Lady Gaga’s recently released track “Abracadabra” has taken social media by storm, not only because of its captivating choreography and dramatic visuals but also due to striking similarities noted by listeners between the pop star’s new single and the 1982 Tears For Fears classic “Mad World.” This has sparked a lively debate online about musical influence and coincidence.
The conversation gained traction after TikToker Jarred Jermaine posted a video comparing the two songs, pointing out the melodic similarities. While “Abracadabra” has a faster tempo and more upbeat production, many fans couldn’t ignore the resemblance once it was highlighted. “Yea I hear the similarity. Gaga is just sped up,” one user commented.
Social media platforms have been buzzing with reactions from listeners who notice the resemblance. “Every time I get Gaga’s ‘Abracadabra’ in my head it slowly morphs into ‘Mad World,’” one X user said.
The track is part of Gaga’s upcoming eighth studio album Mayhem, marking her return to pop music after exploring different genres. In addition to “Abracadabra,” the album includes the singles “Disease” and “Die With a Smile.” Gaga spoke about the project, saying, “The album started as me facing my fear of returning to the pop music my earliest fans loved.”
In an in-depth interview with Elle, Gaga explained that “Abracadabra” delves into deeper themes beyond its catchy tune. “The song is about facing the challenge of life and the challenge of the night and finding the magic in it all,” she shared.
The music video, which features Gaga in contrasting white and red outfits, involved around 50 dancers and was created with choreographer Parris Goebel. “We were a family, trying to find something really honest together,” Gaga said about the collaborative process.
The video’s theme centers on duality and inner conflict, with Gaga playing two distinct characters. “The lady in red is all of you that puts you to the test. Your internal monologue. ‘Can you do it? Can you do it? Will you do it? Are you good enough? Can you handle it?’” she explained to Elle. The production included elaborate choreography and costume design, with Gaga highlighting environmental consciousness — her primary white cape was even upcycled from old wedding dresses.
Despite ongoing speculation online, with comments like “I KNEW IT SOUNDED FAMILIAR OMG” and “THANK YOU!!! I knew she sampled spellbound but I couldn’t put it together” circulating, neither Gaga nor her team has officially addressed the comparison. This only added to the buzz around the song’s release, which premiered during the Grammy Awards.
The singer recently shared her excitement for the track by posting a video of herself dancing to “Abracadabra” in a hotel hallway before the Super Bowl, wearing a long black dress and chunky high-heeled boots. “Goin into the SUPERBOWL like ABRA-OO-NA-NA. The category is: SPORTS or SPELLS!!” she jokingly captioned the video. As fans continue to discuss the song’s familiar melody, “Abracadabra” is already becoming one of the year’s most talked-about pop releases.
