Forget the "Poker Face" and the avant-garde masks, Lady Gaga's mug looks downright pretty -- in that traditionally smoldering way -- on the cover of Elle's January issue.

Photographed by Tom Munro and styled by Joe Zee, Gaga, in a torso-hugging knitted corset, manages to look conservative compared to her usual attention-grabbing, overtly provocative wardrobe choices.

Surprisingly, the pop star tells the magazine that her record label didn't always think she was putting enough sex appeal out there.

"My album covers are not sexual at all, which was an issue at my record label," she says. "I fought for months, and I cried at meetings. They didn't think the photos were commercial enough... The last thing a young woman needs is another picture of a sexy pop star writhing in sand, covered in grease, touching herself."

Or, really, another paparazzi shot of a star that forgot to put on pants... but we digress.

Gaga goes on to reveal to Elle that she sees Little Gagas in the future and that she already gets the "symptoms of a pregnant woman" when dealing with stress.

"I get headaches, I get tired, I get blurred vision sometimes during a really intense session with [her creative team] the Haus."

But don't think you'll see a baby bump under her skin-tight gear anytime soon.

"In eight to 10 years, I want to have babies for my Dad to hold, grandkids," the 23-year-old reveals.

"And I want to have a husband who loves and supports me, just the way anyone else does. I would never leave my career for a man right now, and I would never follow a man around." Amen to that.

To read more of Elle's exclusive interview with Lady Gaga, where she talks about her waitressing days and her ground-breaking work, head over to Elle.com and pick up the January issue of the magazine.

What do you think of Gaga's more demure look? Tell us in a comment!