For Orchestra #24: Lady Gaga ‘Bad Romance’
“Caught in a Bad Romance”
I said it before: Gaga’s music makes the perfect orchestration when I use my style of arranging. Everything fits, and I love the lyrical content and direction of this piece. Even the video is beautiful. My good friend Andy Jordan put it best by saying it was “visually stunning”. I wanted to capture that atmosphere with this piece:
Hear It!
Buy It!This composition meant a lot to me. I felt Bad Romance, similar to how I felt about “Simply Being Loved” could be about anything that leaves us in a place we aren’t comfortable in. It doesn’t have to be about another person, it could be about your career, or your choices. “I don’t wanna be friends” echos to me the idea that we want relationships – relationships show commitment, and we should always be committed and passionate in everything we do. In the words of Derek Sivers: “It’s Hell Yea or No“. I’ve worked at places where I was a “bad romance” between my heart and the career I was in. These are all things we all go through, and help us in the long run.
Eclipsing near the 5 minute mark, this epic arrangement starts with the violins whispering the melody, just as the harp and winds stay underneath before the drums kick in. In the second verse, the blank measure on ‘Love, Love, Love’ within the 4 octaves was put there because that’s how I kept singing it in the shower, haha. It’s no secret that this piece gave me trouble – it was supposed to come out last month, but I wanted it to be perfect. There were times when the trumpets sounded better in some parts than others. The one thing I was excited for were the dynamics – I throw in soft pizzicatos, orchestra chimes, drop out the drums, have JUST the flutes play, and even create a monstrous roar leading into the final Chorus. The length of this piece allowed me to tell a story, and so I did.
If you like this, I arranged Lady Gaga’s Love Game and also Poker Face! Check them out!
Feel free to check out my music, or at least spreading it on Twitter, Facebook, or email.You can suggest songs via Twitter using Hashtag #ForOrchestra
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Thank you for transforming my favorite song of 09. This is beautiful and bad ass! – @EmilysPearl
I’ve never left a comment for you before but this is awesome!!! Walt WOW you’re amazing!!! Keep up the awesome work =)
I love it when you do Gaga pieces. It’s so rich and sounds awesome. This is amazing!
WOW! Thank you SOOOO Much! What an amazing xmas gift… I think I am going to start downloadin ^_^ Top work!! I sure do hope the artists you use music from, listen and are complimented. You deserve so much credit.
Nicholas.
I love the whole mood of the song.
You did a fantastic job!
Thanks Walter! Another excellent job on translating Lady Gaga’s work into a creative, energetic and unique piece of music!
So, you work all these with all the musicians?
or do you work them alone with synthesizer?
If it’s synthesizer, that sounds so fantastically real.
I’ve been hanging out here in your blog, listening around.
I’ve only discovered what Lady GaGa is just about 3 days ago.
Bad Romance was the first one I listened from her album.
[I was familiar with Paparazzi before, but my curiosity wasn't THAT piqued yet]
It’s funny that Bad Romance with acoustic piano been playing in my head ever since.
More like Rob Thomas’ “You Won’t Be Mine”. I found this/your blog from a LiveJournal post. And to say that I am ecstatic to hear your/this piece is an understatement. Give me some beats and string/orchestra composition, and I’m instantly pwned.
Thank you for sharing.
PS: I wonder if you are interested to orchestra-size Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply” or “Crash and Burn”
Thanks for the kind words. Glad I could arrange your favorite songs! As for Savage garden – I already have the next few weeks planned out for the votes, but I’ll definetly keep them in mind.
I absolutely love this arrangement! Do you have sheet music for for the various instruments?? I would love if my school orchestra could do this arrangement. It’s awesome. Let me know if that would be possible and how I could contact you for more information. It would be great. Thanks! and again, this was an outstanding arrangement!
Any sheet music inquiries email me walt@fororchestra.com
Thanks!
Awesome man, love your work, thanks for the tunes wich delight our ears posted here.