Die with a Smile
2024 single by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Die with a Smile" is a song by American singer-songwriters Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. It was initially released as a standalone single on August 16, 2024, through Interscope Records, and was included as the closing track of Gaga's studio album Mayhem (2025). Mars developed the track with Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II and James Fauntleroy in 2021; three years later, he presented it to Gaga, and the four completed it the same day. The final version was written by Gaga, Mars, D-Mile, Andrew Watt, and Fauntleroy, and it was produced by the first four.
| "Die with a Smile" | ||||
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| Single by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars | ||||
| B-side | "Die With A Smile (Instrumental)" | |||
| Written | 2021–2024 | |||
| Released | August 16, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2024 | |||
| Studio | Shampoo Press & Curl | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:11 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
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| Lady Gaga singles chronology | ||||
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| Bruno Mars singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Die with a Smile" on YouTube | ||||
Musically, "Die with a Smile" is a sentimental ballad that incorporates pop, pop-soul, and soft rock, with influences from country music. Critics compared its style to the sounds of 1970s ballads, Gaga's album Joanne (2016) and single "Shallow" (2018), and Mars's Silk Sonic project. Lyrically, it expresses a powerful longing to be with a loved one, highlighting love's urgency amid uncertainty. The song received critical acclaim for the vocals, the instrumentation, and the lyrics' emotional weight.
"Die with a Smile" achieved commercial success. On Spotify, it became the longest-reigning daily number-one song, the fastest track to surpass three billion streams, and the most-streamed song of 2025. The track spent 18 weeks atop the Billboard Global 200 and topped the charts in more than 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. It was certified multi-diamond in Brazil by Pro-Música Brasil and in France by SNEP.
Mars and Daniel Ramos directed the music video, which was released simultaneously with the song. The video features Gaga playing piano and Mars playing guitar as they sing together in a studio inspired by 1970s television. The duo gave their first live performance of the song at a Mars concert in Los Angeles in August 2024. In the same year, a performance in Las Vegas was released officially on digital platforms. Both artists delivered solo renditions in concerts, including some shows of Bruno Mars Live (2022–2024), Gaga's 2025–2026 Mayhem Ball concert tour, and the Super Bowl LX halftime show. "Die with a Smile" was nominated for Song of the Year and won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
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.[1] 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". He was unsure, however how to develop it further and held the idea for a year before its release.[2]
According to American singer-songwriter James Fauntleroy, Mars initially considered pitching an early version of the song for Lady Gaga's Harlequin (2024) or for the film Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), in which Gaga stars.[3] The former project is a companion album to the film.[4] Mars, Fauntleroy, and D'Mile then resumed working on the track.[1] 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.[1][2] 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.[1]
American record producer Andrew Watt was invited, alongside Gaga and Michael Polansky, American entrepreneur and venture capitalist, to hear the song at Mars's studio.[1][2][5] During the session, Gaga, who was recording her upcoming studio album, was "blown away" by the track that later became Die with a Smile.[6][7] 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.[8]
Writing and recording
Gaga said, "I went to see him at like 10 o'clock at night. He played me the idea and then we wrote the second verse, then we cut it at 2 in the morning. Bruno had me singing for four hours. He had an exact way that he wanted to hear it and I wanted to give him that."[9] 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.[10] In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gaga said that what first drew her in was the concept of a song about what we would do if the world were ending. 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. I knew it right away.[11]
Gaga later noted that, although the title evoked associations with Joker: Folie à Deux,[12][13] the session with the singer focused on creating "a love song that would be for the ages".[14] Watt recalls that the making of "Die with a Smile" was "old-school"; Mars and Fauntleroy began playing while Gaga wrote out the chords and bass changes.[15] Watt said they developed the song collaboratively, shaping its harmonies together. He added that it features entirely live instrumentation—drums, bass, guitars, and vocals—contributing to a raw, organic sound.[15]
