- Diane Warren revealed she wishes Linda Perry hadn’t publicly voiced her opinion on Lady Gaga’s writing credit on “Til It Happens to You”
- Perry apologized and deleted tweets about it back in 2016.
- Warren thinks the 4 Non Blondes musician ultimately “meant well.”
Diane Warren wishes Linda Perry hadn’t publicly questioned Lady Gaga’s contributions to “Til It Happens to You.”
In an interview with Vulture published on Monday, April 21, the 16-time Grammy-nominated songwriter, 68, opened up about what she thought of the 4 Non Blondes musician, 60, tweeting that the final version of the 2015 track was nearly identical to the demo, despite the “Abracadabra” hitmaker, 39, receiving a writing credit.
Warren told the publication that Gaga’s “credit was more for producing the record,” which was for The Hunting Grounda documentary about rape on college campuses.
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While the “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” songwriter said that “her name” was on a writing credit, she reiterated that Gaga “really produced a great record” and that she was “okay with that.”
Warren then noted that Perry was trying to defend her when she took to Twitter in 2016 to voice her opinion about Gaga’s Best Original Song nomination for “Til It Happens to You.”
“She’s cool,” she said. “I think she meant well. I’ve talked to her. I’m friends with her.”
Still, Warren said she wished hadn’t publicly addressed the situation.
Reps for Perry and Gaga have not yet responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
In 2016, the “What’s Up” musician shared a series of tweets — which she later deleted — that alleged Gaga contributed just one line to “Til It Happens to You,” which, she claimed, did not warrant Gaga receiving a nomination.
“Normally I wouldn’t respond to all this but I don’t know Im feeling spunky. There was another artist that originally was gonna sing #TIHTY,” Perry wrote.
She continued: “I have Diane’s original demo with her singing. The only line that has been changed ‘Till you’re at the end, the end of your rope.’ Originally was ‘TIL YOU GOT A HOLE RIPPED IN YOUR SOUL.’ So I guess technically one line was changed so sure Gaga possibly ‘rewrote’ a line. But chances are Diane still took part in rewriting that line which means Gaga contributed a few words. Is that writing? Not in my book.”
Perry then shared her “love” and “respect” for Gaga despite her claims.
“Why did Gaga get credit? Maybe because … Diane wanted to ensure her support in promoting the song. Gaga is a very smart business women she knew a song written by Diane Warren … Would be up for an Oscar. And you know it’s hard getting music out there and heard. Especially a song from a documentary, so Diane knew … If she gave Gaga writing credit it would ensure the support this song needed and deserved. And Gaga knows her power,” she wrote.
Perry concluded, “I’m not putting anyone … Or anything down. I’m stating the truth. I credit Diane for writing this song, it is her experience her pain her words. That’s it kids.”
Later, she noted that there was “no bitterness” about the song.
“I’ve stated Gaga killed this song so powerful so blown away by her performance,” Perry wrote. “Don’t turn things negative. I’m stating my truth that’s it if you don’t like it, it’s ok just don’t spend anytime here. Breathe everything is ok! Interesting what we react to. We could learn a lot about ourselves by just observing our reaction to things.”
Warren also spoke about the song on Twitter without directly addressing Perry’s comments.
“Til It Happens To You was written for The Hunting Ground, an incredibly powerful documentary about sexual assault on college campuses,” she began, adding that “the song is the result of a special collaboration between myself and Lady Gaga. As Lady Gaga and I have consistly said. Til it Happens To you was inspired by the countless survivors of abuse who need our support and love so they know they’re not alone.”
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Maya Dehlin Spach/FilmMagic
Days later, Perry deleted her tweets about Gaga’s alleged contributions to the song.
“My sincere apologies. I made a mistake to comment. I wasn’t in the room when the #TIHTY was being written,” she wrote, adding that she wanted “the focus to remain on the great importance of the song and the message of the film.”
At the time, reps for Perry, Gaga and Warren could not be reached for comment regarding Perry’s claims.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.