Die with a Smile

Background and development

Bruno Mars first developed what would become "Die with a Smile" in 2021, writing parts of the first verse and chorus before setting it aside as an unfinished demo. American record producer and songwriter D'Mile recalled that Mars "had the hook, at least the lyrics or theme to the hook, about being next to someone if the world was ending". Mars was, however, unsure how to develop it further and held the idea for a year before its release.

According to American singer-songwriter James Fauntleroy, Mars initially considered pitching an early version of the song for the 2024 film Joker: Folie à Deux in which Lady Gaga stars, or her companion album to the film, Harlequin (2024). The former project is a companion album to the film. Mars, Fauntleroy, and D'Mile then resumed working on the track. D'Mile noted that they created only "two or three" versions—fewer than usual—and that the second was already close to the final arrangement. They experimented with different chords for the verse before Mars settled on a progression and the hook chords on guitar, while D'Mile played bass.

American record producer Andrew Watt was invited, alongside Gaga and American entrepreneur and venture capitalist Michael Polansky to hear the song at Mars's studio. During the session, Gaga, who was recording her upcoming studio album, was "blown away" by the track. Regarding their collaboration, Gaga highlighted Mars's skill, musicianship and forward-thinking; Mars described the collaboration as a privilege and said her contribution added a distinctive element to the song.

Writing and recording

Gaga visited Mars late at night to work on the song. After writing the second verse together, they recorded until the early morning, Mars closely guiding Gaga's vocals to match his intended sound. She also mentioned that they aimed for the harmonies to feel "very 1970s" and were inspired by the collaborations between Carole King and James Taylor. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gaga revealed that she was initially intrigued by the idea of a song centered on what people would do if faced with the end of the world. She added:

I just remember feeling like it was a song that people needed to hear. I write music all the time, and sometimes you feel like you're making something that some people will like. But there's other times that you work on something and you just know it's gonna deeply speak to all different kinds of people.

Music journalists affirmed that, although the title evoked associations with Joker: Folie à Deux, the session focused on creating "a love song that would be for the ages". According to Watt, the recording of "Die with a Smile" followed an "old-school" approach, with Mars and Fauntleroy playing as Gaga wrote out the chords and bass changes. He added that the song was developed collaboratively, the team shaping its harmonies together, and recorded entirely with live instrumentation—including drums, bass, guitars, and vocals—to achieve a raw, organic sound.

Despite Gaga's upcoming commitments, work on the song continued into the early hours of the morning. Watt characterized the atmosphere in the studio as a "healthy competition", comparing the interaction between the singers to that of Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. After the instrumental arrangement had been completed, Gaga recorded her vocals while Mars assumed the role of vocal producer, the pair refining their performances together. Fauntleroy later remembered Gaga learning the chords at the piano and carefully writing them down before rehearsing the song alongside Mars, which the team regarded as an unusually hands-on session. Following the recording, Watt and Gaga recut portions of her vocals while Watt and D'Mile continued refining the track over the following weeks.

Release

The duo announced, on August 15, 2024, that the song and its accompanying music video would be released the following day. Simultaneously, they revealed the single's cover art, which depicts them in coordinating red-and-blue retro Western outfits, Gaga holding a cigarette and Mars wearing a white cowboy hat.

On August 16, Interscope Records released the single via digital download and streaming platforms. It was also sent for radio airplay in Italy by EMI Records and Warner Music Group. A CD single was also issued in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States by Interscope and Streamline. On August 19, the track was serviced for adult contemporary and hot adult contemporary formats by Interscope. The label also sent the song to contemporary hit radio on the following day. The 7-inch vinyl was released in Canada on November 29, in Germany on December 9, and in France and the United Kingdom on December 13. On February 8, 2026, Gaga performed an abridged salsa version of "Die with a Smile", as a guest performer, at Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show. That version of the song was released on the same day on streaming services.

Although "Die with a Smile" was initially promoted as a standalone single by Gaga's representatives, she later confirmed in a December 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times that it would appear on Mayhem, describing it as "a huge part" and the "missing piece". Gaga added that she chose it as the closing track to give the record a "sense of peace", noting it was the last song she wrote. The song was also included on Mars's first compilation album, Collaborations (2026).

