Loser – Katy Perry – I admit that I was surprised to discover that some of my fellow pop lunatic fringers, reverse my opinion. They love Katy’s awful “Roar” and think Stefani is OK but not as good as it could be. Well, I’ve listened to both plenty by now and I have no doubt that “Roar” is a major bummer. Not only is the subject (up yours Russel) a drag but it reeks of insecurity and is the “Born This Way” or “Live While we’re Young” of the season: it is just too close to Sara Bareilles “Brave” that it is uncomfortably close. Now from time to time I can get pop hits wrong (though not this summer, with the exception of the dreaded Imaginary Dragons, I’ve called the lot) but if this doesn’t chart and fade I’ll be surprised. It less roars and more whinnies: it is kinda like a horse at a cantor , the words go up and down on a carousel.
Winner – Lady Gaga – A day after Perry dropped “Roar”, Gaga leaked “Applause” or rather she didn’t. Somebody else did and Gaga , after reaching out to the Little Monsters t no avail, gave in and released it. It was like the 1990s, Gaga versus Perry in a battle for pop supremacy like Blur and Oasis. Be There Then. Gaga won of course with the chorus of the week? Month? “I love for the applause applause applause” and man will she get them from this one; Gaga getting in Katy’s bread basket just like, why, just like Madonna got it Gaga. Of course, Gaga is no longer the Gaga of yore. Now she is really a 21st century Madonna, and if I new Gaga showed up? It wouldn’t be a pretty sight. For now, applause for this weeks winner.