Lady Gaga has gone through many transformations in her career: disco diva, Warholian punk, country-infused ballad singer, and star of both successful and unsuccessful films. But with the debut of her new song “Abracadabra” at the Grammy Awards, she has returned to the mode her fans love the most: a joyful, eccentric, and extravagant style. While a new generation of artists is trying to take her place, Gaga has proven that she is a true pop star.
The “Abracadabra” video premiered during a commercial break at the Grammy Awards on February 2. That night, Gaga was a nominee (and eventual winner) for her duet with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile.” This song feels like a wedding anthem, where both artists put in a lot of effort. But “Abracadabra” is completely different. This song is all about itself.
Watching the video, I was instantly amazed. It features numerous dancers and two Gagas: one dressed in white, portraying innocence, and the other in red, representing a wicked woman. The choreography is sharp and energetic, the costumes are grand, and they evoke the grandeur of Catholic churches. The song’s impact is only growing; it debuted at number 8 on the global Spotify chart and has been climbing ever since.
Then there are the lyrics. My husband texted me during the Grammys, “She’s a master at just making weird sounds.” I was watching TV while he was reading a book and streaming “Abracadabra” on repeat. Gaga’s 2009 hit “Bad Romance,” with its iconic “Gaga, ooh-la-la” chorus, was a turning point in her career. Fifteen years later, “Abracadabra” has something similar: “Abracadabra, amor-oo-na-na / Abracadabra, morta-oo-ga-ga / Abracadabra, abra-oo-na-na.”
It’s not exactly wordplay, but Gaga is clearly enjoying playing with and stretching out the song’s absurd and extravagant title. And it suits her well. Since her 2020 album “Chromatica” faced delays due to COVID, Gaga has focused on her film career, with mixed success (“House of Gucci” was decent, but “Joker: Folie à Deux” not so much). The music she has released since, like “Die With a Smile” or her renditions of American songbook classics for “Joker,” showcases her deep understanding of music history rather than just creating fun music. The lead single for her upcoming album “Mayhem,” titled “Disease,” is also somewhat somber. But “Abracadabra” has injected a fresh and vibrant energy into the album’s promotion.
And it has come at just the right time. While Gaga has been stepping back, new artists have been stepping up, inspired by her showmanship. Sabrina Carpenter uses every stage, especially the Grammys, to present herself in a unique and glamorous way. Billie Eilish’s performances are becoming increasingly grand as her songwriting grows more sophisticated. And Chappell Roan, often compared to Gaga among today’s rising stars, infuses her work with drag-inspired theatrics and elaborate costumes to make her storytelling even more captivating.
What story is “Abracadabra” actually telling? Even after many listens and views, I feel no closer to an answer. But one thing is clear: like too little of Gaga’s work since the glorious one-two punch of “Bad Romance” and the “Born This Way” album, this song is done in the spirit of fun. The red horned hat Gaga wears, the growled warning that “the floor’s on fire,” and the mere concept of a “poem spoken by a lady in red” all contribute to reminding us of the Gaga we love. We know she can act. We know she understands jazz and Americana. But when she wants to, she can push her imagination to the limits of absurdity and take us along for the ride. Abracadabra, indeed—it’s something like magic.
