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Die with a Smile
2024 single by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"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 later included as the closing track of Gaga's studio album Mayhem (2025). It was written and produced by both artists alongside Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II and Andrew Watt while James Fauntleroy provided additional songwriting. Mars presented the track in progress to Gaga and they finished it on the same day. Its final direction emerged once she became involved, taking shape from an early sketch made with D'Mile and Fauntleroy.
The song received critical acclaim, with critics praising the vocals of both artists, the instrumentation, and the emotional weight of the lyrics. Musically, the pop, pop-soul and soft rock track displays displaying the emotional style of a pop and soul sentimental ballad. Its country influences have also been noticed. It has been compared to Gaga's album Joanne (2016) and her single "Shallow" (2018) from the A Star Is Born soundtrack, as well as to Mars's Silk Sonic project and reminiscent of his Jason Mraz style. Lyrically, it expresses a powerful longing to be with a loved one, highlighting the urgency and depth of their love in the face of uncertainty and potential endings.
"Die with a Smile" saw great commercial success, becoming the longest-reigning daily number-one song in Spotify history, the most viral track of 2024, the fastest track to surpass 3 billion streams on the platform and Spotify's most-streamed song of 2025. It also became one of the longest-reigning number-one songs in Billboard Global 200 with eighteen weeks on top. The song topped the official charts in more than 30 charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, Canadian Hot 100, New Zealand and the Netherlands. It was certified five times diamond in Brazil Pro-Música Brasil (PMB) and diamond in France by Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (SNEP). Eight times platinum by Music Canada (MC), seven times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and six times platinum by the Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa (AFP).
An accompanying music video, directed by Mars and Daniel Ramos, was released simultaneously with the song, featuring both artists singing together in a studio inspired by 1970s television, with Gaga playing piano and Mars playing guitar. The duo performed the song for the first time in August 2024 during a Mars concert in Los Angeles and also in Las Vegas, a performance that was later officially released. Both artists also delivered solo renditions in concerts, including Gaga's promotional shows and concert tour in support of Mayhem. "Die with a Smile" was nominated for Song of the Year and won for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Background and development
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Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars both appeared as performers at the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 30, 2016, where they coincided on the lineup, each performing their own songs.[1] In June 2024, Mars gave an interview to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he expressed his desire to collaborate with Gaga on a song or perform with her during her Jazz & Piano residency in Las Vegas.[2] Two months later, on August 8, the 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, though nothing was confirmed at the time.[3] Later in August, Gaga stated in a press release: "Bruno and I have a lot of mutual respect for each other and were talking about collaborating".[4]
In the following days, both artists interacted with each other on social media, until they confirmed the collaboration and announced that it would be released that same night along with its music video.[3][5][6] Simultaneously, they revealed the single's cover art, which features them in coordinating red-and-blue retro Western outfits, with Gaga holding a cigarette and Mars wearing a white cowboy hat.[7][4][8] Gaga revealed that the collaboration materialized while she was recording her upcoming studio album in Malibu. One night, after a long day, Mars invited Gaga to his studio to listen to music he had been working on and presented the track to her. At this point, she was "blown away" when she heard what he was working on.[6][9]
Regarding their collaboration, Gaga highlighted Mars's "inexplicable talent" and praised both his musicianship and his "next-level" vision, while the singer expressed that collaborating with Gaga had been "an honor" and emphasized that her talent brought a special magic to the song.[10]
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Conception
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American singer and songwriter James Fauntleroy told Variety that Mars first sketched the song three years earlier, writing parts of the first verse and chorus before abandoning the idea, which remained as an unfinished demo until the team revisited it.[11] 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". Once they reached a certain point, however, Mars was unsure how to further develop it and held the idea for a year before its release.[12]
Fauntleroy explained that Mars initially considered pitching an early version of the song for the film Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), in which Gaga stars, or for her planned Harlequin (2024) project—an idea that first prompted him to consider her as a collaborator.[13] Mars, Fauntleroy and D'Mile continued working on the song.[11] D'Mile explained that, despite not knowing how it should sound, they only worked on "two or three different versions", compared to the usually large number of versions they create.[12] He remembered that the second version they developed sounded closer to the finished product.[11]
They tried different chords for the verse until Mars settled on those and the hook chords on the guitar, while D'Mile played the bass.[11] The idea for Mars and Gaga to collaborate then came to fruition.[12][14] American record producer Andrew Watt, who was working with Gaga on her sixth solo studio album, Mayhem (2025), was contacted by Mars to come to his Malibu studio so he could play them the song.[12][11][14] Watt, Gaga and Michael Polansky drove to the studio, where Gaga "loved" the track.[14] Once they finished recording it, Watt and Gaga recut her parts,[11] and D'Mile and Watt continued working on the track for weeks.[11]
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Writing and recording
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Lady Gaga cited the collaborations between Carole King and James Taylor (pictured left to right) as a major inspiration for the song's creative process.
