Sunny Sunday’s Song Of The Day: Bruno Mars And Lady Gaga’s “Die With A Smile”
“Die With A Smile” is a passionate love song that tells the story of two people having the revelation that, in our frightening, mixed-up world, love is all that matters. “Our love’s the only war worth fighting for.” And, hell, if the world’s going to end, “I’d wanna hold you in my arms, and die with a smile,” a juxtaposition that illuminates the beauty, power, and significance of love.
As the story goes, Brian Mars invited Lady Gaga to his recording studio to listen to a song he was working on. Lady Gaga arrived at midnight, and they stayed up until dawn to finish writing and recording the song.
“Die With A Smile” stands out from today’s pop music with a return to former pop song elements in its hooks, textures, and sonic delights.
Here are some musical elements I appreciate.
First, it uses the swinging 6/8 time signature (if you’re not a musician, count 6 beats: 1–2–3–4–5–6) accentuated by guitar strumming that I love, as in other songs, such as Radiohead’s, “Nice Dream, which intimates innocence, vulnerability, and courage in the midst of frightening circumstances and uncertainty.
The vocals are balanced. It’s an incredible — is feat the right word? Neither of these two powerhouses’ vocals dominate, Gaga’s especially. But it would have to be this way in this song. Despite a lover’s differences, true love is an equal and shared love.
The song is four minutes long, despite a short intro, longer than a lot of pop songs today, even though it doesn’t feel that way. It moves quickly.
The structure is tight. The verses are short and succinct followed by a short, distinctive hooky pre-chorus, immediately launching into the explosive chorus, which conveys with urgency the need to connect with love.
It has a powerful title. Usually, but not always, a song’s title are the repeating lyrics. In this song, that would be, “next to you” or “I’d wanna be next to you.” But neither paint the full picture. “Die with a smile” does. It’s only sung a few times.
It has a prominent crisp, bright snare that’s almost louder than the vocals, reminiscent of a military march and simultaneously swinging.
A few words about the video, which I also like.
It conjures Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner performing, with Gaga’s hair piled high like Dolly’s. Wagoner didn’t wear a cowboy hat, but Mars does to make the connection, and their matching country outfits complete the picture.
The dreamy atmosphere mimics the atmospheric music, harkening to a simpler time of television performances in front of a studio audience against the backdrop of a curtain. Even Gaga smoking a cigarette is a nod to a simpler time when cigarette smoking wasn’t deemed hazardous to our health. Contrasted with her sad, clown eye makeup.
The swingy, flowy camera, Gaga’s swaying dancing, and rainbow lighting effects add to the dreamy effect.
And yet, despite the message in this song, what’s missing in the video is a closeness between Mars and Gaga as was seen between Bradley Cooper and Gaga in “Shallow,” suggesting a dramatization of the tension between two quarreling lovers, despite their deep love.
Here are the powerful lyrics.
(Ooh, ooh)
I, I just woke up from a dream
Where you and I had to say goodbye
And I don’t know what it all means
But since I survived, I realized
Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll follow
Nobody’s promised tomorrow
So I’ma love you every night like it’s the last night
Like it’s the last night
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
If the party was over
And our time on Earth was through
I’d wanna hold you just for a while
And die with a smile
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
(Ooh, ooh)
Ooh, lost, lost in the words that we scream
I don’t even wanna do this anymore
‘Cause you already know what you mean to me
And our love’s the only war worth fighting for
Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll follow
Nobody’s promised tomorrow
So I’ma love you every night like it’s the last night
Like it’s the last night
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
If the party was over
And our time on Earth was through
I’d wanna hold you just for a while
And die with a smile
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
Right next to you
Next to you
Right next to you
Oh-oh
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
If the party was over
And our time on Earth was through
I’d wanna hold you just for a while
And die with a smile
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
If the world was ending
I’d wanna be next to you
(Ooh, ooh)
I’d wanna be next to you
Enjoy!
