Lady Gaga: Judas Meaning
Song Released: 2011
Judas Lyrics
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as
Judas, Juda-a-a, Judas, Juda-a-a
Judas, Juda-a-a, Judas, Gaga
Judas, Juda-a-a, Judas, Juda-a-a
Judas, Juda-a-a, Judas, Gaga
When he...
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Well, Lady Gaga claims that Jesus is her savior, but she stil thinks that we can continue to sin and it's okay. At her concert, she kept talking about how Jesus can save you, but she believes we can stay the same and not change our ways. So she is definitey not anti-christ.
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I actually believe that both the song and the music video fall well within the realm of traditional Christian interpretation. I actually think this would have been better understood by people (Christians in particular)in 1011 than in 2011. Clearly the lyrics follow two (or three) distinct stories. The first, and probably most relevant, as this is a pop song, is the relationship between a woman and a man who has treated her badly. Because he betrayed Christ, Judas has come to mean cheater/betrayer in English. The song clearly tells the story of a battered/cheated on woman who goes back to the sleaze bag who treated her so badly.
In terms of religious meaning, Lady Gaga clearly is portraying the female follower of Jesus, Mary Magdalene. The gospels portray her as one of Jesus' most loyal followers, and patrons. She and a few other women financially sponsored his ministry. More importantly, Magdalene was present at the crucifixion, and the first witness to the Resurrection. In the Western Christian tradition, beginning in the 6th century, she was conflated with other women of the new testament, including the unnamed sinner who anointed Christ's feet, and Mary of Bethany. By the middle ages, she was portrayed as a repentant prostitute, and it is in this form that she became one of Europe's most popular saints (sorry for the long background).
The chorus "Oh, I'm in love with Judas, Judas...Judas, Juda, Judas, Juda..." I think fits well into the theme of Magdalene as the worldly prositute. Judas was the disciple of Christ who betrayed him to the Romans and Temple authorities. More over, Judas probably because he had expected Jesus to be a worldly messiah, who would expell the Romans (violently) and restore the Jewish kingdom. When Judas finally realizes that Christ's kingdom is for the poor and oppressed, and a non-worldly kindgom, he's done - and hands him over. Judas thus represents the "nations" and the worldly, the place Magdalene had come from. This dichotomy between Christ's Kingdom of God, and Judas' Kingdoms of the World sets up the tension of Magdalene/Gaga.
The first verse "When he comes to me I am ready/I'll wash his feet with my hair if he needs/Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain/Even after three times he betrays me" Mixes iconography, so a straight forward reading is difficult. Again, many meanings might be possible, but I think they are sang from Christ's perspective. On the night he is arrested, Jesus washes the disciples feet because he wants to show that they need to be servants for the world. Even though man sins (lies) Jesus forgives them, and Jesus was denied three times by Peter during the crucifixion. If we go with the Judas = world perspective, all these incidents are lumped into the singular he addressed in the verse.
The next part, about bringing him down, and king with no crown, is pretty standard Christian belief - than all people are responsible for Jesus' death, either actively or passively. Whether they are Judas', Magdalene's, or Gaga's words, its a theologically valid statement, and I think in view of her comments to Larry King, she isn't trying to destroy Christianity, but either pointing out that people, through their greed, violence, or cruelty "bring him down (Jesus)" or that those who love Jesus (Magdalene/the church) have neutered Jesus into the Buddy Christ, instead of the radical, just God of scripture. The no crown, or course references that Christ, who Pilate proclaimed "King of the Jews," wasn't a worldly king, and the only one he wore was a tortuous crown of thorns, meant to humiliate a condemned criminal.
The next verse, I think sets up that she is portraying Magdalene (Prostitute, wench), and the part about Judas kissing or wearing ear condoms, I think is directed to the overly worldly church, who probably have betrayed Jesus, by becoming institutionalized and self-serving, the complete opposite of Christ's message of all inclusive forgiveness and love. Those who are angry with Lady Gaga's message can either be offended or not listen - its up to them.
