Spooky, spirited, and with more synth, Lady Gaga’s new song “The Dead Dance” continues to claim more listeners daily as it climbs up Billboard’s Hot 100 since its release on September 3, 2025.
“The Dead Dance” is Lady Gaga’s latest addition to a re-issue of her seventh studio album, Mayhem’s deluxe edition. It has since become a viral dance trend, mimicking an unhinged doll on strings, which is so “Bloody Mary”-coded.
Also Read: Lady Gaga Announces New Album MAYHEM
More Mayhem
Funky, eclectic, and packed with Gaga’s iconic vocals, “The Dead Dance” is reminiscent of the upbeat rhythm of “Judas” meshed with a gloomy groove of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” The song is consistent with Mayhem’s chaos, conflict, and transformation theme and overarching synth-pop tune. It is definitely not “dead” and ultra-heavy on “dance.”
Gaga co-wrote and co-produced “The Dead Dance” with Mayhem collaborators Andrew Watt and Cirkut, who also penned smash hits “Abracadabra” and “Disease” with her. According to the singer-songwriter, the song revolves around dynamic feelings experienced during a breakup. She shared with Netflix:
The inspiration for ‘The Dead Dance’ was a breakup, and it was all about the way that we sometimes feel when it’s over; how a relationship ending can kill our ability to feel hopeful about love. It’s got this really cool, funky beat underneath it. And that is when the song becomes not just about the relationship; it becomes about having fun with your friends when you’ve been through something tough and amazing. I can’t wait for people to listen to it.
Much like in the music video, “The Dead Dance” sings about reclaiming independence from the strings attached to us. Like dolls or puppets, we dance to the tune and march to the beat of our own drum.
Also Read: Netflix Tudum 2025: Full of Teasers, Surprises, and More
Wednesday’s Woeful Women
It’s no coincidence that “The Dead Dance” was released on a Wednesday, no less. After a “Bloody Mary” revival in the 2023 Hot 100 because of fans of the Netflix series Wednesday, we wouldn’t be surprised if Lady Gaga becomes a creative collaborator in the hit show’s second season. And yes, she was.
The singer-turned-actress briefly played Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary former teacher at Nevermore and a powerful psychic. The opportunity to star in Wednesday’s Season 2 alongside Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and more came as a twofer. The music video for “The Dead Dance” is actually a Tim Burton-helmed masterpiece. Known for his unique gothic aesthetic in films, the Wednesday director turned Gaga’s disco-pop banger into an eerie reimagining of a voodoo possession.
Fun fact: Staying true to the song’s vibe, Burton and Gaga shot the video on the famously creepy and weird Isla de las Muñecas, or the “Island of the Dolls,” in Mexico.
Already bingeing season 2? You can catch a rendition of “The Dead Dance” by Emma Myers (Enid) and Evie Templeton (Agnes), performing onstage at Nevermore’s Venetian Gala in Episode 7: Woe Me the Money.
Also Read: Pop Corner: Wednesday Season 2 Ending Explained: Wednesday dies?
Back on Top
After 12 long years, Gaga has finally secured a top spot on the Billboard 200 with Mayhem since Artpop in 2013. Now, Mayhem seems to be Gaga’s ticket to resurgence in the charts, with hit after hit even reaching No. 1 (for “Die With A Smile”).
“The Dead Dance” bumped to No. 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100 dated for September 20, 2025.
The Dead Dance on Repeat
Lady Gaga is no stranger to crafting and launching chart-toppers, with a musical and film career spanning 17 years. “The Dead Dance’s” success is a testament to her artistry, dedication, and star power.
Are you an avid fan or just a little monster in the making? Make Mother Monster proud by streaming “The Dead Dance” now on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Source: @ladygaga (official Instagram), @LadyGaga (official YouTube channel), Lady Gaga (official website), Netflix Tudum
