The collaboration between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars was hailed as an “instant classic”.

After weeks of rumors, the Grammy-winning pop icons finally debuted their first duet, complete with their matching red-and-blue ensembles and uplifting vocals. “Die With A Smile” is a cinematic pop-rock ballad with instantly iconic lovelorn lyrics like “If the world was ending, I’d want to be next to you.”

More lovebird chatter follows: “When the party was over and our time on earth was up, all I would want to do is hold you for a while and die with a smile.”

At the same time, Gaga and Bruno presented their music video, in which the duo, dressed in the aforementioned western clothing, demonstrate their talent on the guitar and piano in front of an audience during a live television broadcast.

In a statement, Gaga said the standalone single was the result of her and Bruno’s “mutual respect.”

“I was finishing up my own album in Malibu, and one night after a long day, he asked me to come to his studio to listen to something he was working on,” she recalls. “It was about midnight when I got there, and I was blown away when I heard what he had started doing.

“We stayed up all night finishing writing and recording the song. Bruno’s talent is indescribable. His musicianship and vision are on a whole new level. There is no one like him.”

Bruno added: “It was an honor to work with Gaga. She is an icon and brings magic to this song. I’m so happy for everyone to hear it.”

Die With A Smile received rave reviews online, with Little Monster saying it “delivered far more than I could have ever imagined.”This is a immediately CLASSIC and a cornerstone for both artists,” said the same Twitter/X user.

“Gaga and Brun “I’m just releasing one of the best songs of the year out of the blue,” tweeted another, “like kids sing this song at graduations, weddings… funerals.”

A third said: “Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, two of the biggest remaining pop stars, in one song… it can’t go wrong.”

“Die With A Smile” is out now – watch the music video here or below.