The last verse, stating with I wanna love you" makes the most sense if you view the video. Mary Magdalene is clinging to Christ, but Judas pours beer on her. I think she is speaking to Jesus, saying that she wants to love him, but that worldly things (represented by Judas) keep her from doing that. This is quintessential Christian theology, the desire to be close to God, but also to be tempted to cling to sinful things (like greed, callousness, violence, etc).
The video is great. Despite the biker gear, the lighting, etc is very reminiscent of Baroque art commissioned by the church to represent the Bible visually. In the gospels, Jesus hangs out and interacts with people at the fringes of society, the type of people that religious authorities hated. I think by choosing a biker bar, Gaga has transported Christ into the 21st century - those are the people Jesus would interact with. Magdalene pulling a gun of lipstick on Judas, is reminiscent of Peter cutting off the ear of the High Priest's slave when they come to arrest jesus. Jesus scolds Peter and tells him that "He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword." Gaga is stepping in for Peter, and by using lipstick instead of a gun, points out the non-violent aspect of life.
best of luck to everyone else, and sorry for the long explanation, this is just a topic that often elicits uncritical, uneducated views, so wanted to clear it up.
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Lady Gaga may believe Jesus, but she didn't repent and worship Him! Lady Gaga sold her soul to Satan, that's why she is so famous. Her videos are not good, she's using the signs of Christianity that are not good. So, stop listening to her songs!
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I agree. My children listen to this song and ask what she is talking about. They know Judas because we talk about different things. I think this is a goofy song and the metaphors if that's what they are have been very poorly chosen. I believe in Jesus too. This saddens me.
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If we looked at it in the basic sense this song is in the lamest of senses: meaning obvious. If one were to simply look up Gaga's words on the meaning of Judas they'd find it quickly rather than having to interpret her lyrics word for word and coming out with very out there and symbolic meanings. Yes Lady Gaga is very complex, very far out there, very outspoken, and big on meaning but when it comes down to it, it's always based off of one SIMPLE single reason. And in the sense of Judas it goes to simply: loving someone that doesn't deserve the constant love that you give them.
In the sense of meaning, it really comes down to Lady Gaga identifying with both Jesus and Mary Magdalene. But for the sake of telling a story she's mostly placed in the role of the famed whore who followed Jesus.
Jesus continued to love his disciples even with the prior knowledge of their betrayal and the actual continuing with it. This shows her identifying with Jesus himself. Continuing to love the man even though it was wrong and foolish to, even after they hurt her. And her use of calling herself a "holy fool" goes with that, because again she identifies with Jesus.
In the ideal that she identifies with Mary Magdalene is how society has reacted to her:
"In the most Biblical sense
I am beyond repentance
Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind.
But in the cultural sense
I just speak in future tense
Judas kiss me if offenced,
Or wear an ear condom next time"
She is very obviously referring to her being Mary Magdalene, her actions affecting the views of others on her. Like I stated before, Lady Gaga is very out there, very out spoken, and dresses quite shockingly. She is famous for this and people view her badly because of it. Just as people treated Mary Magdalene for her association as a prostitute. "I am beyond repentance" like Magdalene Gaga will never be fully accepted by the men she has given her love to that didn't deserve it and by the society she is open to.
If one were to look at the video it might be confusing, but it's quite simple. She is not choosing Judas over Jesus, her whole point of the song is not a choice of one over the other. It's simply better to 'sell' a love triangle than the same old used 'girl loves boy who hurts her' story. Let's face it Lady Gaga's job is to make music and to be successful in this business you have to be shocking. So hey why not add 3 of the most controversial people of biblical history into it. Anyone's interpretation of religion automatically gets looked at even if it's not really an interpretation. But again it comes down to, Lady Gaga loving a man that has treated her wrongly (the man being Judas). Personally, although Gaga is very obviously in the role of Magdalene, the way she drapes herself against Jesus, clings to him to point of practically being connected and putting herself between Jesus and Judas repeatedly I almost want to say she's really 'Jesus' in this video because of Judas' betrayal to him. But that's getting into really big symbolism and confusing meanings blah blah blah.