Regarding the writing and recording process, Gaga explained that one night she was working on her next album at a studio in Malibu when she received a call from Mars, who invited her to another studio nearby to listen to a song he had been working on.[9][15] She said: "I went to see him at around 10 p.m. He showed me the idea, and then we wrote the second verse. We recorded it by 2 a.m. Bruno had a very specific way he wanted it to sound, and I wanted to give him that."[16] 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 during the creative process.[17] 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.[18]
Gaga later noted that, although the title evoked associations with Joker: Folie à Deux,[19][20] the session with the singer focused on creating "a love song that would be for the ages".[21] For his part, Mars remarked that Gaga "was kind enough to let [him] be on it".[22] Watt told the making of "Die with a Smile" was "as old-school", recalling that Mars and Fauntleroy began playing while Gaga wrote out the chords and bass changes.[23] He said they "started breaking down the song together, singing and arranging harmonies," and noted that "everything on that song is live — drums, bass, guitars, vocals," giving it a raw and organic sound.[23] Watt elaborated on the recording session and revealed that he, Mars, Gaga and D'Mile worked on the song until 5 a.m., with Gaga set for another commitment just hours later. The producer described their recording dynamic as a "healthy competition", recalling that watching the singers interact in the studio reminded him of the collaborative energy between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. Once the instrumentation was finished Gaga started to record her vocals. Mars wanted to be her vocal producer and involved how they were going to sing together, which Gaga agreed to. They kept "going back and forth" during this process.[14] Fauntleroy recalled that Gaga sat at the piano, learned the chords on the spot, and even wrote them down by hand before singing through the song with Mars, which the team described as an unusually hands-on session for an artist of her profile.[11]
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Production and release
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"Die with a Smile" was written by Mars, Gaga, Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy and Andrew Watt and produced by all but Fauntleroy. Mars and Gaga performed lead vocals, while the former played the guitar and Gaga the piano on the song. Watt also played the guitar, while 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 additional engineering by Marco Sonzini. Alex Resoagli and Tyler Harris served as recording engineering assistants. The track was mixed by Serban Ghenea with mix engineering by Bryce Bordone at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Randy Merrill mastered the song at Sterling Sound in New York City.[24]
The single was first released via digital download and streaming platforms on August 16, 2024 by Interscope Records.[25] On the same date, it was sent for radio airplay in Italy by EMI Records and Warner Music Group.[26] A CD single was also issued in Germany, United Kingdom and United States by Interscope and Streamline.[27][28][29] On August 19, the track was sent for adult contemporary radio and hot adult contemporary radio by Interscope. The aforementioned label, also sent the song, on the following day to contemporary hit radio.[30] On August 23 and on August 27, the CD was released in Canada and France, respectively, by Interscope and Streamline. [31][32] On October 25, a 7-inch vinyl with the song and its instrumental was issued in the United States.[33] In later October and early November, Interscope made an instrumental, live in Las Vegas and acoustic versions available for digital download and streaming platforms.[34][35][36] On November 20, an instrumental acoustic and sped up versions were released in the United States.[37][38] The 7-inch vinyl was released in Canada on November 29,[39] in Germany on December 9,[40] and in France and the United Kingdom on December 13.[41][42]
