Lady Gaga and the Great Mystery

I am lucky enough to have many strong, intelligent females in my life.  One thing that many of them have in common is what they universally describe as a "guilty pleasure."  This pleasure is the megastar Lady Gaga.

For the life of me, I can't tell you the title of a Lady Gaga song.  I don't think I've ever heard one all the way through, either.  I know what she looks like (that is kind of hard to avoid), and I know she's more popular than God at the moment, but I always sort of wrote her off.  That could be because I don't understand her, or it could be my own musical prejudices.  (Poison Ivy from the Cramps, and the always lovely ladies of Nashville Pussy are about as far from Lady Gaga as you can get -- or are they?)  That said, the fact that many of my respected female friends enjoy her music has made me think that maybe something is there that I am totally missing. 

When they describe it as a guilty pleasure, I never get the sense that they are calling it that due to the music, but more because of her reputation and appearance.  It's almost as if they are saying, "I know she's really popular, but there is something about her music that speaks to me."

Granted, I'll never delve into too deeply.  I don't think her music will have the same impact on me as it does to the ladies in my life.  I will, however, throw a little more respect her way if only because of the women in my life. 

Much like Madonna took time to get serious respect from the masses, Lady Gaga may end up being the same way.  I figure that there is something most of us are missing, which will only be revealed in time.  Until that happens, I'm happy to give her some credit.  I fully trust you ladies.  Now I need you to explain.