Background

We laid back and feasted as the audio guided us through new and exciting positions. We were all the girls and boys under her control.

“G.U.Y.” (a backronym for Girl Under You) is the third and final single from Lady Gaga’s 2013 studio album, ARTPOP. It was released in March 2014, and it was written and produced by Lady Gaga and Zedd.

Speaking of Zedd…

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I got interested in discovering who writes and produces the music I listen to. And I didn’t know Zedd produced “G.U.Y.”, even though Gaga named him in the song’s outro.

Zedd is no stranger to pop hits. He’s credited as the main artist in many chart toppers such as “The Middle” with Maren Morris and Grey, “Stay the Night” with Hayley Williams, and “Stay” with Alessia Cara. He also produced music for Ariana Grande (“Break Free”), Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj (“Beauty and a Beat”), and Katy Perry (“Never Really Over”). It’s one of those things that make sense once you know it.

I could never describe Zedd’s sound but someone used the term “industrial” and I could easily relate that to “G.U.Y.” It feels like she’s recording in a factory and her music is being built by a machine. She’s slowly but surely turning on the power and lighting up as the verses transition to the chorus. As the song comes alive, her voice is manipulated and is “robotised”.

I’m not sure if I’m giving justice to Zedd’s talents. But all of that is to say that Zedd does it again – making electronic music that a pop of fan music can love.

Gender Roles and Expectations

The song’s lyrics in some ways are confusing. But on the other hand, I guess that’s partially the intent.

The backronym of G.U.Y. refers to a woman, while G.I.R.L. refers to a man. Sexually, the woman is under the man and takes on a submissive positions. This assignment conforms to the traditional and conventional societal roles. But the ownership and the agency over the choice is a reversal. She’s dominating and giving commands. And I’ve got to respect her power and how she exercises it!

Art challenges norms. Art sparks conversations. And Gaga did both with “G.U.Y.”

C.H.A.R.T.

At the time of it’s release, “G.U.Y.” was Lady Gaga’s lowest charting single in the US. Was it Gaga deliberately moving away from the mainstream? This could be an interpretation based on how she took revenge on executives in the music video. Even in the lyrics, she has also said that she doesn’t need to be on top to know she’s worth it.

I used to correlate chart success with a song’s value in an artist’s discography. But as I grew older, I learned that numbers mattered less and less and I’ve been kinder to my assessment of “G.U.Y.”

I could not find a definitive interview that confirms the hypothesis that “G.U.Y.” gave Gaga the confidence to pivot. There is more incentive to experiment if there is less to lose. Without her pivoting, we would not be hearing or seeing her venture into different art forms such as jazz, country, and film. And not seeing those transformations would’ve been a pity.

Conclusion

Gaga knows the truth. Chart success isn’t everything. The roles and expectations that people put on an artist must not win. And Zedd can produce for dance music festivals, but also for big pop superstars.