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"LoveGame" is a song written by Lady Gaga and RedOne in January of 2008, in Hollywood and Los Angeles, for Gaga's debut album, The Fame. The song served as the album's third single in North America and Europe, and the fourth single in Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden, after "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)". "LoveGame" was also released as the fourth single in the United Kingdom, after "Paparazzi". It peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Writing and inspiration

One of the working titles used was "Love Games", but was changed to "LoveGame". The song is about the implication of a kiss ("I wanna kiss you"), when you meet someone on the dancefloor, and you kiss them. This kiss can lead to either falling in love, or just a quick fuck, and never again speaking to the guy or girl. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gaga further explained the meaning of the song and her inspiration behind it, especially for the line "Let's have some fun this beat is sick / I wanna take a ride on your disco stick".

It's another of my very thoughtful metaphors for a cock. I was at a nightclub, and I had quite a sexual crush on somebody, and I said to them, 'I wanna ride on your disco stick'. The next day, I was in the studio, and I wrote the song in about four minutes. When I play the song live, I have an actual stick — it looks like a giant rock-candy pleasuring tool — that lights up.

—Lady Gaga

Composition

Musically, "LoveGame" is an up-tempo dance-pop song with a dance-oriented beat. According to Kerri Mason of Billboard, the composition "carry the pleather-and-sequins vibe of the downtown New York scene out of the underground and onto the FM dial without losing its smut and sass." It is set in the time signature of common time and is composed in the key of B minor with a musical tempo of 104 beats per minute. Gaga's vocal range spans from the high tonal node of B3 to the low tone of G5. The song is built in the chord progression of Am–Dm–C–Am–Dm–C in the verses and choruses. "LoveGame" received a number of remix treatments, one of which featured rocker Marilyn Manson in the vocals. Gaga explained that the lyrics of "LoveGame" were very clear about what the song is all about. She thought that the lyrics portrayed a powerful message about love, fame and sexuality which was the central theme of her album The Fame.

Reference in popular culture

  • In the "Dude, Where's My Groom?" episode of CSI: Miami, the song was used during the strip club scene.

Commercial release

"LoveGame" was released as the third single off The Fame in America and Europe (except in the United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland), the fourth single in Australia, New Zealand, France and Switzerland after "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)", and the fourth in the United Kingdom, after "Paparazzi". The single was released on the Canadian iTunes on March 24, 2009. The Australian release of the single was initially scheduled for April 17, 2009, but got pushed back to May 4th. In the United Kingdom, it was intended to be released before "Paparazzi", but was released afterwards due to the controversy surrounding "LoveGame"'s sexual lyrics and music video.

Physical release

Australia (2704916)

AU LG Label: Labels
Format: Slimline Jewel Case
Released: May 4, 2009
Barcode: 602527049168
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

AULG

France (2705941)

FR LG Label: Labels
Format: Cardboard sleeve
Released: May 18, 2009
Barcode: 602527059419
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

FRLG

Germany

GE LG Label: Labels
Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: June 19, 2009
Barcode: 602527049168
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

AULG

Note: The German pressing of the single is the same as the Australian version without the explicit warning label on it.

United Kingdom (2720317)

UK LG Label: Labels
Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: September 21, 2009
Barcode: 602527203171
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

UKLG

Netherlands

NL LG Label: Labels
Format: Cardboard
Released: June 19, 2009
Barcode: 602527125077
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

Germany — The Remixes

GE LGR Label: Labels
Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: June 26, 2009
Barcode: 602527131627
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

GELG

United States — The Remixes (B0013062-22)

USA LG Label: Labels
Format: Jewel case
Released: June 9, 2009
Barcode: 602527088860
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

USLG

United Kingdom (2720318)

UK VLG Label: Labels
Format: 7" vinyl in a transparent plastic
Released: September 21, 2009
Barcode: 602527203188
Photography: Meeno
Design: Stewart Armstrong
   

UKVLG


Side A (45RPM)
# Name Time
1. "LoveGame"   3:30
Side B (33RPM)
# Name Time
1. "LoveGame" (Space Cowboy Remix) 3:20

United States — The Remixes (B0013063-11)

USA LGV Label: Labels
Format: 12" vinyl in cardboard
Released: June 9, 2009
Barcode: 602527088877
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva
   

USLG2


Side A (45RPM)
Side B (33RPM)

Official versions

The original version of "LoveGame" was shorter and rougher at the end. The revised release has some slight changes at the end of the song. This version is available on every copy except the original pressing (Canadian and Australian release in 2008) of The Fame.

