by Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon revealed his unexpected musical preferences in a recent interview with The Guardian.
Lydon made a surprising admission about his appreciation for contemporary pop music when discussing songs he secretly enjoys but publicly claims to dislike.
“‘Die With a Smile’ by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars may be written for mass consumption, and even though I’m not corporate-minded myself, that doesn’t mean that I dislike corporate philosophies,” Lydon explained.
The punk rock icon expressed his specific admiration for one of the artists.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for Lady Gaga. I really like her vocal deliveries. They’re really quite excellent,” he added.
This candid revelation provides an unexpected glimpse into the musical tastes of the punk pioneer, known for his typically anti-establishment stance.
His latest praise for Lady Gaga builds upon a complex history of commentary on contemporary pop artists. This reveals a nuanced perspective that often contradicts his rebellious public image.
A report from Rock and Roll Garage highlighted Lydon’s previous praise for Lady Gaga’s songwriting abilities. He specifically celebrated her song ‘Paparazzi’ as a work of “genius,” noting its clever use of humor and absurd imagery.
In an earlier interview documented by Emirates 247, Lydon praised Gaga’s musical craftsmanship. He described her work as “bang up there” with some of the best in the industry.
Hit Channel noted that Lydon’s appreciation for Gaga’s music hasn’t softened his characteristic critical stance. He has criticized aspects of her public persona and suggested her industry image lacks authenticity.
The dynamic between admiring artistic merit and criticizing industry practices remains a consistent theme in Lydon’s career. This demonstrates his ability to separate musical appreciation from broader cultural criticism.
