Sarah
I think we can all agree that middle school is a rough time. I know I can’t help but cringe at some of the pictures that came out of that time period. Why did I ever think those gaudy Hollister t-shirts with cargo shorts was a good look?
But, one of the most positive things that came out of those three years was my love for Lady Gaga. I remember hearing Just Dance on the radio for the first time. I asked my mom who sang it. She told me some artist called Lady Gaga sang that song. Lady Gaga seemed like a really silly name. I suppose it is pretty silly. But, she would change my life.
That Christmas I got an iPod Nano. The first song I downloaded was Just Dance. After that, I dowloaded every one of her singles, and eventually her album. I grew to love her – I wanted every album, every magazine with her face on it, everything. My parents even took me to her concert in another state in 8th grade. My closet doors were plastered with her face and quotes telling me to love myself and accept everyone for who they are.
At a time in my life when it seemed to be the norm to hate, Lady Gaga taught me to love. She was the big sister I never had. I learned how to be a good person, how to be confident. I learned to dream big because nothing was impossible.
But, it would not last. After Artpop came out fell flat, I fell out of love. I forgot about Lady Gaga for a good long while.
It was only earlier this year that I remembered her again. Lady Gaga slowly began to creep back onto my radar.
In October, she released her album Joanne. From what I saw, it was received well, although not spectacularly. For me, it was like coming home. After a long time away from each other, we finally reunited, both of us older and wiser. Sure, Joanne doesn’t sound like her old music. But why should it? She’s grown up, just like I have.
I wouldn’t be caught dead in my Hollister shirt and cargo shorts now.