Remixes

  • Chester French Remix — 3:15
  • Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix (feat. Marilyn Manson) — 5:20
  • Dave Audé Club Mix — 8:36
  • Dave Audé Radio Edit — 3:32
  • Jody den Broeder Club Mix — 6:29
  • Jody den Broeder Radio Edit — 3:55
  • Robots to Mars Remix — 3:13
  • Space Cowboy Remix — 3:20


Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix

LoveGame (feat MM)

The "LoveGame Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix)" is a remix by Chew Fu, and was chosen by Lady Gaga to feature Marilyn Manson. The song was released on June 15, 2009 alone, or as a bundle with the single. According to Chew Fu, "[Gaga] loved [the remix] so much that she asked Marilyn Manson to record over it." She even played Marilyn Manson's part during the end of her live performances. This extended live version started around the Glastonbury Festival in 2009.

The remix version was performed during the summer leg of The Fame Ball Tour in 2009, during The Monster Ball Tour and the iHeartRadio Music Festival. This version was featured only at the end of the song in a shortened edit along with the band. In 2012-2013, it was replaced by the Dave Aude Remix for the remainder of The Born This Way Ball Tour.

Performances

Lyrics

Album version

Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Huh, Huh

I wanna kiss you
But if I do then I might miss you babe
It’s complicated and stupid
Got my ass squeezed by sexy Cupid
Guess he wants to play
Wants to play
A LoveGame
A LoveGame

Hold me and love me
Just wanna touch you for a minute
Maybe three seconds is enough for my heart to quit it

Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Don't think too much just bust that kick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

I’m on a mission
And it involves some heavy touching, yeah
You've indicated your interest
I’m educated in sex, yes
And now I want it bad
Want it bad
A LoveGame
A LoveGame

Hold me and love me
Just wanna touch you for a minute
Maybe three seconds is enough for my heart to quit it

Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Don't think too much just bust that kick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Huh, Huh

I can see you staring there from across the block
With a smile on your mouth and your hand on your huh!
The story of us, it always starts the same
With a boy and a girl and a huh! and a game

And a game
And a game
And a game
A LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Revised version

Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Huh, Huh

I wanna kiss you
But if I do then I might miss you babe
It’s complicated and stupid
Got my ass squeezed by sexy Cupid
Guess he wants to play
Wants to play
A LoveGame
A LoveGame

Hold me and love me
Just wanna touch you for a minute
Maybe three seconds is enough for my heart to quit it

Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Don't think too much just bust that kick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

I’m on a mission
And it involves some heavy touching, yeah
You've indicated your interest
I’m educated in sex, yes
And now I want it bad
Want it bad
A LoveGame
A LoveGame

Hold me and love me
Just wanna touch you for a minute
Maybe three seconds is enough for my heart to quit it

Huh, Huh

I can see you staring there from across the block
With a smile on your mouth and your hand on your huh!
The story of us, it always starts the same
With a boy and a girl and a huh! and a game

And a game
And a game
And a game
A LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Dans the LoveGame

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Let’s have some fun this beat is sick
Dans the LoveGame
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Let’s play a LoveGame
Play a LoveGame
Do you want love?
Or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
Don't think too much just bust that kick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Dans the LoveGame

Music video

LoveGame
Premiere date February 13, 2009
Director(s) Joseph Kahn
Fashion director Ligia Morris
Choreographer Laurieann Gibson at Haus of Gaga
Director of photography Christopher Probst

The music video for "LoveGame" was shot over the weekend (9th & 10th) of January 2009 in Los Angeles. The video premiered on February 13, 2009. The video faced censorship troubles in some countries, being banned from airplay on most Australian and Middle Eastern TV channels, and it was censored for TV to remove some scenes.

New York City

The video starts with the heading "Streamline presents" and three men moving through Times Square. They open a manhole cover on which is written "Haus of Gaga".

Love & Fame

Gaga is then shown naked (although it’s possible that she wore skin-coloured underwear for the filming) with blue and purple paint and glitter on her body, frolicking with two men who have the words "Love" and "Fame" etched into their hair.

