Music and the Fictive Dream or Music and Stories: A Star is Born (2018)

 

The 2018 readaptation of a Star is Born was directed by Bradly Cooper. It stars him and Lady Gaga, and tells the story of Jackson Maine, a famous rock star that struggles with alcoholism, and Ally, an aspiring singer. These characters develop a relationship throughout the movie, but they run into conflict when Jackson's drug addiction gets in the way of their relationship. The movie does an excellent job at looking at important issues like substance abuse, suicide, and what fame can do to a person. The movies soundtrack features music that has elements of rock, pop, and folk.
 

The music in "A Star is Born" has a vital role of reflecting the emotions of the characters, but also showcasing the impact on their fame and identity. One of the most significant songs in the movie is "Shallow". In the movie, Alley wants to take a step up in the world as a singer, but has a lot of self doubt. She cannot really catch a break until she meets Jackson and sings the song for him. He motivates her and gives her a chance to preform at one of his concerts. They preform the song together and it highlights her start for fame. 

The song is one of the most defining moments in the movie as it is what brings the two main characters together, as well as ignites Ally's career in the music industry. The song is about desiring something more in life, and needing to fill that void with emotional connection. It shows the tension between following the standards set by society and staying true to yourself. It relates directly to the plot, where Jackson desperately needs someone to genuinely care for him and help him in his substance abuse. It gets more complicated as the movie goes on, as Jackson starts to wonder if she is using him to jumpstart her career. 


Musically, the song starts off with a light melody still conveying the emotion but building itself up to a powerful climax. Both Lady Gaga's and Bradly Cooper's vocals are very raw and emotional adding to the depth and authenticity of the song. The song features very light instrumental, but it allows the vocals to take priority in the song and really shine. The song became a global hit, due to the strong vocal performances, relatable message, and the pure authentic emotion. 

“Shallow” was written by Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, and Lady Gaga in the United States. 


Citations

Cooper, Bradley, director. A Star Is Born. Performances by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2018.

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. "Shallow." Genius, Genius Media Group Inc., https://genius.com/Lady-gaga-and-bradley-cooper-shallow-lyrics.

Pappis, Konstantinos. "A Deeper Look at the Meaning Behind 'Shallow' – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper." American Songwriter, Savage Media Holdings, 17 July 2023, https://americansongwriter.com/a-deeper-look-at-the-meaning-behind-shallow-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper/.



Comments

  1. Sarah ThayerNovember 8, 2024 at 12:32 PM

    Hey! I was going to watch this movie a few days ago but never got around to it. Neat that it ended up being the movie you chose to pull from. I actually didn't know this song was from this movie for the longest time, I only heard it because it was on a shared playlist that I listened to for a while. I think it's cool how this movie used this song to show the advancement of the two characters singing together. I should watch this movie at some point... do you like any of the other songs from the album? I like the song "Maybe It's Time"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Zoe PayneNovember 14, 2024 at 4:10 PM

    I absolutely love this movie. There is something so beautiful about seeing the life of a celebrity from their shoes not just from the fans view. We see how much they struggle and how hard it is. What was another song from this that you think could have had an impact? I love them all I would have struggled to find just one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mackenzie TaskerNovember 15, 2024 at 4:25 PM

    Hi Ryder! I love the movie that you decided to pick. I have only watched it once but it was such a great one, and your article makes me want to rewatch it. I think that it is really emotional that the two characters connect together and sing together through their struggles and hard times that they have gone through. The song shows their struggles that they go through. Great choice on your movie!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cynthia Gengler's BlogNovember 16, 2024 at 8:35 PM

    I loved reading your post, I agree with you that the raw emotion in the singer's voice really pulls out how intense the lyrics are and how the song is about wanting more in life. I loved the accompanying music as well. I have never seen the movie but now I'm planning to. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lincoln ScherzerNovember 20, 2024 at 7:28 PM

    I really enjoyed listening to this song and reading your blog post. "A Star is Born" is such a great movie and “Shallow” plays such an important role in the movie. I agree with you that this song speaks about wanting more in life while also trying to stay true to yourself. I think if you enjoyed this movie and the music within it, you should watch “La La Land (2016)” as it has good music in it too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eva November 20, 2024 at 9:00 PM

    Hey Ryder, really enjoyed your post this week.
    I haven't watched this film yet, but after reading through your blog I'm convinced I'm missing out! You do an excellent job of breaking down the movie while keeping it direct and to the point. The songwriting featured in the film is quite good too, the raw emotion in Lady Gaga's voice and the duet between the two makes it truly heartfelt and pulls the listener into the rhythm and tempo. Will definitely have to check this movie out.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mandy RaadNovember 21, 2024 at 3:19 PM

    You captured how "A Star is Born" uses music, especially "Shallow," to highlight the emotional journey of the characters. The way you describe the song’s progression, from a light melody to a powerful climax, really reflects the personal growth and struggles of Ally and Jackson. The raw emotion in both Lady Gaga's and Bradley Cooper's performances truly makes the song unforgettable. Great breakdown!

    ReplyDelete

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