It was 2013. The world was waiting for ARTPOP. Lady Gaga was at a crossroads, balancing on the thin line between high-art pretension and pure pop radio dominance. Then came "Do What You Want." It wasn't just a song; it was a sprawling, messy, R&B-infused manifesto about bodily autonomy and the parasitic relationship between a superstar and the public.
People loved it. Critics called it a return to form. But then, it became a disaster.
Most fans remember the catchy synth-pop beat, but the history behind "Do What You Want" is actually a dark lesson in industry politics and the risks of choosing the wrong collaborators. It’s a track that has been literally scrubbed from streaming services, re-recorded with a different legend, and debated in think pieces for over a decade. Honestly, it’s the most polarizing thing she’s ever released.
The Sound of 2013 and the Birth of a Hit
"Do What You Want" didn't start as a planned single. Initially, "Venus" was supposed to be the second big push from ARTPOP. But the fans spoke up. After a snippet of the track appeared in a Best Buy commercial, the "Little Monsters" went feral for it. The song had this mid-tempo, 80s-inspired synth vibe that felt way more mature than the chaotic "Applause." It sounded like a hit.
The production, handled largely by DJ White Shadow, was sleek. It used a pulsing beat that felt almost like a heartbeat. Gaga’s vocals were soulful, soaring, and raw. She was singing about the media's obsession with her physical body and her refusal to let them have her mind.
"You can't have my heart and you won't use my mind but do what you want with my body," she sang. It was a provocative hook. Some listeners took it as a sexual invitation. Others saw it as a biting commentary on the way the paparazzi and the public treat female celebrities like public property.
The Collaboration That Ruined Everything
Let’s be real: the original version featured R. Kelly.
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At the time, Kelly was still a titan in the R&B world, despite years of rumors and legal battles regarding his conduct with young women. Gaga’s decision to put him on the track was, in hindsight, a massive lapse in judgment that overshadowed the song's actual message. Their performance on Saturday Night Live was weirdly theatrical, and the chemistry was uncomfortable for many to watch.
Then came the music video directed by Terry Richardson.
Richardson himself was facing a wave of allegations regarding his behavior toward models. The video—which reportedly featured scenes in a doctor's office—was never officially released. Snippets leaked later, showing a vibe that many found disturbing given the context of the people involved. It was a PR nightmare. Gaga eventually scrapped the video entirely, and for years, the song just kind of sat there in her discography like a ticking time bomb.
The 2019 Removal and the Christina Aguilera Save
In 2019, the documentary Surviving R. Kelly changed everything. The public discourse around Kelly’s crimes became impossible to ignore. Gaga released a heartfelt statement, apologizing for her "poor judgment" and expressing her support for the survivors.
She did something radical.
She removed the version of "Do What You Want" featuring R. Kelly from iTunes, Spotify, and every other streaming platform. Physical copies of ARTPOP printed after that date actually omit the track entirely or replace it. It was a move toward accountability that few artists of her stature had ever attempted.
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But there was a silver lining. Back in December 2013, Gaga had performed a version of the song with Christina Aguilera on The Voice. The two former "rivals" (mostly a media-invented feud) held hands, drank champagne, and absolutely killed the vocals. This version, often referred to as "Do What You Want (feat. Christina Aguilera)," became the definitive version for many fans. It transformed the song from a weirdly-tinted R&B duet into an anthem of female solidarity.
Why the Song Still Matters Today
Despite the controversy, the song is arguably one of the best-written tracks in Gaga’s catalog. It captures a specific moment in her life when she felt broken by the industry. She had recently undergone hip surgery, she was dealing with management shake-ups, and the press was calling ARTPOP a "flop" before it even came out.
The lyrics are deeply personal. When she sings about people wanting her "body," she’s talking about the physical toll of fame. She’s talking about the constant gaze. If you strip away the baggage of the original collaborator, you find a song about mental resilience.
Music critics like those at Pitchfork and Rolling Stone initially praised the song for its "shimmering" production. It showed that Gaga didn't need the "meat dress" antics to command a room; she just needed her voice. It remains a fan favorite because it bridges the gap between the "Fame Monster" era and her later, more vocal-focused work like Joanne.
The Legacy of a "Lost" Single
What can we learn from the "Do What You Want" saga? It’s a case study in how the meaning of art can change based on who is standing next to the artist.
- Collaboration is a Statement: Who you choose to work with tells the audience what you value. Gaga learned this the hard way.
- Streaming is Fluid: The fact that a major hit can just "disappear" from the internet overnight is a reminder of how much control labels and artists have over digital history.
- Redemption is Possible: The Aguilera version proved that a great song can be saved if the artist is willing to admit a mistake and pivot.
If you’re looking for the track today, you’ll likely find the solo version or the Aguilera duet. Both are excellent. The solo version, in particular, allows Gaga’s message to stand on its own without the distraction of a guest verse. It’s cleaner. It’s more focused.
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Actionable Insights for Music Fans and Creators
If you are a creator or a brand, the story of "Do What You Want" offers a few practical takeaways that apply far beyond the world of pop music.
Vet your partners thoroughly. In the age of social media and instant archives, a collaborator’s past or future scandals will inevitably become your own. Do the due diligence before signing the contract.
Don't be afraid to pivot. Gaga’s decision to remove the track was a financial loss and a logistical headache. However, it saved her reputation in the long run. Admitting you were wrong is often the best PR strategy available.
Focus on the core message. The reason "Do What You Want" survived the R. Kelly scandal is that the song’s core—the melody, the lyrics about mental strength—was actually good. If the song had been mediocre, it would have been forgotten. Quality provides a safety net.
To fully appreciate this era of Gaga, listen to the ARTPOP album as a whole, but swap in the Christina Aguilera version of the song. It changes the entire energy of the record. It turns a moment of vulnerability into a moment of triumph. That is the real power of "Do What You Want."