Worldwide pop icons and multi-Grammy winners Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have come back with their new single, “Die With a Smile,” co-produced with D’Mile and Andrew Watt. It is the duo’s first collaboration, combining their years of dynamic experience and musicality into an emotionally powerful love ballad. The track stands alone as a gift to fans, made truly in the spirit of fun and spontaneity. Co-directed by Daniel Ramos and Bruno Mars, the accompanying music video has vintage touches, from the instrumental set-up to the outfits and makeup. There is a soft, warm, grainy, haze over the footage, adding to the old-school vibe.
On the project’s conception, Lady Gaga recalls, “…One night after a long day he asked me to come to his studio to hear something he was working on…I was blown away when I heard what he started making. We stayed up all night and finished writing and recording the song.” Bruno Mars returned compliments, stating, “Getting to work with Gaga has been an honor. She’s an icon and she makes this song magical…”
The track begins with a dreamy, soft guitar, easing into Bruno’s first verse. His signature smooth yet raspy tone immediately catches attention, emphasized by some tasteful reverb. The pre-chorus opens the range of the track, giving the first taste of many soaring vocal displays throughout the song. By the second verse, Gaga joins in with her bold and full tone, belting beautifully. The choruses are sung in unison, delivering the sentimental message of the track:
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
“Die With a Smile” is a refreshing release in a current landscape barren of ballads, let alone duets of this caliber. Reminiscent of early 2000’s ballads, the sound conjures a sense of nostalgia, as one X user posted comparing the song to Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit, “I’m With You.”:
To experience an epic 4 minutes of pure talent and sophistication, stream “Die With a Smile” now on Spotify and Apple Music.