"Die with a Smile" was originally promoted as a standalone single by Gaga's representatives.[9][43] In her December 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Gaga revealed that the song would be included on Mayhem, describing it as "a huge part" of the album and noting that it filled what she called "a missing piece" in the project.[7][18] She later explained that she chose to close the album with the track because she wanted it to end with a "sense of peace", noting it was the last song she wrote for the record.[44] Additionally, Andrew Watt revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that the song had always been intended for Mayhem.[45]
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Composition
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"Die with a Smile" is a pop, pop-soul and soft rock song,[46][47][48] displaying the emotional style of a pop and soul sentimental ballad.[49][50][51] Critics also noticed its country influences.[46][52] According to the sheet music published by BMG Rights Management on Musicnotes, "Die with a Smile" is composed in the key of A major with a slow tempo of 52 beats per minute. The vocal range spans from G3 to E5.[53] Billboard's Kyle Denis described the song as a "soaring ballad that blends pop, soul, country, and rock",[52] while Luisa Calle added that it combines Gaga's emotive lyrical style with Mars' smooth R&B influence.[54] Critics found the sound to be influenced by 1970's ballads.[8][49]
Los Angeles Times's Mikael Wood wrote that it evokes classic duets such as Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle's "On My Own" (1986) and Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" (1981).[18] Joey Nolfi of Entertainment Weekly called it "a string-laced ballad harkening back to the glistening passion of '60s and '70s pop ballads". Nofli defined the song as a "spiritual sequel" to Gaga's "Shallow" (2018),[49] while Vulture's Justin Curto stated that it recalls the singer's late-2010s work on Joanne (2016) and A Star Is Born (2018).[55] Ed Power of The Irish Times described it as a "Bond-theme-style duet" which "harks back to Gaga's underrated collaborations with Tony Bennett".[a][57] NME's Surej Singh and Variety's Jem Aswad noted its "soaring chorus", and felt it's comparable to Mars' Silk Sonic project.[50][19] Robin Murray of Clash described the opening guitar chords as "glacial", noting a "shoegaze ring" in the reverb-drenched production and adding that the track blends Lee Hazlewood-style songwriting with Slowdive-like atmospherics.[58] According to The New York Times, it is also reminiscent of Mars's "days as a Jason Mraz-esque wedding song maestro".[48]
"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.[59] 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.[19] Lyrically, the song is both "romantic and devastating".[8] It is presented as an intense love declaration centered on the strength of the narrators' feelings for each other against a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario,[8][21][60] a theme Gaga has described as an "apocalyptic love song."[61] 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.[21] 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."[21] Jake Viswanath of Bustle compared the song's lyrical perspective to Gaga's 2011 single "The Edge of Glory",[8] while Billboard Argentina noted its focus on "finding happiness and peace amid adversity."[62] Talking about the lyrics, Gaga further added that although singing about dying doesn't naturally align with smiling, it makes sense in the context of the song because it reflects the sweetness and emotional meaning behind what they're expressing.[18]
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Critical reception
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"Die with a Smile" received widespread critical acclaim.[63] Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone noted "the new track puts the duo's soaring vocals on full display".[60] Robin Murray of Clash gave the song eight out of ten stars, calling it "a homage to those lush 70s duets" that "also feels profoundly modern", and noting both artists "shine" with an "undoubted chemistry" that gives the track its own character.[58] Jake Viswanath of Bustle wrote the song "blends Gaga's emotive pop melodies with Mars' old-school R&B influences", with addictional "twang-y instrumentation", into a "sweepingly romantic and devastating" song which "portrays two lovers who want to experience their last moments with each other".[8] AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung found it to be a "simple but sublime duet" which "will prove to be one of Gaga's most timeless, classic tunes."[64] Jem Aswad of Variety commented the song "its as big a song as one would expect from this mega-tag-team."[19] The Independent's Adam White described it as "a tender, gentle love song that serves both Gaga and Mars very well."[65]
