Lyric Video Behind The Scenes

On August 13th, 2013, Gaga tweeted that she would be at Micky's that night in Los Angeles to shoot the lyric video for Applause.

"I will definitely NOT be at Mickys tonight, and I will definitely NOT expect you there to be in my lyric video. #APPLAUSE", "IM SERIOUS LA MONSTERS, ITS NOT LIKE I WILL BE HOPING YOU ARE THERE WITH YOUR APPLAUSE MAKEUP READY TO DANCE FOR ME AND WATCH DRAG" , "I AM NOT IN WEHO I SWEAR"

On August 14th, 2013, Gaga revealed that she would release the lyric video on August 15th and that it was a "Haus of Gaga Film". Bobby Campbell of the Haus of Gaga noted that the video was shot and edited by Gaga herself. He also released a behind the scenes video on August 15th. The video became the first lyric video to be released by Gaga.

On October 17th, 2013, during an interview via phone call on 99.7 NOW radio station Lady Gaga was asked: was the visit to the Micky's Bar and the further shooting of the "Applause" lyric video a surprise?, she told:

Yeah! So, I was, like, I wanted to make a lyric video for this song. And I thought 'Let's go see!', 'cause a lot of our friends, uh, are do drag there. I know a lot of girls there. So, we were, like, 'Let's go surprise the girls and we'll see if they want to film something.' And we told them before we got there, they said, you know, 'If you were to perform "Applause" I wouldn't be disappointed.' That's what I said to that. [Laughs] So, they had a routine planned out to do that, but I didn't really tell them everything and then right before I left I said that I would be shooting a lyric video. [...] I didn't tell them I was going to be there but I told them I was gonna shot-- Well, I shot it myself, I shot it with my, with my camera. I love it [lyric video] [too], I love it so much that it's so amazing-- You know, that I love, I love drag so much and I love everything about that. [...] And I think a lot of people don't know or see that art form behind it. And it's really, like, it's a whole art form and when I was, you know, thinking about "Applause" and when I was filming and I really got the chills because they said to myself, you know-- This song is so fitting for this moment and for this club, this idea of living for the applause because, you know, this is such a lost thing in our society. Everybody thinks 'Oh, you have to put the song out for to succeed insted of putting the song out for the applause, just for people to cheer.' It's not for me, not about winning and making money. It's about making people happy, making things that people love.

Lady Gaga on 99.7 NOW

Behind the scenes

Lady Gaga wears an outfit, a bow collar as headpiece and shoes by Saint Laurent Paris.

Backstage

Credits

Directors Inez and Vinoodh
Date July 16-17-18, 2013
Location Paramount Pictures Studio, LA Us
Producer Gabe Hill
Director of Photography Dave Devlin
Editor Otto Arsenault
Lightning Director Jodokus Driessen
Production Company GE Projects and theCollectiveShift
Production design Marla Weinhoff Studio
Choreography Richard Jackson at Haus of Gaga
Dancers Amanda BalenDavid Lei Brandt, Graham Breitenstein, Montana EfawKevin Frey, Christina Grady, Knicole Breahn Haggins, Asiel Hardison, Casey Johansen, Christopher MartinezIan McKenzie, Sloan-Taylor RabinorVictor Rojas, Celine Thubert
Fashion director & Stylist Brandon Maxwell at Haus of Gaga
Stylist assistants Hayley Pisaturo and Sandra Amador
Haus of Gaga costume desinger Perry Meek
Set Design Marla Weinhoff at Haus of Gaga
Hair stylist Shay Ashual
Hair stylist assistants Sean Mikel Hare and Anthony Kelley, Nikki Providence
Makeup artist Yadim
Makeup assistants Mondo Leon and Kanako Takase
Dancer Makeup artist Sarah Tanno
Dancer Hair stylist Glenn Nutley
Dancer Hair stylist assistants Jacquelyn Fanara and Crystal Pray
Manicurist Michelle Saunders
Tailor Susie Kourinian

References

2012

  • On July 3, 2012, Tara Savelo tweeted "When u hear the next single ur gonna pee ur pants xoxo - Tara Savelo". Audio engineer Dave Russell later confirmed to a fan that the song Tara was talking= about was "Applause" which was already selected in 2012 to be the upcoming lead single

