My song of the week this week is Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.” Like so many of her songs, this one is infectious. I realized recently that I hadn’t downloaded it onto my iPod. When I did, I couldn’t stop listening to it, and now whenever I’m not thinking about anything else I find the chorus playing over and over again in my head!

This is third or fourth Gaga song that I’ve selected as a song of the week. She’s clearly my favorite artist right now. I’m not sure that nearly 40-year-old gay men are her target audience, but that’s how it goes — artists can’t predict or control who loves their work.

I love the way the song begins relatively quietly and then builds to its dancing climax. She’s a great performance artist and musician, a rare combination, I think. I’m especially reminded how much I lover her music and performance art as I watch the new (and so far dreadful) season of American Idol get underway. Where’s the new Adam Lambert when you need him (or her)?! Say what you will about Lady Gaga, her drive and ambition are relentless. Fortunately, she’s also extremely talented.

Here are the lyrics:

Hello, hello, baby
You called, I can’t hear a thing.
I have got no service
in the club, you say, say
Wha-Wha-What did you say, huh?
You’re breaking up on me
Sorry, I cannot hear you,
I’m kinda busy.

K-kinda busy
K-kinda busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I’m kinda busy.

Just a second,
It’s my favorite song they’re gonna play
And I cannot text you with
A drink in my hand, eh?
You shoulda made some plans with me,
You knew that I was free.
And now you won’t stop calling me;
I’m kinda busy.

Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna think anymore!
I left my head and my heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin”, stop callin,
I don’t wanna talk anymore!
I left my head and my heart on the dance floor.

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephonin’ me!
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
I’m busy!
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephonin’ me!
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh

Can call all you want,
but there’s no one home,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!
Cuz I’m out in the club,
and I’m sippin that bubb,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!

Call when you want,
but there’s no one home,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!
Out in the club,
and I’m sippin’ that bubb,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!

[Beyonce]
Boy, the way you blowin’ up my phone
won’t make me leave no faster.
Put my coat on faster,
leave my girls no faster.
I shoulda left my phone at home,
cuz this is a disaster!
Callin’ like a collector –
sorry, I cannot answer!

Not that I don’t like you,
I’m just at a party.
And I am sick and tired
of my phone r-ringing.
Sometimes I feel like
I live in Grand Central Station.
Tonight I’m not takin no calls,
cause I’ll be dancin.

Cause I’ll be dancin
Cause I’ll be dancin
Tonight I’m not takin no calls, cause I’ll be dancin!

Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna think anymore!
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna talk anymore!
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor.

Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna think anymore!
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin’, stop callin’,
I don’t wanna talk anymore!
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor.

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephonin’ me
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
I’m busy!
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephonin’ me!
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh

Can call all you want,
but there’s no one home,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!
Cuz I’m out in the club,
and I’m sippin’ that bubb,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!

Call when you want,
but there’s no one home,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!
Cuz I’m out in the club,
and I’m sippin’ that bubb,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!

My telephone!
M-m-my telephone!
Cuz I’m out in the club,
and I’m sippin’ that bubb,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!

My telephone!
M-m-my telephone!
Cuz I’m out in the club,
and I’m sippin that bubb,
and you’re not gonna reach my telephone!

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