{{Good article}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox song | name = Government Hooker | cover = Lady Gaga - Government Hooker.jpg | caption = Vinyl box set picture disc cover | alt = | artist = Lady Gaga | album = Born This Way | released = May 23, 2011 | recorded = 2010 | studio = Studio at the Palms (Las Vegas) | genre = Synth-pop | length = 4:14 | label = * Streamline * Interscope * KonLive | writer = * Lady Gaga * Fernando Garibay * Paul Blair aka DJ White Shadow | producer = * Lady Gaga * Paul Blair aka DJ White Shadow | misc = {{External music video|1={{YouTube|o8uMXyxvbKA|"Government Hooker"}}|header=Audio video|type=song}} }} "'''Government Hooker'''" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her third studio album, ''Born This Way'' (2011). Gaga wrote the song with Fernando Garibay and DJ White Shadow; it was produced by Gaga and DJ White Shadow, with co-production by Garibay and DJ Snake. "Government Hooker" was a previously unused demo track Shadow had produced with DJ Snake. Recording sessions took place in 2010 at the Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The song is a synth-pop track with techno, trance, post-disco, and industrial influences. "Government Hooker" explores themes of female sexual empowerment, manifested as a metaphor referencing US president John F. Kennedy's alleged affair with Marilyn Monroe. Critics praised the song's production and dark, risqué subject matter. Though never released as a single, "Government Hooker" charted in South Korea and peaked at number sixteen on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Digital Songs. The song was performed majorly in Gaga's Born This Way Ball concert tour (2012–2013); it was also part of the setlist of her Las Vegas residency, Enigma (2018–2020).
==Background== "Government Hooker" is a collaborative effort between Gaga, Fernando Garibay, and DJ White Shadow. Recording sessions took place in 2010 at the Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=Born This Way |year=2011 |page=4 |others=Lady Gaga |publisher=Interscope Records |id=B0015373-02 |type=liner notes}}</ref> "Government Hooker" was a previously unused demo recording DJ White Shadow had produced with DJ Snake. After Shadow edited the song's tempo, he played the demo for Vince Herbert at a recording session, which he enjoyed more than the other tracks presented at that time. Gaga began writing verses for "Government Hooker" immediately after being sent the recording. While writing, the production team recruited her bodyguard, Peter van der Veen, to sing lyrics aloud rather than use processed vocals. Shadow noticed van der Veen's thick, distinctive Dutch accent as he sang the verses.<ref name="gh">{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=March 4, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga Producer Calls 'Government Hooker' A 'Beast' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659254/lady-gaga-government-hooker.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107035745/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659254/lady-gaga-government-hooker.jhtml |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref> Alongside "Scheiße" and a remix of "Born This Way", "Government Hooker" premiered at a Thierry Mugler fashion show in Paris, France, on March 2, 2011, as Gaga made her runway debut.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=March 2, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga Makes Runway Debut At Mugler Fashion Show |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659083/lady-gaga-thierry-mugler.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603105523/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659083/lady-gaga-thierry-mugler.jhtml |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref>
==Composition== [[File:John F. Kennedy, White House photo portrait, looking up.jpg|upright|thumb|Monroe's alleged romance with US president John F. Kennedy (''pictured'') was referenced in the song.]] "Government Hooker" is an uptempo<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 3, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga Debuts 'Government Hooker,' Walks Runway at Mugler Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472777/lady-gaga-debuts-government-hooker-walks-runway-at-mugler-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605165654/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472777/lady-gaga-debuts-government-hooker-walks-runway-at-mugler-show |archive-date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=May 7, 2013 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> synth-pop<ref>{{cite web |last=Masley |first=Ed |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way:' SB 1070, Jesus, etc. |url=https://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2011/05/23/20110523lady-gagas-born-way-sb-1070-jesus-etc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601012528/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gaga-debuts-born-this-way-ball-in-south-korea-20120427 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=November 26, 2013 |work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref> song with elements of trance,<ref name="g2h">{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=March 2, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga's 'Government Hooker' Makes Fashion-Show Debut |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659071/lady-gaga-government-hooker-mugler.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107003235/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659071/lady-gaga-government-hooker-mugler.jhtml |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref> techno,<ref name="rollz">{{cite magazine |last=Rosen |first=Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen |date=May 18, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way': A Track-by-Track Breakdown |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gagas-born-this-way-a-track-by-track-breakdown-20110518 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619204234/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gagas-born-this-way-a-track-by-track-breakdown-20110518 |archive-date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> post-disco,<ref name="Los Angeles Times" /> and industrial music.