Born and raised a New York City native, international superstar Lady Gaga collaborates with renowned producer Mark Ronson on “Just Another Day”, a song that illustrates life in uptown Manhattan from Gaga’s point of view. Written entirely by Gaga herself, she knew she wanted to work with Ronson on the record simply based off of his background. Both artists are from the same neighborhood of upper Manhattan, where each grew up and attended the same elementary school, yet at different times. In writing the piece, Gaga said she was inspired by her view over Central Park from one of her New York City apartments, at which she could see her childhood home. She recounts strolling through the park nearly every day of her life, and how at least 3 times a week she would visit strawberry fields and the John Lennon Memorial, where she would see Yoko Ono lay flowers almost every time she was there. “Just Another Day” was meant to capture the rhythm of New York as she experienced in childhood and the deep jazzy guitar chords that serenaded her daily life.  She says that when listening to the record, although never friends in childhood, she can just envision her and Mark “as kids, kickin’ it around the city”.  As result of the Central Park inspiration, the song is meant to have a 1960’s, “Beatles”-esque sound and vibe.

 

About the song, Gaga has the following to say:

“Just Another Day” is] probably the most New York-glam-pop song on the album. It’s the one that airs from [David Bowie], Mark Bolan, and then maybe from some like obscure, London metal stuff, the Beatles. It also kind of airs from the electro-clash movement from New York and that’s kind of when I started coming up, was right after that.

Some lyrics from the song that I believe best convey the message of New York City and New York life are,

“Oh, I could use some two or three
Or other kind of ways to be
But today I won’t be so hard on me
I’ll walk alone down a different street
And smile at all the new strange I meet”

In these words, Gaga shares her mentality when walking down a typical New York sidewalk. Her words give off an easy going, friendly vibe, a vibe that is somewhat rare to the reputation of New York City. The lyrics are strung together with positivity, and convey her optimism in “walking alone down a different street”. In New York, there is power in bravery, uniqueness, and determination, but also in kindness.

The main chorus of the track goes,

“We both know
I could learn a thing or two
About behavin’
But I love you
And after all it’s just another day”

To me, these lyrics emphasize the same easygoing vibe of Gaga’s vision of New York, and her unbothered, positive attitude. “Just Another Day” is an ode to New York City, produced by New Yorkers, and made not just for other New York natives, but for everybody. Its humble and easygoing rhythm go against the reputation that often precedes New York, leaving an impression of joy and friendliness on the scope of New York onlookers. With a vintage melody inspired by late artistic legends of the 1960s and so on, the track is both historic and innovative, all while encompassing the vast spirit of the large city that everybody knows and loves.