Paul Grein of Billboard called "Die with a Smile" a "match made in Grammy heaven" and an "instant smash",[66] while the publication's Stephen Daw noted how "Gaga's powerful, soulful voice blends excellently with Bruno Mars' energetic belt".[67] The New York Times dubbed the song "a romantic, lightly apocalyptic slow-dance that offers both the opportunity to belt to the rafters."[68] Vulture's Kristen S. Hé opined that "for a power ballad between two A-listers, it's genuinely humble — their voices not competing, but intertwining and uplifting one another, with Gaga nailing Bruno's distinctly smooth-soul melodies."[69] Craig Jenkins, also from Vulture, praised the song's "triumphant vocal harmonies" and described it as a weighty ballad shaped by doomerism and countrypolitan influences, noting how the duo's intertwined vocals "shoot up into the stratosphere".[70] Jordi Bardají of Jenesaispop described "Die with a Smile" as a "timeless ballad",[71] while Sam Damshenas of Gay Times called it "a cinematic pop-rock ballad with saccharine, instantly iconic lyrics".[72] Alexa Camp from Slant Magazine praised the song calling it "catchy" and "dreary". She added that its "a throwback to the love songs of the last century."[51] Billboard's Hannah Dailey regarded it "late-stage song of the summer contender".[73] For the same magazine, Katie Atkinson noted that she liked the song when it first came out, but came to appreciate it even more over time, "showing just how powerful its appeal was."[46]
Consequence's Paolo Ragusa considered it a "simple, satisfying love ballad" where Gaga's voice "blends gorgeously with Mars'". He added that while the song isn't breaking any new grounds for either artists, it's "a collaboration that lives up to its star-studded package".[74] Mary Siroki from the same publication had a more mixed response, saying it's "perfectly fine", with great vocals, however she found it somewhat underwhelming compared to the two artists past catalogue, claiming it lacks the replay appeal of their biggest hits.[74] Drew Gillis of The A.V. Club found it a competent but unremarkable song, suggesting that it will "fade into the background". He further noted that Gaga takes a secondary role, with Bruno Mars' melody dominating the track.[75] In a later piece for The New York Times, Shaad D'Souza wrote the track was "destined for oldies radio rotation in about 20 years". D'Souza criticized the track since it displays "both singers indulging their worst impulses toward lounge act cosplay."[48] CJ Thorpe-Tracey of The Quietus was more negative, and called it an "artificial mid-paced ballad [which] sort of soars, but never engages actual emotion."[76]
Year-end lists
"Die with a Smile" was included in several year-end lists by music critics and publications. Melissa Ruggieri of USA Today ranked it as the fifth best song of 2024. She praised the track's retro-inspired exploration of enduring love, the complementary artistic styles of the two performers, and Mars' rhythmic production choices—particularly his use of drums to enhance the song's emotional intensity".[77] Mikael Wood writing for the Los Angeles Times placed the track at number 17 and commented "Think Bruno ever wakes up and tries not to write a hit?"[78] Billboard, in its editorial list of staff picks for the best songs of 2024, ranked it twenty-first, complimenting its timeless production, theatrical vocal performances, and strong replay value.[79] Billboard Philippines ranked it in the year's top fifty and thought the duo's "passionate vocals and emotional harmonies are enough to leave you dazed and yearning for a love so encompassing."[80] Uproxx also listed "Die with a Smile" among the best songs of 2024, calling it "an epic return for both artists, driven by natural chemistry and vocals that seemed to reach the clouds".[81]
Comments on the song's placement within Mayhem
[The album] ends with love. That's the answer to all the chaos in my life is that I find peace with love. Every song that I wrote, I just kept getting kind of swept away in these different dreams I was having about the past — almost like a recollection of all these bad decisions that I made in my life. But it ends in this very happy place.
