The year is almost over, but what everyone will remember about music in 2009 is the emergence of Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Both had chart-topping hit singles and more album sales than any other artist this year. Both dominated music award shows in nominations and wins. They will finish the year No. 1 and No. 2 in many music rankings. But between Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, who had a better year?



Lady Gaga began this magical run in late 2008 with her debut album Fame. The album's single "Just Dance" became #1 on the Billboard charts. The success of that song turned Lady Gaga into an overnight superstar. She carried that success into 2009 and had another chart-topping hit with "Poker Face." Both singles became two of the most downloaded songs on the internet and the most viewed music videos on YouTube in 2009. Fame itself became the most listened to album on the internet. The album sold like hot cakes in the US and worldwide in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. It has sold over 4 million copies worldwide since its release.

Like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift began her run in late 2008. She released her second album Fearless, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. The album's hit single "Love Story" became the most downloaded country song ever on the internet. "You Belong with Me" and seven other singles from the album were on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the same week. Fearless became the first album in 2009 to sell one million copies. It has sold over 4 million copies worldwide.



Lady Gaga received seventy-seven nominations from different award shows and won thirty one awards, most notably "Best New Artist" at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her album Fame is nominated for two Grammy Awards which includes "Album of the Year."

Taylor Swift received over sixty nominations and won over thirty awards. She won five awards at the American Music Awards. She swept this years CMA Awards and became the youngest person to win "Entertainer of the Year." And surprisingly, she won "Best Female Video" at the MTV VMAs. Swift's album Fearless is nominated for eight Grammy Awards which includes "Song of the Year" and "Album of the Year."



Every talk show and magazine wanted to book Lady Gaga. She performed on shows like the Tonight Show in her skin-toned pantyhose and was praised by Ellen on Ellen Degeneres for performing her songs "Bad Romance" and "Speechless" live. She appeared on magazine covers like Rolling Stone. On that cover, she is semi-nude, covered with plastic bubbles.

After the Kanye West incident at the MTV VMAs, Taylor Swift appeared on a number of talk shows, including The View where she spoke about the incident briefly. She also made several television appearances early in the year which included hosting SNL, and a guest role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She graced the covers of magazines like Seventeen, Glamour, and Rolling Stone.



Bad publicity is good publicity. Lady Gaga generated a lot of controversy this year for her bizarre outfits and stage stunts. She was heavily criticized for hanging from a rope while covered in blood at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. She has also been criticized for being bi-sexual and resembling a man.

But all of these rumors and criticisms seem to help her sell more albums and gain even more TV exposure. We all remember what happened when Taylor Swift went onstage to accept her award for "Best Female Video" at the MTV Video Music Awards. Kanye West decided it was a good idea to storm the stage, grab the microphone and say Beyoncé deserved the award because she had "one of the best videos of all time." Many people point to that moment as being the best thing to ever happen to Swift's career. She was the most talked about artist after that incident. People who didn't know her before, now knew who she was.

Overall, Lady Gaga is respected for her originality, theatrics, and unconventional sense of style. Taylor Swift is credited for having an amazing voice and great songwriting skills. Both of them had an amazing year. Both deserve the championship belt, but there can only be one champion. With all that said, who do you think had a better year?


Story by Maccorley Mathieu

Starpulse contributing writer