📜 Post with us on Reddit
📝 Create a new article
🏭 Create a company page
🇬🇧 - in English
🇫🇷 - en Français (FR)
🇵🇹 - em Português (PT)
🇩🇪 - auf Deutsch (DE)
🇯🇵 - 日本語で (JA)
Sponsored articles

You can edit almost every page by Creating an account and confirming your email.

Shadow of a Man

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki


"Shadow of a Man"
Song by Lady Gaga
from the album Mayhem
Genre
Length3:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Official audio
"Shadow of a Man" on YouTube

Listen to the song Shadow of a Man or Buy it on amazon

"Shadow of a Man" is a 2025 song by Lady Gaga, originally released on her studio album Mayhem. It was written by Lady Gaga, Andrew Watt, and Henry Walter, also known as Cirkut.

Composition

File:Andrew Watt2.jpg
Co-writers Andrew Watt (left) and Henry Walter, also known as Cirkut (right)

The Times said "Shadow of a Man" has "the urgent swagger of Bad-era Michael Jackson".[1] Similarly, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone described "Shadow of a Man" as "Michael Jackson-tinged"[2] and "Michael Jackson-infused", respectively.[3] According to Billboard, "Over glittering electropop synths and disco guitars, Gaga points to the imbalanced expectations for female artists who are expected to do twice as much work for half the reward. As she brings up the energy to a frenetic peak on the bulldozing chorus, Gaga declares that she’s done being “the one to fall on the knife” when she did nothing wrong."[4] Variety said the song "struts with the type of cool of wearing sunglasses at night".[5]

Screen Rant said the song "brings to mind the type of vocal-ripping, instrument-pulsing, self-assured dance that would have made the King of Pop proud. It's an empowering bop that reminds the listener that with the talent she has, Lady Gaga won't be put into anybody's shadow."[6] Consequence has called the song "emotionally resonant"[7] and said "Michael Jackson's spirit seemed to have briefly entered the studio during the production" of "Shadow of a Man", which "is where the album's energy undeniably peaks".[8] The Independent said the song has "gurning" guitars.[9]

Promotion

A short audio clip of "Shadow of a Man" was played over the text "LG7. Gaga returns." at the end of Gaga Chromatica Ball (2024), a concert film of her 2022 stadium tour in support of the album Chromatica (2020).[10]

Reception

"Shadow of a Man" received comparisons to songs by Michael Jackson (pictured in 1983).

Attitude said, "The energy rises for album stand out 'Shadow of a Man', which sounds very much a piece with lead single 'Disease'. Here the artist summons the spirit of Michael Jackson while maintaining an exhilarating and unmistakably Gaga edge. An electric guitar riff is employed to great effect in the track's outro, leaving us wanting more of this vibe."[11]

Jason Collins and Jamie Broadnax interviewed Gaga about the song. In a subsequent piece, they called it Gaga's "most truthful and introspective song" of her entire musical career, opining that the song references how Gaga has grappled with feeling overshadowed by male artists throughout her career, while also addressing the complexities of identity and personal growth.[12] In Billboard's March 2020 poll of fans' favorite track on the album, "Shadow of a Man" ranked in the top five.[13] Elle included the song in a list of the 24 "best new songs we heard" in Mach 2025. The magazine said the song sees Gaga "moonwalking in Michael Jackson's footsteps", as well as: "With rapid-fire lyrics and an infectious energy, it’s one of the high points of her latest album."[14] A writer for the Iowa State Daily said "Shadow of a Man", "The Beast", and "Blade of Grass" tood out and said: "All of these showcase Gaga's great lyricism and they break down the album's themes. 'Shadow of a Man' is pretty explanatory for what it means just from the title."[15]

Live performances

The first live performance of "Shadow of a Man" was during Gaga's headlining set at Coachella 2025, followed by further promotional concerts the same year.[16][17]

Charts

Chart performance for "Shadow of a Man"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[18] 139
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] 91
CIS (Tophit)[18] 84
France (SNEP)[20] 164
85
Greece International (IFPI)[21] 43
Portugal (AFP)[22] 120
Romania Airplay (TopHit)[18] 125
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[23] 55
UK Download (Official Charts Company)[24] 41
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[25] 42
UK Streaming (OCC)[26] 93
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[27] 2
11

References

  1. ↑ Potton, Ed (March 6, 2025). "Lady Gaga: Mayhem review — dancefloor bangers are the diva at her best". The Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Pinder, Jaeden (March 7, 2025). "6 Takeaways From Lady Gaga's New Album MAYHEM". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  3. ↑ Burn, Richard (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga 'Mayhem' review: An all-out pop microcosm of her career so far". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on March 9, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ Daw, Stephen (March 7, 2025). "Every Song From Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' Album, Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  5. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga Returns to Her Dance Floor Roots — and Has a Blast — on 'Mayhem': Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  6. ↑ Hedden, Chris (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga's New Album: Every Song On Mayhem Ranked". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  7. ↑ "Lady Gaga on Mayhem and Why SNL Is One of the Only Spots She Can "Do It All in One Place"". Consequence. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  8. ↑ Siroky, Mary (March 7, 2025). "In Mayhem, Lady Gaga Is Refracted and Reborn: Review". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 9, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  9. ↑ Brown, Helen (March 7, 2025). "On Lady Gaga's Mayhem, Mother Monster is back in all her shock-horror-bop glory". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  10. ↑ "Yes, Lady Gaga Revisited Fan-Favorite Demos While Working on 'Mayhem'". Cosmopolitan. March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ Grimes, Gary (March 7, 2025). "Lady Gaga MAYHEM review: 'Gaga in her most straightforward pop star mode since The Fame'". Attitude. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  12. ↑ Collins, Jason; Broadnax, Jamie (March 6, 2025). "'Shadow of a Man': Lady Gaga's Most Truthful and Introspective Song Yet". Black Girl Nerds. Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  13. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (March 13, 2025). "Fans Voted Lady Gaga's 'Vanish Into You' as Favorite 'Mayhem' Track". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  14. ↑ "These Are the Best New Songs We Heard Last Month". Elle. April 1, 2025. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  15. ↑ Fobian, Dylan (March 9, 2025). "Review: Lady Gaga's new album 'MAYHEM' has a bit of everything". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  16. ↑ Frank, Jason P. (April 12, 2025). "Lady Gaga Played Chess with Her 'Poker Face' at Coachella". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 12, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  17. ↑ Paredes, Alberto (2025-04-27). "Lady Gaga in Mexico 2025: This was her explosive concert at the GNP Seguros Stadium" [Lady Gaga in Mexico 2025: This was her explosive concert at the GNP Seguros Stadium]. La Crónica de Hoy (in español). Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Lady Gaga — Shadow Of A Man. Tophit.
  19. ↑ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 11, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
  21. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 11/2025" (in Ελληνικά). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  22. ↑ "Top 200 Singles Semana 11 de 2025" (PDF). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. March 20, 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2025. Retrieved April 4, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  23. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Apr 10, 2025". TopHit. Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  24. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  25. ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.


This article "Shadow of a Man" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Shadow of a Man. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.


Retrieved from "https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Shadow_of_a_Man&oldid=4911421"
License CC BY-SA 3.0
Powered by MediaWiki