Die With a Smile by Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga

Bruno Mars finally stepped out of the casino and into the studio to deliver another chart-topper, this time in a power ballad with the equally legendary Lady Gaga. "Die With a Smile" is Mars’ first release since his award-winning R&B album An Evening With Silk Sonic with collaborator Anderson Paak, which came out in late 2021. As was the case with Paak, and Mark Ronson before him, some of Bruno’s best work is made with a friend. "Die With a Smile" is no different.

Mars’ penchant for yearning, broody vocals shines through in his solo verse and chorus, and that alone would make for a better-than-average single. But he must have heard Charli XCX and Lorde work it out on the remix because that first harmony with Lady Gaga hits and the song gets turned up to a ten. As always, she channels so much emotion through her voice that you can clearly see two impassioned lovers belting the lyrics in your mind’s eye. 

The bridge gives both vocalists a chance to show off, and show off they do. The textures are gorgeous without being overwhelming. It’s tender and powerful all at once. The technical vocal prowess exhibited in those thirty seconds sounds effortless, although we know it isn’t. 

I would be remiss not to mention the music video, which calls back to country radio stars of the 70’s during Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner’s reign. They wear matching denim outfits and Lady Gaga commits to smoking a cigarette throughout the entire thing. Bruno wears a white cowboy hat that pales in height to her hair. For Christ’s sake, there’s an electric guitar solo. What more could you want from these two?

I’ll tell you - a key change. Both of these artists have never shied away from veering into camp, and a key change in the bridge could really have turned this song from an eleven to a thousand. I suppose it hit number one on the Billboard Global 200 without one, so I’ll give them credit for the major/minor blend at the end of the second chorus and stop nit-picking. I’m just thrilled to see two artists come together with a fresh, fully-formed concept and execute it (almost) perfectly. 

I’m willing to call this the best duet of 2024 even though the year is far from over. Start curating your denim couple’s Halloween costumes now.