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Abracadabra (Lady Gaga song)
2025 single by Lady Gaga From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Abracadabra" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. It was released on February 3, 2025, through Interscope Records, as the second single from her studio album Mayhem (2025). The song's dance-pop energy and theatrical visuals have drawn comparisons to her earlier works. It was accompanied by a music video, which premiered during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony. Gaga performed "Abracadabra" live on Saturday Night Live, The Howard Stern Show, and her headlining set at Coachella 2025. The latter also featured a remix edit of the track by French producer Gesaffelstein as an interlude, which was then released on digital platforms the same day.
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In addition to charting at number one in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Russia, "Abracadabra" has reached the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Billboard Global 200 as well as the top twenty in Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
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Release and composition
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Shortly after Gaga announced on January 27, 2025, that her next studio album would be titled Mayhem,[2] it was revealed she would premiere a new single and video during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2.[3][4][5][6][7]
"Abracadabra" is a fast-tempo electropop,[8] synth-pop,[9] and dance-pop[3] track with electronic, industrial, pop rock and acid house influences. Sheet music published by Musicnotes denotes the song in common time and in the key of F minor. Gaga's vocal range spans from the low-note of B♭3 to the high-note of F5.[10] The song is structured around two verses and also incorporates refrain, pre-chorus, chorus, post-chorus and bridge segments.[11][12]
Instrumentally, the song features pulsating beats, hypnotic synths, a thumping bass line, and punchy piano chords.[13][14][15] Gaga's vocal delivery in the song has been described as "dramatic" and "full-throated", although she also employs a more "ethereal" tone during the song's bridge.[16][17][18] A part of "Abracadabra" uses the melody of "Spellbound" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.[19]
Lyrically, the term abracadabra is used throughout the song to represent magic. The words appear in the song's chorus – "Abracadabra, amor-ooh-na-na, abracadabra, morta-ooh-ga-ga" – which references Gaga's own name (...ga-ga) and also includes the Latin words "amor" and "morta", which can be translated as "love" and "death" respectively.[20][14][21] In addition, the term "abracadabra" is incorporated into the song's post-chorus, albeit with "broken syntax".[12] In the song's refrain, a "lady dressed in red" is mentioned, which Gaga described as representing every individual's "internal monologue" asking if they are good enough.[22] She further explained, "In many ways, the song is about how to deal with that challenge to yourself. [...] I wanted to explore the question: 'What does it feel like to thrive rather than just survive all the time?'".
Many journalists have compared the song's dark and theatrical style to Gaga's earlier songs, including those from The Fame Monster (2009) and Chromatica (2020).[23] In an interview with The Howard Stern Show, Gaga said the song came together quickly, with the track, verses, and chorus taking about 30 minutes to complete. She contrasted this with other songs from Mayhem, which sometimes took longer to finalize.[24]
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Critical reception
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"Abracadabra" received universal acclaim upon its release,[25] with critics highlighting its production, energy, and catchy chorus. Many compared it to Gaga's early works, noting its influence from late-2000s dance-pop, as well as its continuation of the dark electronic sounds explored in "Disease". Larisha Paul of Rolling Stone noted that Gaga is "always drawing upon her knowledge of the history of music" and described the song as "a showcase of her return to dark pop that pays homage to the influences that shaped her career".[26] Robin Murray of Clash described "Abracadabra" as "a thrilling piece of pop music that moves from light to shadow with expert control".[27] L'Officiel editor Alessandro Viapiana highlighted its "piercing rhythm and pulsating synthesizers, accompanied by a hypnotic voice that almost seems to evoke a ritual."[28] Kyle Denis of Billboard described the track as an "explosive new dance-pop single" and highlighted its "high intensity", while pointing out that it builds upon the dark electronic elements introduced in her previous release, "Disease".[3] The Independent's Adam White believed "Abracadabra" feels "a tad like what would happen if somebody asked a computer to pop out a Lady Gaga song – from the gibberish chorus to the squawks, howls and bellows of Gaga's vocal – but it's also such a mad rush that it feels like a major return to form."[29]
