This year’s Best Song category at the Oscars is full of some interesting choices. Sam Smith’s “Writing’s On the Wall” is nominated, which makes me happy because it’s a really beautiful song. The Weeknd’s “Earned It” is up for an Oscar, which is surprising because it’s A) a good song and B) it’s a very, very popular song. And in case you missed it, Lady Gaga was nominated in this category. She cowrote the song “’Til It Happens To You” with Diane Warren for the documentary The Hunting Ground. It seemed like everything was coming up GAGA, first a Golden Globe for her acting, and now an Oscar nomination for Best Song.
The nomination in Best Song goes to the people who wrote the song rather than the artist performing the song. Since Lady Gaga is known as a singer-songwriter, I didn’t really think much about the fact that she and Diane Warren were listed as co-songwriters. But Linda Perry (of Four Non-Blondes) took issue with it. And it’s really, really funny. Linda got on her Twitter on Monday and sent out a series of tweets questioning Gaga’s Oscar eligibility for this particular song. You can read the tweets here, and here they are, compiled for readability:
Normally I wouldn’t respond to all this but I don’t know I’m feeling spunky. There was another artist that originally was gonna sing #TIHTY. I have Diane’s original demo with her singing. The only line that has been changed “Till you’re at the end, the end of your rope.” Originally was “TIL YOU GOT A HOLE RIPPED IN YOUR SOUL”. So I guess technically one line was changed so sure Gaga possibly “rewrote” a line. But chances are Diane still took part in rewriting that line which means Gaga contributed a few words. Is that writing? Not in my book.
I love Gaga so much respect and love this song that has nothing to do with anything. Why did Gaga get credit? Maybe because Diane wanted to ensure her support in promoting the song. Gaga is a very smart business women she knew a song written by Diane Warren would be up for an Oscar. And you know it’s hard getting music out there and heard. Especially a song from a documentary , so Diane knew if she gave Gaga writing credit it would ensure the support this song needed and deserved. And Gaga knows her power. I’m not putting anyone or anything down. I’m stating the truth . I credit Diane for writing this song, it is her experience her pain her words. That’s it kids.
Listen, one of you Gaga kids got upset when I said Diane wrote a great song. You can’t win on Twitter. I’m stating why I didn’t include. There’s no bitterness, I’ve stated Gaga killed this song so powerful so blown away by her performance. Don’t turn things negative. I’m stating my truth that’s it if you don’t like it, it’s ok just don’t spend anytime here.
You know who I would accuse to falsifying co-writer credits before Lady Gaga? Beyonce. Beyonce does this all the damn time, and she bullies songwriters into giving her co-authorship only if she just changed one line or so. I’m sure there are many big performers who pull this kind of thing regularly, but I’m just saying… Beyonce is known for those kinds of shenanigans. As for Gaga… I don’t think Linda Perry was exactly throwing shade, I think Perry was and is pissed off that Diane chose to or felt she had to give co-authorship credit to Lady Gaga for not doing much of anything as far as WRITING the song. And Gaga still would have been able to perform at the Oscars, even if she didn’t get a songwriting credit. Now if the song wins, Lady Gaga will have the O in her EGOT. Boooooo!!!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
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