Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, two of the biggest pop artists in the world, have collaborated for the first time with a new song, “Die With a Smile.” Released on August 16, the song immediately shot to the top of digital charts worldwide. It eventually became Lady Gaga’s first #1 song on Apple Music. The soft rock ballad also reached #3 on the global Spotify chart and became the #1 new release on the platform last week. Critics praise the duet as “a soulful masterpiece.”
Music video for the track was released on the same day. The video features the two stars dressed in blue-and-red 1970’s garbs while they sing on a retro-style recording stage. The vintage aesthetic has drawn comparison to Silk Sonic, Mars’ previous collaboration with Anderson .Paak. Within 5 days, the video has amassed over 14 million views.
On the eve of the song’s release, the duo performed the song at Mars’ Intuit Dome concert in Los Angeles. Both known for their powerful vocals and enigmatic stage presence, the singers showcased electric chemistry as they belted out the song’s ascending notes. Along with the splashy performance, the “Born This Way” diva also announced the song’s release on Instagram, telling fans she’s giving them something to “wait till LG7”, referring to her upcoming seventh studio album.
In a statement, the “Shallow” songstress described how the collaboration came to be.
“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,” Gaga recounted. “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 is next level. There’s no one like him.”
“Getting to work with Gaga has been an honor,” Mars gushed in a separate statement. “She’s an icon and she makes this song magical. I’m so excited for everyone to hear it.”
Watch the official music video to the song below.