Singer: Lady Gaga

    I stand here waiting for you to bang the gong

    To crash the critic saying, “is it right or is it wrong?”

    If only fame had an IV, baby could I bear

    Being away from you, I found the vein, put it in here

    I live for the applause, applause, applause

    I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause

    Live for the way that cheer and scream for me

    The applause, applause, applause

    Give me that thing that I love

    (Turn the lights on)

    Put your hands up, make ‘em touch

    (Make it real loud)

    Give me that thing that I love

    (Turn the lights on)

    Put your hands up, make ‘em touch

    (Make it real loud)

    A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E

    Make it real loud

    Put your hands up, make ‘em touch, touch

    A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E

    Make it real loud

    Put your hands up, make ‘em touch, touch

    I’ve overheard your theory

    “Nostalgia’s for geeks”

    I guess sir, if you say so

    Some of us just like to read

    One second I’m a kunst

    Then suddenly the kunst is me

    Pop culture was in art

    Now, art’s in pop culture in me

    ...

    Background

    “Applause” is the first single for Lady Gaga’s forthcoming album “ARTPOP.” The track’s high-energy beats and stuttering synths sound like a warning alarm, while Gaga stomps her way through the verses with a Shakespearean showmanship. “I stand here waiting for you to bang the gong/ To crash the critic saying, ‘Is it right or is it wrong?’” she pronounces over a hard snare that leaves much to be desired, before the bridge morphs into a fearsome show-stopping chorus complete with irresistible double claps.