– Gaga talking about how "Die with a Smile" is connected to the rest of Mayhem[18]
Several journalists commented on the track's eventual inclusion on Gaga's Mayhem in their album reviews. Stephen Ackroyd of Dork opined that due to its "dramatic, cinematic" nature, the song "fits perfectly as the album's curtain-closer."[82] The Line of Best Fit's David Cobbald remarked, "the inclusion of 'Die With A Smile' raises the question of if the album was toned down to make the track fit in its closing spot", but added that "it certainly doesn't feel out of place with the final product."[83] In a joint commentary for Elle, Erica Gonzales and Samuel Maude noted that the track's placement did not feel commercially motivated, suggesting it was always meant to be there.[84] Donovan Livesey of MusicOMH wrote that while the song is a "safer moment" compared to the rest of the album, it works as a reflective and "almost cinematic" finale.[85] Variety's Steven J. Horowitz noted that it fits within the album's closing trio of dramatic ballads, though he described its lounge-pop style as "schlocky" and built on "cliché" tropes.[86]
Conversely, Thomas Stremfel of Spectrum Culture said that the track's addition to Mayhem "screams 'label interference'" and "stick[s] out like a sore thumb".[87] Both Exclaim! and Stereogum found the song to be "tacked on".[88][89] For The Wall Street Journal's Mark Richardson, "it feels slightly out of place here, more anonymous than what comes before".[90] Clash reviewer Robin Murray said it's an "uneasy climax", as "the song feels tonally distinct from the album's strange, H.R. Giger bio-mechanical lust."[91] In a round-table discussion by Atwood Magazine, the contributors argued that even though it's a "stunning collaboration", it does not fully align with Mayhem's sonic or thematic direction, with its placement at the end of the album feeling "anticlimactic".[92] While finding the track "perfectly fine on its own", Paste's Sam Rosenberg believed it's "an odd note to end the album on, a maudlin culmination to the strutting, sexy slew of upbeat bangers that came before it."[93] Billboard's Daw praised the song but described it as an "afterthought", or an epilogue to an album that otherwise takes bigger risks and embraces chaos. Still, he noted that if the goal was to close Mayhem on a gentler note, the track succeeds.[67] A similar opinion was shared by NME's Nick Levine, who described it as "a palate cleanser after a feast of bold flavours".[94] Shaad D'Souza writing for The New York Times provided a reason for the inclusion of the song on Mayhem, "it's hard to argue with some two billion extra streams."[48]
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Commercial performance
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America
In the United States, "Die with a Smile" reached number one on the iTunes charts within minutes of its release and around 2.78 million streams on its first day.[95] The song sold over 14,000 digital copies in the United States during its first four days of availability and a full tracking week of 21,000 copies sold. It peaked at number one on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes during its release week.[96] The track debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week dated August 31, 2024, becoming Mars's 19th top 10 and Gaga's 18th in the country.[97] The duet debuted at number one on the Digital Song Sales chart, becoming Mars 10th chart topper and Gaga's 9th.[98] In its eleventh week, 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 all of them were discounted to 69 cents on the iTunes store.[99]
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"Die with a Smile" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Gaga's sixth chart-topper and Mars's ninth (pictured left to right).[100]
In its twentieth week, "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 sold, 59.7 million radio audience and 27.1 million streams.[100] At the same time, the single peaked at number one the Streaming Songs chart, Gaga's first Mars' third.[101] 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.[102] Additionally, Gaga became the third artist in history to achieve multiple number 1 songs in three different decades, after Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.[103] She also matched Diana Ross and Paula Abdul in joint seventh place for the most U.S. number one singles by female artists.[100] "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.[104][105] It also became the fourth longest-running Top 10 hit in Hot 100 chart history (51 Weeks).[105][106][107] On October 20, 2025, Billboard updated its chart rules, removing songs outside the top 10 for more than 52 weeks. As a result, "Die with a Smile" dropped off the Billboard Hot 100 in its sixtieth week.[108] The 60 weeks spent on the previously mentioned chart is a longevity record for both artists and also the most for a duet between a female and male artist.[109][105]
Furthermore, it reached number one on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, marking Gaga's eighth number one hit and Mars's tenth.[110] He tied Justin Bieber as the solo artist with the most number one on the chart, while Gaga became the fifth act to achieve at least one number one in each of the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. She also set the record for the longest gap between two number ones, with thirteen years, seven months, and two weeks since "Born This Way" (2011) topped the chart in April 2011. It also reached the top of the Adult Pop Songs chart, becoming Gaga's first number one and Mars' fourth.[110] The song spent ten non-consecutive weeks on the top, a record for both artists.[111] In its twenty-fifth week, it reached the top on the Radio Songs chart, marking Gaga's third and Mars's tenth number one.[112] "Die With a Smile" spent 55 weeks on the aforementioned chart breaking the artists previous longevity record.[113] As of July 2025, Billboard reported that "Die With a Smile" was the second most streamed song in the US with 421.4 million and the most heard song in US radio with 1.762 billion audience impressions.[114] A similar report was published by Luminate, the track was the second song with the best Digital Song Consumption, with a total of 3,105 million in Songs Sales and On-Demand Audio SES, which 421,4 million were On-Demand audio streams with 93,000 copies sold.[115] It topped the 2025 Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart becoming the first male-female duet to reach its top.[105]
