"Shadow of a Man" is a 2025 song by Lady Gaga, originally released on her studio album Mayhem. It was written by Lady Gaga, Andrew Watt, and Henry Walter, also known as Cirkut.

Composition

Co-writers Andrew Watt (left) and Henry Walter, also known as Cirkut (right)

The Times said "Shadow of a Man" has "the urgent swagger of Bad-era Michael Jackson".[1] Similarly, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone described "Shadow of a Man" as "Michael Jackson-tinged"[2] and "Michael Jackson-infused", respectively.[3] According to Billboard, "Over glittering electropop synths and disco guitars, Gaga points to the imbalanced expectations for female artists who are expected to do twice as much work for half the reward. As she brings up the energy to a frenetic peak on the bulldozing chorus, Gaga declares that she’s done being “the one to fall on the knife” when she did nothing wrong."[4] Variety said the song "struts with the type of cool of wearing sunglasses at night".[5]

Screen Rant said the song "brings to mind the type of vocal-ripping, instrument-pulsing, self-assured dance that would have made the King of Pop proud. It's an empowering bop that reminds the listener that with the talent she has, Lady Gaga won't be put into anybody's shadow."[6] Consequence has called the song "emotionally resonant"[7] and said "Michael Jackson's spirit seemed to have briefly entered the studio during the production" of "Shadow of a Man", which "is where the album's energy undeniably peaks".[8] The Independent said the song has "gurning" guitars.[9]

Promotion

A short audio clip of "Shadow of a Man" was played over the text "LG7. Gaga returns." at the end of Gaga Chromatica Ball (2024), a concert film of her 2022 stadium tour in support of the album Chromatica (2020).[10]

Reception

Attitude said, "The energy rises for album stand out 'Shadow of a Man', which sounds very much a piece with lead single 'Disease'. Here the artist summons the spirit of Michael Jackson while maintaining an exhilarating and unmistakably Gaga edge. An electric guitar riff is employed to great effect in the track's outro, leaving us wanting more of this vibe."[11]

Jason Collins and Jamie Broadnax interviewed Gaga about the song. In a subsequent piece, they called it Gaga's "most truthful and introspective song" of her entire musical career, opining that the song references how Gaga has grappled with feeling overshadowed by male artists throughout her career, while also addressing the complexities of identity and personal growth.[12] In Billboard's March 2020 poll of fans' favorite track on the album, "Shadow of a Man" ranked in the top five.[13] Elle included the song in a list of the 24 "best new songs we heard" in Mach 2025. The magazine said the song sees Gaga "moonwalking in Michael Jackson's footsteps", as well as: "With rapid-fire lyrics and an infectious energy, it’s one of the high points of her latest album."[14] A writer for the Iowa State Daily said "Shadow of a Man", "The Beast", and "Blade of Grass" tood out and said: "All of these showcase Gaga's great lyricism and they break down the album's themes. 'Shadow of a Man' is pretty explanatory for what it means just from the title."[15]

Charts

Chart performance for "Shadow of a Man"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 91
France (SNEP)[17] 164
Global 200 (Billboard)[18] 85
Greece International (IFPI)[19] 43
Portugal (AFP)[20] 120
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[21] 41
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[22] 42
UK Streaming (OCC)[23] 93
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[24] 2
US Hot Dance/Pop Songs (Billboard)[25] 11

References

  1. ^ Potton, Ed (March 6, 2025). "Lady Gaga: Mayhem review — dancefloor bangers are the diva at her best". The Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  2. ^ Pinder, Jaeden (March 7, 2025). "6 Takeaways From Lady Gaga's New Album MAYHEM". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  3. ^ Burn, Richard (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga 'Mayhem' review: An all-out pop microcosm of her career so far". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on March 9, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Daw, Stephen (March 7, 2025). "Every Song From Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' Album, Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga Returns to Her Dance Floor Roots — and Has a Blast — on 'Mayhem': Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  6. ^ Hedden, Chris (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga's New Album: Every Song On Mayhem Ranked". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  7. ^ "Lady Gaga on Mayhem and Why SNL Is One of the Only Spots She Can "Do It All in One Place"". Consequence. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  8. ^ Siroky, Mary (March 7, 2025). "In Mayhem, Lady Gaga Is Refracted and Reborn: Review". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 9, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  9. ^ Brown, Helen (March 7, 2025). "On Lady Gaga's Mayhem, Mother Monster is back in all her shock-horror-bop glory". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  10. ^ "Yes, Lady Gaga Revisited Fan-Favorite Demos While Working on 'Mayhem'". Cosmopolitan. March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  11. ^ Grimes, Gary (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga MAYHEM review: 'Gaga in her most straightforward pop star mode since The Fame'". Attitude. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Collins, Jason; Broadnax, Jamie (March 6, 2025). "'Shadow of a Man': Lady Gaga's Most Truthful and Introspective Song Yet". Black Girl Nerds. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  13. ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 13, 2025). "Fans Voted Lady Gaga's 'Vanish Into You' as Favorite 'Mayhem' Track". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "These Are the Best New Songs We Heard Last Month". Elle. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  15. ^ Fobian, Dylan (March 9, 2025). "Review: Lady Gaga's new album 'MAYHEM' has a bit of everything". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  17. ^ "Top Singles (Week 11, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  18. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  19. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 11/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  20. ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 11 de 2025" (PDF). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. March 20, 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  23. ^ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  24. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  25. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Hot Dance/Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_a_Man_(song)
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