Lady Gaga How Bad Do U Want Me – And How Taylor Swift Changed My Brother’s Life

The very talented Lady Gaga just released her album “Mayhem” yesterday (available on Amazon). I’m sure fans love all 14 tracks but there’s one in particular that’s creating a buzz. Check it out and ask yourself, “Hmm, which other female superstar does this sound like?”

Incognito. The song sounds a lot like hits from another artist, right? If you listened to it and your mind went straight to Taylor Swift, you’re either a Swifty or the dad of a Swifty (my brother took his daughters to the Eras Tour and said it changed his life 🎤🎵🥴🎶).

[pic courtesy of Orlando’s #1 Swifty dad]

I’m neither a Swifty or the dad of one, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Is that joke too old? Well, so am I! I’m too old to be a Swifty(and I don’t have daughters) but one of my first jobs in Nashville many, many years ago was working as a PA on a music video and guess who was there? Can you pick out Taylor Swift in this ensemble cast music video? My interaction with Taylor pretty much ended there as our careers skyrocketed in different directions. Hers to international stardom with luxurious homes all around the country, and mine to legendary status on the 2nd floor south wing, middle section of cubicles, and now living in a camper.

But we still have one thing in common… we both love to write! It’s not too farfetched to think one of us might have helped pen Lady Gaga’s song because, as you probably know, one of us is a heck of a writer. I’ll let you decide who that is 🫣. Maybe she’ll surprise fans during a concert and admit she was part of the team behind “How Bad Do U Want Me” for Gaga, then perform it on stage for all the Swifties (and their dads/my brother). Until then, the songwriting credits go to Lady Gaga, Michael Polansky, Andrew Watt, and Henry Walter.

Sidebar: One of my favorite songs Taylor’s written for someone else is “Better Man” by Little Big Town.

But Wait, There’s More… Listeners have been quick to point out the similarities between Gaga’s song and a couple of others, most obvious was Yazoo’s “Only You” from the early 1980s. In 2023, I was addicted to that song for a few weeks. And when I say addicted, I mean it was on repeat for days and days; I wouldn’t play any other song for an entire car ride. It’s also happened with this song and this group.

Another song being floated around as sounding like the Gaga track is Taylor Swift’s “Gorgeous.” What do you think?

Conspiracy Theory. At the time of this post, Yazoo isn’t credited in the creation of “How Bad Do U Want Me,” nor is Taylor Swift. But if one is so clearly part of it and a credit is coming soon, maybe the other is, too? Things that make my brother go hmmm.

-Out of the Wilderness

Should this Apretude Commercial Be Cancelled?

There are a handful of commercials from pharmaceutical companies about reducing the risk of HIV and let me start by saying that anything we can do to rid mankind of diseases, viruses, sicknesses, cancer, I’m fully in favor of such endeavors. Everyone has value no matter their background, lifestyle, who they choose to surround themselves with. This post isn’t about bashing a lifestyle, any group of people, or the path any particular person is on in their life journey. With that said, I often giggle when I see these gay commercials… this one is from a brand called Apretude.

According to the Center for Disease Control, infections of HIV occur most in the male homosexual community. There is a piece of the pie that includes heterosexual folks and HIV contracted from drug use, as well.

Like I said in a previous post (about another HIV commercial), where my confusion lies is with the Democrat politicians and the vocal liberals. Why aren’t they upset that the commercial mostly shows gay people? They get riled up when the LGBTQIA+ crowd is singled out by Republicans or conservatives, so why not this ad that basically says HIV is a gay disease. Usually it’s offensive to talk about the homosexual community in any way that isn’t uplifting, affirming, or positive. But when a commercial from a drug company airs and it’s regarding HIV, which affects all kinds of people– gay, straight, male, female– I haven’t found any pushback about them focusing (even if it’s not said specifically) on the homosexual community.