Composition and production

"Die with a Smile" is a pop, pop-soul, and soft rock song that evokes the emotional style of a sentimental ballad with influences from country music. The song was composed in the key of A major with a slow tempo of 52 beats per minute in 6/8 time signature. Billboard's Kyle Denis described the song as a "soaring ballad that blends pop, soul, country and rock", and Luisa Calle from Billboard Español said it combines Gaga's emotive lyrical style with Mars's smooth R&B influence. The song was written by Mars, Gaga, Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, and Andrew Watt and produced by all but Fauntleroy. Mars and Watt played the guitar, while Gaga played the piano and D'Mile was in charge of the bass and drums. It was recorded at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios, in Los Angeles, by Charles Moniz and Paul LaMalfa, who also served as engineers with Marco Sonzini. The track was mixed by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Randy Merrill mastered it at Sterling Sound in New York City.

"Die with a Smile" opens with Mars taking the first verse and Gaga the second, after which both vocalists play off each other for the remainder of the track. It features what Variety's Jem Aswad described as "soaring vocals, a big chorus, gently strummed guitars", culminating in a "sky-scraping climax" on the final chorus. Lyrically, it is an intense declaration of love that explores the narrators's feelings for each other amid a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario. Gaga has described it as an "apocalyptic love song". The chorus conveys a sense of urgency in the relationship with its emphasis on the desire to be "next to you" if "the world was ending" or "our time on Earth was through". Capital's Abbie Reynolds described lines such as "Nobody's promised tomorrow" and "I'ma love you every night like it's the last night" as reminders not to take love for granted. Jake Viswanath of Bustle compared the song's lyrical perspective to Gaga's 2011 single "The Edge of Glory", and Billboard Argentina highlighted its focus on "finding happiness and peace amid adversity". Writing for Marie Claire, Candela Barbieri viewed the song as presenting love as a refuge in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Talking about the lyrics, Gaga added that although singing about dying does not naturally align with smiling, it makes sense in the context of the song because it reflects the sweetness and emotional meaning behind what they are expressing.

Critics noted that the song's sound was influenced by 1970s ballads. Los Angeles Times writer Mikael Wood said it evokes classic duets such as Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald's "On My Own" (1986) and Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" (1981). Reviewers Joey Nolfi and Justin Curto at Entertainment Weekly and Vulture, respectively, noticed similarities to 1960s and 1970s pop ballads as well as Gaga's earlier work on Joanne (2016) and her single "Shallow" (2018) from the A Star Is Born soundtrack. Ed Power for The Irish Times likened the track to James Bond theme songs and to Gaga's collaborations with Tony Bennett, and NME's Surej Singh compared its "soaring" chorus to Mars's Silk Sonic project. Shaad D'Souza writing for The New York Times further connected it to Mars's early material, influenced by wedding songs. Clash's Robin Murray considered the song's slow, echoing guitar chords similar to shoegaze music, blending Lee Hazlewood's traditional songwriting with dreamy sounds comparable to Slowdive.

Critical reception

"Die with a Smile" was met with critical acclaim. Reviewers highlighted the vocal interplay between Gaga and Mars and their restrained, cohesive duet dynamic. Vulture's Craig Jenkins and Kristen Hé affirmed the duo's voices are presented as complementary rather than competitive. Critics also praised the chemistry between the performers, describing the collaboration as natural and effective. Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine and Sam Damshenas of Gay Times described it as a contemporary reinterpretation of classic romantic traditions, combining nostalgic charm with a polished, cinematic pop structure.

Reviewers described "Die with a Smile" as a contemporary reinterpretation of 1970s duet traditions, combining retro influences with a cinematic ballad structure and a sense of nostalgic stylisation. Frequently described as a romantic, lightly apocalyptic slow dance and positioned within both vintage and modern pop sensibilities, the song was characterized by polished production and accessibility. Other critics characterized it as a timeless ballad, noting its accessible production and strong melodic identity. Industry commentary emphasized its emotional tone and crossover appeal, with descriptions ranging from a cinematic pop-rock track to a "late-stage song of the summer contender". Neil Yeung writing for AllMusic and Billboard's staff praised the song for its structural simplicity and longevity within the artists' catalogues. Paul Grein for Billboard and Aswad perceived its scale and commercial impact, describing it as a strong high-profile collaboration and an "instant smash".

