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Draft:Shadow of a Man (song)

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

"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

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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

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

Reception

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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]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Shadow of a Man"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 91
Global 200 (Billboard)[13] 85
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[14] 41
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[15] 42
UK Streaming (OCC)[16] 93
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[17] 2
US Hot Dance/Pop Songs (Billboard)[18] 11

References

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  1. ^ Potton, Ed (2025-03-06). "Lady Gaga: Mayhem review — dancefloor bangers are the diva at her best". www.thetimes.com. Archived from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  2. ^ Pinder, Jaeden (2025-03-07). "6 Takeaways From Lady Gaga's New Album MAYHEM". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  3. ^ Burn, Richard (2025-03-07). "Lady Gaga 'Mayhem' review: An all-out pop microcosm of her career so far". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on 2025-03-09. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  4. ^ Daw, Stephen (2025-03-07). "Every Song From Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' Album, Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  5. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (2025-03-07). "Lady Gaga Returns to Her Dance Floor Roots — and Has a Blast — on 'Mayhem': Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  6. ^ Hedden, Chris (2025-03-07). "Lady Gaga's New Album: Every Song On Mayhem Ranked". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  7. ^ "Lady Gaga on Mayhem and Why SNL Is One of the Only Spots She Can "Do It All in One Place"". Consequence. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  8. ^ "In Mayhem, Lady Gaga Is Refracted and Reborn: Review". 2025-03-07. Archived from the original on 2025-03-09. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  9. ^ Brown, Helen (2025-03-07). "On Lady Gaga's Mayhem, Mother Monster is back in all her shock-horror-bop glory". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  10. ^ "Yes, Lady Gaga Revisited Fan-Favorite Demos While Working on 'Mayhem'". Cosmopolitan. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  11. ^ Grimes, Gary (2025-03-07). "Lady Gaga MAYHEM review: 'Gaga in her most straightforward pop star mode since The Fame'". Attitude. Archived from the original on 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  12. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  13. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  16. ^ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  17. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  18. ^ "Lady Gaga Chart History (Hot Dance/Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
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