<ref name="nme">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=May 18, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga, 'Born This Way' – Track-By-Track Album Review |url=https://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=140&title=lady_gaga_born_this_way_track_by_track_a&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521144723/http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=140&title=lady_gaga_born_this_way_track_by_track_a&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |work=NME}}</ref> ''Los Angeles Times'' columnist Randall Roberts heard it as an homage to the German electronic group Kraftwerk, and noted "weird Casio-tone circuit-bending".<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Randall |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Album review: Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/05/album-review-lady-gagas-born-this-way.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531201353/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/05/album-review-lady-gagas-born-this-way.html |archive-date=May 31, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> To Evan Sawdey of ''PopMatters'', the song contained amalgamated elements of Britney Spears' "Gimme More" (2007) and the New Order song "Blue Monday" (1983).<ref name="pop" /> According to the music sheet published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing on Musicnotes.com, "Government Hooker" is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of F{{music|sharp}} minor. Gaga's voice spans the tonal nodes of F{{music|sharp}}<sub>3</sub> to C{{music|sharp}}<sub>5</sub>. The song has a basic sequence of D–F{{music|sharp}}m–D–F{{music|sharp}}m during the verses, B–D–A–E during the bridge and Bm–F{{music|sharp}}m–Bm–F{{music|sharp}}m during the chorus, as its chord progression.<ref name="sheet">{{cite web |last1=Germanotta |first1=Stefani |last2=Garibay |first2=Fernando |year=2011 |title=Digital Sheet Music – Lady Gaga – Government Hooker |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0097171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601012528/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gaga-debuts-born-this-way-ball-in-south-korea-20120427 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |publisher=Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing}}</ref> The song primarily explores themes of female sexual empowerment.<ref name="g2h" /><ref name="pop" />
"Government Hooker" begins as Gaga sings in a dramatic, operatic style—backed by industrial synthesizers—before progressing to a Gregorian chant.<ref name="ChicagoTribuneReview">{{cite web |author=Kot, Greg |author-link=Greg Kot |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Review – Born This Way |url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2011/05/album-review-lady-gaga-born-this-way.html/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429222827/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2011/05/album-review-lady-gaga-born-this-way.html |archive-date=April 29, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref><ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |last=Blauvelt |first=Christian |date=March 2, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga previews new song 'Government Hooker' at Mugler fashion show: Listen to it here! |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/03/02/lady-gaga-government-hooker-mugler-fashion-debut/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000737/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/03/02/lady-gaga-government-hooker-mugler-fashion-debut/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=May 7, 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> The song then descends into the chorus: "I can be good / I can be sex / I can be anything / I can be everything / Just touch me baby."<ref name="pop" /> A supporting male vocalist responds, "Unless you want to be man / Unless you want to hold hands / I don't wanna be sad."<ref name="pop">{{cite web |last=Sawdey |first=Evan |date=May 27, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga: Born This Way |url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/141861-lady-gaga-born-this-way/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530001553/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/141861-lady-gaga-born-this-way/ |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |work=PopMatters}}</ref> After Gaga sings "I'm gonna drink my tears and cry / 'cos I know you love me baby" during the techno-inspired bridge,<ref name="pop" /><ref name="abc" /> she alludes to the alleged affair between Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy with the lyrics "Put your hands on me / John F. Kennedy / I'll make you squeal baby", singing in a monotonous, yet seductive tone.<ref name="abc">{{cite web |last=Pham |first=Sherisse |date=March 2, 2011 |title=Government Hooker and the Politics of Lady Gaga |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/03/government-hooker-and-the-politics-of-lady-gaga-/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203080849/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/03/government-hooker-and-the-politics-of-lady-gaga-/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |publisher=American Broadcasting Company}}</ref>
==Reception== "Government Hooker" was well received by the media. Sal Cinquemani of ''Slant Magazine'' described it as "filthy-fabulous",<ref name="SlantMagazineReview">{{cite web |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |date=May 21, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga: Born This Way |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lady-gaga-born-this-way/2508 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521143220/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lady-gaga-born-this-way/2508 |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |work=Slant Magazine}}</ref> while Jocelyn Vena of MTV called the song a "massive club track".<ref name="g2h" /> Kristen S. Hé of ''Vulture'' felt "Government Hooker" would be "the perfect soundtrack for a military-industrial-themed fashion show on Mars, with buzz-saw synthesizers as sharp as Gaga's prosthetic cheekbones."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=S. Hé |first=Kristen |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Every Lady Gaga Song, Ranked A deep dive into a star who almost single-handedly raised the bar for pop music. |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-lady-gaga-songs-ranked.