“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 studio album Mayhem (2025). 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 Dead Dance” received positive reviews from journalists. An accompanying music video, directed by Tim Burton and filmed on the Island of the Dolls in Mexico, premiered on September 3, 2025. The video received praise for its gothic, horror-inspired aesthetic and choreography, and was favorably compared to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1983) clip. The song is featured in the soundtrack for the second season of Wednesday (2025), in which Gaga also makes a guest appearance. Gaga performed “The Dead Dance” for the first time at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, with a staging that referenced its music video.