Watt said he, Mars, Gaga, and D’Mile worked on the song into the early morning despite her upcoming commitments. He described the studio dynamic as a "healthy competition", likening the singers's interaction to that of Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. Once the instrumentation was finished, Gaga recorded her vocals, with Mars acting as vocal producer as they refined their parts together. Fauntleroy recalled that Gaga learned the chords at the piano and wrote them down before rehearsing the song with Mars, in what the team described as an unusually hands-on session. Afterward, Watt and Gaga recut her vocals, while he and D'Mile continued developing the track in the following weeks.[1][5]
Release
In June 2024, Mars told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he hoped to collaborate with Gaga on a song or join her onstage during her Jazz & Piano residency in Las Vegas.[16] On August 8, Hits Daily Double's "Rumor Mill" reported speculation about a possible collaboration between the two artists, allegedly titled "Die with a Smile" and expected to be released later that month.[17] The two artists interacted on social media before confirming the collaboration and announcing that the song and its accompanying music video would be released on August 16, 2024.[17][18][6] Simultaneously, they revealed the single's cover art, which depicts them in coordinating red-and-blue retro Western outfits, with Gaga holding a cigarette and Mars wearing a white cowboy hat.[19][20][21]
On August 16, the single was released via digital download and streaming platforms by Interscope.[22] It was also sent for radio airplay in Italy by EMI Records and Warner Music Group.[23] A CD single was also issued in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States by Interscope and Streamline.[24][25][26] On August 19, the track was sent for adult contemporary radio and hot adult contemporary radio by Interscope. The label also sent the song to contemporary hit radio on the following day.[27] The 7-inch vinyl was released in Canada on November 29,[28] in Germany on December 9,[29] and in France and the United Kingdom on December 13.[30][31] On February 8, 2026, the version of the song Gaga performed live, as a guest performer, at the Super Bowl LX halftime show was released.[32]
Andrew Watt stated that, once completed, the song was intended for inclusion on Mayhem.[33] Although it 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 the album, describing it as "a huge part" and the "missing piece".[7][34][20][11] She 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.[35] "Die with a Smile" was also included on Mars's first compilation album, Collaborations (2026).[36].
Composition and production
"Die with a Smile" is a pop, pop-soul, and soft rock song,[37][38][39] that evokes the emotional style of a sentimental ballad.[40][41][42] with influences from country music.[37][43] According to the sheet music published by BMG Rights Management on Musicnotes, "Die with a Smile" was composed in the key of A major with a slow tempo of 52 beats per minute in 6/8 time signature.[44] Billboard's Kyle Denis described the song as a "soaring ballad that blends pop, soul, country and rock",[43] and Luisa Calle from Billboard Español said it combines Gaga's emotive lyrical style with Mars's smooth R&B influence.[45] 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 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.[46]
"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.[47] 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.[12] Lyrically, it is an intense love declaration in which the narrators' feelings for each other against a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario,[21][14][48] Gaga has described as an "apocalyptic love song".[49] The chorus emphasizes the desire to be "next to you" if "the world was ending" or "our time on Earth was through", framing the relationship within a sense of urgency.[14] Capital's Abbie Reynolds described the song as a reminder not to take love for granted, noting lines such as "Nobody's promised tomorrow" and "I'ma love you every night like it's the last night."[14] Jake Viswanath of Bustle compared the song's lyrical perspective to Gaga's 2011 single "The Edge of Glory",[21] while Billboard Argentina noted its focus on "finding happiness and peace amid adversity".[50] Writing for Marie Claire, Candela Barbieri viewed the song as presenting love as a refuge in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.[51] Talking about the lyrics, Gaga further 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.[11]
Critics noted that the song’s sound was influenced by 1970s ballads.[21][40] 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).[11] Reviewers at Entertainment Weekly and Vulture 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.[40][52] The Irish Times likened the track to James Bond theme songs and to Gaga's collaborations with Tony Bennett,[a][54] while NME compared its "soaring" chorus to Bruno Mars's Silk Sonic project.[41] The New York Times further connected it to Mars's early material, influenced by wedding songs and reminiscent of Jason Mraz.[39] Clash remarked on the song's slow, echoing guitar chords similar to shoegaze music. It blends Lee Hazlewood traditional songwriting with dreamy sounds similar to Slowdive.[55]
Critical reception
"Die with a Smile" was met with critical acclaim.[56] Many reviewers praised the vocal interplay, with Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone and Stephen Daw of Billboard noting how the singers' voices complement each other.[48][57] Critics from Vulture praised the track's vocal harmonies and restrained approach.[58] Kristen S. Hé remarked on the humility of the performance, observing that the singers' voices intertwine rather than compete,[58] while Craig Jenkins emphasized its triumphant harmonies and weighty balladry shaped by "countrypolitan" and "doomerist" influences.[59] Robin Murray of Clash, in an eight-out-of-ten review, described it as a 2020s take on classic 1970s duets, noting their "undoubted chemistry."[55] Viswanath of Bustle praised how the track merges Gaga and Mars's musical styles into a "sweepingly romantic and devastating" depiction of two lovers sharing their last moments together.[21]