In their review, DIY wrote: "Make no mistake—Lady Gaga is back. Her latest single, 'Abracadabra', is an unrestrained dancefloor anthem that takes us straight back to her The Fame Monster days in the late 2000s", adding that it revolves around a "brilliantly nonsensical yet irresistibly catchy chorus".[30] Jenesaispop named it the song of the day on February 3, 2025, stating it "feels like stepping back into 2009, but with a production refined for today's era", while describing it as "a full-fledged dark electropop banger in classic Gaga style".[31] Pitchfork's Walden Green remarked Gaga had not released a single "this good" since 2013's "G.U.Y.", writing, "'Abracadabra' delivers a latex-tight hook in true Born This Way fashion, though a closer listen reveals traces of over a decade of artistic reinvention: a touch of Chromatica in the house piano, and a full-throttle vocal turn that unmistakably stems from serious theatrical training.[17] Bustle noted the track is "a dancefloor smash tailor-made for her fans", and noted "as the title suggests, Gaga casts a spell with her new single, commanding listeners to dance all night."[32] A Vulture article in 2025 called it Gaga's eight best song from her discography, saying: "she's never written a witchy house symphony quite like this. After accusations of being an occult practitioner in the 2010s, it's ironic that the song in which she actually casts a spell is one of her most life-affirming tracks."[33]
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Commercial performance
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On its release day, "Abracadabra" recorded 4.92 million streams on Spotify, marking Gaga's biggest debut on the platform with a solo song.[34] Internationally, the song debuted at number ten on the Billboard Global 200 with 47.7 million streams, becoming the second top-ten entry from Mayhem and of Gaga's career, after "Die with a Smile".[35] In its second week, the song rose to a new peak of number five on the Billboard Global 200 with 78.4 million streams.[36]
In the United States, "Abracadabra" debuted atop the Billboard Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart and at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 with a partial first tracking week, accumulating 13.7 million streams, 1.3 million radio audience impressions, and 10,000 downloads.[37] With this feat, Mayhem became Gaga's first album since Artpop (2013) to achieve three top-forty entries on the Billboard Hot 100 prior to an album's official release.[37][38] In its second week on the chart, the song climbed to a new peak of number thirteen. In its sixth week of charting, following the release of Mayhem, the song rose ten spots to number 19. In its 11th week on the chart, following Gaga's headlining performance at Coachella, the song climbed 12 spots to number 26.
In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number six on the UK Singles Chart after only four days of tracking, marking Gaga's 17th top-ten song in the country and third from Mayhem, after "Die with a Smile" and "Disease".[39] In its second week, the song rose to a new peak of number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her first solo top-five entry since "Stupid Love" (2020) and highest-charting solo entry since "Born This Way" (2011).[40][41] In Brazil, "Abracadabra" debuted at number sixteen on the Brasil Hot 100.[42] Following Gaga's show in Brazil, the song rose to a new peak of number three.[43]
Music video
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Development
The music video for "Abracadabra" was directed by Gaga alongside Parris Goebel and Bethany Vargas; Goebel also served as choreographer.[44][45] The video premiered during a commercial break in conjunction with Mastercard at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards and was later released on the singer's platforms.[7] Gaga explained that the concept for the video originated after filming "Disease", when she and Goebel discussed continuing the album's narrative, exploring "these conflicting sides of ourselves that really don't make sense but just keep having this discussion".[22]
The creative process, set preparations, and rehearsals lasted approximately three weeks, while the actual shoot took place over two days at a studio in Santa Monica in early December 2024.[45][46] Gaga highlighted that sustainability was a key factor in the video's production, ensuring that only necessary materials were used and minimizing new manufacturing. Several white costumes were repurposed from old wedding dresses, deadstock fabric, and discarded textiles from her previous projects.[22]
