Lady Gaga-inspired fashion trends should not overpower music

“Just dance. Gonna be okay. Da-doo-doo-doo. Just dance.” These lyrics were stuck in my head for weeks after a dance at my high school. Some mysterious new artist kept spinning around in my head with her odd electronic beats and warm poppy voice.
Lady Gaga hit the stage running with her first singles in 2008; “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.” At first I was mesmerized by the new sound, slick dance moves, glittering looks and yet disturbed at the same time.
Despite her four years in the spot light, Lady Gaga has managed to demand and continue demanding the same amount of attention as some other music stars that have been in the music industry for decades.
With her sugary-tart mix of innovative style and creative strangeness she has kept her “little monsters,” as she affectionately calls the fans, guessing as to what will be next on the agenda.
Lady Gaga’s odd fashion sense has also kept the media after her, thus giving her a helping hand into the spotlight.
From her boyish impression of her alter-ego, Jo Calderone, to her 2010 MTV Video Music Awards “meat dress” outfit.  She manages to make things, which would otherwise be weird, intriguing and innovative.
Since Lady Gaga’s appearance on the scene there has been a strange occurrence as far as stage fashion is concerned in the music industry. The other night I was watching the American Music Awards, and noticed an odd fad in the costumes. They were a bit…out there I suppose one could say.
Justin Bieber was in an awkward leather suit which I can imagine was squeaking horribly, and that also seemed to be a size too big.
Jennifer Lopez channeled a little bit of her inner Britney Spears as she stepped into a sparkly, furry, skin toned suit.
Katy Perry was in a spaceman kind of fifties glam, pink shaded dress.
Yet, perhaps the strangest of all was Nicki Minaj with her metal body suit. There really is no other way to describe it other than odd.
As far as I am concerned when it comes to music, I love something different as much as the next guy, but all of this was a bit much.
The music itself was amazing and it was great to see the artists performing, but I feel that this odd call for extreme show performances detracts from the overall affect of the music. Instead of listening to the artist’s music, I am stuck in this awkward position where I’m just trying to figure out what they are wearing and why.
Lady Gaga has certainly moved the bar as far as performances go, but is it in the wrong direction?
If one looking to be entertained, I suppose that this is the avenue to pursue. Yet this is not where I want to be.
I would rather be impressed by someone’s skill than entertained by their looks and style. The odd thing is Lady Gaga does this. She has an amazing range of musical style and skill.
She has this odd mix of liberating, pop sort of style that remains the same, but changes at the same time. When I listen to her music I get caught up in the wave of insanity, it is such a letdown when a song is over.
Lady Gaga has most defiantly changed the way we all view stage performance. Is this good or bad? Only time can tell.
Yet as far as I am concerned, as long as artists focus on their music first and performances second, I have no problem with the strange outfits and out of this world concepts. As long as the music can keep up.