Stark also adds that the format may have issues with the lyrics. “The song’s got a lot of things working against it in that arena, most notably, Lady Gaga is so firmly imaged as a pop artist that there’s no reason for country radio to go looking for songs of hers they can play.” So will she get country airplay? Only as a novelty and as a morning show discussion point, according to Phyllis Stark, executive editor of country music for industry tip sheet. 1 for six weeks in a row on the Billboard Hot 100.

Via Twitter, Lady Gaga told her followers the Country Road version was a “surprise” to thank them for making “Born This Way” No. The song then goes picks up with the line about “no matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, trangendered…” I was born on the road, I was born to be brave.”

Out is “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen/Whether you’re broke or evergreen/You’re black, white, beige, chola descent/You’re lebanese, you’re orient/Whether life’s disabilities/Left you outcast, bullied, or teased/Rejoice and love yourself today/’Cause baby you were born this way.” In is “If I want to make it country, baby, it”s okay/cause I was born, born, born, this way. Just as “Poker Face” worked brilliantly when Lady Gaga transformed it into a piano ballad, “Born This Way” makes a snappy little country tune. The country version, co-produced by Mama Monster herself, opens with the same spoken part about “H-I-M,” but then the synthesizers and thumping beat are replaced with a guitar, some wailing harmonica, a slowed-down tempo and a revised bridge. We”d come to expect the unexpected from her, but Lady Gaga surprised the hell out of us when she released “The Country Road Version” of “Born This Way” late last night.

Are country music fans ready to put their paws up and chant “Don”t be a drag, just be a queen?” Don”t count on it.

Paws Off by Emma Bray