2013

  • On July 24, 2013, Tara Savelo posted via Little Monsters, a photograph of Gaga stenciling on what looks to be a photograph of the single cover. Above the photo reveals the word “APPLAUSE” and in much smaller writing, a signature by Gaga along with the date of the single release — August 19th, 2013.
    • In the comments section under Tara Savelo's picture of Gaga's painting the single artwork, Gaga posted the following lyrics: "If only fame had an IV", "baby could i bare", "being a away from you", "i found the vein" and "put it in here".
  • On July 26, 2013, Gaga released this photograph[1] with the following caption: "1ST SINGLE FROM ARTPOP COMES AUG.19 ‪#‎24DAYS‬"
  • On July 28: "Due to public anticipation, ITUNES will now offer a pre-order for ARTPOP album/app on AUG 19, the same day you can purchase my new single 'Applause'"[2]
  • On July 31: Gaga posted part of the lyrics: "give me that thing that I love put your hands up make 'em touch A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E"
    • Later that day, Gaga revealed that "The single 'Applause' and it's MUSIC VIDEO will BOTH debut on same day. ARTPOP. 8/19 -GAGA"
  • On August 2, Gaga posted the single artwork with handwritten related to the release and some lyrics[3].
  • On August 4, Gaga posted the following lyrics: "i stand here waiting for you to bang the gong to crash the critic saying: is it right or is it wrong? 8.19"
  • On August 6, "Applause 8.19 ‪#‎14days‬" and "ARTPOP"[4]
  • On August 8, "i overheard your theory 'nostalgia's for geeks!' i guess sir,if you say so some of us just like to read APPLAUSE 8.19 #11daysTillApplause"
    • Later that day, Gaga posted a photo from on the set to LittleMonsters.com: "I can't wait for you to see the 'Applause' video 8.19, directed by my darling friends @inezandvinoodh !!"[5]
    • "i am listening to the album. I know maybe this upsets you, as you'd very much like to hear it. i share these personal feelings because IF I HAD TO GO ANOTHER MONTH WITHOUT PLAYING THE NEW MUSIC I THINK ID CHEW MY ARM OFF ‪#‎ARTPOP11DAYS‬", "THIS IS THAT ARM"[6]
    • Gaga posted a photo from on the set to LittleMonsters.com: "I can't wait for you to see the 'Applause' video 8.19, directed by my darling friends @inezandvinoodh !!"
  • On August 12, Due to hackers leaking Applause, Gaga declared a rush release on Applause tonight.
    • "A POP MUSIC EMERGENCY IS UNDERWAY 911"
    • "911 SUMMON THE MONSTER TROUPES"
    • "HERE IS A PHOTO TO ACCOMPANY THIS EMERGENCY"[7]
    • "MY NEW SINGLE 'APPLAUSE' IS OUT TODAY AND CAN BE HEARD ON UNITED STATES RADIO IN 15 MINUTES. INTERNATIONAL RADIO TO FOLLOW."
    • "POP MUSIC EMERGENCY #0DAYSTillAPPLAUSE MY NEW SINGLE COMES OUT TODAY. 911 SPREAD THIS MESSAGE"
    • "APPLAUSE + PRE-ORDER ALBUM 'ARTPOP' TONIGHT ON US ITUNES IN HQ! INTERNATIONALTERRITORIES WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY, KEEP REFRESHING ITUNES!"
  • On August 13, post on LittleMonsters.com gif version of the “Applause” cover art.[8]

Credits

Writers and producers Lady Gaga and DJ White Shadow
Co-Producers Dino ZisisMartin Bresso and Nick Monson
Recording by Dave Russell at Record Plant, Hollywood, CA Us
Platinum Sound Recording Studios, New York City, NY Us
Assistant recording Benjamin 'Ben' Rice at Record Plant and Andrew Robertson at Platinum Sound
Mixed by Dave Russell at Record Plant, Hollywood, CA Us
Heard IT! Studios, North Hollywood, CA Us
Additional Mixing by Bill Malina at Record Plant, Hollywood, CA Us
Assistant mixers Ben Rice and Ghazi Hourani
Mastering Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering, Burbank, CA Us
Excutive Producer and A&R Vincent Herbert for Streamline Records
Management Troy Carter for Atom Factory
Publishing
  • Sony/ATV Songs LLC / House of Gaga Publishing LLC (BMI)
  • Maxwell and Carter Publishing, LLC (ASCAP), administered by Universal Music Publishing Group
  • Etrange Fruit (SACEM)
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