You and I is the fourth single to come off Lady Gaga‘s album Born This Way. Before the song was released as an official Gaga single, American Idol season 10 finalist Haley Reinhart received permission from the Mother Monster herself to perform the song on the television talent competition.

As expected, most fans love this, even if the song is not the usual electro-pop they have gotten used to hearing from Lady Gaga. The song has an Elton John-esque rock star vibe. Some fans even note that the song reminds them of the Gaga before releasing her debut studio album The Fame.

You and I particularly reminds me of another Gaga song, Speechless from her The Fame Monster EP. I find these songs more interesting as she seems to deviate from the electro-pop-dance songs she has become known for. You and I showcases a stronger vocal performance that doesn’t really need any theatricality since the song itself is powerful enough.

With a confessional narrative, the lyrics of You and I takes the listener with Lady Gaga as she revisits memories of a lover whose kisses tasted like whiskey. The determination to get her lover back intensifies as the song progresses towards the hook. I could easily describe this song as a song for lovers who have been away from each other, whether the distance is in miles or months. When you love someone and you have clear images of that someone deep in your head, any kind of distance becomes either a source of despair or determination. This song evidently highlights that strong drive that the music almost makes instinctive. The emotion is just so rich in this song; even though the lyrics reveal very detailed descriptions of specific memories, my mind easily taps images as powerful from my own memory and not Gaga’s. You and I definitely ranks as one of the most evocative songs from Lady Gaga’s repertoire.

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