Music fans around the world are in for a treat as Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have teamed up for the first time, releasing a new single titled “Die With A Smile”. This highly anticipated collaboration brings together two of the most iconic and celebrated artists in the industry, blending their unique talents into a powerful and emotive ballad. This acts as the follow-up to Lady Gaga’s collaboration with The Rolling Stones on the live version of “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” recorded at Racket, NYC, and Bruno Mars’ collaboration with Anderson .Paak as the duo Silk Sonic on the single “Love’s Train”.
Written by Andrew Watt, Bruno Mars, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, James Fauntleroy, and Lady Gaga, whilst it was produced by Bruno Mars, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, Lady Gaga, and Andrew Watt; “Die With a Smile” is a flawless ballad track that mixes R&B with pop like no other, truly combining the styles from these two incredible singers. This is iconic in every single way and is ready to go down in history just like the Lady Gaga and Beyoncé collaboration or the Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars collaboration—we all know “Telephone” and “Uptown Funk” respectively.
Mars kicks the song off with his silky smooth vocals full of power, effortlessly showcasing why he’s one of the top male artists in the world. Strong and faultless, he absolutely impresses both vocally and emotionally, digging deep and easily giving us chills, especially as he works his way to the chorus—which flies in with more power, more emotion, and more heart-filled passion. This is Mars at his best like we’ve never heard him before and we’re totally blown away.
Then Gaga turns it up another notch with her superb vocals matching Mars’ level of power, emotion, and passion. Her verse also sees her unlock her heart and showcase the deep love that this song portrays lyrically. Harmonies are paired as she continues her verse which sees these two icons marr their voices beautifully and elegantly. They continue to harmonise as the pre-chorus rolls in followed by the awesome power ballad chorus, sending chills to every single listener. They slow it down for the bridge before taking it up one more notch for the ultimate ending.
The single showcases the impressive artistry of both performers—Gaga, who is an Academy Award winner and is a 13-time GRAMMY Award recipient, and Mars, who boasts 15 GRAMMY Awards. The combination of their musical prowess creates a track that is both moving and unforgettable.
“Die With A Smile” not only highlights the exceptional songwriting and vocal abilities of Gaga and Mars but also stands as a significant moment in pop culture. The track is a blend of dynamic vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and remarkable musical talent that is sure to resonate with listeners worldwide. Not only that, but the lyrics are full of so much heart as they delve into the deep love that one has for their other half, so much so that they want to cherish every moment together. It reflects on the idea of being next to a loved one during life’s uncertainties, highlighting the desire to hold onto love, even in the face of potential endings.
This collaboration originated from a place of mutual respect and admiration between the two artists. Gaga shared insights into the formation of the song, revealing that the idea came to life during a late-night studio session. “Bruno and I have a lot of mutual respect for each other and were talking about collaborating,” she explained. “I was finishing up my own album in Malibu and one night after a long day he asked me to come to his studio to hear something he was working on.”
She continued by saying, “It was around midnight when I got there and I was blown away when I heard what he had started making. We stayed up all night and finished writing and recording the song. Bruno’s talent is beyond explanation. His musicianship and vision [are] next level. There’s no one like him.”
Mars echoed Gaga’s sentiments, expressing his excitement about the project. “Getting to work with Gaga has been an honor,” he said. “She’s an icon, and she makes this song magical. I’m so excited for everyone to hear it.”
Accompanying the song release is a brilliant performance-based music video that was directed by Daniel Ramos and Bruno Mars. Set on a retro TV set, the artists transport viewers to the past as they perform in a studio with Mars playing the guitar and Gaga playing the piano, with a full band behind them including drums and backing singers.
They are dressed in similar striking blue outfits with Mars sporting a red shirt underneath a two-piece suit and a cowboy hat, while Gaga is wearing a red scarf made of thin material wrapped around her neck in a bow and red tights which contrast brilliantly with her striking blue dress. She adds an even more classic style as she is smoking a cigarette—which becomes a key moment in the video as during one segment she sings with it in her mouth.
As well as the music video, they also performed the song live together during Mars’ show at the opening of the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on August 15, 2024. The performance is similar to that of the music video with Mars playing the guitar and Gaga playing the piano. While the outfits are somewhat similar, with Mars donning a cowboy hat and Gaga wearing knee-high socks, the colours are different, giving a more modern feel as they are dressed in white with Mars also wearing black trousers and Gaga with a checkered soft-pink and white jacket.
As individual artists, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have each achieved remarkable success, selling a combined 300 million records globally and earning 13 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 11 number-one hits on the UK Official Charts. Their collaboration on “Die With A Smile” is poised to add another chapter to their storied careers, offering fans a captivating and soulful anthem that will undoubtedly make its mark on the music industry.
“Die With a Smile”, by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Interscope Records.