London, Apr 30 (IANS): Pop star Lady Gaga has been named the world's most influential artist -- in a new poll by America's Time magazine.
The singer, 24, takes the top spot in the list of 25 stars, which is a part of the publication's 2010 Time 100 compilation.
Describing her lyrics as literary, Gaga's fellow pop star Cyndi Lauper said that an artist's job is to take a snapshot - be it through words or sound, lyrics or song - that explains what it's like to be alive at that time.
"Lady Gaga's art captures the period we're in right now. These days, you go to a club and wonder who all these kids are. They don't seem to have jobs. How can they afford to be here?
"Her song 'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich' explains that scene. It's about the New York prep-school party kids she grew up with. It's where she came from," Lauper said.
TV funnyman Conan O'Brien is second on the list, followed by Kathryn Bigelow on third spot and Oprah Winfrey at fourth.
"Twilight" actor Robert Pattinson makes an appearance at number six and singer Taylor Swift is at ninth position. Glee star Lea Michele is a surprise entry at number 13 - above music mogul Simon Cowell and Sir Elton John.
The 25 most influential artists of 2010 are:
1. Lady Gaga
2. Conan O'Brien
3. Kathryn Bigelow
4. Oprah Winfrey
5. Valery Gergiev
6. Robert Pattinson
7. Ashton Kutcher
8. Suzanne Collins
9. Taylor Swift
10. Neil Patrick Harris
11. Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof
12. Prince
13. Lea Michele
14. Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik
15. Simon Cowell
16. Neill Blomkamp
17. Elton John
18. Marc Jacobs
19. David Chang
20. Banksy
21. Chetan Bhagat
22. Sandra Bullock
23. Ricky Gervais
24. Han Han
25. James Cameron