Lady Gaga has once again captivated the world with her latest single, "Abracadabra," which debuted spectacularly at the 67th Grammy Awards. In an exclusive interview with ELLE UK, she sat down with Lotte Jeffs to delve into the deeper meaning of the song, the creative process behind its visually stunning music video, and the inspirations for her highly anticipated album, Mayhem.
Lady Gaga Unveils 'Abracadabra': A Journey Through Self-Doubt, Resilience, and Dance
The Magic Behind 'Abracadabra:
Gaga describes "Abracadabra" as an anthem about overcoming life's challenges
and embracing the magic within adversity. When asked about the song’s theme,
she explained, “The song is about facing the challenge of life and the
challenge of the night and finding the magic in it all.” She further
elaborated on the idea of the “challenge of the night” as the battle between
one’s inner self and external pressures, saying, “When you feel challenged
with really showing everybody who you are.”
A central character in the music video is the "lady in red," representing
internal doubt and self-questioning. Gaga describes this figure as the
embodiment of the internal voice that constantly tests one's confidence:
“Can you do it? Can you do it? Will you do it? Are you good enough?” The
visual narrative follows Gaga as she confronts and ultimately rises above
this internal turmoil.
A Dance-Fueled Story of Resilience:
The video, choreographed by the legendary Parris Goebel, transforms the
internal battle into an electrifying dance showdown. “Parris and I worked
really closely together; she's just a total genius,” Gaga said. Having
previously collaborated on "Disease," the duo sought to continue the concept
of an inner dialogue through movement. Gaga explains, “The video should be
Mayhem the character, the lady in red—it's her club, and it's her night.
She’s saying, ‘Tonight, you only have two choices: you can either dance, or
it’s over.’”
The standout moment in the video occurs when the music cuts out and Gaga's
dancers hurl her own lyrics back at her, symbolizing the struggle against
negative self-talk. She likens this negativity to a "spell" that one can be
seduced into believing, stating, “In the video, I'm fighting against it with
everything. I'm dancing against it, I'm singing against it. I'm serving
against it.”
A Fashion Statement with a Purpose:
Gaga, known for her groundbreaking fashion choices, made a conscious effort
to incorporate sustainability into the visual production. Working with
designers like Peri Rosenzweig, Nick Royal, and Olivier Theyskens, she
ensured that many of the costumes were upcycled. “My main white cape in the
video was made using old wedding dresses. We also used deadstock fabric for
the dancers’ clothes and reinterpreted pieces from my archive,” she
revealed.
This commitment to sustainability aligns with the overarching theme of
community in the video. With over 50 dancers involved, Gaga emphasized that
resilience isn’t a solitary endeavor but one strengthened by support from
others. “The process of learning the choreography and working with the
dancers was a beautiful experience. We were a family, trying to find
something really honest together.”
Mayhem: An Album Born from Chaos and Hope:
Gaga’s upcoming album, ''Mayhem'', set for release on March 7, 2025,
continues the themes of duality and transformation explored in
"Abracadabra." Reflecting on the album’s title, she explained, “It was hard
at first to name the album Mayhem because I so much don't want that feeling
to be real. But I ultimately arrived at the idea that mayhem—our fractures,
our chaos—teaches us the power of joy, dancing, and resilience.”
Musically, ''Mayhem'' blends industrial sounds, 90s electro-grunge
influences, and theatrical rock inspired by icons like David Bowie and
Prince. Gaga describes the album as an unfiltered reflection of her creative
spirit: “From a sonic standpoint, here are all these things that I know you
won't believe make any sense together. But it all goes together because it's
all me.”
Looking Ahead: Coachella and Beyond:
While details of a full tour remain under wraps, Gaga confirmed her
excitement for upcoming live performances, including her headlining slot at
Coachella. She emphasized her ultimate goal: “I just want people to smile
and laugh and dance and have the most fun ever. If you take anything away
from this, it's that I want everyone to smile through the mayhem.”
Lady Gaga’s ''Mayhem'' is available for pre-order now, and with
"Abracadabra," she has once again proven her ability to craft anthems of
empowerment, resilience, and artistic brilliance.