In Canada, it debuted at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100 and subsequently climbed to the top in its twentieth week, marking Gaga's sixth number one hit and Mars' fifth.[116][117] The song was later certified eight-times platinum by Music Canada (MC).[118] According to the previously mentioned Luminate report, the track had 51.7 million On-Demand audio streams taking the top spot on Canada Top 10 Songs.[115] In Brazil, "Die with a Smile" debuted at number thirteen on the Billboard Brasil Hot 100, it peaked at number four on the chart dated October 19, 2024.[119][120] It was later certified five times diamond by the PMB for 800,000 units.[121] Across Latin America, "Die with a Smile" entered the top ten on the general charts of Argentina, Ecuador, and Peru.[122][123][124]
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 fifteenth top-ten hit and Mars' eleventh.[125][126] In its ninth week on the chart, it reached number two and spent a year on the aforementioned chart.[127][128] The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it double platinum certification.[129] In Ireland it also achieved the biggest debut of the week by entering at number thirteen and in its sixth week it achieved its best position at number 3.[130] In the Netherlands it debuted in nineteenth position and then climbed to the top in its fifth week, where it became Gaga's third number 1 and Mars' second; Gaga also became the first artist to achieve a number 1 hit in three different decades in the country.[131] In the Flemish Region of Belgium, it reached number one, while in the Walloon Region it reached number two.[132][133] 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.[134] It was awarded a platinum certification by IFPI Switzerland.[135]
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' second.[136] It also reached number two in Sweden, number four in Denmark, thirteenth in Finland.[137][138][139] In the Baltic countries, it reached number one in Estonia, number three in Lithuania, and number two on Latvia's streaming chart.[140][141][142] In Germany, it reached number five, while in France it reached number eight.[143][144] Other countries in Europe where it reached number one were Croatia, Greece and Portugal.[145][146][147] 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.[148][149][150]
Asia and Oceania
"Die With a Smile" enjoyed widespread commercial success in Asia, reaching number one on the weekly charts in Indonesia, Malaysia as well as in the Philippines, where Gaga and Mars became the first non-Filipino artists to reach number one on the Philippines Hot 100 since the chart's reintroduction in July 2024.[151][152][153] It became the international song with the longest run at the top spot in the Philippines during the 2024 calendar year.[154] Within the Middle East, it reached number one in Saudi Arabia, Israel and Lebanon.[155][156][157]
In Australia, it debuted at number ten on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming Gaga's 16th top-ten hit and Mars' 17th. It then climbed to number two, where it remained for two consecutive weeks.[158][159] It was certified seven times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[160] 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.[161] It was certified five times platinum by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ).[162]
International
In 2024, "Die with a Smile" generated 1.08 billion global streams, making it the fourteenth most successful song of the year, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).[163] In its first week, it garnered 75.1 million streams across various platforms and sold 31,000 copies worldwide, debuting at number two on Global 200 chart. It was Gaga's first top ten hit and Mars's third since the chart's inception.[164] 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.[165][166] It spent a total of eighteen weeks atop the chart, overtook Harry Styles' "As It Was" (2022) to become the second longest-reigning overall (and the longest-running non-holiday) number-one song in the chart's history (behind Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (1994).[167][168] It also overtook "Apt." (2024) by Rosé and Mars for the most weeks spent by any song released in 2024.[169][170][171] According Luminate's 2024 Year-End Music Report, "Die With a Smile" was the fifth most streamed song in the world, with 1,874 billion On-Demand audio streams.[172] According to the company's 2025 Mid-Year music report the single topped their global rank with 1.920 billion On-Demand audio streams.[115] The song was the second on the 2025 Global 200 Year-End chart.[173]
"Die With a Smile" success was highlighted by Hugh McIntyre of Forbes magazine, who noted that it was unusual to see the most successful tracks continue to see an increase in sales and streams for so many weeks.[174] It broke the record for the most weeks generating more than 100 million streams global, previously held by "Stay" by The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber, after exceeding that amount.[175] It is the only song to be streamed weekly over 100 million times globally for a twenty-week period.[176] On November 20, 2024, "Die with a Smile" became the fastest song to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify and the only song to do so in under 100 days (96 days).[177][178] Gaga became emotional when the song surpassed one billion streams, saying she "couldn't believe" the milestone and thanking listeners for its success.[179] On December 4, 2024, "Die with a Smile" was established as the most viral song of 2024 on Spotify, amassing over 1.6 billion streams within 17 weeks and becoming the most shared song from the platform on social media.[180] Its success, along with Rosé's "Apt.", propelled Mars to the top of Spotify's most-streamed artists list with 150 million streams,[181] and Gaga to third place with 123 million, a milestone that also saw her break the all-time Spotify record for most monthly listeners for a female artist.[182] On June 6 2025, the song spent the most days at number one on the Spotify Global daily chart with 201 non-consecutive days, surpassing Tones and I's "Dance Monkey" (2019).[183] On October 2025, "Die with a Smile" surpassed 3 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the fastest song to reach the milestone (410 days). It also became the most-streamed track in the catalogues of both Gaga and Mars.[184] In 2025, "Die With a Smile" topped the global year-end lists of most streamed songs on YouTube, Spotify and Deezer.[185][186][187] It ranked third place on Apple Music.[188]
