Lady Gaga’s Music For Film and TV: A Comprehensive Overview

Lady Gaga has long proven herself to be one of pop music’s most versatile performers, equally at home crafting club anthems and heart-wrenching ballads. But beyond her chart-topping albums and sold out stadium tours, Gaga has carved out an impressive secondary lane as a film and television contributor, lending her distinctive voice and songwriting to both intimate documentaries and major Hollywood blockbusters. From her Oscar-winning work on A Star Is Born to her ventures in family-friendly comedies, few could have predicted that the architect of danceable pop anthems like “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face” would become such a sought-after collaborator within cinematic circles.

Since her earliest entry into film music with 2009’s Confessions of a Shopaholic, Gaga’s cinematic contributions have consistently added to the projects she’s touched, whether through powerhouse original compositions or her distinctive interpretations of classic standards. ​​Take a trip with us down memory lane as we recall some of our favorite tracks Lady Gaga has made throughout her ventures in film and TV – from hidden gems to chart-toppers, each entry represents a unique facet of an artist who continues to surprise and captivate audiences across mediums.

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Written for the Big Screen

Wednesday Season 2 (2025) | “Dead Dance”

Following the surprise success of “Bloody Mary” – a 2011 track from Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album that went viral when fans of Netflix’s Wednesday paired it with Wednesday Adams’ viral dance from the show’s “Rave’N” scene in TikTok edits – Gaga decided to contribute an original song to the Wednesday Season 2 soundtrack. The outcome was “Dead Dance,” a track produced by Mayhem collaborators Andrew Watt and Cirkut.

The song is signature Gaga, blending a hypnotic dance beat with her signature uplifting lyricism. In Wednesday Season 2, the track plays as Enid cathartically releases her inhibitions through dance. As the song continues, she’s joined by Agnes as the performance becomes a duet that is met with wild applause as the duo finishes their routine.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022) | “Hold My Hand”

“Hold My Hand” is perhaps one of Gaga’s most successful ventures into songwriting for film. The soaring contribution to the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick was written and produced by Gaga alongside BloodPop. When presented with the song, actor Tom Cruise immediately felt that it captured the emotional core of Top Gun: Maverick. On the red carpet, he once explained that it “became our score. It became the heartbeat of the film.”

In the movie, the song underscores key emotional moments and the bonds between characters facing impossible odds. The song became such a hit amongst Gaga’s fans and moviegoers alike that it earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, became a centerpiece of her live performances, and perfectly captured the film’s themes of loyalty and perseverance through adversity.

The song became such a hit amongst Gaga’s fans that it became the encore performance of her 2022 Chromatica Ball Tour, and was later performed at Super Bowl LIX as a surprise pre-game performance.

The Hunting Ground (2015) | “Til It Happens to You”

“Til It Happens to You” marked Lady Gaga’s most emotionally charged contribution to film, co-written with veteran songwriter Diane Warren for the 2015 documentary The Hunting Ground. The collaboration came about when the film’s producers sought out an influential artist to bring attention to their campus rape documentary. Warren was so moved by the subject matter that she gifted the song to the filmmakers, later bringing Gaga on board after playing her a rough demo. The track held deep personal significance for Gaga, inspiring her decision to contribute to the track.

The song made history by becoming the first track to ever receive Grammy, Academy, and Emmy Award nominations in the same year, ultimately winning the Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. Proceeds from the song’s sales were donated to organizations supporting sexual assault victims.

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011) | “Hello Hello” – Elton John (Featuring Lady Gaga)

2011’s Gnomeo and Juliet provides a niche and obscure entry to the list – a duet with Elton John titled “Hello Hello.” While Elton John’s solo version appeared on the movie’s official soundtrack, the full duet featuring Gaga remained a hidden gem that could only be heard by watching the movie itself.

The feel-good song about meeting someone similar to yourself perfectly captures the moment when the title characters, Gnomeo and Juliet, first meet in the movie.

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) | “Fashion”

Not to be confused with the song “Fashion!” off her 2013 album Artpop, “Fashion” was the first song that Gaga made for the silver screen. Written in 2007 alongside RedOne, “Fashion” had a peculiar journey before finding its eventual home on 2009’s Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack. The song was originally written with Gaga’s debut album, The Fame Monster, in mind. Ultimately, it was cut from the album, then briefly considered for the film Sex and the City: The Movie before landing in Confessions of a Shopaholic.

The lyrics contain references to several different luxury designers like Vivienne Westwood, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, and Alexander McQueen – perfect for the high-fashion landscape of Confessions of a Shopaholic. In the film, the song sets the scene as the protagonist, Rebecca, hits the streets of New York to shop in luxury stores.

Gaga Film Appearances

A Star Is Born (2018) | Various Songs

Lady Gaga’s full-fledged acting debut in 2018’s A Star Is Born marked a transformative moment in her career, showcasing her extraordinary range as both an actress and vocalist. Gaga plays Ally, a struggling musician whose raw talent catches the attention of country star Jackson Maine (played by Bradley Cooper). Gaga won an Oscar for her songwriting contributions, proving her versatility extended far beyond her pop persona.

The movie is remembered for its infectious anthems like “Shallow” and “Always Remember Us This Way,” but other tracks like “I’ll Never Love Again” equally showcase Gaga’s vocal prowess and emotional depth. “Shallow” won Best Original Song at the Oscars, becoming not only the film’s signature duet but also a cultural phenomenon that dominated charts worldwide.

Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) | Various Songs

Lady Gaga’s return to the big screen in 2024’s Joker: Folie à Deux saw her embrace her most daring musical role yet, transforming Todd Phillips’ sequel into an audacious jukebox musical. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker, while Gaga steps into the role of Harley Quinn.

The soundtrack explores the emotional depth of The Joker and Harley Quinn’s story through a mix of jazz standards and original pieces, with Gaga delivering haunting renditions of classics like “That’s Life” and “Close To You” that perfectly complement the film’s dark psychological themes.

Among the film’s standout moments is Gaga’s haunting original composition, “Happy Mistake,” one of only two new songs made specifically for the film. The introspective ballad showcases Gaga’s vulnerability as she explores the parallel between her own celebrity persona and Harley Quinn’s theatrical facade, exploring how both characters mask their pain behind performance.

Muppets Most Wanted (2014) | “We’re Doing A Sequel”

In 2014’s Muppets Most Wanted, Gaga makes an appearance as herself during the opening track titled “We’re Doing a Sequel” alongside longtime collaborator Tony Bennett. While the cameo is short-lived, the brief but memorable moment showcases Gaga’s willingness to embrace whimsical projects that connect with audiences of all ages.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the only time Gaga collaborated with the Muppets. In 2013, Gaga and the Muppets were featured in a 90-minute holiday special on ABC titled Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular, and featured duets of “Benny and the Jets” and “Artpop” with Elton John.

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