To say Lady Gaga is the anti-christ quite possibly shows your ignorance. That label is constantly being thrown at people who are probably one of the most respectful people towards faith (maybe not organized religion, but the belief in a higher power). This happened with Marilyn Manson and now apparently Gaga. How is she against God? Because the figure of her song is Judas so she obviously must love Judas and must hate Jesus because Judas betrayed Jesus. Stupid, it's just a metaphor, it's religious symbolism that you religious people so obviously did not pick up on. -
I can't believe everyone here is so judgmental. People are claiming to be Christians when they are bashing this human being for a song. Jesus never taught us to criticize and judge other humans. Instead, he taught us to love. It's not like anyone on this Earth can read her mind or truly knows what the song is about, so why are the Christians making such assumptions against her? I can understand if you are offended by the song (I am Christian as well), but it doesn't mean put someone else down for it. You may claim to be Christians, but you do not practice it.
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First off my friends GaGa is a Catholic. She went to Catholic school for over 15 years. She knows her stuff. Get is right. Enough with this Christianity dramaqueen tantrums everyone is throwing. Really you guys are blowing it up bigger than what it is. I have absolute respect for religion but I actually find that the song is very, very witty. She is taking the most well known story in history and using it as a metaphor for her music and what she feels her relationship is like. She's not flipping off religion. She also makes it very clear that it is not a biblical lesson for us.
"I wanna love you,
But something's pulling me away from you
Jesus is my virtue,
Judas is the demon I cling to
I cling to"
She tells us that Jesus is pulling her away (her good, sanity) but Judas(the bad) is what she clings to. C'mon guys. We've all had someone in our lives, or even something, whether be lover or friend that we've cling to because we love it/them and been pulled away. GaGa is just comparing it for us; and she did a damn good job of it. We're all so quickly jumping the gun and saying that she sold her soul to the devil(PAARANOID!) because he song titled is Judas and she's singing about Jesus and stuff. She's making excellent points. She fell in love with the wrong guy as many women have down so before and she's knows it. I think the song would have been completely different for everyone if she made it very clear that she go to Jesus. Which I believe she does when she says Jesus is pulling her away. Also the whole "I'll bring him down, down. King with no crown, crown."
I'm pretty sure she isn't referencing that to Jesus but to Judas.
He obviously hold power over her and which makes him kind of her king. So it's not Jesus she saying she would bring down, but Judas. Technically speaking Jesus did in some form wear a crown. The thorns around his head, yes were used to inflict more pain on him when he was crucified, but also were a representation of a symbol of a crown/sacrifice he made for us. Thats the way I always saw it in my religious teachings and what I've discussed with my peers.
"Fame hooker, prostitute wench,
vomits her mind"
This lyric makes the most sense to me more than you guys because I'm a die hard GaGa fan. Fame hooker is Fame Monster reference. GaGa makes it very clear in her first album how much she loves fame and would do anything for it. She a hooker for fame, baby. Prostitute wench is for Mary Magdalene because GaGa says that is he part in the video. Vomits her mind, she has a say called Monster and in it she says :He ate my heart, then he ate my brain." Guess she's barfing it now.
Honestly I find it to be a great song because everyone she truly understand the metaphor very easily. Even if you don't conform to Catholic or Christianity beliefs you most likely know the story well. -
If this was about a relationship and not jesus then why is the guy wearing a spiked crown like jesus did? .
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Your saying that it's all about her exboyfriend and have nothing to do with Christian ok then can you explain why she choose the name of "Judas" and some sentence of the bible ... Before talking just go read the bible first ... And know can you explain me why in her video clip she have a big cross in here neck and that judas has many in his neck 2 and have the thing on his head like Jesus how can you explain it ??? There is so many deferent way to do a song about his ex boyfriend and if you like the song it's okay it's your right but before talking be sure read the bible and see the movie of Jesus and explain or answer me at my question many your understand why where saying that it's about god ...
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This is a song about betrayal. The most famous case of this subject is the Jesus and Judas story. This is a song about a boyfriend who cheated on her. She loved him, that's why she said she loves Judas, as metaphor.
