Sixty years after its release, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars covered the Mamas and the Papas‘ “California Dreamin’” at the 2025 Grammy Awards on Sunday night.
The “Die With a Smile” duo took the Sixties anthem into 2025, making it a poignant love letter to Los Angeles in wake of the devastating wildfires. Gaga wore a lengthy white gown with a cap, while Mars rocked a swanky Seventies-style suit.
Gaga and Mars released “Die With a Smile” in August 2024; it went to Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 in January. “I can’t believe I’ve had two Number Ones in three different decades that I’ve been releasing my music,” Gaga said. ““I’m so grateful. It’s 2025, and I have a Number One, it’s pretty wild.”
“Die With a Smile” is up for Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The track will be included on Gaga’s upcoming album Mayhem, set for a March 2025 release.
Gaga and Mars’ Grammys performance comes just days after Gaga closed out a tribute to L.A. at the FireAid benefit concert with a three-song set, which included a solo version of “Shallow” from A Star Is Born and a new song she wrote in response to the wildfires.
“This has been a horrible, scary time,” Gaga said of the wildfires. “But during these times I feel like people come together and we see how much we need each other. And I want to always remember us just like this.”
Gaga wrote on Instagram after the concert on Friday, Jan. 31, “It was such an honor to sing @FireAidLA for you during this incredibly challenging time. Thank you for having me, and thank you to everyone who donated. I love you CALIFORNIA, we’ll keep moving forward 🙏🖤.”
The 67th Grammy Awards have overall been a love letter to Los Angeles as the city works to recover from the fires that ravaged the area last month. The ceremony opened with a star-studded rendition of Randy Newman’s 1983 song “I Love L.A.” featuring Dawes, backed by Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, Brad Paisley, John Legend, and St. Vincent. In addition, Billie Eilish and Finneas performed “Birds of a Feather,” with Eilish capping it off with “I love you L.A.”
From Rolling Stone US
