"Venus" is a song recorded and produced by American singer Lady Gaga for her third studio album, Artpop (2013). It was written by Gaga, Paul "DJ White Shadow" Blair, Madeon, Dino Zisis, Nick Monson, and Sun Ra. The recording includes a sample from the French electropop duo Zombie Zombie's cover of Sun Ra's song "Rocket Number 9", from his studio album, Interstellar Low Ways (1966); Sun Ra received a co-writing credit on the track. Originally intended to be the second single from the album, it was released as the first promotional single from Artpop on October 27, 2013, to the iTunes Store, following the positive reception of "Do What U Want", which was planned to be a promotional single only.
Madeon co-wrote "Venus" with Gaga and the other songwriters.
"Venus" samples "Rocket Number 9", released by French duo Zombie Zombie, which itself was a cover of jazz artist Sun Ra's (pictured) "Rocket Number 9 Take Off to the Planet Venus".
Gaga was inspired by Sandro Botticelli's painting The Birth of Venus, which was also featured in the cover art for Artpop.
Gaga performing "Venus" on ArtRave: The Artpop Ball tour, wearing the clamshell bikini and large wig
Artpop is the third studio album by American singer Lady Gaga. It was released on November 6, 2013, by Streamline and Interscope Records. Gaga began planning the project in 2011, shortly after the launch of her second effort, Born This Way. Work continued until 2013 while Gaga was traveling for her Born This Way Ball tour and recovering from surgery for an injury she had sustained while touring. Gaga described Artpop as "a celebration and a poetic musical journey". It displays an intentional "lack of maturity and responsibility" by comparison to the darker and anthemic nature of Born This Way.
After Born This Way, Gaga again worked with DJ White Shadow on Artpop.
Gaga performing "Dope" at SXSW. The song talks about Gaga's past experiences with substance abuse.
American artist Jeff Koons (pictured in 2009) designed the cover artwork for Artpop.
Gaga performing "G.U.Y." during her residency show at Roseland Ballroom (2014)