Reviewers also highlighted the song's style, vintage sensibility, and overall appeal. The New York Times dubbed it as a romantic, lightly apocalyptic slow dance,[60] Jordi Bardají of Jenesaispop labeled it a "timeless ballad",[61] and Sam Damshenas of Gay Times characterized it as a cinematic pop-rock track with instantly recognizable romantic lyrics.[62] Alexa Camp from Slant Magazine praised its nostalgic charm and called it a "throwback to the love songs of the last century,"[42] while Hannah Dailey of Billboard regarded it as a "late-stage song of the summer contender".[63] Katie Atkinson of the same magazine reflected that she appreciated the song even more over time,[37] and Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic described it as a deceptively simple yet elegant duet and will become one of Gaga's more enduring recordings.[64] Variety's Jem Aswad noted that it meets the scale and impact expected from a high-profile collaboration,[12] while Billboard's Paul Grein called it an "instant smash" and a strong awards-season contender.[65]
Not all assessments were unequivocally positive. Adam White of The Independent felt the song suited both artists stylistically but argued its artistic merit did not fully match its commercial success,[66] and Paolo Ragusa of Consequence considered it a satisfying love ballad that does not push either artist into new territory.[67] Consequence's Mary Siroki found the song pleasant but underwhelming compared to the duo's previous work, citing a lack of replay value,[67] while Drew Gillis of The A.V. Club described it as competent but unremarkable, suggesting it may fade into the background and observing that Mars's melody dominates while Gaga takes a secondary role.[68] Shaad D'Souza of The New York Times criticized the track for "indulging the singers's weaker stylistic" tendencies toward lounge act–style performance,[39] and CJ Thorpe-Tracey of The Quietus dismissed it as an artificial mid-tempo ballad that never fully engages emotionally.[69]
Year-end lists
The track 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.[70] The Los Angeles Times placed it at number 17, while Billboard ranked it 21st, highlighting its timeless production, vocal performances, and replay value.[71][72] 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.[73][74]
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 100 Best Songs of 2024 | 21 | [72] |
| Billboard Philippines | The 50 Best Songs of 2024 | N/a | [73] |
| Los Angeles Times | The 30 Best Songs of 2024 | 17 | [71] |
| New York Post | The 10 Best Songs of 2024 | 4 | [75] |
| Uproxx | The Best Songs of 2024 | N/a | [74] |
| USA Today | The 10 Best Songs of 2024 | 5 | [70] |
| Vogue | The 24 Best Songs of 2024 | N/a | [76] |
Comments on the song's placement within Mayhem
Following the release of Mayhem, various journalists discussed how "Die with a Smile" functions within the album. 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.[11][77][78] Some critics regarded "Die with a Smile" as an effective closer, arguing that its cinematic and reflective tone provides a coherent conclusion to the record.[79] while David Cobbald of The Line of Best Fit noted that although its inclusion raises questions about whether Mayhem was adjusted to accommodate it, the song ultimately does not feel out of place.[80] Writers for Elle argued that its placement appeared artistically rather than commercially motivated,[81] and Donovan Livesey of MusicOMH called it an "almost cinematic" finale.[82] Variety's Steven J. Horowitz similarly found it coherent within the album's closing sequence of ballads, though he criticized its lounge-pop stylings as "schlocky".[83]
Other reviewers were more skeptical, suggesting that the song clashes with Mayhem's tone or pacing. Writing for The New York Times, Shaad D'Souza added that the track's significant streaming success also likely informed its inclusion.[39] Thomas Stremfel of Spectrum Culture attributed its presence to label influence, claiming it "stick[s] out like a sore thumb".[84] Exclaim! and Stereogum likewise considered it "tacked on",[85][86] while The Wall Street Journal's Mark Richardson and Robin Murray of Clash similarly felt that the track disrupts the album's momentum, with Murray describing it as an uneasy tonal contrast.[87][88] Reviewers from Atwood Magazine and Paste also considered its placement anticlimactic.[89][90] Billboard's Daw characterized it as an "afterthought"—though an effective one if the intention was to close on a gentler moment—[57] and Nick Levine of NME expressed a comparable view, framing it as a "palate cleanser" after the album's heavier material.[91]
Commercial performance
Americas