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250422041654/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-lady-gaga-songs-ranked.html |archive-date=April 22, 2025 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=Vulture}}</ref> Randall Roberts of ''Los Angeles Times'' asserted that the song's dynamic was a quirky exception to the contravening nature of ''Born This Way''.<ref name="Los Angeles Times" /> Chris Richards of ''The Washington Post'' chose the song as a highlight on the album commenting that "'The Edge of Glory' makes a song like 'Government Hooker' seem much more daring than it actually is".<ref>{{cite news |author=Richards, Chris |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Review – Born This Way |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/album-review-lady-gaga-born-this-way/2011/05/20/AFvIny7G_blog.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112093541/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/album-review-lady-gaga-born-this-way/2011/05/20/AFvIny7G_blog.html |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Caryn Ganz of ''Spin'' said that Lady Gaga's eccentric and outlandish persona—the so-called "nutty come-ons"—were apparent in the "grimy doom disco" of "Government Hooker".<ref>{{cite web |last=Ganz |first=Caryn |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga, 'Born This Way' |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/lady-gaga-born-way-streamlinekonliveinterscope |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225033237/http://www.spin.com/reviews/lady-gaga-born-way-streamlinekonliveinterscope |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |work=Spin}}</ref> Christian Blauvelt of ''Entertainment Weekly'' described the song's chorus as "an infectious raver with a killer hook [and it] is pretty irresistible."<ref name="ew" />
''The Independent''{{'s}} Adam White wrote, "nothing will ever sound as sticky and sweet" as "Government Hooker", which he described as "pure chaos". He highlighted the chorus "that sounds like a duet between Edith Piaf and a sex robot."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=White |first=Adam |date=8 March 2025 |title=Lady Gaga: Every song ranked, from Born This Way to Abracadabra |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/lady-gaga-mayhem-best-songs-albums-b2710975.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250511165603/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/features/lady-gaga-mayhem-best-songs-albums-b2710975.html |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=The Independent}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' journalist Jody Rosen felt that the production of the "requisite kinky song" was captivating, including its "shape-shifting assemblage of buzzes, beeps and clattering beats".<ref name="rollz" /> Dan Martin of ''NME'' wrote that "Government Hooker" is inimical to the campy nature of the album, and felt that as the track starts, ''Born This Way'' effectively transcends into "claustrophobic" techno beats. "This is freeform and industrial and quite mad", Martin noted.<ref name="nme" /> ''Billboard'' writer Kerri Mason said that the track has "opera vocalizing, minimal techno bleeps, a JFK reference, and conflicting definitions of self as seductive product".<ref name="bill">{{cite magazine |last=Mason |first=Kerri |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga 'Born This Way': Track-By-Track Review |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471176/lady-gaga-born-this-way-track-by-track-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315090009/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471176/lady-gaga-born-this-way-track-by-track-review |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> To Ian Wade of BBC Music, the eerie operatic entrance of "Government Hooker" gives way to a "Casiotone throb".<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |last=Wade |first=Ian |date=May 19, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga Born This Way Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5pzb/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222193927/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5pzb |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |work=BBC Music}}</ref> Evan Sawdey of PopMatters commended the sexual lyrics of the song, and insisted that the "gender-bending" chorus was the best since The Killers' "Somebody Told Me".<ref name="pop" />
Despite not being released as a single, "Government Hooker" entered the charts in two countries: In South Korea, the song debuted at number fifteen on the Gaon Digital Chart selling 13,976 copies,<ref name="kor" /> while in the United States, "Government Hooker" debuted and peaked at number sixteen on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance/Electronic Digital Songs.<ref name="dance" />
==Live performances and media usage== [[File:Lady Gaga Government Hooker (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=A woman, sporting a ram-horned headpiece, stands behind a man sitting in a chair.|Gaga performing "Government Hooker" on the Born This Way Ball tour]] In October 2011, Gaga performed "Government Hooker" at the Clinton Foundation's ''Decade of Difference'' celebration at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="usa">{{cite web |last=Gunderson |first=Edna |date=October 17, 2011 |title=Bono, Gaga, Chesney perform in Bill Clinton's honor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/story/2011-10-14/clinton-foundation-concert/50790334/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626170412/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/story/2011-10-14/clinton-foundation-concert/50790334/1 |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Perpetua |first=Matthew |date=October 17, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga, Bono Rock For Clinton Foundation |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gaga-bono-rock-for-clinton-foundation-20111017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019191943/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gaga-bono-rock-for-clinton-foundation-20111017 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2012 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The song was featured in a promotional video for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on August 18, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 17, 2011 |title=Lady Gaga's MTV 'VMA' Promo to Air During 'Jersey Shore' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gaga-mtv-vma-jersey-shore-224378 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603193341/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gaga-mtv-vma-jersey-shore-224378 |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
