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A-Yo (Lady Gaga song)

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"A-Yo"
Song

"A-Yo" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga for her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). It was officially released to digital outlets as the record's third single on October 18, 2016 through Interscope Records. The single was written by Gaga, Hillary Lindsey, Mark Ronson and BloodPop, while production was handled by the singer and the latter two. A funky, "electro-tinged" and "rock-inspired" upbeat country pop track, "A-Yo" lyrically delves on "leaving our haters in the dust".

Critical reception was mostly positive towards "A-Yo" and it charted at number 66 on United States' Billboard Hot 100. In order to promote the track's release, Gaga performed it on several concert venues of her Dive Bar Tour and on television. It was later added to her setlist at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016, the 2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Joanne World Tour (2017–2018).

Background and release

Following the release of lead single "Perfect Illusion" on September 9, 2016, Gaga announced the Dive Bar Tour, a promotional concert series where the singer performed at various dive bars in the United States.[1] However, the venues for the concert series remained undisclosed to have a more intimate approach.[2] The campaign was sponsored by Bud Light, and premiered on October 5, 2016. Simultaneously, a live broadcast of the event was streamed on Bud Light's official Facebook page.[3] On October 2, 2016, several publications claimed that during the first show of the tour, a new song titled "Million Reasons" would be performed, in addition to "Perfect Illusion".[4][5]

During the Dive Bar Tour, Gaga recalled that she and Lindsey were seated in couches and having a back-and-forth conversation with guitar and piano. The singer asked questions about the men in her life, including her father and boyfriends, wondering why they would give her million reasons to leave them, but all she wanted was to have one reason to stay.[6] Lindsey, who previously had experiences in writing country songs in Nashville, was identified by Interscope as a potential collaborator on Joanne.[7] The label's A&R Aaron Bay-Schuck, who had heard the initial Joanne material, introduced Gaga and Lindsey. They bonded over drinks and Gaga also played initial demos of some of the tracks she had written.[8] Lindsey remembered that Gaga's personal experiences and stories resulted in many ideas for songs. "Million Reasons" was similarly picked from their conversations, including the title phrase. It was a straightforward songwriting session according to Lindsey, with Gaga using an old school typewriter.[7]

"A-Yo" was originally planned as the album's second single, but due to popular demand, "Million Reasons" was chosen instead. "A-Yo" was premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show on October 18, 2016, and has since been made available for streaming.[9] She posted a link to the song on her Twitter account, while responding to Alex Pall of duo The Chainsmokers's critiques about "Perfect Illusion", writing "maybe u guys'll like this 1 better [sic]".[10] The single's cover art features Gaga topless and covering her chest with her hand, wearing a feathered hat that hides her eyes.[11]

Recording and composition

Mark Ronson co-wrote and co-produced "A-Yo".

"A-Yo" was recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York City, by Benjamin Rice and assisted by Barry McCready. Joshua Blair continued the additional recording for the track at Shangri-La Studios, Malibu, California with David "Squirrel" Covell, and also at Pink Duck Studios in Burbank, California, assisted by Justin Smith. The mixing for "A-Yo" was performed by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia, with engineering for the mix by Josh Hanes. Other instrumentation for "A-Yo" included guitars and percussion by Gaga, bass and guitars by Mark Ronson, and synthesizer and organ by BloodPop. Tom Coyne and Randy Merrill completed the audio mastering at Sterling Sound Studios in New York City.[12]

"A-Yo" is a funky, "electro-tinged" and "rock-inspired" song.[11][13] Rolling Stone described "A-Yo" as an upbeat country pop track.[14] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, "A-Yo" is written in the key of A major in common time with a tempo of 150 beats per minute. The chords alternate between A7 and D7, and Gaga's vocals span two octaves from E3 to E5.[15] Michelle Lulic from Bustle felt that the lyrics seem to describe "things getting hot-and-heavy in her car": "I can't wait to rev you up /Faster than you can say "Ferrari" /Tearin' up the gravel, watching you unravel /Now it's a party".[16] During the chorus, Gaga sings "A-Yo, A-Yo, we smokin' 'em all", which according to her is about "leaving our haters in the dust".[17]

