Lady Gaga was “f***ing shell shocked” by comparisons between ‘Born This Way’ and Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself’.

The singer was surprised and upset people would compare the lead single from her new album – which has been a huge international hit – with Madonna’s 1989 track, and she can see no similarities herself.

She told NME magazine: “I was f***ing shell shocked by it. If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It’s the same one which has been in disco music for the last 50 years.

“Just because I’m the first artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio doesn’t mean I’m a plagiarist, it means I’m f***ing smart. Sorry.”

Gaga also feels the message of the song – which has been hailed a gay anthem – came to her from God, and people are always looking to criticise her just because she has become so famous.

She added: “I feel like, honestly, that God sent me those lyrics and that melody. When you feel a message to give to the world and people are shooting arrows through it – there’s no way for something that pure to be wrong.”

Gaga’s next single, ‘Judas’ is out now.