At Sunday night’s Grammys, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered a stirring tribute to Los Angeles with a heartfelt rendition of The Mamas & The Papas’ classic California Dreamin’. Their performance honored the victims of the recent wildfires that devastated Southern California. As haunting images of the destruction played on screen, the duo’s solemn delivery of the lyrics “All the leaves are brown… and the sky is gray” resonated deeply with many Californians.
The Recording Academy described their tribute as “a performance like a warm embrace.” The moment stood in contrast to Gaga and Mars’ usual energetic, nostalgic style, as they embraced a more reflective tone.
Nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, the pair ultimately took home a Grammy for their viral chart-topping hit, Die With a Smile. The song’s success marks a notable shift in their music, embracing a more contemplative and emotional depth.
Lady Gaga has been actively supporting wildfire relief efforts. Just days before the Grammys, she performed at the FireAid benefit concert at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome on January 30. Following the event, she wrote on Instagram, “It was such an honor to sing @FireAidLA for you during this incredibly challenging time. Thank you to everyone who donated. I love you, CALIFORNIA. We’ll keep moving forward.”*
While California Dreamin’ with Bruno Mars was Gaga’s only live performance of the night, she made waves later in the broadcast with the surprise premiere of her new single and music video, *Abracadabra.
The night was a testament to Gaga and Mars’ artistry, proving once again their ability to capture the emotions of the moment while delivering unforgettable performances.
California dreamin’ in the City of Dreams, always. ⁰⁰❤️ @BrunoMars & @LadyGaga‘s #GRAMMYs performance is like a warm embrace. pic.twitter.com/HCLw3qogVn
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 3, 2025
California dreamin’ ❤️ #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/i1TGsE2c3G
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 3, 2025