Other assessments were less positive. Adam White from The Independent felt the song suits both artists stylistically but does not match its commercial success in artistic terms. Others described it as a satisfying love ballad that stays within familiar territory and does not expand their range. It was viewed as pleasant but underwhelming compared to previous work, with limited replay value. The A.V. Club's Drew Gillis described the track as competent but unremarkable, with concerns that it fades into the background and that Mars's melody dominates while Gaga plays a secondary role. John Doran from The Quietus pointed to lounge-influenced styling and labelled it an artificial mid-tempo ballad that lacks emotional impact.

Year-end lists

"Die with a Smile" was included in several year-end lists by music critics and publications. USA Today ranked it fifth, praising its retro-inspired exploration of enduring love, the complementary styles of the performers, and Mars's rhythmic production, particularly its use of drums to enhance emotional intensity. The Los Angeles Times placed it at number 17, and Billboard ranked it 21st, highlighting its "timeless" production, vocal performances, and replay value. Billboard Philippines praised the duo's vocal chemistry and emotional harmonies, and Uproxx also listed the song among the year's best, citing its chemistry and vocal delivery.

Comments on the song's placement within Mayhem

Gaga has described Mayhem as an intentionally eclectic project that moves between contrasting sounds and moods before ultimately resolving in love, framing the album as a complete experience rather than a strictly cohesive genre piece.

Following the release of Mayhem, critics examined the role of "Die with a Smile". It was generally regarded as an effective closer, its tone providing a coherent conclusion to the record. David Cobbald from The Line of Best Fit and Variety's Steven Horowitz noted its placement aligns with the album's closing sequence of ballads, though suggested that its inclusion raises questions over whether Mayhem was adjusted to accommodate it. Donovan Livesey writing for MusicOMH framed it as an artistically motivated inclusion and described it as an "almost cinematic" finale that complements the album's softer closing section.

Other critics argued the track disrupts Mayhem's pacing and tonal consistency. Abby Jones for Stereogum and Exclaim!'s staff described it as out of place, suggesting its strong streaming performance may have influenced its inclusion. Nick Levine for NME and Mark Richardson from The Wall Street Journal characterized it as an "afterthought" or "palate cleanser", while acknowledging it as a softer closing moment. Richardson and Murray suggested it introduces an uneasy tonal contrast despite its individual appeal. Atwood Magazine's staff and Sam Rosenberg from Paste described its placement as anticlimactic.

Commercial performance

Americas

"Die with a Smile" sold over 14,000 digital copies in the United States during its first four days of availability. The track debuted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week dated August 31, 2024. It reached number two on the Hot 100, with 45.3 million radio airplay impressions, 22.6 million streams, and 16,000 copies sold. Three new versions were released during the tracking week and discounted to 69 cents on the iTunes store. After selling 6,000 copies, "Die with a Smile" reached the number one spot on the Hot 100 for the chart dated January 11, 2025, garnering 59.7 million radio listeners as well as 27.1 million streams. The single became Gaga's sixth chart-topper and Mars's ninth; it spent five non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Hot 100.

Gaga became the third artist in history to achieve multiple U.S. number one songs in three different decades, after Michael and Janet Jackson. "Die with a Smile" was the longest-charting song with a female lead, and the longest-charting duet ever in the top 10 of the Hot 100. "Die with a Smile" dropped off the Hot 100 in its 60th week, due to Billboard updated chart rules, removing songs outside the top 10 for more than 52 weeks. The 60 weeks spent on the aforementioned chart is a longevity record for both artists and also the most for a duet between a female and male artist. Gaga became the fifth act to achieve at least one number one in each of the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s on Pop Airplay. The single topped the 2025 Hot 100 Year-End chart, becoming the first male-female duet to do so.

"Die with a Smile" debuted at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100 and subsequently climbed to the top, marking Gaga's sixth number one hit and Mars's fifth. The song was certified eight-times platinum by Music Canada (MC). In Brazil, the song peaked at number four on the Billboard Brasil Hot 100 and received an eleven-times diamond certification from Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).

Europe

"Die with a Smile" entered the UK Singles Chart at number seven, marking Gaga's 15th top-ten song and Mars's 11th. In its ninth week on the chart, it reached number two and spent a year on the chart. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it triple platinum certification. In Ireland, "Die with a Smile" also achieved the biggest debut of the week by entering at number 13, and in its sixth week, it peaked at number three.