Critical reception

Tricia Gilbride from Mashable called "A-Yo" "ridiculously catchy" and "a futuristic country-rock song egging you on to have a good time over guitar solos and digital beats".[18] Bustle's Michelle Lulic noted that "this may just be one of Lady Gaga's most simplistic yet most visual songs yet" and thanks to its repetitive chorus, it was "near impossible not to start singing by the time you get to the end of your first listen of the song".[16] Larry Bartleet of British magazine NME commented that "the transformation might grate on fans of Gaga's past few albums of pop, but from these lyrics it looks like on fifth album ‘Joanne’ she really doesn't care what people think".[17] Andy Gill from The Independent complimented Josh Homme's "spiky but fluid breaks" on songs like "A-Yo" and "John Wayne", which were "undoubted album highlights".[19] Daniel Welsh from The Huffington Post said that "A-Yo" sounded like a cross between "Manicure" from Artpop and "Americano" from Born This Way, but with touches of country. He went on to compliment Gaga for pulling off "perfecly" her wish of Joanne having a "dive bar feel" with the song.[20]

Stereogum's Chris DeVille wrote, "Despite its funky digital beat, rap-inflected hook, and playfully tweaked guitar twang, it might actually go over pretty well on country radio if enough programmers gave it a chance. That said, this computerized juke-joint party track is far from M.O.R. by Nashville standards".[21] Carey O'Donnell from Paper magazine called it a "foot stomping, hand-clapping rock pop track", but said it sounded better live.[22] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called the song "riotous".[23] The New York Times's Jon Caramanica felt that "A-Yo" sounded like "a Britney Spears parody or a song drawn from one of those live musicals that have been littering network television" since Glee ended.[24] Maeve McDermott of USA Today was negative, saying "songs that sound most like Gaga's earlier hits" like "A-Yo" were Joanne's weakest moments.[25]

Live performances

Gaga performing "A-Yo" during the Joanne World Tour

Gaga has performed "A-Yo" on her Dive Bar Tour, a brief three-date promotional tour of dive bars in the United States.[11][26][27] During the third stop of the tour, Mark Ronson accompanied her on stage for the song.[28] Along with "Million Reasons", another song from Joanne, Gaga performed "A-Yo" live on network television for the first time, as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live dated October 22, 2016.[29] For "A-Yo" Ronson assisted Gaga by playing guitar, and the singer doing a honky-tonk and go-go dancing inspired performance. Rolling Stone's Daniel Kreps described it as intense singing, with Gaga "feverishly dancing and wildly shredding on her guitar".[30] Paste's Chris White called Gaga an "incredible performer and vocalist" based on the performances, adding "Gaga understands the stagecraft of playing live music on [the SNL stage]".[31] An isolated mic feed from the performances was also highly praised for Gaga's vocal prowess.[32][33] Three days later, she appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS Television City studios, and delivered the opening monologue, while also performing "A-Yo".[34] In November 2017, she performed "A-Yo" during her set at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, while wearing a glittering, black catsuit.[35]

Gaga also performed "A-Yo" during her set at the 2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. While singing the song, she played on a special guitar, which was in wireless connection with her phone, allowing her to change its colour during the performance.[36] "A-Yo" was performed as the second song on the Joanne World Tour shows, where she similarly played the guitar for the duration of the song.[37] She was wearing a black bejewelled fringe leotard and a crystalized hat for the performance.[38]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Joanne.[12]

Management

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] 55
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[40] 93
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[41] 56
France (SNEP)[42] 167
Ireland (IRMA)[43] 67
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[44] 3
Portugal (AFP)[45] 92
Scotland (OCC)[46] 55
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[47] 58
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[48] 62
UK Singles (OCC)[49] 66
US Billboard Hot 100[50] 66
Venezuela English (Record Report)[51] 42

