Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars bring back the duet

Switched on Pop

It seemingly a terrible time to launch an over-the-top sentimental duet. This style of production peaked in the 80s and has had few chart topping success since. But as a sort of counter programming, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' duet "Die With A Smile" is an unexpected smash. This oddity from two beloved legacy artists may be more than a stand alone hit hit to promote Mars' Vegas residency and Gaga's upcoming film role in Joker: Folie à Deux. "Die With A Smile" more than hints at being interwoven to that film's universe, while also adhering to a forgotten musical traditional: the devotional duet in the style of Sonny & Cher. In the movie, Joker and Gaga's character Harley Quinn, have shared musical delusions about performing in a murderous Sonny & Cher like TV duo. But does this single come credit sequence song stand up to the best duets from the past? Listen to find out.

Songs Discussed

• Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - "Die With A Smile"
• Sonny & Cher - "I Got You Babe"
• Bread - "Make It On Your Own"
• Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "The Closer I Get To You"
• Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - "Endless Love"
• Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - "Islands in the Stream"
• Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald - "On My Own"

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