Why MTV Banned Lady Gaga’s ‘LoveGame’

Lady Gaga‘s “LoveGame” has some cheeky, sexual lyrics that bothered a lot of people when the song came out in 2009. In fact, the song’s music video was too hot for a branch of MTV. People who worked for the network explained why they banned the clip — and Gaga explained what she was thinking when she penned the song.

Lady Gaga’s ‘LoveGame’ was controversial in multiple countries

The music video for “LoveGame” includes scenes of Gaga wearing nothing but jewelry and getting intimate with several people. According to a 2009 article from The National, MTV Arabia banned the clip. Samer al Marzouki, channel head of MTV Arabia explained the decision. “We represent the young generation’s mentality and culture so we can’t play something that conflicts with that,” he said. “If they can’t watch something comfortably with their brother, sisters or friends then we will not play it.”

al Marzouqi explained his network’s approach to controversial topics. “Our policy to keep away as much as possible from sex, religion and politics unless it’s educational,” he said. “What we play in MTV represents the hits of the region and global hits.” MTV Arabia wasn’t the only MTV network to ban “LoveGame.” MTV Australia did as well.

Lady Gaga wrote the song in a place that isn’t very sexy

While “LoveGame” was a controversial song, it was written in a pretty square palace: a library. The Washington Square News reports that Gaga revealed the origin of “LoveGame” during a 2017 interview with Ryan Seacrest. “Yes, I did go to college, Ryan — I went to NYU Tisch,” Gaga said. “In fact, I have never told anyone this before, but my song ‘LoveGame’ was actually written in NYU’s library — I think it’s called Bobst if I remember correctly.”

The “Bad Romance” singer said that she knew she’d struck gold when she wrote “Love Game.” “I started writing and writing, and before I knew it, the security guard was telling me I either had to leave or move down to the basement,” Gaga said. “By that time, I had been writing for hours, but I knew it was one of my favorite songs I had ever composed.”

‘LoveGame’ was part of a huge pop moment

“LoveGame” became a decent hit. The tune peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 22 weeks. Gaga teamed up with fellow provocateur Marilyn Manson for a remix of “LoveGame” that isn’t as fun or subversive as it could have been. Gaga included “LoveGame” on her debut album, The Fame. That record reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 377 weeks. While it’s not her best album, it remains one of the best debut albums of all time.

The Fame produced several other hits. “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” topped the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, “Paparazzi” reached the top 10. The Fame also gave us a forgotten single called “Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)” that didn’t chart but that’s OK because the song is some of the most flawless bubblegum pop of the 2000s.

“LoveGame” was too much for MTV but it was perfect for the pop charts.