In a highly anticipated musical comeback, Lady Gaga has joined forces with Bruno Mars for their new duet, “Die With a Smile,” marking her first single release in two years. The mid-tempo track showcases a heartfelt exchange between the two artists, with lyrics like, “If the world was ending / I’d wanna be next to you,” and the poignant chorus, “I wanna hold you just for a while / And die with a smile.”
The collaboration, unveiled on August 15, 2024, is complemented by a visually striking music video. Gaga and Mars, both 38, have shared a taste of their creative direction through social media, where Gaga teased the release with a nod to her forthcoming album, “LG7,” which currently lacks a release date.
In the promotional photo shared, Gaga is seen in a vibrant blue dress with a bold red scarf and matching tights, styled with high curls and dramatic eyeliner, evoking a Dolly Parton-inspired look. Mars, equally eye-catching in a blue suit with a red shirt and white cowboy hat, posted the same image on Instagram, promoting the single and video with the caption, “Song and video tonight! 9pm PT ♥️.”
Mars had previously hinted at this collaboration by donning a T-shirt emblazoned with Gaga’s name and a striking pink-haired skull. This duet marks Mars’ first collaboration with Gaga and his first single release since 2022’s “After Last Night,” a track featuring his Silk Sonic partner, Anderson .Paak.
Despite a pause in new music, Mars has been actively touring, with upcoming performances in California, Las Vegas, and Taiwan, before concluding his tour in Las Vegas later this year. Gaga, on the other hand, has been occupied with her role in the upcoming film “Joker: Folie à Deux,” set to hit theaters in October. Her last musical release was 2022’s “Hold My Hand” from the “Top Gun: Maverick” soundtrack.
Fans have eagerly awaited news of Gaga’s next album, especially following her confirmation in March about working on new material. Reflecting on her creative journey, Gaga shared on Instagram, “I am writing some of my best music in as long as I can remember…”
As anticipation builds for “LG7,” Gaga playfully dismissed fan requests for details during a June Las Vegas show, teasingly responding, “Not tonight!”