Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars premiere, perform new single

The focus of fast and intense hype, “Die With a Smile” was released at t 9 p.m. Pacific time Thursday, with the superstars performing the song at premiere of Intuit Dome in L.A., the new home of the L.A. Clippers.

Gaga arrived late in the set for her unannounced but anticipated appearance.

The crowd, which experienced lengthy delays after an snag with online ticketing, went wild.

The song quickly topped the iTunes music charts. Its video evokes a 1970s country vibe, with the superstars donning country western-designed, powder-blue outfits, Gaga in a large red neckerchief and tall blond wig, and Mars wearing a white cowboy hat and red button-down shirt.

Comparisons to a Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner TV appearance (tip of the Resistol to Billboard for that reference) are spot-on. The country sensibility is off set by a distinct soul sound; this song could have been on “An Evening With Silk Sonic” or any Mars release.

The video shows a Grand Ole Opry-fashioned stage with Mars playing an electric guitar and Gaga at the keys. The opening line, from Mars: “I just woke from a dream/You and I had to say goodbye/I don’t know what it all means/Since I survived I realized/Wherever you go I will follow/Because nobody’s promised tomorrow.”

The news release for the song notes it is the first collaboration between the two superstars. A “timeless ballad,” the tune is Gaga’s first new music since 2021, and Mars’ first since ‘22. The release goes on to boast, ”Between them, they have sold a staggering 300M records worldwide, with a combined 13 singles that have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.”

Mars and Gaga have combined for 28 Grammys. Both have also headlined residency productions at Dolby Live. Gaga’s “Jazz + Piano” ended in July, but she has promised she will be back. Mars returns to the Strip on Tuesday night.

Gaga posted, WHILE YOU WAIT TILL LG7 … “DIE WITH A SMILE” a duet with @Bruno Mars … Song and video tonight at 9 pm PT.” There is a link to the single on her X post.

“LG7” is Gaga’s upcoming album. Her message indicates the single will not be on that release.

There is some rumbling on the socials that the Mars-Gaga single is the first of a planned three-song EP. Mars’ voice is more dominant on “Die With a Smile,” and he sings the intro. The song is more in his soul style and could actually fit on a Silk Sonic or solo album.

In the video, there are three musical notes and also three clocks shown in the background (including on showing the time from Gaga’s birth city of New York, another with Mars’ Honolulu, and another being Fresno. The thought is the second song would be more about Gaga and the third … Working on some Fresno angle here. But the song is not for “LG7,” and doesn’t seem to be a standalone single. With these two, there is some sort of fanciful, overarching plan. “Die with a Smile” is also generating buzz as a late entry for a Grammy Song of the Year nomination.

Of course, Gaga also co-stars in the upcoming “Joker: Folie à Deux,” alongside Joaquin Phoenix, due Oct. 5. Maybe the song in the closing credits? And Mars has his own fiefdom, lording over the swanky nightclub The Pinky Ring at Bellagio, where the party hops until after 1 a.m., and you can check out Mars’ 15 Grammys.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.