Lady Gaga wears shoes by Christian Louboutin. Male model wears "Tour Beats" by Dr. Dre.

Gang meeting

The scene shifts to a subway where Gaga starts singing in a grey-white leotard with a hood. She carries her trademark 'disco stick' and wears chain linked glasses made of barbed wire.

Lady Gaga wears a wire mesh fence glasses, the Disco Stick and a bodysuit by Haus of Gaga, a custom gloved jacket by Ligia Morris, and shoes by Christian Louboutin.

Subway station

The chorus starts with Gaga along with her dancers progressing through the subway and dancing down a staircase. Her trademark dogs, two harlequin Great Danes, are also shown on top of the staircase.

Subway car

The video shifts to a train where the second verse takes place amidst choreographed dance routines and Gaga wearing a black jacket.

Underground parking

The group move on to a car-park.

Lady Gaga wears a jacket by Schott, bodysuit by Haus of Gaga and shoes by Chanel.

Ticket booth

Gaga is then shown with the two men again and enters a ticket booth with an inspector.This next scene shows Gaga in make-shift kissing and caressing. As the camera pans from right to left the inspector changes from a man to woman in each frame. Gaga is also shown wearing a yellow Baby G watch same to that of the "Eh, Eh" music video.

Final scene

The final scene incorporates Gaga in a choreographed dance routine with her crew of backup dancers. The video comes to an end as Gaga and her dancers hold their groins as they gesture towards the camera.

Lady Gaga wears trousers by Dior with a Bandeau corset patent leather by Ligia Morris, a custom bra and hat by Haus of Gaga.

Behind the Scenes

The video was shot in Los Angeles. Says Gaga of the video and its roots in pop culture:

"This is all part of a movement. My artistry is much deeper than fashion or anything like that. I love pop music, and I want to bring it back. [...] People are truly hungry for this. They generally miss the '90s and the superfans flooding Times Square, crying and wailing and doing anything to see the fingernail of a star. I want that back, and [the 'LoveGame' video] is just another move towards that. 'LoveGame' is a genuine New York lifestyle video. It's got that feeling of 'gay, black New York,' of inclusion and glamour," [...] I wanted to really bring forth the girl that I was four years ago, and I wanted to put it in the setting of the underground subway. I worked with Joseph Kahn, and he did an amazing job. He didn't just capture the fashion; he captured the artist."

Among many pop influences; the concept, styling, and dance moves of the video were greatly inspired by Michael Jackson's music video for "Bad"(1987).

Gaga spoke to Entertainment Weekly during the Behind the Scenes of the shoot regarding what she thinks about the video and the development of it including the new creative measures undertaken:

"I wanted to have that big giant dance video moment, I wanted it to be plastic, beautiful, gorgeous, sweaty, tar on the floor, bad-ass boys, but when you got close, the look in everybody's eyes was fucking honest and scary. [...] The whole idea behind the subway 'Bad' thing is that me and my friends from New York, we're all, like, the dopest fucking artists,[...] Best designers, performance artists, dancers. The dancers in the video...those are not hot L.A. people that you see in everybody's video. Those are kids who don't get cast, because they're too fucking real. [...] I love the imagery of a downtown, bad-ass kid walking down the street with his buddies, grabbing a pair of pliers, and making a pair of sunglasses out of a fence on the street, [...] I thought that imagery was so real, and it shows that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or how much money you have in your pocket, you’re nothing without your ideas. Your ideas are all you have. The opening of the video is me with this chain link hood and these intense glasses. They look so hard. It looks like I plied them right out of the fence and put them on my face."

Credits

Credits

Song

Personnel

  • Produced — RedOne.
  • All instruments played and programmed — RedOne
  • Recorded and engineered — RedOne at Record Plant (Hollywood, California, Us) and Chalice Studios (Los Angeles, California, Us)
  • Mixed — Robert Orton

Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix

  • Produced — Chew Fu for Youngstar MBC
  • Additional writing and vocals — Marilyn Manson
  • Mixed — Robert Orton

Publishing

  • Sony/ATV Songs LLC / House of Gaga Publishing LLC (BMI)
  • Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Songs of RedOne LLC (BMI)

References

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