Just as quickly as rumors began to swirl that a Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars collab was headed our way, less than one day later, Gaga announced the songs title “Die With a Smile," and arrival to be “tonight 9PM PT,” midnight ET.
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Even with the short wait, the anticipation for the track was high, given the caliber of superstars involved. And while little was known about the song until it’s arrival, some of its melody was revealed thanks to a very short tease Gaga shared on IG. Gaga's brand new edgy black hair and the artwork of the duo’s vintage country-leaning outfits also gave us something extra to obsess about until that time came.
Well guess what y’all? That time is finally here. And as it turns out, after giving it a listen and viewing the music video co-directed by Bruno — it’s giving more American Bandstand, and less Grand Ole Opry.
For their first collaboration ever, this dynamic duo came together for an anthemic love ballad. Taking turns with the first two versus, Gaga and Bruno let their soaring vocals shine as they sing the chorus in unison — “If the world was ending I’d wanna be next to you / If the party was over and our time on Earth was through / I’d wanna hold you just for a while / And die with a smile / If the world was ending I’d wanna be next to you.”
Sharing how the “standalone collaboration,” created as a “treat for their fans,” came to be in an official statement, Gaga said, “Bruno and I have a lot of mutual respect for each other and were talking about collaborating. 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. 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.”
On collaborating Gaga, Bruno added, “Getting to work with Gaga has been an honor. She’s an icon and she makes this song magical. I’m so excited for everyone to hear it.”
Listen to the WORLD PREMIERE of the latest from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile," all day on your favorite Audacy Pop station.