Americano (song) explained

Americano
Artist:Lady Gaga
Album:Born This Way
Released:May 23, 2011
Recorded:August 2010
Studio:
  • Studio Bus (Europe)
  • The Mix Room (Burbank)
Genre:
Length:4:06
Label:
Producer:
  • Lady Gaga
  • Fernando Garibay
  • DJ White Shadow

"Americano" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga, taken from her second studio album, Born This Way (2011). The song was written and produced by Gaga with DJ White Shadow, Fernando Garibay, and Brian Lee. "Americano" was influenced by the events surrounding the repeal of the controversial California Proposition 8—a ballot proposition that defined marriage as a union between opposite-sex couples, thereby prohibiting and invalidating same-sex marriage throughout the state—as well as the growing struggles of Mexican immigrants. It combines mariachi, house, and techno genres with elements from Latin music. Lyrically, the song talks about Lady Gaga's infatuation with a woman.

Critical response to "Americano" was mixed, and the song charted at number 17 on the US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs and number 98 on the South Korean Gaon International Download Chart. Gaga debuted the song in Guadalajara, Mexico on May 3, 2011, during her Monster Ball Tour performance. She later sang it on her Born This Way Ball tour (2012–2013), wearing an artificial replica of her infamous meat dress. It was also featured at the end of DreamWorks Animation's 2011 film, Puss in Boots.

Writing and development

While performing in Mexico as part of The Monster Ball Tour (2009–2011), Gaga announced the track "Americano" from Born This Way, her second studio album.[1] "Americano" was influenced by the events surrounding the repeal of the controversial California Proposition 8, a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 California state elections. The proposition was created by opponents of same-sex marriage, thereby prohibiting and invalidating the marriages throughout the state. The proposition was also linked to the growing struggles of Mexican immigrants.[2]

Gaga had previously experimented with Latin music on the track "Alejandro" from The Fame Monster (2009), but with "Americano" she took the musical composition to another direction. One of the producers of the track, Fernando Garibay, recalled that the inspiration came from the events that took place in August 2010, when Proposition 8 was overturned in California. Coupled with the immigration related troubles faced by Mexicans living in the United States, Gaga had the idea to put all the incidents as direct inspiration for the track.[3] She had even messaged on her Twitter account about the ruling, noting that she wrote "Americano" around that time only. Garibay experimented with sounds on his guitar while Gaga played the piano, and they wrote the song.[4]

Recording and composition

"Americano" was written and produced by Gaga with Garibay and DJ White Shadow. The song was the first collaboration between Gaga, Garibay and White Shadow. It is composed in the key of F minor with a free tempo of 72 beats per minute. Gaga's vocals range from the notes of E3 to D5 and the song follows a basic sequence of Fm–Bm6/C–C7 as its chord progression.[5] "Americano" is a mariachi, house, and techno track,[6] [7] [8] with elements of Latin music.[9] Featuring instrumentation from flamenco guitar and castanet, the track has a "disco-ready" beat accompanied by horns[4] and a classical violin and rave bass.[6] [10] The tune of "Mambo Italiano" is featured in the beginning of the song.[11]

Lyrically it talks about the Prop 8 and the immigration laws, and sounds like a pop song comparable to the work of Judy Garland,[12] with Gaga claiming that she sees influence from French chanson singer Édith Piaf.[13] The singer wanted to "go big" with the composition including genres like mariachi as well as Latin percussions. She wanted to rebuke the claim in the music industry that Latin music was "a bit cheesy" and so the song took on a full Mexican form.[4] The campy nature of the track had allusions to the disco version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" (1964) by Santa Esmeralda.[6] The lyrics also have allusions to a lesbian-themed marriage in Mexico, with the pro-immigrant message told through a love story set in California.[14] [8]

Reception

The track received a mixed response from music critics. Dan Martin from NME gave a positive review, saying that the bilingual language song proved that the overstylization of the composition worked in its favor, making it one of Gaga's best outputs.[6] Jody Rosen from Rolling Stone found "Americano" hilarious, noting it as the "campiest song Gaga's recorded yet". She deciphered the location of the song's storyline as being in East Los Angeles.[10] In their 2011 ranking of Gaga's music catalog, "Americano" was listed at number 18, with the description as "The greatest Anglo-Latina lesbian marriage story ever set to a disco-cabaret beat".[15] Billboards Keri Mason found the composition to be Gaga's way of trying to imitate the chart success of "Alejandro".[12] Ian White from BBC Music found essences of musical theatre in the futuristic composition of "Americano".[16] Vulture, an online blog associated with New York Magazine regarded "Americano" as "an initially dizzying listen, though there’s a tenderness in the eye of the storm."[17] Prefixmag Craig Jen deemed the "Latin-tinged" track inferior to Gaga's earlier "Alejandro".[18]

"Americano" debuted and peaked at 17 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Songs on the week ending on June 11, 2011. The song stayed on the chart for five weeks.[19] On the South Korean Gaon International Downloads chart, "Americano" debuted at number 98—the week Born This Way was released there—with sales of 4,434 copies.