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"Die with a Smile" sold over 14,000 digital copies in the United States during its first four days of availability.[93] The track debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week dated August 31, 2024, becoming Mars's 19th and Gaga's 18th top 10 in the country.[94] 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.[95] "Die With a Smile" reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart dated January 11, 2025, after selling 6,000 copies, reaching a 59.7 million radio audience, and getting 27.1 million streams.[92] It spent five non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Hot 100, becoming Gaga's first song to spend more than one week at number one since "Born This Way" in 2011, and Mars's third song to top the chart for five weeks or more.[96]
Gaga became the third artist in history to achieve multiple U.S. number one songs in three different decades, after Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.[97] "Die With a Smile" not only was the longest-charting song with a female lead but also the longest-charting duet ever in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.[98][99] It also became the fourth longest-running Top 10 hit in Hot 100 chart history (51 weeks).[99][100][101] "Die with a Smile" dropped off the Billboard Hot 100 in its 60th week, due to Billboard updated chart rules, removing songs outside the top 10 for more than 52 weeks.[102] 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.[99] Gaga became the fifth act to achieve at least one number one in each of the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s on Pop Airplay.[103] It topped the 2025 Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart, becoming the first male-female duet to do so.[99]
It 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.[104][105] The song was certified eight-times platinum by Music Canada (MC).[106] In Brazil, "Die with a Smile" peaked at number four on the Billboard Brasil Hot 100 and certified five times diamond by the Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).[107][108]
Europe
In the United Kingdom, it entered the UK Singles Chart at number seven, marking the highest debut of the week, as well as Gaga's 15th top-ten hit and Mars's 11th.[109][110] In its ninth week on the chart, it reached number two and spent a year on the chart.[111] The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it triple platinum certification.[112] In Ireland, it also achieved the biggest debut of the week by entering at number 13, and in its sixth week, it achieved its best position at number three.[113] In the Netherlands, it debuted at 19th and then climbed to the top in its fifth week, where it became Gaga's third number one and Mars's second; Gaga also became the first artist to achieve a number one hit in three different decades in the country.[114] Moreover, "Die with a Smile" also topped the Dutch Top 40.[115] In the Flemish Region of Belgium, it reached number one, while it reached number two in the Walloon Region.[116][117] In Switzerland, it reached number one in its ninth week, becoming Gaga's fourth number one hit and Mars's second, remaining in that position for four consecutive weeks.[118] It was awarded a platinum certification by IFPI Switzerland.[119]
Among the Nordic countries, it reached number one in Norway in its third week, making it Gaga's fifth number one hit in the country and Mars's second.[120] It also reached number two in Sweden, number four in Denmark, and number thirteen in Finland.[121][122][123] In the Baltic countries, it reached number one in Estonia, number three in Lithuania, and number two on Latvia's streaming chart.[124][125][126] In Germany, it reached number five, while in France, it reached number eight.[127][128] Other countries in Europe where it reached number one were Croatia, Greece, and Portugal.[129][130][131] The song received several certifications on the continent, including a diamond record in France, six times platinum in Portugal, and four times platinum in Greece.[132][133][134] Among the three charts in Romania, the song only topped the Romania TV Airplay [135]
Asia and Oceania
"Die With a Smile" enjoyed 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.[136][137][138] It became the international song with the longest run at the top spot in the Philippines during the 2024 calendar year.[139] Within the Middle East, it reached number one in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.[140][141][142]
In Australia, it debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming Gaga's 16th top-10 hit and Mars's 17th. It then climbed to number two, where it remained for two consecutive weeks.[143][144] It was certified eight times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[145] In New Zealand, it 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.[146] It was certified six times platinum by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ).[147]
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.[148] In its first week, it garnered 75.1 million streams across various 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 September 2020.[149] 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.[150][151] It spent a total of eighteen weeks atop the chart and is tied with Huntrix's "Golden" as the second longest-reigning overall (non-holiday) number-one song in the chart's history.[152][153][154]
"Die with a Smile" achieved major global streaming success across multiple platforms. It topped global year-end streaming charts on YouTube, Spotify, and Deezer in 2025.[155][156][157] 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.[158][159] The song 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.[160][161][162] 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.[163][164][165]
Music video
