Lady Gaga's tribute to David Bowie at Monday's Grammys wasn't exactly a hit.
Gaga surged through 10 Bowie songs in just over 6 minutes, leaving many viewers feeling like they just walked in on a Bowie superfan's karaoke session than a reverent tribute to one of the most important music icons in history.
And Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, was one of them, judging from what he tweeted after Gaga's performance:
"overexcited or irrational, typically as a result of infatuation or excessive enthusiasm; mentally confused." Damn it! What IS that word!?
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) February 16, 2016
Longtime Bowie collaborator Nile Rodgers, who not only played guitar during the performance but also directed it, defended the medley on Twitter early Wednesday morning.
When someone said they found the whole thing a "slap in the face," he said "we did what we thought and still think was right in our short time slot." When someone questioned whether he knew The Thin White Duke at all, he maintained they had an "amazing relationship."
Many artists and tributes were performed, we did what we thought and still think was right in our short time slot. x https://t.co/NottaU93am — Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 17, 2016
I did 4 projects with David including his BIGGEST by far! I think I had an amazing relationship w him. https://t.co/X89gmhewAX
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 17, 2016
I don't mind hate as you call it, I call it "difference of opinion" sometime it makes me smarter, other times??? https://t.co/u49s0h4ciU — Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 17, 2016
Don't take it so seriously. If David or I tried to listen to everyone, we'd have never finished ANYTHING! https://t.co/oHcuKNnJ4p
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 17, 2016
He has a right to his feelings and opinions too. My brother's favorite works of mine are all my instrumentals. https://t.co/GDj28EVDkL — Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 17, 2016
ABSOLUTELY!!! ALL DAY LONG. Do you have any idea of how many songs (hits) I've done w DB of other people's songs? https://t.co/zLb9XZYN02
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 17, 2016
In an interview with Mashable ahead of Monday's performance, Gaga said she wanted it to show the "growth and evolution" of his music.
"The first thing that I did was just put together my own mixtape of my favorite David Bowie songs. It was a DJ set, really," Gaga explained. "I also wanted it to show the growth and the evolution of his music, and I also just wanted people to have a really good time." Relive the performance below. Or forget it ever happened. Your choice.
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Lady Gaga paid tribute to David Bowie with an amazing and touching medley of his greatest hits
Posted by Mashable - Entertainment on Monday, February 15, 2016