Live performances and media usage

Gaga debuted the song in Guadalajara, Mexico on May 3, 2011, during The Monster Ball Tour, where she performed it in an acoustic version.[1] She later included "Americano" on the set list of her Born This Way Ball tour (2012–2013). During the performance the singer wore a modified version of her famous meat dress and sang the song while faux meat carcasses hung around her.[20] Gaga was surrounded by her dancers who were semi-nude onstage.[21] The sequence portrayed a wedding with an extended Spanish guitar intro and Gaga appearing on the meat counter as the bride in the meat dress. It ends with the singer shooting her husband onstage.[22] After finishing the song, Gaga told the audience "In 1970, women would no longer be treated like meat. On the cover of Hustler magazine or at the Born This Way Ball, meat is precisely how we treat them."[23]

American television series, Glee, covered the song in the episode "The New Rachel". Sung by Kate Hudson, it was used a mashup with Jennifer Lopez's song "Dance Again".[24] The sequence showed Hudson as a dance teacher, showing choreographed moves to the mash-up.[25] The mash-up was also released as a single to the iTunes Store.[26] In 2011, "Americano" was used in the trailer[27] as well as the end credits scenes of the animated film, Puss in Boots.[28] In 2024, Gaga sang a jazz version of "Americano" at her Jazz & Piano residency in Las Vegas. It was its first live performance since 2013.[29]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Born This Way.[30]

Charts

Chart (2011)!scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea International Tracks (GAON)[31] 98
US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)17

