Lady Gaga Wishes She Could’ve Collaborated with John Lennon
Singer Reveals That Lennon Had a “Beautiful Heart” Beyond His Music
Lady Gaga shared that John Lennon would have been her dream collaborator. The revelation came during the Mayhem press conference, organized by fans to celebrate the release of her new album, Mayhem.
During the event, a fan asked which artist, living or deceased, Gaga would like to collaborate with. She responded:
“I think it would have been John Lennon. I think he had such a beautiful heart, and I think one of my favorite things in music history is when you remember an artist for their music, but you also remember them for their heart,” she said.
The singer also showcased her peace sign tattoo on her wrist and shared the inspiration behind it:
“This peace sign was right outside 72nd Street by the Dakota, where he was sadly taken from the world, but the peace sign was there every day, and Yoko would place flowers outside. I got this tattoo because of that. I never forgot what he represented, and it’s what I also stand for.”
Gaga and John Lennon’s Influence
In a 2011 interview with NME, Lady Gaga compared herself to John Lennon, revealing her constant pursuit of perfection in her music. “I am perpetually unhappy with what I create,” she said. “Even though I can tell you that ‘Edge Of Glory’ is a pop masterpiece, when all is said and done, there will be things that I fear, and every time I hear it, I will hear them.”
She also mentioned a 1980 Playboy interview with Lennon:
“In a Playboy interview, he talked about how he hated certain songs because of how they were finished. And they may be my favorite songs, but Lennon could hear them.”
Connection to Lennon’s Legacy
In 2012, Lady Gaga received the LennonOno Grant For Peace from Yoko Ono. Additionally, she delivered an emotional performance of Imagine at the opening of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.
That same year, the artist worked with Paul McCartney, Lennon’s former bandmate. The two collaborated on a song for the film High in the Clouds, based on McCartney’s 2005 children’s book.
Lady Gaga revealed the partnership by posting a photo on Instagram alongside McCartney and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. In another post, she shared an image with the former Beatle, recalling a funny moment:
“Always a good time with my friend,” she wrote. “I’ll never forget when he called me last year to work together, and I hung up the phone because I thought it was a prank!”
Mayhem: Lady Gaga’s New Album
Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated seventh album, Mayhem, is now available, released this Saturday (March 7) after months of speculation. The album follows the acclaimed Chromatica (2020) and Harlequin, the Joker: Folie à Deux companion soundtrack (2023).
The album received four stars from NME, which praised its bold approach: “There is a carefree confidence in how Gaga sticks to her maximalist vision without giving in to contemporary pop trends. Most of Mayhem’s tracks run close to or over four minutes, making them mini-epics in the TikTok era.”
The publication also highlighted the album’s energy:
“Ultimately, Mayhem feels like a great Gaga album because it’s so much fun. At times, it’s like reconnecting with an old friend who makes sense even when they seem to be talking nonsense,” they added. “Seventeen years after breaking out with Just Dance, Lady Gaga remains the ultimate architect of impeccably crafted chaos.”
Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift?
Fans have speculated that the track How Bad Do U Want Me?, from the new album, might feature a secret appearance by Taylor Swift. So far, Gaga has not confirmed the theory.
Additionally, the singer announced a special concert in Mexico, marking her first performance in the country in 13 years. Lastly, Gaga is confirmed for a show in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, on May 3.