Review

"Paparazzi" (CD single)

Common Sense Media says

Gaga pairs fairly tame lyrics with violent, sexy video.
Age
12
Quality
 

  • The message of the song is that fame -- and the media's obession with the next "It" girl -- can kill. She makes the point in the video with violent, sex-filled images, which may not work to sway hearts and minds.
  • Gaga may be a hit in the clubs, but her affinity for skimpy costumes and adult content make a poor role model for kids.
  • Video includes high level of violent content, including images of people who’ve died from various causes. 
  • The video for this song shows lots of sex and skin.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while these song lyrics themselves are fairly tame, the eight-minute video for the tune is off-limits for kids, showing lots of violence and sex.


This review of "Paparazzi" (CD single) was written by
Age
11
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 55% say sexual content is an issue
  • 55% say language is an issue
  • 45% say violence is an issue
  • 36% say there are positive messages
  • 27% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

Teen, 14 years old
November 2, 2009
 
Another catchy song from GaGa
The message is interesting, though some younger kids may not understand and think it's a "love" song instead of being about the dark side of fame.

Kid, 12 years old
October 15, 2009
 
Listen to the song ; don't watch the video.
I like this song okay. It has a catchy beat and everything, like all of her other songs. BUT, the music video and the performance at the VMA's were kinda violent. Just stick to the song, not the videos.

Kid, 11 years old
October 1, 2009
 
Interesting Single... My Fave by Lady GaGa
Okay don't get me wrong, Lady GaGa is NOT one to be a role model, but this SONG calms her down a little, now the VIDEO is a different story (which I will get into later) but the song tames her and I like that. But here comes the video! I personally love the video, I think it's cool, but it is not appropriate for many children. But just when I thought the GaGa's head had shrunk, it came back up again. Oh well! So much for that! Song's great... Vid's OK!

Kid, 12 years old
March 19, 2011
 
:)
Highlights: A cool beat with no inappropriate phrases. I love this song, my sister loves this song. Language: "Sh-t." Violence: "A poisoning in the video. Bad Message and Role Model: Gaga is so desperate to have this boy she stalks him and pushes him around until he gives in.

Kid, 12 years old
May 15, 2010
 
Song is good but music video is creepy, disturbing, and not appropriate for younger kids.
The video also has c--t in the subtitles along with s--t. Lady Gaga's outfits are either turtle necks with long sleeves that cover the whole body, bikinis, or other skimpy clothing. Making out is often shown and the beginning starts with a sex scene. In the beginning Lady Gaga dies. There is lots of blood--it's a murder. Throughout the film other murdered women are shown which is somewhat upsetting. Gaga puts poison in her lover's drink in the end and he dies. There is one mention of cigarettes. A bag with Dr. Dre's name is shown in the beginning.

Kid, 9 years old
February 22, 2010
 
okay?
well,first of all i saw the music video and it is one of the most sexualy inappropriate videos ever seen.i think gaga needs to tone it down alot but the song is okay.

Parent
July 10, 2011
 
"It's not that bad, people."
Come on, people! Lighten up! This song is great! The only bad thing is it says the s word one time. It also says cigarrettes too, but that isn't a problem. This song is great.

Teen, 14 years old
July 10, 2011
 
"It's not that bad, people."
Come on, people! Lighten up! This song is great! The only bad thing is it says the s word one time. It also says cigarrettes too, but that isn't a problem. This song is great.

Teen, 13 years old
March 11, 2011
 
Nice Dance Beat
The beat is okay and the lyrics are fine (except for one use of the word sh*t). A pretty mediocre song.

Kid, 10 years old
May 4, 2010
 
Not appropriate for younger kids
I love this song! I loved it so much I wanted to see the video. That's where I went wrong. At the beginning, Lady GaGa is lying on top of her boyfriend kissing him and then she asks him if he loves her. He says yes. Then he takes her outside and throws her off a balcony. I just kept watching. Then came GaGa in a wheelchair being rolled into her home. Then I saw images of people that have died or killed themselves. So I kept watching. Does GaGa conclude with a happy ending? NO!!! She ends her video by killing her boyfriend with poison. Then, they play a disturbing 911 call. At the end I'm thinking, "what kind of video is this?" If I didn't love this song so much, I would've rated it off 17+.

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Cyrus edges up the maturity scale with all-out party number.

(by Kristinia DeBarge, Pop)

Young singer carries on family tradition of fun, dancey pop.

(by Lady Gaga, Pop)

Smash dance track about alcohol-fueled clubbing.

(by Various Artists, Rock)

Old and new artists combine in clean movie soundtrack.