Only gods are worshipped unconditionally. People have to earn their love.

And Lady Gaga is only human - without question both deservedly famous and polarising, talented and fallible.

She attracts more fawning fanboyism than any artist with only two albums deserves, and just as much uninformed criticism from those who underestimate her.

So welcome to the middle - where we want the best from her... but good or bad, we'll take everything for what it is.

I'm 20, straight and Australian; part-time metalhead/pop fan, full-time music obsessive. I'm writing about every Madonna single here: The comparisons aren't entirely valid, but no one is more important than Madonna in understanding what Lady Gaga could be.

You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, my personal Tumblr and Last.fm, or harass me via email at richaod AT gmail DOT com.