IMHO
Sai -
Everyone has their own opinion on everything,but I really have to agree with most of these people.If she is so religious and she says she, "loves God" then why would she say she loves Judas??She repeats it many times and in her song,she says, "Judas is the demon she clings to." If you ask me...this song speaks out too much Illuminati. If you have read the bible, Matthew speaks about how Judas died; Judas Iscariot: the disciple who betrayed Jesus because the men and brethren, were looking for him and Judas became a traitor when he accepted the "bloody" money to tell them where Jesus was.That was when they found Jesus and they crucified him. Judas was a traitor to Jesus.Judas killed himself after Jesus died.Lady Gaga says she loves Judas? If she says she loves God so much, then why would she attack the church? She says "I'll bring him down down, A King with no crown..." Who had a crown when he was crucified?Jesus...and in her song...she is meaning that she'll bring Jesus down. In the beginning of the song, she is with Judas not Jesus..if she loves God so much she should have started of with Jesus not with Judas. People are saying..."Judas is a song about her ex boyfriend",bullcrap...that's what she wants you to think..to cover the message she really wants to portray. If you tell me, she's mimicking God and I believe who really speaks for her is the devil inside of her...I believe she's part of the Illuminati. P.S.: I'm not a hater, I was a big Lady Gaga fan, but this song has gone out too much. You just can't mix God with music the way Gaga has done so; people might see the true colors of "Gaga" with this Judas song...and I hope they do.
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I think exactly what she wanted to happen has happened. Number 1 the whole shes a man thing...some were thinking why not deny if it is untrue. Let me think how much more attention did she recieve when the rumors and gossip were going around....hmmm a lot...so why not come up with a controversial song like this...one that everyone will discuss. I like it yet im an atheist. And for the most part no offense yet some will take it as such....most religions are hipocrites oh we believe in this thing called a bible yet they envy, curse, hoe around, have affairs,watch porno,are so greedy, gossip, and use the excuse that we are all sinners so its ok... well guess what every sin is a same as the next u ever reaqd that in the bible...just because its a new age you think Gods getting more leniant on sinners so they can do whatever as long as it aint stealing, murdering, etc. No you better believe your ass if I believed in GOD I would try not to sin and follow his commandments so I wouldnt go to hell...but they bend the rules as everything eventually does including the government...thats my take...I love LADY GAGA if you dont like her sexual orientation or way she puts her lyrics and metaphors dont listen.....DUH!!!!!!! NOT a difficult decision........
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demonic All Seeing Eye of Horus and what ever else is going on in this video this chick is pretty confusing...I'm voting she the devil mistress because I dont see good in this video...
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Wow, this is one confusing song. I'm a Christian, and I don't know whether I should listen to it or not. I REALLY LOVE the tune, but to me the lyrics do seem to be going against everything I believe in. Or perhaps she really is talking about past boyfriends? Either way, this song has become very contriversial which is what she wanted, I suppose, but I don't think it was a very Christian thing to do.
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okay people at first i was reading all your comments and i was in shock... I'm a christian myself... and i know people may think so many things about his song! truth of the matter is that! She is dead wrong about this song! and it makes my heart hurt so bad! because she is mocking my Lord and Savior.... and first of all Christianity is not a religion its about a relationship with Jesus... and its so sad because the enemy is really using her to make Christianity look bad! and for the ones that say that she says that she loves God! if she was a really had a relationship with God she wouldn't be saying the things that come out of her mouth! its just crazy to me that people think that she believes in the things of God! lady Gaga does need Jesus! and tell you what im going to pray for her! because she was just as lost as i was before i found i accepted Jesus into my life! but just think about it people what if someone was your close friend and walked with you everyday! and then one day that person betrayed you and had you killed for money and then someone came along and said that they loved the one that betrayed you and had you killed how do you think your family would will about that.. even if someone said that it was just used " for the relationship views" that's just wrong! so im not here to fight with anyone but that how i feel when someone talks about my Jesus that way! because hes my everything and hes changed me in so many way! I promise you guys! that you will never go wrong when you allow God in your life! remember the day is going to come and we are all going to be face to face to Christ one day weather you believe it or not! Hell and heaven are real! i hope you dont wait to late find out!
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