Katy Perry - bigger & better than Lady Gaga?

Last week Lady Gaga and Katy Perry went head-to-head with new video clips. As recently as last year, this would have been a cake walk. Mother Monster would be using her rival's wig as a merkin, while Katy cried on the phone to Russell. But a lot has changed since then. Despite the unprecedented tidal wave of hype and promotion surrounding "Born This Way", "Teenage Dream" is the album churning out the hits. It's not like Lady Gaga is doing poorly - her last three singles have reached the top ten in America - but Ms Perry is gunning for her fifth consecutive US #1. And with the amazing "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" currently occupying the top spot on US iTunes - she has a very real shot of pulling it off. To put things into perspective, the so called biggest star on the planet has only managed three in her entire career.

No doubt Monsters will point to Gaga's album sales. "Born This Way" is almost equal with "Teenage Dream" on that front after less than a month. But we all know those figures were seriously inflated by the 99 cent Amazon deal and, given its rapid decline in sales ever since, Katy would probably have her there too. After all, Lady Gaga is already on her third single and, with the exception of "Hair" or perhaps "You & I", she's all out of potential radio hits. In the past you could legitimately argue that Mother Monster was at least untouchable as the new queen of music videos but Katy has stolen that crown too. "ET" is everything "Born This Way" wanted to be - stylish, cohesive and clever - and the reported $10 million dollars that Gaga spent on "Judas" is the biggest waste of money since "Waterworld".

That leaves us with their current videos. Katy's "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" is a joyous 8 minute extravaganza that plays like a 80s sitcom. Kathy Beth Terry, the pop star's alter ego in the clip, is an awkward teenager who crashes her neighbour's party. Not only is said neighbour internet sensation Rebecca Black but the video is also jam packed with celebrities ranging from Kenny G to Debbie Gibson and a bunch of nobodies from Glee. It's completely ridiculous but I love every second of it and the trashy extravaganza has already racked up 22 million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga dances on a fire escape in her clip. That is literally it. If nothing else it can be marketed as a cure for insomnia. I'm not blaming her for pulling back and doing something less extravagant but "Edge Of Glory" deserved a majestic clip. I envisaged cliffs, angels and an eerie death scene. Not some shitty stripper busting a move on a staircase. Next!

Anyway, you decide. Here are their the videos. Is Katy Perry now the biggest name in pop music or is this just a temporary blip in Lady Gaga's march to greatness?

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