The Dead Dance

"The Dead Dance" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga. A synth-pop and disco track, it was released as a single through Interscope Records on September 3, 2025, and was included on the digital reissue of her 2025 album Mayhem. She wrote and produced the track with Andrew Watt and Cirkut, and described its lyrics as inspired by a romantic breakup, reflecting a shift from despair to joy and resilience through dance. The song was featured in the soundtrack for the second season of Wednesday (2025), in which Gaga also made a guest appearance. "The Dead Dance" received positive reviews from journalists, who praised its production and rhythm, with several writers describing it as "catchy" and "infectious". It charted in the top 10 in Belgium and Lebanon, as well as the top 20 in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, and the top 30 in Canada, France, Ireland, and Poland. It also reached number 13 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and earned several certifications, including platinum in France and silver in the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video, directed by Tim Burton and filmed on the Island of the Dolls in Mexico, premiered on September 3, 2025. It received praise for its gothic, horror-inspired aesthetic and choreography, and was favorably compared to Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983). Gaga performed "The Dead Dance" for the first time at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, with staging that referenced the music video. She subsequently added the song to the setlist of The Mayhem Ball concert tour. It was nominated for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming at the 78th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.