Synopsis
The music video opens with Gaga, standing on the upper level of a grand venue, dressed in a spiked red latex outfit. She declares, "The category is dance or die", setting off an intense choreography sequence featuring a crowd of forty dancers, all dressed in white.[26] Throughout the video, the two versions of Gaga alternate: the white-clad Gaga exudes frenetic energy, while the red-clad version remains more composed, symbolizing a dance battle between light and darkness.[47]
Speaking to Elle, Gaga explained the video's concept revolves around "being ready to face challenges", with the lady in red daring the audience to "dance for their lives". She also described the visual as a complement to the song, stating, "When you hear 'Abracadabra' for the first time, you might think, 'What is this about? It's fun to listen to, but what does it mean?' For me, watching the video makes it clear—it's about moving forward."[22] Along with Goebel, Gaga announced a choreography contest, with a chance to be featured in an official fan video.[48]
Reception
The music video received positive reviews upon release. Denis of Billboard stated that the clip evokes "Bad Romance" with "its meticulous display of the intersection of various art forms" along with "jaw-dropping high fashion" aesthetics.[3] Rolling Stone writer Paul highlighted the video's frenetic choreography, describing it as "an eruption of chaos and movement", while also noting that "its aesthetics reinforce the concept of Mayhem and, along with the song, recall The Fame Monster era with its dark and theatrical visual style."[26] Green of Pitchfork remarked like the music video for "Disease" it is "a high-concept production with impeccable styling. Gaga remains a step above the average pop star; her true competition is the ghosts of her own past."[17] Eva Blanco Medina of Vogue España praised its striking opening, noting that the video begins with a clear message: "Dance or die", setting the stage for a "high-voltage choreographic showcase."[49] HuffPost UK's Daniel Welsh declared it to be "one of the best music videos of her career".[50] A Vulture article argued that "in pop music, the person in the spotlight is both subject and object", which is evident in the video, "where Gaga plays both the mythical lady in red casting judgment and the white witch being tormented by the manic choreography."[33]
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Live performances
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On March 8, 2025, Gaga performed "Abracadabra" on Saturday Night Live. She appeared on stage in a sparkly red ensemble, standing inside a neon-lit, mirrored structure, accompanied by dancers dressed in black with long red wigs.[51] Chris Willman of Variety described the performance as an extension of the song's "crimson-themed music video", with Gaga and her dancersue executing synchronized, "herky-jerky" movements that maximized the limited space of Studio 8H.[52] The set design and choreography were also praised by HuffPost''s Daniel Welsh, who called the performance "a must-watch for even the most casual of Lady Gaga fans," highlighting her ability to create a visually compelling spectacle within a confined space.[53] Vulture's Ben Rosenstock underscored the "cramped glass-house choreography" as a key element of the performance, emphasizing its carefully crafted visual impact.[54] On March 11, 2025, Gaga performed an acoustic version of "Abracadabra" live on The Howard Stern Show.[55]
In April-May 2025, "Abracadabra" was performed as the second song of Gaga's promotional concerts for Mayhem, which included a headlining set at Coachella 2025. Rolling Stone's Tomás Mier opined Gaga "channeled a Victorian-era opera singer in a dark parallel universe" for the song.[56] The concert also debuted a remix version of "Abracadabra" by French producer Gesaffelstein in an interlude, which was released on digital platforms on the same day.[57][58] On May 13, 2025, Gaga performed "Abracadabra" during a five-song set at the YouTube Brandcast event, held at the Geffen Hall in New York City. The performance featured cinematic staging and opened the showcase.[59] On May 31, 2025, Gaga took part in Netflix's Tudum event with a special performance inspired by Wednesday, where she emerged from a coffin bearing the inscription "here lies the monster queen" to perform "Abracadabra" and "Zombieboy", accompanied by dancers with a gothic aesthetic reminiscent of the Addams Family.[60]
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Accolades
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Charts
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Certifications
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Release history
References
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