Lady Gaga has been celebrating that her The Hunting Ground song, "Til It Happens to You" is nominated for an Academy Award this year, but if songwriter Linda Perry has anything to say about it, the pop star doesn't deserve the nod. In a series of tweets on Sunday night (Jan. 17), Perry claims that Diane Warren wrote the song by herself and only gave Gaga a credit to increase their chances at the Oscars.
Perry, who was feeling "spunky" revealed that another singer was originally supposed to sing "Til It Happens to You" and that she has the original demo, which remains unchanged except for one lyric.
I have Diane's original demo with her singing. The only line that has been changed "Till you're at the end, the end of your rope"
— LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
Originally was "TIL YOU GOT A HOLE RIPPED IN YOUR SOUL". So I guess technically one line was changed so sure Gaga possibly "rewrote" a line — LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
But chances are Diane still took part in rewriting that line which means Gaga contributed a few words. Is that writing? Not in my book. — LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
Perry then questions why Warren added a writing credit for Gaga, though she assumes it's to help boost Warren's chance for an Oscar. (The prolific songwriter has been nominated seven times before but has never won.) She also surmises that the partnership was mutually beneficial for Gaga and Warren, since Gaga knew a Warren-penned song would be worthy of an Oscar.
I love Gaga so much respect and love this song that has nothing to do with anything. Why did Gaga get credit? Maybe because ... — LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
Diane wanted to ensure her support in promoting the song. Gaga is a very smart business women she knew a song written by Diane Warren
— LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
Would be up for an Oscar. And you know it's hard getting music out there and heard. Especially a song from a documentary , so Diane knew — LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
If she gave Gaga writing credit it would ensure the support this song needed and deserved. And Gaga knows her power. I'm not putting anyone — LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
Or anything down. I'm stating the truth . I credit Diane for writing this song, it is her experience her pain her words. That's it kids. — LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 18, 2016
In promoting "Til It Happens to You," Gaga has been open about her own sexual assault and dedicated the song and its Oscar nomination to victims and survivors of rape.
A photo posted by The Countess (@ladygaga) on Jan 14, 2016 at 6:24am PST
"Til It Happens to You" is one of five songs nominated for Best Original Song at the 2016 Academy Awards. It's up against tracks by The Weeknd, Sam Smith, David Lang and J. Ralph.
