Billboard Bits: Gaga to Release New Version of ‘Born This Way,’ Radiohead to Distribute ‘Universal Sigh’ Newspaper

Billboard Staff
·3 min read
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Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.

Lady Gaga to Release ‘Country Road Version’ of ‘Born This Way’ Friday
The Mother Monster took to her Twitter account Thursday morning (Mar. 24) to announce that she will be making another early morning Friday release. Tomorrow at 3 a.m. EST, Gaga will release a new version of her No. 1 single “Born This Way,” titled the “Country Road Version,” via Twitter. “Surprise Monsters!: Born This Way (The Country Road Version) will be released on Twitter tomorrow at 12am PST/3am EST 3/25,” Gaga tweeted. (@ladygaga)

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Radiohead to Give Away ‘Universal Sigh’ Newspaper in Conjunction With ‘King of Limbs’ Release
Radiohead‘s “King of Limbs” may have made its way online last month, but that’s not to say that the UK band isn’t doing anything to celebrate the album’s physical release next week. “Radiohead have produced a newspaper which will be given away, free, gratis, without cost to the consumer by accredited vendors from a multitude of locations WORLDWIDE!” read TheUniversalSigh.com, the band’s website for the paper, titled The Universal Sigh. Fans can figure out where they can pick up copies of The Universal Sigh on the release date of “The King of Limbs” (Mar. 28 in the U.S.) through the paper’s website. (TheUniversalSigh.com)

Willow Smith Seeks Payback For Justin Bieber’s Prank
Willow Smith is seeking revenge against Justin Bieber after he pranked her on stage in Manchester, England. Bieber, Jaden Smith, “swagger coach” Ryan Good and Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun surprised tour opener Willow while performing “Whip My Hair” by donning Willow-inspired hair pieces and, naturally, whipping them. “My big brothers Justin and Jaden pranked me on stage tonight … #payback!!!” she tweeted. Watch below. (People.com)

Video: Justin Bieber Pranks Willow Smith On European Tour

Pete Townshend: ‘I Wish I’d Never Joined a Band’
In a special edition magazine about The Who, the band’s legendary guitarist Pete Townshend confessed that joining a band is one of the regrets in life. “What would I have done differently? I would never have joined a band,” he said, adding: “I would have made a much more effective solo performer and producer” and deeming himself “bad at creative collaboration.” (NME)


Simon Cowell’s ‘X Factor’ To Begin Auditions In L.A.
 Former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell will begin searching for talent on the upcoming U.S. version of “The X Factor” audition tour, alongside newly appointed judge and former Island Def Jam record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid on Sunday (Mar. 27) in L.A. Auditions will be open to solo artists and vocal groups over the age of 12. The open call will be held at the L.A. Sports Arena for those who acquired wristbands the day before tryouts. Subsequent auditions will be held in Miami, Newark, N.J, Seattle, Chicago and Dallas, ending May 25. ( Us Weekly)

Jay-Z Collaborates With Sade on ‘Moon & the Sky’ Remix
Sade will collaborate with Jay-Z on a remix of their track “Moon & the Sky,” from Sade’s most recent album “Soldier of Love,” despite previous statements from band leader and namesake Sade Adu refusing to collaborate with other artists. “I’ve never collaborated because I’ve always avoided working outside my safety zone — I can be exactly who I am and can fail or succeed within the moment,” the R&B singer told Canada’s National Post last February. The “Moon & the Sky” remix will be featured on Sade’s upcoming box set, “Ultimate Collection,” due May 3. ( All Hip Hop)

(Reporting by Jillian Mapes, Katie Morgan, Jazmine Gray and Ricardo Gomez)

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