Dope (Lady Gaga song)

Dope is a power ballad by American singer Lady Gaga from her third studio album, Artpop (2013). It was released as the second promotional single from the album on November 4, 2013. The song, originally titled "I Wanna Be With You," was written by Gaga, Paul "DJ White Shadow" Blair, Dino Zisis, and Nick Monson, and produced by Gaga and Rick Rubin.

Musically, "Dope" is characterized by its stripped-down production, featuring primarily piano and Gaga's vocals. The lyrics delve into themes of addiction, loneliness, and the need for love and connection, with Gaga metaphorically referencing her reliance on her fans and music as her "dope" or drug.

The song's performance at the 2013 YouTube Music Awards, where Gaga appeared on stage with disheveled hair, prosthetic teeth, and a flannel shirt, generated significant media attention and mixed reactions. The raw and emotional delivery of the song was both praised and criticized.

"Dope" charted in several countries, including the United States, where it reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Despite being a promotional single, it received significant radio airplay and remains a notable track within Lady Gaga's discography due to its personal and vulnerable lyrical content and the controversial nature of its initial performance.