As I’ve mentioned to friends a few times in the last week, Lady Gaga’s persona has grown tiresome to me, with all of its self-seriousness (that “Judas” video, most recently) and constant costume changes (always and unending). It’s a feeling that was only cemented by Saturday’s showing of her Monster Ball Special on HBO. Most of the time I kept thinking just how happy I was to never have attended (“Yes, we get that you lived in New York. Would you kindly please stop screaming at us now?”).

But then there’s the music. And I’m quite satisfied to hear more from Lady Gaga, because that’s when she really delivers what matters: memorable tunes. Today brings “The Edge Of Glory,” a third track from Born This Way, out May 23.

“The Edge Of Glory,” which sounds like the theme song to an ’80s action flick based on its title alone, harkens back to one hallmark of the decade, the saxophone break. With so many musicians revisting the Eighties, several weeks ago I wondered which of today’s artists might be first to bring the sax back, and not only was Gaga the one, she boldly called in The Big Man, Clarence Clemons. Amazing.

I’ve never heard Gaga sound more alive than on “The Edge Of Glory.” More, please. (And less of everything else.)

“The Edge Of Glory” isn’t the only song on Born This Way that features Clarence Clemons. He also contributes sax to another number, “Hair,” which Gaga has described as having a Bruce Springsteen vibe to it. “She’s the real deal,” the E-Streeter tells Rolling Stone. “All the craziness and stuff, there’s a purpose to all of it. She has no boundaries.”

Purchase Lady Gaga – “The Edge Of Glory” via iTunes.