Lady Gaga - "The Edge of Glory"

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"The Edge Of Glory" is the third single from Lady Gaga's album Born This Way, and for all the fussiness of "Born This Way" and "Judas," "The Edge Of Glory" is a sweeping, anthemic dance-rock power ballad that truly cuts loose and feels free. The addition of a towering saxophone solo from Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band makes perfect sense in this context as the sense of seizing the moment in a fanfare of sound echoes such classic hits as Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run."

At its heart "The Edge of Glory" is a simple, straightforward rock power ballad with a major kick. The production from Lady Gaga, Fernando Garibay, and DJ White Shadow adds bubbling and smoldering dance elements that will please core fans while rocking hard enough to convince skeptics that there is timeless talent here. "The Edge of Glory" should silence comparisons to Madonna as this is clearly Lady Gaga in her own territory aiming for the pop-rock stars.

There is a poignant story behind "The Edge of Glory" about Lady Gaga and her father coping with the impending death of her grandfather. Once again very personal life experiences have generated pop magic for Lady Gaga. Lyrically, there is little complication here, but the sound utilizes the power of classic rock. A big saxophone solo from Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band appears to drive that message home. Lady Gaga's roots may be in dance music, but she also clearly knows how to rock.

Lady Gaga may have made a misstep with the "Judas" single, but she has climbed right back with "The Edge of Glory." It will take its rightful place with her best so far. The song also reignites the fire of anticipation for the full-length Born This Way album. So far Lady Gaga is handling the most glaring of pop spotlights quite well.