Lady Gaga has dropped the eerie new video for “The Dead Dance”, a track she co-wrote with Andrew Watt and Henry Walter for season two of Wednesday. The black-and-white visuals transport viewers into a forest of abandoned dolls, where Gaga’s sharp, theatrical choreography recalls both Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the campy cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Speaking about the song’s inspiration, Gaga explained that it came from heartbreak:
“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.”
At the season premiere, Gaga shared her excitement about being part of the show, adding:
“I loved working with Tim Burton and Jenna [Ortega], and everyone here, it’s so incredible. Thank you. I’m also here to confirm my song ‘The Dead Dance’ is coming.”
Her Wednesday co-star Jenna Ortega praised Gaga earlier this year at SXSW, calling her “one of the most talented individuals I’ve ever worked with” and describing the set as “a really, really special environment.”
“The Dead Dance” arrives as Gaga continues her Mayhem Ball world tour in support of her latest album, Mayhem. The North American leg began in July, with UK shows lined up this month, including four nights at London’s O2 Arena and two at Manchester’s Co-op Live. Unfortunately, she was forced to cancel her Miami concert on September 3 due to an “extremely strained” voice.
Despite setbacks, Mayhem has been met with strong reviews. In a four-star write-up, NME praised it as “a great Gaga album because it’s just so much fun,” describing the record as a reminder of Gaga’s unique ability to turn chaos into perfectly crafted pop.
Gaga is also gearing up for another major moment: she’s been confirmed as part of the performance line-up at the 2025 MTV VMAs.
You can watch the full video for “The Dead Dance” here and follow Gaga’s latest updates on her Instagram.
