Lady Gaga is back on the Billboard Hot 100 with her spooky single The Dead Dance. Here’s how the track went viral and turned into the ultimate Halloween anthem
Lady Gaga has done it again. The pop phenomenon everyone calls Mother Monster is back on the Billboard Hot 100, this time with her dark and theatrical single “The Dead Dance.” The spooky anthem has gone viral, landing at No. 40 and bringing full Halloween vibes to pop culture. It’s not just another hit — it marks the first time in 12 years that Gaga has managed to score four songs from the same album in the Top 40.
The track has everything that makes Gaga unforgettable: high drama, gothic atmosphere, and a blend of electro-pop with a dark edge that feels haunting yet addictive. According to Luminate, the single racked up 8.7 million streams, reached 7.8 million radio listeners, and sold 5,000 copies in its first week alone. Released on September 3, the song’s momentum skyrocketed after Gaga performed it in a show-stopping medley with “Abracadabra” at the MTV Video Music Awards.
“The Dead Dance” is the fourth single from her album Mayhem to reach the Top 40, following “Disease” (No. 29), her Bruno Mars collaboration “Die With a Smile” (a No. 1 hit for five weeks), and “Abracadabra” (No. 13). This cements Mayhem as one of the most successful albums of the last decade. Earlier this year, it soared to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming Gaga’s seventh album to top the chart.
The last time she pulled off a similar feat was in 2013 with Artpop, which produced four Top 40 singles. Before that, Born This Way (2011) delivered five, and her debut The Fame (2008) turned her into a global superstar with timeless hits like “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “LoveGame,” and “Paparazzi.”
But the buzz around “The Dead Dance” isn’t just about numbers. The song has already crossed into TV and streaming, featuring in the second season of Netflix’s gothic hit Wednesday. Gaga even makes a guest appearance in the show, blending perfectly into its eerie, gothic aesthetic. Fans were thrilled, and Gaga herself revealed she had “the best time” on set, giving a special shoutout to Jenna Ortega and Tim Burton.
Of course, Gaga’s presence is never limited to music alone. At the Graveyard Gala co-hosted by Netflix and Spotify in New York, she showed up in full gothic glam, turning heads with a dramatic look that instantly went viral. Social media lit up, proving once again that Gaga is as much a fashion force as she is a music icon.
Fashion has always been a core part of her artistry. From the infamous meat dress to jaw-dropping couture at the Met Gala, Gaga knows how to create moments that live forever in pop culture. Fans are already waiting for her next outrageous red carpet appearance, because with Gaga, nothing is ever predictable.
Her personal life also remains a media fascination. Her relationship with entrepreneur Michael Polansky has been steady and full of love. Gaga often speaks about him in heartfelt ways, calling him “the person who makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.” For fans, seeing this softer, more vulnerable side of her makes them adore her even more.
Gaga’s impact extends far beyond music and fashion. Her acting career has exploded since her Oscar-winning turn in A Star Is Born, where “Shallow” became a cultural moment of its own. Now, she’s stepping into the DC universe in Joker: Folie à Deux alongside Joaquin Phoenix, taking on the role of Harley Quinn. Once again, she’s proving she’s a true chameleon, able to reinvent herself endlessly and push boundaries with every project.
Back on the charts, “The Dead Dance” is being crowned as this year’s ultimate Halloween anthem. Its eerie vibe and theatrical flair have sparked countless TikTok trends, with fans calling it “the new Poker Face.” Others say it captures Gaga’s boldest artistic side since her early days, blending performance art with pure pop spectacle.
While Beyoncé and Taylor Swift continue their reign over pop culture, Gaga stands apart by creating a theatrical universe around her music. Swift dominates with storytelling, Beyoncé with stage power — but Gaga adds a layer of art, shock, and unpredictability that keeps fans hooked. She doesn’t just release songs; she delivers moments.
Every step she takes feels deliberate yet spontaneous. Every performance goes viral. Every release redefines what pop can be. With Mayhem storming the charts, “The Dead Dance” climbing into cult status, and her acting career on fire, 2025 is shaping up to be Gaga’s year. And the Mother Monster shows no sign of stepping down from her throne anytime soon.