"Government Hooker" was included on the setlist of the Born This Way Ball, Gaga's third headlining tour (2012–2013). The song was performed as the second song in the setlist, after "Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)". Following a brief interlude, Gaga appeared from one of the doors of the big castle prop on the stage, wearing an ''Alien''-esque outfit,<ref>{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Robert |date=October 9, 2012 |title=Lady GaGa, The Darkness at 'Born This Way Ball' - Review |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/live-reviews/a404995/lady-gaga-the-darkness-at-born-this-way-ball-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131092951/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/live-reviews/a404995/lady-gaga-the-darkness-at-born-this-way-ball-review/ |archive-date=January 31, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |work=Digital Spy}}</ref> and walked down the steps. She then appeared to take part in a sexual routine with one of her dancers. During the breakdown, Gaga pulled a gun out of a drawer and pretended to shoot the dancer. She performed the song's chorus one more time before telling the crowd, "Welcome to the Born This Way Ball", and 'shooting' the castle gates open.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 27, 2012 |title=Lady Gaga Debuts Born This Way Ball in South Korea |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gaga-debuts-born-this-way-ball-in-south-korea-20120427 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601012528/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lady-gaga-debuts-born-this-way-ball-in-south-korea-20120427 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>
Gaga later performed "Government Hooker", for the first time in nearly six years, during her Las Vegas residency show, Enigma (2018–2020).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |date=December 29, 2018 |title=Review: Lady Gaga Maintains 'Poker Face' During Stellar Vegas Debut |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/review-lady-gaga-las-vegas-residency-opening-night-773628/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230011954/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/review-lady-gaga-las-vegas-residency-opening-night-773628/ |archive-date=December 30, 2018 |access-date=December 29, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The track followed a medley of fellow ''Born This Way'' tracks, "Scheiße" and "Judas", and showed Gaga wearing an illuminated armor-like bodysuit with a blue, anime-inspired wig. She performed vogue-like choreography before segueing into a cover of David Bowie's 1997 single, "I'm Afraid of Americans". During "Government Hooker", Gaga changed the song's lyrics to address the Trump administration ("I'll make you squeal baby/Donald Trump, if you pay me.")<ref>{{cite news |last=Barlow |first=Eve |date=December 30, 2018 |title=A Star Is Born Again: Lady Gaga's Vegas Residency Dazzles |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/lady-gagas-vegas-residency-reviewed.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041327/https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/lady-gagas-vegas-residency-reviewed.html |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2019 |work=Vulture}}</ref><ref name="harpers">{{cite magazine |last=Mackelden |first=Amy |date=December 29, 2018 |title=Lady Gaga Served so Many Epic Looks on Her Las Vegas Residency's Opening Night |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/g25706684/lady-gaga-las-vegas-residency-enigma-outfits-looks-photos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041546/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/g25706684/lady-gaga-las-vegas-residency-enigma-outfits-looks-photos/ |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=January 23, 2019 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar}}</ref>
==Credits and personnel== Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Born This Way''.<ref name="liner" />
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* Lady Gaga – vocals, songwriter, producer, background vocals * Fernando Garibay – songwriter, co-producer, programming, keyboards; recording at Studio at the Palms, Las Vegas, Nevada * DJ White Shadow – songwriter, producer, programming, keyboards, guitars * DJ Snake – co-producer, bass guitar, drums, keyboards * Kareem "Jesus" Devlin – guitars * Peter Van Der Veen – background vocals * Josh Thomas – background vocals, co-producer * Brian Lee – background vocals * Bill Malina – additional recording * Dave Russell – audio mixing at The Mix Room, Burbank, California * Gene Grimaldi – audio mastering at Oasis Mastering, Burbank, California * Paul Pavao – assistant }}
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Weekly chart performance for "Government Hooker" !scope="col"|Chart (2011) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"|South Korean International Singles (Gaon)<ref name="kor">{{cite web |title=Gaon Digital Chart – 2011.05.22~2011.05.28 |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E¤t_week=23¤t_year=2011&chart_Time=week |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203082800/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E¤t_week=23¤t_year=2011&chart_Time=week |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2013 |publisher=Korea Music Content Industry Association |language=ko}}</ref> |align="center"|15 |- !scope="row"|US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (''Billboard'')<ref name="dance">{{cite magazine |title=Lady Gaga – Chart history: Dance/Electronic Digital Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/306341/lady-gaga/chart?page=1&f=1099 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722034530/http://www.billboard.com/artist/306341/lady-gaga/chart?page=1&f=1099 |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |access-date=November 26, 2013 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> |align="center"|16 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Lady Gaga songs}} {{Portal bar|Record production|Feminism}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2011 songs Category:Lady Gaga songs Category:Song recordings produced by Lady Gaga Category:Songs about John F. Kennedy Category:Songs about Marilyn Monroe Category:Songs written by DJ White Shadow Category:Songs written by Fernando Garibay Category:Songs written by Lady Gaga