Lady Gaga Reveals Deep Musical Influences

Lady Gaga has unveiled a curated list of 15 songs that significantly influenced her artistic development. She described how early musical discoveries acted as a sponge, shaping her formative years. Springsteen's "Thunder Road" was an instant choice, reminding her of her father and the romanticization of past moments. Gaga also highlighted Beck's "Nicotine & Gravy" for its impact on her sense of self and evolution.

Further selections included Carl Bean's "I Was Born This Way," which directly inspired her own 2011 hit and album of the same name. This track, Gaga noted, was pivotal for her career, both artistically and in terms of its message. Other influential artists on her list span diverse genres and eras, from Iron Butterfly and David Bowie to Stevie Wonder and Carole King.

Her choices also ventured into classic rock staples by the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, exploring themes of humanity beneath legendary personas and the interplay of drama and sincerity. Gaga acknowledged that the list exceeded her initial intention of 10 songs, demonstrating the vastness of her musical inspirations.