I’m offended that Democrats aren’t offended! There, how’s that for a response? 🤪

But seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if both sides come out (of the closet?) to disavow these types of commercials. For Republicans, it’s too gay. For Democrats, it’s too gay. But both are viewing it from totally different angles, which is kind of funny actually.

-Out of the Wilderness

We’re Off to the Vet’s Office

I have a senior-aged dog named Piper. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee and since then we’ve become campers and been as far west as Texas and as far south as Key West. And she doesn’t even throw up anymore in the car like she did as a puppy! Good times.

Today we’re taking a trip to the vet (don’t tell Piper, please) to find out why she isn’t interested much in walking these days. The obvious answer is “old age.” She’s become a lot less mobile, which is to be expected, but I want to find out if she’s hurting and if there’s anything we can do to help her regain some pep in her step.

She’s a good dog (when she’s being good 😜) and she’ll be getting a treat once this visit is over!

The surprise twist in this story is it turned out to be a vet visit for Asia, too. Treats will be raining down in the camper today…

-Out of the Wilderness

This is NOT Normal

Making its rounds in mainstream media and amongst talk show hosts, the sign saying “This is NOT Normal” as Donald Trump walked in for his speech to Congress this week.

Where do we start with this one? The party that says men can give birth, a baby isn’t a baby until it’s born, that we should help Ukraine defend its borders but to Hell with our own border, they want to “save Democracy” as they are told who their presidential nominee will be… this party thinks they’re the normal folk?

The problem for Democrat politicians is how out of touch they are with real America. The joke’s on them, you see? They cry and moan (or hold up paddles) about whatever cause the wind blew in this week but what they can’t seem to understand is that what Trump (and Republicans… and Democrats just a few years ago) is doing actually is normal… and the majority of America likes it. Those who voted for Trump are getting exactly what they voted for.

The stuff that “is NOT Normal” is basically everything Democrats hold up as their mantle. Trans-women in sports, abortion, illegal immigration, hating Trump. These are the issues they can’t seem to let go of and even with Trump getting more votes in what some call a mandate election, Democrats have their heads up their own butts. Or heads in the sand? Whatever analogy works the best to describe how Democrats are oblivious to the priorities of any U.S. citizen with common sense.

Normal. I’m really starting to believe Democrats think the crazy stuff is normal and the normal stuff is crazy.

-Out of the Wilderness

Warhorse One – Watch It or Skip It?

A Navy Seal behind enemy lines on a mission of valor, facing pretty extreme opposition. Will he succeed? Does good triumph over evil? Will I stay awake??

Hello, I’m Ben and I recently watched a movie called Warhorse One (not to be confused with Warhorse, which is a great movie about a horse). Speaking of “to be”… Warhorse One is free on Tubi at the time of this post so, along with my brother-in-law, I watched it. There are about 7 other things I wish I’d done instead. 😵‍💫

What’s it called when you watch a movie trailer, check out the reviews of said movie and they were mostly positive, then watch that movie, and, once it’s over, realize it was pretty bad and probably a gigantic waste of time? That’s what has happened to me and I don’t know if I’ll ever believe another review about any movie. It’s 2 hours I’ll never get back and yes, the movie is actually over 2 hours long. It was so very boring but the worst part was that we couldn’t figure out how to skip ahead!

I don’t want to be completely negative here, though. So I’ll pick out a few positive things from the film. 1) The star actor– Johnny Strong– did a fine job. Actually most, if not all, of the cast did a fine job. 2) The last 20 to 25 minutes were passable, not nearly as boring as the first hour and a half. I liked the score, the soundtrack. But in that regard, the sound mix was atrocious. Half the time we couldn’t understand what the characters were saying because the background music was drowning it all out… too loud at critical times when we should’ve been hearing dialogue.

If you’re on the fence about watching this movie, don’t torture yourself. You deserve to be happy so save yourself 2 hours and don’t watch it. You can thank me in the comments.

-Out of the Wilderness