MAYHEM – English Lyrics

• By: Lady Gaga

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the chaotic and genre-bending world of Lady Gaga's "MAYHEM," a synth-pop spectacle that revisits her iconic sound while delving into themes of fame, identity, and inner turmoil. Discover how Gaga blends various musical influences to create a unique and deeply personal album, perfect for those looking to expand their understanding of pop music and self-expression.

[English]

(ominous music)

- [Lady Gaga] This is the manifesto of Mother Monster.

On GOAT, a government-owned alien territory in space,

a birth of magnificent and magical proportions took place.

But the birth was not finite.

It was infinite.

As the wombs numbered

and the mitosis of the future began,

it was perceived that this infamous moment in life

is not temporal, it is eternal.

And thus began the beginning of the new race.

A race within the race of humanity.

A race which bears no prejudice, no judgment,

but boundless freedom.

But on that same day,

as the eternal mother hovered in the multiverse,

another more terrifying birth took place,

the birth of evil.

(suspenseful music)

And as she herself split into two,

rotating in agony between two ultimate forces,

the pendulum of choice began its dance.

It seems easy, you imagine,

to gravitate instantly and unwaveringly towards good.

(dramatic music)

But she wondered,

"How can I protect something so perfect without evil?"

(suspenseful music)

It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M.

(echoing) I-M, I-M, I-M.

Just put your paws up,

'cause you were born this way, baby.

(upbeat electronic music)

♪ My mama told me when I was young ♪

♪ We are all born superstars ♪

♪ She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on ♪

♪ In the glass of her boudoir ♪

♪ There's nothing wrong with loving who you are ♪

♪ She said, 'cause He made you perfect, babe ♪

♪ So hold your head up, girl, and you'll go far ♪

♪ Listen to me when I say ♪

♪ I'm beautiful in my way 'cause God makes no mistakes ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Don't hide yourself in regret ♪

♪ Just love yourself, and you're set ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Born this way ♪

♪ Ooh, there ain't no other way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Born this way ♪

♪ Ooh, there ain't no other way, ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Don't be a drag, just be a queen ♪

♪ Don't be a drag, just be a queen ♪

♪ Don't be a drag, just be a queen ♪

♪ Don't be, don't be, don't be ♪

♪ Give yourself prudence and love your friends ♪

♪ Subway kid, rejoice your truth ♪

♪ In the religion of the insecure ♪

♪ I must be myself, respect my youth ♪

♪ A different lover is not a sin ♪

♪ Believe capital H-I-M ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪

♪ I love my life, I love this record and ♪

♪ Mi amore vole fe, yah ♪

♪ Same DNA ♪

♪ I'm beautiful in my way 'cause God makes no mistakes ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Don't hide yourself in regret ♪

♪ Just love yourself, and you're set ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Ooh, there ain't no other way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Born this way ♪

♪ Ooh, there ain't no other way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

(upbeat electronic music)

♪ Don't be a drag, just be a queen ♪

♪ Whether you're broke or evergreen ♪

♪ You're Black, white, beige, chola descent ♪

♪ You're Lebanese, you're Orient ♪

♪ Whether life's disabilities ♪

♪ Left you outcast, bullied, or teased ♪

♪ Rejoice and love yourself today ♪

♪ 'Cause, baby, you were born this way ♪

♪ No matter gay, straight, or bi ♪

♪ Lesbian, transgender life ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born to survive ♪

♪ No matter Black, white or beige ♪

♪ Chola, or Orient made ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born to be brave ♪

♪ I'm beautiful in my way 'cause God makes no mistakes ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Don't hide yourself in regret ♪

♪ Just love yourself, and you're set ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way, yeah ♪

♪ Ooh, there ain't no other way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ Born this way ♪

♪ Ooh, there ain't no other way ♪

♪ Baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way ♪

♪ I was born this way, hey ♪

♪ I was born this way, hey ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way, hey ♪

♪ I was born this way, hey ♪

♪ I was born this way, hey ♪

♪ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way, hey ♪

♪ Same DNA ♪

♪ But born this way ♪

♪ Same DNA ♪

♪ But born this way ♪

(electronic music echoing)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
monster /ˈmɒnstər/ A2	noun - a large, ugly, and frightening imaginary creature
birth /bɜːrθ/ B1	noun - the emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of existence
magical /ˈmædʒɪkəl/ B1	adjective - possessing or using or characteristic of magic.
future /ˈfjuːtʃər/ A2	noun - the time or a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing; what will happen. adjective - that will exist or happen in the time to come.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
eternal /ɪˈtɜːrnl/ B2	adjective - lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning.
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.; ethnic group.
humanity /hjuːˈmænəti/ B2	noun - all human beings collectively; the human race.
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B1	noun - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance.
evil /ˈiːvl/ B1	noun - profound immorality, wickedness, and depravity, especially when regarded as a supernatural force. adjective - profoundly immoral and wicked.
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a strong affection for noun - an intense feeling of affection
perfect /ˈpɜːrfɪkt/ B1	adjective - having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. verb - make (something) completely free from faults or defects; bring near to perfection.
superstar /ˈsuːpərstɑːr/ A2	noun - a very famous or successful performer or sports player.
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfl/ A2	adjective - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ A2	noun - an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong. verb - be wrong about or to do (something) wrongly or inappropriately.
queen /kwiːn/ A2	noun - the wife of a king; a female ruler of a country.
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being true.
religion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ B1	noun - the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
youth /juːθ/ B1	noun - the period between childhood and adult age.
drag /dræɡ/ B2	noun - a boring or annoying person or thing.
brave /breɪv/ B1	adjective - ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

Key Grammar Structures

• It was perceived that this infamous moment in life is not temporal, it is eternal.

  ➔ Passive voice with "it was perceived" + Subjunctive mood ('is' instead of 'was' after 'that' to emphasize the timelessness of the truth)

  ➔ The phrase "it was perceived" indicates a passive construction, highlighting the feeling more than the actor. The use of "is" instead of "was" after "that" suggests that the infamous moment's eternal nature is a continuing truth, not just a past observation. This use of the subjunctive mood lends a timeless quality to the statement.

• How can I protect something so perfect without evil?

  ➔ Modal verb ("can") in a rhetorical question + "so...that" structure (implied)

  ➔ This sentence is a rhetorical question, not seeking an answer but emphasizing a point. The modal verb "can" explores possibility. The implied "so...that" structure suggests that the perfection is of such a degree that it presents a challenge.

• It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M.

  ➔ Conditional clause with "if" + emphasis by capitalization.

  ➔ This statement uses "if" to create a conditional clause expressing indifference to the object of love. Capitalizing "H-I-M" adds emphasis, suggesting a potential deeper meaning or importance to the subject being referenced.

• Don't hide yourself in regret. Just love yourself, and you're set.

  ➔ Imperative sentences (Don't hide, love) + coordination with 'and' + short form of "you are" ('you're')

  ➔ The sentences are using imperative verbs to give direct advice or commands. The conjunction "and" connects two independent clauses. "You're" is a contraction, joining "you" and "are" for a more conversational tone.

• Whether you're broke or evergreen.

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction "whether" + short form of "you are" ('you're') + contrasting adjectives (broke/evergreen)

  ➔ "Whether" introduces a clause expressing alternative possibilities. "You're" is a contraction. "Broke" and "evergreen" are contrasting adjectives highlighting different financial or social states.