Behind the Creation of Shallow: The Fascinating Story Another Lady Gaga Masterpiece That Almost Didn't Happen!

Summary

Bradley Cooper originally wanted to use Lady Gaga's 'Joanne' for A Star is Born.

Mark Ronson denied the use of 'Joanne' but agreed to co-write 'Shallow' for the movie.

'Shallow' was a huge success, becoming a No. 1 hit and one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.

During a recent interview with NME, songwriter and producer Mark Ronson discussed his involvement in the Barbie soundtrack. The conversation shifted to A Star is Born, and Ronson, who co-wrote "Shallow," disclosed that Bradley Cooper initially desired Lady Gaga's future album title track, "Joanne," for the film. However, Ronson declined, stating that he needed it for Gaga's own record. Nevertheless, he agreed to assist in the creation of a new song, which eventually became the award-winning "Shallow."

While working on Gaga's album "Joanne," Bradley Cooper unexpectedly visited the studio one afternoon, looking remarkably like a Hollywood star. Intrigued by his films, I was delighted to spend time with him. During our conversation, he mentioned their joint involvement in a new script. Eager to share my song titled "Joanne," I played it for him. To my surprise, he expressed interest in acquiring it. Although recognizing his immense stardom, I felt a strong attachment to the song and its relevance to Gaga's record.

Hence, I agreed to dedicate some time to crafting a new song. Our collaborative endeavors took place at the prestigious Shangri La studio in Malibu, Los Angeles, owned by Rick Rubin. This studio boasted a captivating long, echoing hallway. I distinctly recollect hearing Gaga's voice resonating from a distance of 30 feet as she made her way towards us, radiating excitement. Once she settled at the piano, she commenced singing the powerful lyrics, "I'm off the deep end..."

Why "Shallow" is a Much Better Choice for A Star is Born Than "Joanne"

The album "Joanne" by Lady Gaga, which was released in 2016, featured the song "Joanne" that preceded the release of A Star is Born by two years. However, "Shallow" ended up being a better choice for the movie due to several reasons. One significant factor is that the lyrics of "Joanne" are deeply personal and do not align with the movie's storyline. On the other hand, "Shallow" was specifically crafted to beautifully encapsulate the emotional dynamics between Jackson and Ally, both through its lyrics and its musical composition.

Additionally, "Shallow" possesses a more dramatic and powerful quality compared to "Joanne," showcasing Lady Gaga's exceptional vocal abilities to a greater extent. This aspect is crucial, considering the prominent role the song plays in the A Star is Born soundtrack. Without a standout vocal moment, "Joanne" might not have effectively highlighted Ally's journey towards stardom.

The audience response to both songs confirmed that choosing to write "Shallow" for A Star is Born was the correct decision. While "Joanne" was only released as a single in Italy and did not achieve chart-topping success, "Shallow" became one of the highest-selling digital singles in history and secured Gaga's fourth No. 1 hit.