Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have crashed back into the music scene with their new single “Die With A Smile.” The song, a ballad duet, showcases the powerful vocals, production, and songwriting that both artists are known to achieve. The song is Lady Gaga’s first song since 2022, and Bruno Mars’ first track since 2021. Respectively both artists did not miss with “Die With A Smile.”
The song opens up with the strumming pattern of an electric guitar while Bruno harmonizes vocals to the guitar’s chords. The first verse features only Bruno singing “I just woke up from a dream. Where you and I had to say goodbye.” Continuing further into the verse and pre-chorus, Bruno sings, describing being dazed and confused, fighting to be with the one true person he is meant to be with. The chorus describes how in situations, whether it be when the world ends, or if the party is over, the only person they want to be with is their significant other. My reaction was that this song could easily fit as a first dance at a wedding or a record that couples could dub as “our song.”
Gaga chimes in on the second verse, and as a huge Gaga fan since 2008, it was refreshing to hear new vocals from the pop icon. Tossing lyrics back and forth Gaga and Bruno’s vocalizations and harmonies are truly suited for each other and blend beautifully. The bridge chimes in with an elegantly put-together instrumental breakdown, featuring many different layers of patterned guitars, an echoing drumbeat, and a piano faintly. The track closes with the chorus amped up past 100, with Gaga and Bruno adding new adlibs and belts that perfectly suit the closing finale of the song. The song softens and ends with Gaga and Bruno singing “I wanna be next to you” soothingly.
The track was unexpected, and refreshing after all the hype of upbeat, hyper-electronic music that has been taking pop radio by storm. I remember a few weeks ago someone on Twitter (X), mentioned radios were preparing for the song from the duo, but with Gaga teasing her next album and Joker 2 on the horizon, I just took it as speculation. I’m glad to have been proven wrong as the track proved how well ballads can be put together correctly when two people with ample music experience are behind the reigns. Bruno Mars returns to Las Vegas at the end of the year, and Lady Gaga comes back to the big screen with Joker 2, and her next album is expected in 2025. The song came right in time to perfectly tide fans over before their next big projects debut.
You can watch the music video for “Die With A Smile” below:
Lady Gaga: Instagram, Twitter (X)
Bruno Mars: Instagram, Twitter (X)