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Gaga announced on Instagram that the music video would premiere alongside the song at 9 p.m. PDT.[20] It premiered on Gaga's YouTube channel and was directed by Mars and Daniel Ramos. It shows both singers in the light blue and red outfits they wear on the song's cover art.[166][42][167] Gaga appears in red tights with a hairstyle reminiscent of Dolly Parton, while Mars wears a white cowboy hat.[166] The duo is seen performing the song on a retro stage of a TV studio set, populated by faceless mannequins, as a black-and-white camera records them.[40][168] It opens with Mars singing and playing the guitar before the camera pans out to reveal Gaga sitting at a piano with a cigarette in her mouth; later, she leaves the instrument to dance beside him.[168] The pair perform alongside a live band as flashing lights accentuate the stage atmosphere.[169] The video concludes with a heart shape forming around the performers as they face each other.[40]
In her interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gaga disclosed that the idea behind the video was to present her and Mars as a long-standing television variety-show couple. The concept drew on the aesthetic and tone of classic variety programs, imagining them as performers who have shared a long career together. Gaga emphasized that her character is not portrayed merely as a traditional "wife" figure; instead, she asserts agency and remains "one of the boys".[11] She commented on her decision to smoke a cigarette in the video until the moment just before her first verse: "I 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."[11]
Billboard and Variety described the video as having a retro Nashville-theme.[12][170] Other outlets noted it pays tribute to duos such as Elton John and Kiki Dee or Sonny Bono and Cher. Some suggested it could reference the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux.[12][19][171] Fashion publications pointed out the 1970s Western influence in the wardrobe, noting Gaga's blue minidress designed by Ashley Eva Brock and styled by Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo. Her hair was done by Evanie Frausto and makeup by Alexandra French using Haus Labs products. Mars appears in a coordinated blue suit and red shirt reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's duets.[172][173] Calum Slingerland from Exclaim! dubbed the video "unapologetically schmaltzy".[167] The A.V. Club's Drew Gillis described the video as unengaging as he felt that it offered little visual material beyond the pair singing to each other, though he cited Gaga's playful use of a cigarette prop throughout as a "fairly hilarious" element.[68] The video reached one billion views on YouTube in April 2025, becoming Gaga's fourth and Mars's tenth video to reach the milestone.[174] It was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards and Video of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.[175][176]
Live performances
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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. The duo donned attire similar to what they wear in the song's accompanying visuals.[177] 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.[178] Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos described the performance as "sublime" and "emotionally charged",[179] while 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".[180] Jason P. Frank of Vulture highlighted the pair's powerful vocal delivery during the debut performance.[177] On August 27, 2024, the duo performed the song together at the concert residency, Bruno Mars at Park MGM (2016–2025) in Las Vegas.[181] 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.[182] The video was uploaded to Mars's YouTube channel the same day.[183]
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).[184][185] 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.[186] Gaga also sang the track solo during a Christmas special of Carpool Karaoke, released on Apple TV+ on December 15, 2024.[187][188] 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 to those affected by performing "California Dreamin'" (1965).[189][190] Later, during her 2025 promotional concerts for Mayhem, which included a headlining set at Coachella, Gaga again performed the track solo, wearing a regal blue dress and black headpiece and playing on a piano decorated with skulls.[191][192] The song was later added to the set list of the Mayhem Ball tour (2025–2026),[193] where Gaga performed it on piano, wearing a sheer black hooded cloak.[194]
On January 14, 2026, Gaga sang "Die with a Smile" at Mayhem: Requiem, a one-off concert, held at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles.[195] On February 8, 2026, she 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.[196][197] The performance took place during a legally binding onstage wedding ceremony involving a couple who had previously invited Bad Bunny to attend their wedding, which formed part of the show's narrative.[198] She wore a custom light blue gown by Dominican American designer Raúl López of Luar, incorporating the colors of Puerto Rico, and adorned with floral details including a red hibiscus.[199] Mars added "Die with a Smile" to the setlist of The Romantic Tour (2026).[200]
Cover versions
On September 24, 2024, Filipino singer Julie Anne San Jose shared a cover of the song on her social media accounts, performing vocals, guitar, piano, and drums.[201] 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.[202] NME's Tom Skinner described the performance as "minimalist, intimate and emotional".[202] 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.[203][204] American singers Jessica Sanchez and Benson Boone also performed the song in 2025, with 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.[205][206] 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.[207]
