Lady Gaga's collaboration with Bruno Mars, titled "Die With A Smile," is poised to be an essential feature of her forthcoming album. The artist initially hinted at her yet-to-be-named seventh solo studio album in October, shortly after the release of the Mars collaboration.
Originally presented as a standalone single, "Die With A Smile" has been distinguished with Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop/Duo Group Performance. However, in a recent interview with the L.A. Times, Gaga revealed that the track will indeed be included in the album set for release in February. "It's a huge part of my album," Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, explained, describing it as "this missing piece."
When questioned about the song's connection to her upcoming film "Joker: Folie à Deux" or its accompanying album, "Harlequin," Gaga responded that while there may be overlaps in her life during the creation of the song, it wasn’t specifically intended for those projects. "It’s hard to say no entirely because these things always ricochet off each other," she commented.
Gaga further elaborated that there is a unique humor found in the music video, acknowledging how it juxtaposes a melancholic theme with comic elements. "Singing about dying is not something you would associate with smiling, but somehow it all makes sense when you think about the sweetness of what we’re trying to say," she remarked.
The collaboration came to fruition when Mars reached out to her with an idea for the song. Gaga recalled the moment fondly, stating, "He played me the start of this idea…and I said, ‘This one is a love song — I think people would love to hear us do a love song.’” She felt a strong connection to the lyrics, believing they conveyed a message that resonated with different audiences. "There are times that you know it’s gonna deeply speak to all different kinds of people. I knew it right away," she said.
Gaga expressed a desire to create harmonies reminiscent of the "70s" and referenced the musical collaborations of Carole King and James Taylor. She believes "Die With a Smile" is distinctive for 2024, adding, "We’re saying some things that may not be happening on every record."
In discussing her upcoming album, Gaga described it as an embodiment of "my love of music," integrating various genres and styles. She remarked, "It leaps around genre in a way that’s almost corrupt" and concluded the album on a note of love, which she regards as the remedy to life's chaos. She shared that the songs often reflect on her past decisions but ultimately lead to a joyful resolution.
As she prepares for her headline performance at Coachella 2025, Gaga is conceptualizing a visual narrative for the album to present at the festival. She reflected on her 2017 performance, which was altered from her original vision, stating, "It’s time to make it happen."
In addition to "Die With A Smile," Gaga has also released a single titled "Disease" from the forthcoming album. Earlier this month, she described "Disease" as a glimpse into the chaotic themes of the album, showcasing different facets of her identity.
Gaga's previous albums include her 2021 collaboration with Tony Bennett, "Love For Sale," and her last solo project, "Chromatica," released in 2020. The latter received acclaim for its pure pop sound and themes of healing and bravery, demonstrating Gaga's ongoing evolution as an artist.
Originally presented as a standalone single, "Die With A Smile" has been distinguished with Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop/Duo Group Performance. However, in a recent interview with the L.A. Times, Gaga revealed that the track will indeed be included in the album set for release in February. "It's a huge part of my album," Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, explained, describing it as "this missing piece."
When questioned about the song's connection to her upcoming film "Joker: Folie à Deux" or its accompanying album, "Harlequin," Gaga responded that while there may be overlaps in her life during the creation of the song, it wasn’t specifically intended for those projects. "It’s hard to say no entirely because these things always ricochet off each other," she commented.
Gaga further elaborated that there is a unique humor found in the music video, acknowledging how it juxtaposes a melancholic theme with comic elements. "Singing about dying is not something you would associate with smiling, but somehow it all makes sense when you think about the sweetness of what we’re trying to say," she remarked.
The collaboration came to fruition when Mars reached out to her with an idea for the song. Gaga recalled the moment fondly, stating, "He played me the start of this idea…and I said, ‘This one is a love song — I think people would love to hear us do a love song.’” She felt a strong connection to the lyrics, believing they conveyed a message that resonated with different audiences. "There are times that you know it’s gonna deeply speak to all different kinds of people. I knew it right away," she said.
Gaga expressed a desire to create harmonies reminiscent of the "70s" and referenced the musical collaborations of Carole King and James Taylor. She believes "Die With a Smile" is distinctive for 2024, adding, "We’re saying some things that may not be happening on every record."
In discussing her upcoming album, Gaga described it as an embodiment of "my love of music," integrating various genres and styles. She remarked, "It leaps around genre in a way that’s almost corrupt" and concluded the album on a note of love, which she regards as the remedy to life's chaos. She shared that the songs often reflect on her past decisions but ultimately lead to a joyful resolution.
As she prepares for her headline performance at Coachella 2025, Gaga is conceptualizing a visual narrative for the album to present at the festival. She reflected on her 2017 performance, which was altered from her original vision, stating, "It’s time to make it happen."
In addition to "Die With A Smile," Gaga has also released a single titled "Disease" from the forthcoming album. Earlier this month, she described "Disease" as a glimpse into the chaotic themes of the album, showcasing different facets of her identity.
Gaga's previous albums include her 2021 collaboration with Tony Bennett, "Love For Sale," and her last solo project, "Chromatica," released in 2020. The latter received acclaim for its pure pop sound and themes of healing and bravery, demonstrating Gaga's ongoing evolution as an artist.