"Die with a Smile" topped the chart in the Flemish Region of Belgium, and in Greece and Portugal. The song also reached number one in the Netherlands, including both Dutch Top 40 and Single Top 100; on the latter chart, Gaga became the first artist to achieve a chart-topping song in three different decades in the country. The track also became Gaga's fourth number one track and Mars's second in Switzerland, remaining in that position for four consecutive weeks. It was Gaga's fifth number one single, and Mars's second, in Norway.

"Die with a Smile" reached number two in the Walloon Region, Sweden, and on the Polish Airplay Top 100. It entered the top three in Lithuania, peaking at number four in Germany and number seven in France. The song was awarded a platinum certification by IFPI Switzerland, six times platinum by the Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa (AFP), and four times platinum by IFPI Greece. In Poland and France, the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry (ZPAV) and National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing (SNEP) awarded "Die with a Smile" a diamond certification, respectively.

Asia and Oceania

"Die with a Smile" met widespread commercial success in Asia, reaching number one on the weekly charts in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as in the Philippines, where Gaga and Mars became the first non-Filipino act to reach number one on the Philippines Hot 100 since the chart's reintroduction in July 2024. It became the international song with the longest run at the top spot in the Philippines during the 2024 calendar year. Within the Middle East, the track reached number one in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

In Australia, "Die with a Smile" debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming Gaga's 16th and Mars's 17th top-10 hit. It then climbed to number two, where it remained for two consecutive weeks. It was certified eight times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). In New Zealand, the song debuted at number one on the Top 40 Singles Chart, marking Gaga's fourth number one hit in the country and Mars's sixth, and it remained at the top for nine consecutive weeks. The single was certified six times platinum by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ).

International

In 2024, "Die with a Smile" was the fourteenth most successful song of the year, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), with 1.08 billion streams. In its first week, the song garnered 75.1 million streams across several platforms and sold 31,000 copies, debuting at number two on the Global 200 chart. It was Gaga's first top ten hit and Mars's third since the chart's inception. In its second week, the single topped the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US singles charts, becoming the first chart-topper for both artists, having accumulated 97.2 million streams globally and selling 12,000 copies. The track spent a total of eighteen weeks atop the chart and it is tied with Huntrix's "Golden" (2025) as the second longest-reigning overall (non-holiday) number-one song in the chart's history.

"Die with a Smile" achieved major global streaming success across multiple platforms. The song topped global year-end streaming charts on YouTube, Spotify, and Deezer in 2025. It ranked second on the Billboard Global 200 year-end chart and was named the fourth most successful single of 2025 by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), with 1.86 billion streams. The track set several streaming records, including becoming the fastest track to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify in under 100 days and the fastest to reach 3 billion streams on the platform. It also spent the most days at number one on the Spotify Global daily chart, surpassing Tones and I's "Dance Monkey" (2019), and was the most streamed song in a single week over a sustained twenty-week period exceeding 100 million streams.

Music video

The music video for "Die with a Smile" premiered on Gaga's YouTube channel alongside the song's debut. Directed by Mars and Daniel Ramos, the video depicts Mars and Gaga performing on a retro television stage, dressed in the outfits from the single's cover art. Gaga in red tights and a Dolly Parton-inspired hairstyle, Mars in a blue suit and white cowboy hat. The duo is seen performing the song on a retro stage of a TV studio set. Accompanied by a live band and surrounded by faceless mannequins, they perform for a black-and-white camera before the video ends with a heart-shaped frame around them.

Gaga stated the video portrays her and Mars as a veteran television variety-show couple, and was inspired by similar acts and programs. The singer emphasized that her character is not portrayed merely as a traditional "wife" figure; instead, she asserts agency and remains "one of the boys". In the video, Gaga's character smokes a cigarette just before her first verse, which Gaga said was because she "wanted to create the semblance of a character who had something to say. And it's slightly subversive — like, you're talking about the world ending and I'm having a cigarette. There's something kind of dark about it."

Critics described the video as retro and with a Nashville-theme, drawing comparisons to duos such as Elton John and Kiki Dee, or Sonny Bono and Cher. It could also reference the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux. Fashion writers highlighted its 1970s Western styling, particularly Gaga's blue minidress designed by Ashley Eva Brock and makeup using Haus Labs products. Mars's blue suit, reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's duets. Reviews for the video were mixed; Calum Slingerland from Exclaim! dubbed it "unapologetically schmaltzy", and The A.V. Club's Drew Gillis found it visually unremarkable. The video surpassed one billion YouTube views in April 2025, and was nominated for Best Music Video and Video of the Year at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards and 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, respectively.

