Shallow — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Artists: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

Title: Shallow

Year Released: 2018

Year Performed: 2019

Composers: Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, Mark Ronson, & Lady Gaga

Genre: Pop

A Star Is Born is a remake of the 1937 film, where the protagonist moves to Hollywood in search for fame and finds help from an alcoholic man. The 2018 version with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper follows the same plot line, where the two protagonists fall in love. This piece comes at a point where the characters seem to be afraid of the relationship that is brewing between them.

In these lines, Bradley Cooper's character, Jackson, addresses Lady Gaga's character, Ally. Jackson knows that Ally is talented, but her jobs make it hard for her to shine and make it in the music industry.

Jackson, an alcoholic, struggles to find happiness and peace in life. While he knows the consequences of his addiction, there is something that pulls him back into it.

In the film, Ally joins Jackson on the stage at the start of this verse. She acknowledges that his addiction is his coping mechanism, and implores him to seek help.

Despite her best efforts, Ally is falling in love with Jackson. She aspires for greatness, but also is fearful of what may come from fame and perhaps even in the relationship with Jackson.

Together, they are far from the shallow because they are committing to one another and the trials that come with being a couple in Hollywood. In the Oscars' performance, the instrumentation starts acoustic with a guitar and later introduction of Gaga on the piano. The chemistry between the singers is palpable through the unwavering eye contact. During the bridge, an electric guitar joins as Gaga reveals her vocal range, adding to the growing tension and strife of a relationship in the limelight. Then, in the final post chorus, Bradley Cooper rejoins Gaga at the piano and the tension subsides, bringing the mood back down and the focus is again on the tenderness of their love.

Connection to Playlist

In the playlist order, this selection falls under Glory. The shared passion between the movie characters as well as the performers for music, the industry, and the on-screen romance conveys this theme.

Resources

Genius, Shallow - Lyrics, https://genius.com/Lady-gaga-and-bradley-cooper-shallow-lyrics.

IMDb, A Star is Born (1937), https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029606/.

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Shallow - Live from the Oscars, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPJjwHAIny4.