Notes and References

  1. Lady Gaga Debuts 'Americano' Song in Mexico: Watch. Mapes. Jillian. May 4, 2011. May 29, 2017. Billboard. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110183837/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/471737/lady-gaga-debuts-americano-song-in-mexico-watch. November 10, 2016.
  2. News: Pro-Family Group Says Effort to Ban Calif. Gay 'Marriage' Looks 'Strong'. Sheffrin. Alexander J.. The Christian Post. April 5, 2008. November 1, 2013. live. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170525190240/http://www.christianpost.com/news/pro-family-group-says-effort-to-ban-calif-gay-marriage-looks-strong-31814/. May 25, 2017.
  3. Web site: Behind The Boards: Fernando Garibay On His Collaborations With Kylie Minogue & Lady Gaga. Wass. Mike. October 5, 2015. October 16, 2015. Idolator. October 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151013052605/http://www.idolator.com/7610191/behind-boards-fernando-garibay-interview-collaborations-kylie-minogue-lady-gaga. live.
  4. Web site: Lady Gaga Wanted To Go 'Full Mexicano' On 'Americano'. July 11, 2012. Vena. Jocelyn. May 24, 2011. MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160411024951/http://www.mtv.com/news/1664429/lady-gaga-americano-born-this-way/. April 11, 2016.
  5. Web site: Lady Gaga 'Americano' Sheet Music. Musicnotes.com. May 29, 2017. Germanotta. Stefani. 2011. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060937/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0097125. live.
  6. Web site: Lady Gaga, 'Born This Way' - Track-By-Track Album Review. Dan. Martin. NME. May 17, 2011. August 3, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002032942/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/lady-gaga-born-this-way-track-by-track-album-review. October 2, 2013.
  7. News: Lady GaGa performs new track 'Americano'. Digital Spy. Lewis. Corner. May 4, 2011. August 3, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161129211657/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a317743/lady-gaga-performs-new-track-americano/. November 29, 2016.
  8. News: Lady Gaga's Born This Way: track-by-track review. The Daily Telegraph. Neil. McCormick. May 19, 2011. August 1, 2013. London. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003041927/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8523548/Lady-Gagas-Born-This-Way-track-by-track-review.html. October 3, 2013.
  9. Web site: Lady Gaga: Born This Way — Review. The Guardian. Tim. Jonze. May 18, 2011. August 3, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927041919/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/may/18/lady-gaga-born-this-way-review. September 27, 2013.
  10. Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way': A Track-by-Track Breakdown. Rosen. Jody. May 18, 2011. May 29, 2017. Rolling Stone. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170619204234/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gagas-born-this-way-a-track-by-track-breakdown-20110518. June 19, 2017.
  11. Web site: Wright . Joseph . Five Good Covers: Mambo Italiano (Rosemary Clooney) . Cover Me . July 15, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020001459/https://www.covermesongs.com/2015/07/five-good-covers-mambo-italiano-rosemary-clooney.html . October 20, 2021 . dead . October 16, 2021 .
  12. Lady Gaga 'Born This Way': Track-By-Track Review. Mason. Keri. Billboard. September 14, 2009. September 19, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130315090009/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471176/lady-gaga-born-this-way-track-by-track-review. March 15, 2013.
  13. Web site: Lady Gaga: Our Lady of Pop. Van Meter. Jonathan. Vogue. February 10, 2011. November 7, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170401184229/http://www.vogue.com/article/lady-gaga-our-lady-of-pop. April 1, 2017.
  14. News: Lady Gaga: 'If you want me to be a manufactured act you can fuck off'. Wilkinson. Matt. April 19, 2011. May 29, 2017. NME. subscription. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060937/http://www.nme.com/news/music/lady-gaga-425-1297607. live.
  15. 'Americano'. Rolling Stone. May 25, 2011. March 5, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160723172024/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-ultimate-ranking-of-lady-gagas-catalog-20110525/americano-20110524. July 23, 2016.
  16. Web site: Lady Gaga Born This Way Review. White. Ian. BBC Music. May 21, 2011. March 5, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109121819/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5pzb. January 9, 2016.
  17. Web site: Every Lady Gaga Song, Ranked. A deep dive into a star who almost single-handedly raised the bar for pop music.. Vulture. May 24, 2022. dead. https://archive.today/20220524054159/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-lady-gaga-songs-ranked.html. May 24, 2022.
  18. Web site: Lady GaGa Born This Way. Prefixmag. Craig. Jenkins. May 23, 2011. September 10, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110708021944/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/lady-gaga/born-this-way/53499/. July 8, 2011.
  19. Lady Gaga – Chart history. Billboard. Dance/Electronic Digital Songs. March 5, 2016. January 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230119052024/https://www.billboard.com/c/music/. live.
  20. Web site: Harp. Justin. Lady GaGa reveals new meat dress for 'Born This Way Ball' tour. Digital Spy. May 14, 2012. March 5, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412042745/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a381583/lady-gaga-reveals-new-meat-dress-for-born-this-way-ball-tour/. April 12, 2016.
  21. News: Lady Gaga – review. Mossman. Kate. August 31, 2012. May 29, 2017. The Guardian. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060937/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/aug/31/lady-gaga-born-way-ball-review. live.
  22. News: Lady Gaga at The Aviva Stadium Born This Way Ball. Cuffe. Aidan. September 17, 2012. May 29, 2017. The Golden Plec. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060938/https://www.goldenplec.com/live-reviews/review-lady-gaga-at-the-aviva-stadium-born-this-way-ball/. live.
  23. Web site: Lady Gaga Dives into Meat Grinder, a la Hustler Mag Cover. October 2, 2012. May 29, 2017. Heavy.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161219175632/http://heavy.com/music/2012/10/lady-gaga-dives-into-meat-grinder-a-la-hustler-mag-cover/. December 19, 2016.
  24. News: Kate Hudson Channels JLO, Lady Gaga in New 'Glee' Episode. FOX News. Gratereaux. Alexander J.. September 10, 2012. May 30, 2017. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060938/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/09/10/kate-hudson-channels-jlo-lady-gaga-in-new-glee-episode.html. live.
  25. Kate Hudson's first 'Glee' performance. Busis. Hillary. September 10, 2012. May 29, 2017. Entertainment Weekly. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060938/http://ew.com/article/2012/09/10/glee-kate-hudson-americano/. live.
  26. Web site: Americano / Dance Again – Glee Cast version feat. Kate Hudson. iTunes Store. May 30, 2017. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060937/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/americano-dance-again-glee-cast-version-feat-kate-hudson/id559840393. live.
  27. Lady Gaga's 'Americano' scores latest 'Puss in Boots' trailer. Beard. Lanford. October 21, 2011. May 29, 2017. Entertainment Weekly. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161023030912/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/10/21/puss-in-boots-trailer-lady-gaga-american. October 23, 2016.
  28. Web site: 'Puss In Boots' and Lady Gaga's 'Americano': The Story Behind The Track. Vena. Jocelyn. MTV News. October 28, 2011. March 5, 2016. July 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705060937/http://www.mtv.com/news/2581708/lady-gaga-americano-puss-in-boots-the-story-behind-the-song/. dead.
  29. Web site: Diep. Tran. Lady Gaga Sings 'Americano' for First Time Since 2013 at Vegas Residency. June 20, 2024. June 20, 2024. Rolling Stone. https://archive.today/20240620203711/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lady-gaga-sings-americano-first-time-since-2013-vegas-residency-1235043223/. June 20, 2024. live.
  30. Born This Way. Lady Gaga. 2011. liner notes. Interscope Records. B0015374-72.
  31. Web site: South Korea 2011년 23주차 Download Chart. Gaon Music Chart. May 17, 2017. ko. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816202250/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=week&hitYear=2011&targetTime=23&nationGbn=E. August 16, 2016.

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