References

  1. ^ "Watch Lady Gaga Tease Upcoming Dive Bar Tour as Part of Bud Light Campaign". Billboard. October 2, 2016. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Nolfi, Joey (October 2, 2016). "Lady Gaga to debut new song 'Million Reasons' on 3-date Dive Bar Tour". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Lady Gaga to Debut 'Joanne' Songs on Dive Bar Mini-Tour". Rolling Stone. October 2, 2016. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Gaca. Anna (October 2, 2016). "Lady Gaga Will Debut 'Million Reasons' at a Dive Bar on Wednesday". Spin. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Lozano, Kevin (October 2, 2016). "Lady Gaga Will Debut New Song 'Million Reasons' at a Dive Bar". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Stefano, Angela (October 6, 2016). "Watch Songwriter Hillary Lindsey Share the Stage With Lady Gaga in Nashville". The Boot. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b Freeman, Jon (October 21, 2016). "Hillary Lindsey on Lady Gaga Collaboration: 'She Is a Badass Songwriter'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Feeney, Nolan (September 30, 2016). "Inside the making of Lady Gaga's Joanne". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (October 18, 2016). "Listen to Lady Gaga's Hooky New Single, 'A-YO'". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Redfearn, Dominique (October 18, 2016). "Lady Gaga Fires Back at The Chainsmokers' 'Perfect Illusion' Diss in One Perfect Tweet". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b c "Lady Gaga Releases Funky New Single 'A-YO'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b Gaga, Lady (2016). 'Joanne' digital booklet (Liner notes). Lady Gaga. Santa Monica, California: Interscope Records. p. 16. 2580102. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Lady Gaga releases new single "A-YO" — listen". Consequence of Sound. October 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Spanos, Brittany. "Hear Lady Gaga's Catchy New Country-Pop Song 'A-Yo'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Stefani, Germanotta. "Lady Gaga "A-Yo" Sheet Music in A Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b Lulic, Michelle (October 18, 2016). "Lady Gaga's "A-YO" Lyrics Give Fans A New Kind Of Party Song — LISTEN". Bustle. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b "Lady Gaga's 'Ayo' Sees Her Giving the Finger to Her Naysayers - Review". NME. October 19, 2016. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Gilbride, Tricia (October 18, 2016). "Listen to Lady Gaga's ridiculously catchy new song, 'A-YO'". Mashable. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Gill, Andy (October 19, 2016). "Album reviews: Lady Gaga - Joanne, Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker, Pretenders - Alone, and more". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Welsh, Daniel (October 21, 2016). "Lady Gaga 'Joanne' Review: Our Track-By-Track Guide To Her New Album". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Lady Gaga – "A-YO"". Stereogum. October 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ O'Donnell, Carey (October 18, 2016). "[UPDATE] LADY GAGA RELEASES NEW 'JOANNE' SINGLE "A-YO"". Paper. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 21, 2016). "Joanne: Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Caramanica, Jon (October 20, 2016). "Lady Gaga's Stripped-Down New Album Fishes for Inspiration". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ McDermott, Maeve (October 18, 2016). "Review: Lady Gaga's 'Joanne' is a revealing triumph". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Lady Gaga Shares New Song "A-YO": Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "New Music: Lady Gaga – "A-YO"". Spin. October 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Nolfi, Joey. "Lady Gaga Dive Bar Tour: Singer changes Angel Down lyrics to Trayvon Angel". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  29. ^ "Lady Gaga 'SNL' Performance of "A-Yo" – Watch Video". Gossip Cop Media. October 23, 2016. Archived from the original on October 23, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Kreps, Daniel (October 23, 2016). "Watch Lady Gaga Bring 'A-Yo,' 'Million Reasons,' Mark Ronson to 'SNL'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ White, Chris (October 23, 2016). "Saturday Night Live Review: 'Tom Hanks/Lady Gaga'". Paste. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Hooton, Christopher (October 31, 2016). "Lady Gaga's 'Million Reasons' raw mic feed from SNL is absolutely flawless". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Viswanath, Jake (October 27, 2016). "Lady Gaga's Isolated 'SNL' Vocals Surface for Our Listening Pleasure". V. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Spanos, Brittany (October 26, 2016). "Watch Lady Gaga Deliver Monologue, Join House Band on 'Corden'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Deen, Sarah (October 26, 2016). "Lady Gaga rocked some eye-watering shoes in her Victoria's Secret performance". Metro. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  36. ^ Mccreseh, Louise (April 16, 2016). "Lady Gaga premieres brand new song 'The Cure' during Coachella headlining set". DigitalSpy. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  37. ^ Ferguson, Brianna (August 1, 2017). "Lady Gaga brings it all home, and then some..." Vancouver Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
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  40. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 43. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 43. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
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  45. ^ "Lady Gaga – A-Yo". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  46. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
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  48. ^ "Lady Gaga – A-Yo". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
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  51. ^ "Top Anglo – Record Report" (in Spanish). Record Report. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017.

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