Aura

Album: ARTPOP (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This thumping dance song finds Gaga singing about fame and adoration as she asks the listeners if they want to "see the girl who lives behind the aura." The aura is a term used within Islam, which denotes the intimate parts of the body that must be covered with clothing.

    Gaga uses the Islamic traditions that women should cover their bodies in public as a metaphor for life as a celebrity. The Mother Monster is saying that it is her choice to well the veil of fame in order to retain an aura of mystery.
  • The growling, exotic tune track was produced by Russian-German producer and DJ Zedd. He is best known for his single "Clarity," as well as co-producing Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj's hit tune "Beauty And A Beat." Zedd first linked up with Lady when his remix of her "Marry the Night" track appeared on the special edition of Born This Way. "I think 'Aura' [is] one of the most interesting and unique electronic songs ever, honestly," Zedd commented to MTV News. "It's so crossing over to, you know, there's so many guitars and it's like an oriental vibe. And there's a hard electronic drop and kind of a minimal drop in the end. I don't how to describe it, it's kind of cool."
  • The song's lyric video was directed by Robert Rodriguez and promotes his 2013 exploitation action film Machete Kills. Gaga made her first foray into acting in the movie playing the gun-toting Lady Chameleon. The song also featured in a trailer for the flick.
  • "Aura" is part of Lady Gaga's 2013 album ARTPOP, which was released along with an app playable on Android and iOS (this was a time when apps were everywhere - our phones were filled with pages of them). The singer worked with Max Weisel of Relative Wave, who also worked on Bjork's 2011 app for her Biophilia album. It included a glowy character named Petga who helped users create an aura that would grow and change as they used the app more and more.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.