Dope

Lady Gaga

About Dope

"Dope" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga for her third studio album, Artpop (2013). It was released on November 4, 2013, by Interscope Records as the second promotional single from the record, following "Venus". It was written by Gaga, Paul "DJ White Shadow" Blair, Dino Zisis, and Nick Monson and produced by Gaga and Rick Rubin. Following her hip surgery and cancellation of the Born This Way Ball tour, Gaga became addicted to drugs, which helped her get relief from the pain of surgery and also to cope with her sabbatical. "Dope" was written about this addiction and evolved from a song she had previously composed for her fans, about her confessions. It was added to Artpop because Gaga felt the album needed something more autobiographical. The song received mixed reviews, with some critics complimenting its simple production and vocals, and others labelling the lyrics inept. An electronic rock lament, in the vein of Irish folk ballad rue, "Dope" is a bittersweet song centered on a dark theme. It has a minimal production and is only composed off Gaga's vocals sung in an intoxicated slur. Lyrically it talks about substance abuse and the yearning for a long lost love. Prior to the release, Gaga uploaded an image of herself on Instagram, wearing a snapback featuring the word DOPE. She also posted the song's lyrics there, triggering the social media website's concern. The artwork featured Gaga with a big blazer, her face covered with a hat and a grill that made her teeth appear larger. Media outlets found the picture to be "odd" and compared it to different horror films. 


Year:
2013
3:41
1,176 
#35

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Cork's off, it's on
The party's just begun
I promise this
Drink is my last one
I know I f***ed up again
'Cause I lost my only friend
God forgive my sins

Don't leave me, I
Oh I'll leave myself until I die

My heart would break without you
Might not awake without you
Been hurting low, from living high for so long
I'm sorry, and I love you
Sing with me, "Bell Bottom Blue"
I'll keep on searching for an answer
'Cause I need you more than dope

I need you more than dope
Need you more than dope
I need you more than dope
I need you more than dope

Toast one last puff
And two last regrets
Three spirits and
Twelve lonely steps
Up heaven's stairway to gold
Mine myself like coal
A mountain of a soul
Each day, I cry
Oh, I feel so low from living high

My heart would break without you
Might not awake without you
Been hurting low, from living high for so long
I'm sorry, and I love you
Sing with me, "Bell Bottom Blue"
I'll keep on searching for an answer
'Cause I need you more than dope

I need you more than dope
I need you more than dope
I need you more than dope
I need you more than dope

I need you more
Need you more
I need you more than dope

 Struggling with Dope? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!


Lady Gaga

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (/ˈstɛfəniː dʒərməˈnɒtə/ STE-fə-nee jər-mə-NOT-ə; born March 28, 1986), known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and activist. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to focus on her musical career. She began performing in the rock music scene of Manhattan's Lower East Side, and was signed with Streamline Records by the end of 2007. During her employment as a songwriter for the record company, her vocal abilities captured the attention of recording artist Akon, who signed her to his label Kon Live Distribution. more »

42 fans

Written by: STEFANI GERMANOTTA, PAUL BLAIR, NICK MONSON, DINO ZISIS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Dope" is a song by American artist Lady Gaga categorized under pop music intertwined with electronic and rock elements.
Album Context
The song is part of Lady Gaga's third studio album, "ARTPOP", which was released in 2013.
Writing and Production Partnership
"Dope" was written by Lady Gaga and produced with the assistance of Rick Rubin, who is known for his versatile expertise across multiple music genres.
Track Placement
It is the seventh track in the "ARTPOP" album and was initially titled "I Wanna Be with You" when it was premiered at the iTunes Festival.
Emotional Context
"Dope" was written as an apology to Gaga's fans for her addictions and the lack of presence in their lives. It showcases a deeper, more personal side of Lady Gaga.
Musical Style
Unlike many of Gaga's dance-pop tracks, "Dope" is a ballad with themes of self-reflection and regret.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Gaga's thirteenth top-ten hit on the chart.
Live Debut
"Dope" was performed for the first time at the YouTube Music Awards on November 3, 2013.
Acclaimed Reception
Despite its somber tone, it was lauded by critics for the emotion and sincerity in Gaga's performance, as well as its departure from her usual style.
Remarkable Lyrics
It includes poignant lyrics such as "Need you more than dope" and it’s the first time Gaga publicly acknowledged her drug addiction.
Unique Fashion Statement
In the song's promotional image, Gaga wore a twisted, black cap that covered her eyes and nose, making an unforgettable fashion statement.
Track Dedication
Lady Gaga dedicated "Dope" to all the fans who stood by her side when she was battling with drugs and alcohol, calling them her "Dope". This has made the song even more poignant for her fan base.
Past Reference
The idea for the song started from Gaga's track "I Wanna Be With You" which she performed at the iTunes music festival, months before the album's release.
Recording Location
"Dope" was recorded at Shangri-La Studios, Malibu, California, adding to a list of famous tracks recorded here.

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    Dope

    6.5M
    94,391     4,169

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2013

    Billboard #8


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