Lady Gaga: 'I bleed for my fans'

Lady Gaga has revealed that performing to fans on her recent world tour was like open heart surgery.

"I am quite literally chest open, exposed... bleeding for my fans and my music," she revealed in a new interview with Vogue magazine.

The eccentric singer, who's real name is Stefani Germanotta, is the March covergirl for the fashion bible and was photographed by the legendary Mario Testino.

In the frank chat, Lady Gaga said: "I am a talented entertainer. I consider myself to have one of the greatest voices in the industry. I consider myself to be one of the greatest songwriters.

"I wouldn't say that I am one of the greatest dancers, but I am really quite good at what I do. I think it's OK to be confident in yourself."

The 24-year-old also spoke of the heavily criticised meat dress that she wore for the MTV Video Music Awards in September.

"People are like, 'She dresses this way for attention'. Or like, 'Ugh, the meat dress'. People just want to figure it out or explain it. That truth is, the mystery and the magic is my art. That is what I am good at."

Lady Gaga's upcoming album, Born This Way, is released in May, but the highly anticipated single of the same name premieres today (Friday).