Accolades
"Die with a Smile" has won 11 awards from 27 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.[208] 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.[209][210] In 2025, the duet received four nominations at the American Music Awards of 2025, winning Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video.[211] The single won Best Collaboration at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.[175] "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.[212] In 2026, "Die With a Smile" was nominated for International Song of the Year at the 46th Brit Awards.[213]
| Organization | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Music Awards | 2025 | Song of the Year | Nominated | [211] |
| Collaboration of the Year | Won | |||
| Favorite Pop Song | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Music Video | Won | |||
| ASCAP Pop Music Awards | 2025 | Most Performed Songs | Won | [214] |
| 2026 | Song of the Year | Won | [215] | |
| Brit Awards | 2026 | International Song of the Year | Nominated | [213] |
| GAFFA Awards (Denmark) | 2025 | International Single of the Year | Nominated | [216] |
| Grammy Awards | 2025 | Song of the Year | Nominated | [212] |
| Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | Won | |||
| Hungarian Music Awards | 2025 | Foreign Record of the Year | Nominated | [217] |
| iHeartRadio Music Awards | 2025 | Best Collaboration | Won | [175] |
| Best Music Video | Nominated | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | 2024 | Best Collaboration | Nominated | [210] |
| MTV Video Music Awards | 2025 | Video of the Year | Nominated | [176] |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration | Won | |||
| Best Pop | Nominated | |||
| Musa Awards | 2024 | International Anglo Song of the Year | Won | [208] |
| International Collaboration of the Year | Won | |||
| Music Awards Japan | 2025 | Best International Pop Song in Japan | Nominated | [218] |
| Best of Listeners' Choice: International Song | Nominated | |||
| New Music Awards | 2025 | AC Song of the Year | Nominated | [219] |
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | 2025 | Favorite Music Collaboration | Nominated | [220] |
| NRJ Music Awards | 2024 | International Collaboration of the Year | Won | [209] |
| Rockbjörnen | 2025 | Foreign Song of the Year | Nominated | [221] |
| RTHK International Pop Poll Awards | 2024 | Top Ten International Gold Songs | Won | [222] |
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Mayhem.[46]
Recording
- Recorded at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios
- Mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
|
|
Charts
Weekly charts |
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[145] | 8× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[404] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Belgium (BRMA)[405] | 2× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[108] | 5× Diamond | 800,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[106] | 8× Platinum | 640,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[406] | 2× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[132] | Diamond | 333,333‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[407] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[408] | Platinum | 100,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[147] | 6× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
| Nigeria (TCSN)[409] | Silver | 25,000‡ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[410] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[411] | 3× Platinum | 150,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[133] | 6× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae)[412] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[119] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[112] | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Central America (CFC)[413] | 3× Platinum | 21,000,000† |
| Greece (IFPI Greece)[134] | 4× Platinum | 8,000,000† |
| Japan (RIAJ)[414] | Gold | 50,000,000† |
| Sweden (GLF)[415] | 2× Platinum | 24,000,000† |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | August 16, 2024 | Original | Interscope | [22] | |
| Italy | Radio airplay | [23] | |||
| Germany | CD |
|
[24] | ||
| United Kingdom | [25] | ||||
| United States | [26] | ||||
| August 19, 2024 | Interscope | [27] | |||
| August 20, 2024 | Contemporary hit radio | ||||
| Canada | August 23, 2024 | CD |
|
[416] | |
| France | August 27, 2024 | [417] | |||
| United States | October 25, 2024 | 7-inch vinyl |
|
[418] | |
| Various | October 29, 2024 |
|
Instrumental | Interscope | [419] |
| October 30, 2024 | Live in Las Vegas | [420] | |||
| November 1, 2024 | Acoustic | [421] | |||
| United States | November 20, 2024 | Digital download | Sped Up | [422] | |
| Instrumental Acoustic | [423] | ||||
| Canada | November 29, 2024 | 7-inch vinyl |
|
|
[28] |
| Germany | December 9, 2024 | [29] | |||
| France | December 13, 2024 | [30] | |||
| United Kingdom | [31] | ||||
| Various | February 8, 2026 | Streaming | Live at the Super Bowl LX halftime show | NFL | [32] |
Notes
- Besides standalone recordings, Gaga and Bennett released two collaborative albums consisting of their renditions of various jazz standards: Cheek to Cheek (2014) and Love for Sale (2021).[53]