Alice

Album: Chromatica (2020)
Charted: 29 84
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lady Gaga went through a traumatic time in the late 2010s: She broke off her engagement to talent agent Christian Carino and was stricken with a condition called fibromyalgia that leaves her in constant chronic pain. Mama Monster has been open about her personal struggles with mental health, which she's battled ever since she was raped at 19. Gaga wrote this song following some dark conversations with Chromatica producer Bloodpop about how she felt about life.

    I'm in the hole, I'm falling down, down
    So down, down
    My name isn't Alice
    But I'll keep looking, I'll keep looking for Wonderland


    Gaga is comparing her inability to find peace in her life to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The 1865 children's novel tells the story of a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and reaches a world called Wonderland populated by playing cards and talking animals. Gaga explained to Apple Music's Zane Lowe: "It's this weird experience where I'm going, 'I'm not sure I'm going to make it, but I'm going to try.'"

    Here's a look at more songs with lyrics inspired by Alice In Wonderland.
  • In a March 2020 interview with Justin Moran of Paper magazine, Gaga explained her Chromatica album is intended to evoke euphoria. "I want to put out a record that forces people to rejoice even in their saddest moments," she shared. "If you're in pain and listening to this music, just know that I know what it's like to be in pain. And I know what it's like to also not let it ruin your life."

    This electro-pop production, which is the first proper track on the album, marks the beginning of what Gaga refers to as her, "healing process."
  • Gaga wrote the song with BloodPop, Swedish House Mafia member Axwell, and pop songwriter Justin Tranter (Justin Bieber's "Sorry," Selena Gomez's "Good For You").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.