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Music video
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Gaga revealed via Instagram alongside the song's announcement that its accompanying music video would be released simultaneously with the track at 9 PM PDT.[7] The video length is four minute and twelve seconds.[189] It premiered on her YouTube channel and was directed by Mars and Daniel Ramos, showing them in light blue and red outfits they wear on the song's cover art.[189][51][190] Gaga appears in red tights with a hairstyle inspired by Dolly Parton, whereas Mars wears a white cowboy hat.[189] 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.[49][191] 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.[191] The pair perform alongside a live band as flashing lights accentuate the stage atmosphere.[192] The video concludes with a heart shape forming around the performers as they face each other.[49]
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". Although this was their first real collaboration, the video is crafted to give the impression of an established duo with years of shared history.[18] She also explained why she chose to smoke a cigarette in the video right up until the moment 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."[18]
Billboard and Variety described the video as a "retro Nashville concept,"[19][193] while other outlets noted it pays tribute to duos such as Elton John and Kiki Dee or Sonny Bono and Cher, and suggested it could reference the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).[19][4][194] 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, with hair by Evanie Frausto and makeup by Alexandra French using Haus Labs products, while Mars appears in a coordinated blue suit and red shirt reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's duets.[195][196] Calum Slingerland from Exclaim! dubbed the vido "unapologetically schmaltzy".[190] The A.V. Club's Drew Gillis found the it largely unengaging, as it offers little visual material beyond the pair singing to each other, though he cited Gaga's playful use of a cigarette prop throughout as an "hilarious" element.[75] The video reached one billion views on YouTube in April 2025, becoming Gaga's fourth and Mars's tenth video to reach the milestone.[197] 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.[198][199]
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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' 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.[200] 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.[201] Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos described the performance as "sublime" and "emotionally charged,"[202] while Thania Garcia of Variety wrote that "Mars saved the best for last by bringing out Gaga, who sang with a passion that swelled into the grand chorus, where their voices merged as one."[203] Jason P. Frank of Vulture highlighted the pair's powerful vocal delivery during the debut performance.[200] On August 27, 2024, the duo performed the song together a second time at the concert residency, Bruno Mars at Park MGM (2016–2025) in Las Vegas. The video was later released on Mars' YouTube channel on October 29, 2024.[204]
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).[205][206] Gaga also performed a solo rendition of the song during a Christmas special of Carpool Karaoke, released on Apple TV+ on December 15, 2024.[207][208] Gaga 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'" (1963).[209][210] 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.[211][212] The song was later added to the set list of the Mayhem Ball tour (2025–2026),[213] where Gaga performed it on piano, wearing a sheer black hooded cloak.[214]
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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.[215] 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.[216] NME's Tom Skinner described the performance as "minimalist, intimate and emotional".[217] 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.[218] American singers Jessica Sanchez and Benson Boone also performed the song in 2025, with Sanchez singing it during the September 23 finale of the twentieth season of America's Got Talent and Boone performing it on September 30 during one night of his American Heart World Tour.[219][220]
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Accolades
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"Die With a Smile" won 10 awards out of 25 nominations (1 pending).[b] 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.[221] The single won Best Collaboration at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.[198] "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.[222]
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Personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Mayhem.[24]
Recording
- Recorded at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios
- Mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
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Charts
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Certifications
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Release history
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).[56]
- Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They acknowledge several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
References
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