The Fame Monster vs. Sasha Fierce

Written by Elizabeth CochrancloseAuthor: elizabethcochran Name: Elizabeth Cochran
Email: egcochran@gmail.com
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About: Elizabeth works in fashion in New York City, for a rock star.See Authors Posts (12) on February 4, 2010

In one corner, the diminutive Lady Gaga, small in stature but big in costume. In the other, Beyonce, bodacious grand dame of the pop music scene.

While not a traditional face off, with no bitchy comments being traded (Beyonce doesn’t stoop that low, she let’s Kanye do it for her), I couldn’t help but compare the two performances. I found it interesting that while Beyonce had the most Grammy nominations (ten), Gaga (only six) was chosen to open the show.

Lady Gaga welcomed us with “The Fame Factory.” A broken-down and dirty warehouse/ machine clearly inspired by Madonna’s old Express Yourself video (itself inspired by the 1927 movie Metropolis) crossed with Terry Gilliam’s old Brazil movie set.

Her outfit was a little disappointing. Large green rhinestoned shoulder pads and a one piece bathing suit, basically. Matching green platform heels, which did not actually have heels attached to them. The overall effect was a bit out of proportion and spooky, exactly what she usually goes for. I for one missed the flaming breasts and complicated headdresses. It was a bit low key for her.

She sang her hit, “Poker Face,” which came off a little boring and canned, despite the dramatic machinery all around her. She was barely dancing with her back up crew, I wanted her movements to be bigger. It felt like a run through to test the mikes. Perhaps her lack of dancing is what prompted one of her backup dancers to throw her into the Fame Factory flames to finally rid the world of this wicked witch.

No such luck as the Fame Monster machine then spat out a double-sided grand piano where a sooty Lady Gaga sat across from an even sootier Elton John.

Genius pairing as I always felt Lady Gaga was the long lost love child of Elton John and Barbra Streisand, with Liberace as godfather. They sang a mash up of Elton’s “Your Song” and Gaga’s “Speechless.” Despite the overdone backdrop and ashy faces, it was wonderful to just hear them sing and play piano. It was also strangely jarring to see Gaga’s face. I always find that so, as if I don’t recognize her without some crazy headgear going on. She was clearly excited to be singing with Sir Elton John, and this is the first time I’ve seen her emote and seem happy while performing.

Freak or not and music aside, she gets an A for the effort of singing live and doing her best to be weird and creative. I personally like a little more warmth, emotion and soul in my pop stars, but what are you gonna do?

Enter Beyonce with a battalion of storm trooper back up dancers. Although she didn’t open the show, she was granted use of the entire stage, whereas Gaga only qualified for half. Perhaps there is a direct relationship between number of nominations and square footage allotted for performances.

A simple set, Beyonce saved the special effects for her voice, joined only by the aforementioned dancers, a full live band and lots of lights. She sang a dramatic version of her hit, “If I Were a Boy,” mashed up with Alanis Morisette’s “You Oughta Know.” While “If I Were a Boy” was stunning, I found the mash up disappointing. Alanis’ songs require major bitterness and heartbreak to pull off, gifts Beyonce just doesn’t have.

One thing she does have is an ability to dance while singing. Of course, unlike Gaga, her shoes had actual heels on them, facilitating her gyrations throughout.

Poised, curvy and, quite frankly, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, Beyonce proved why she was nominated for ten Grammys. Who can resist cleavage, junk in the trunk and a great voice?

She walked away with most of the awards at the show. Winning six, which is a record for a female. Lady Gaga nabbed two, both of which were handed out in the pre-show.

However, despite her handicap of being ass-less, Lady Gaga gave a good show. In fact, even though my heart will forever lie with black women belting about how they’ve been done wrong, Gaga’s Fame Factory scored a hit for all the teensy skinny white girls out there.