Live performances

Gaga and Mars performed "Die with a Smile" live for the first time on August 15, 2024, as part of Mars's show for the opening of Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. After Mars welcomed Gaga to the stage as part of the show's encore, they replicated the song's music video on stage, with Mars at the guitar and Gaga playing the keys. Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos described the performance as "sublime" and "emotionally charged", and Thania Garcia of Variety wrote that Mars "saved the best [...] for last" by bringing out Gaga, who sang "with fervent passion, building up to the song's big chorus where the pair of hitmakers' powerful vocals melt as one". Jason P. Frank of Vulture highlighted the pair's powerful vocal delivery during the debut performance. On August 27, 2024, the duo performed the song together at the concert residency, Bruno Mars at Park MGM (2016–2025) in Las Vegas. On October 29, 2024, Gaga announced via her social media that a recording of the performance would be released as part of a double feature alongside the music video for her single "Disease" in celebration of Halloween.

In 2024, Mars performed a solo piano version of "Die with a Smile" as part of a medley. He first sang it during the Brazil leg of his Bruno Mars Live tour (2022–2024). Gaga's first solo performance of the song took place on September 30, 2024, at The Belasco in Los Angeles, within a set that mostly consisted of songs from her album Harlequin. Gaga also sang the track solo during a Christmas special of Carpool Karaoke, released on Apple TV+ on December 15, 2024. She and Mars were scheduled to perform "Die with a Smile" at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, but due to the California wildfires that occurred in the days leading up to the ceremony, they instead delivered a tribute by performing "California Dreamin'" (1965). Later, during her 2025 promotional concerts for Mayhem, Gaga again performed the track solo, at a piano adorned with skulls. The song was later added to the set list of the Mayhem Ball tour (2025–2026), where Gaga performed it on piano.

On February 8, 2026, Gaga made a guest appearance during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show, where she performed an abridged salsa version of "Die with a Smile", supported by the group Los Sobrinos. The segment took place during a legally binding onstage wedding ceremony involving a couple who had previously invited Bad Bunny to attend their wedding. In April, Mars added "Die with a Smile" to the setlist of the Romantic Tour (2026). The song closed Gaga's concert film and live album Apple Music Live: Mayhem Requiem, released on May 14, 2026. It was recorded during an invite-only performance at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles in January. She performed a version substantially reworked around elements of Kavinsky's "Nightcall" (2010), with altered arrangement, tempo and instrumentation that moved the song toward an electro-funk sound. Mars's vocal part was clipped before Gaga entered with vocals processed through a vocoder.

Cover versions

On September 24, 2024, Filipino singer Julie Anne San Jose shared a cover of "Die with a Smile" on her social media accounts, performing vocals, guitar, piano, and drums. Italian singer Damiano David recorded an acoustic rendition during a SiriusXM Hits 1 session at the network's New York studio, accompanied by backing vocalists and a live band. NME's Tom Skinner described the performance as "minimalist, intimate and emotional". On October 18, British singer Perrie Edwards performed her version of "Die with a Smile" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, which was later released on the station's YouTube channel. American singers Jessica Sanchez and Benson Boone also performed the song in 2025, Sanchez singing it during the September 23 finale of the 20th season of America's Got Talent and Boone performing it on September 30 during one night of his American Heart World Tour (2025-2026). In December 2025, Norwegian musician Sondre Lerche released a version of the song as part of his annual tradition to cover a pop song during the holiday season, in partnership with producer Matias Tellez and the website Stereogum.

Accolades

"Die with a Smile" has won 12 awards from 28 nominations as of May 2026. In 2024, the song won International Anglo Song of the Year and International Collaboration of the Year at the Musa Awards. In the same year, the track won International Collaboration of the Year at the NRJ Music Awards and was nominated for Best Collaboration at the MTV Europe Music Awards. In 2025, the duet received four nominations at the American Music Awards of 2025, winning Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video. The single won Best Collaboration at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. "Die with a Smile" received two nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, winning the latter. D'Mile was nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for his work on it, along with other projects. In 2026, "Die with a Smile" was nominated for International Song of the Year at the 46th Brit Awards.

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Mayhem.

Recording

Recorded at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios (Los Angeles)

Mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)

Personnel