Full Breakdown
Lady Gaga's “The Dead Dance” Submitted for Emmy Consideration
5/19/2026, 1:03:59 AM
Emmy Submission of “The Dead Dance”
Lady Gaga’s original track, co-written and co-produced with Andrew Watt and Cirkut (Henry Russell Walter), was entered for the Television Academy’s Outstanding Music and Lyrics category. The submission was announced on May 18, 2026, and Emmy nomination voting begins on June 11.
Background and Collaboration
The song appears in Netflix’s Tim Burton-helmed series Wednesday, season 2, episode 7, during the Venetian Gala where Enid (Emma Myers) and Agnes (Evie Templeton) perform a dance. Tim Burton, who directs and executive-produces the show, co-produced a Burton-styled music video featuring masked dancers, costumes by Colleen Atwood, and production by Michael Polansky and Natalie Testa. Gaga also cameoed as Rosaline Rotwood, a Nevermore teacher. The track, released in September, was added to Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Tour setlist.
Timeline of Development
- September (previous year) – song released as a standalone single.
- Subsequent months – incorporated into the Mayhem Ball Tour.
- Season 2, Episode 7 – featured in the Venetian Gala sequence.
- May 18, 2026 – official Emmy submission announced.
- June 11, 2026 – voting for nominations begins.
Significance for the Awards
The submission expands the pool of contenders for the Outstanding Music and Lyrics Emmy. Burton’s direction and Gaga’s multi-disciplinary career demonstrate how the song can be integrated into Burton’s series.
Official Statements & Responses
Gaga said a producer’s phone call prompted her to adapt an existing idea, making the track “extra special for the show” and framing it around a breakup that fuels resilience. Burton called working with Gaga “inspirational,” noting that collaborating with an artist of her stature enriches the creative process.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I got a phone call that the show was looking for music. I immediately had a song in mind called ‘The Dead Dance.’ Once I knew it would be for ‘Wednesday,’ I decided to work on it even more and made it extra special for the show.” — Lady Gaga, interview with Tudum
- “It’s about how we sometimes feel when it’s over — how a relationship ending can kill our ability to feel hopeful about love,” — Lady Gaga, interview with Tudum
- “In the song, I say, ‘I’ll keep on dancing till I’m dead,’ meaning that I’m acknowledging that, and I’m going to keep going.” meaning that I’m acknowledging that, and I’m going to keep going. “I’m taking the power back.” — Lady Gaga, interview with Tudum
- “She’s such an artist and so for me, working with an artist is inspirational.” — Tim Burton, Variety interview
What’s Next
The Television Academy will tally votes starting June 11, with nominees expected in summer. A nomination would place “The Dead Dance” among a select group of songs that bridge music and scripted television, potentially shaping collaborations between music artists and streaming series.
