The Lady Gaga and Top Gun: Maverick collaboration is, quite frankly, a match made in heaven. They’re both high-flying with a flair for the dramatic—in the best way. Last week, Gaga announced her new song for the highly-anticipated film—timed with the first screenings at CinemaCon—and it all clicked. Of course, Lady Gaga is delivering a power ballad for the next Top Gun installment. The new film picks up three decades after the first film but its roots—and a lot of its baggage—linger in the ’80s. And, honestly, you just can’t have a Top Gun movie without a power ballad. It’s the rules.
Is Lady Gaga coming for a second best original song Oscar? Just give “Hold My Hand” a listen.
Lady Gaga’s song debuts just before Top Gun: Maverick holds its world premiere on May 4. According to Deadline, “Hold My Hand” plays over the end credits. And it’s certainly a soaring, beautiful way to close out the film. It’s quite fitting that the Paramount film wanted to collaborate with Gaga, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. Top Gun is as famous for its soundtrack as it is for the plot. This is the film that boasted “Danger Zone” and “Take My Breath Away.” The latter, of course, won the best original song Oscar in 1986.
On Instagram, Lady Gaga opened up about writing the song for Top Gun and its connection to her.
When I wrote this song for Top Gun: Maverick, I didn’t even realize the multiple layers it spanned across the film’s heart, my own psyche, and the nature of the world we’ve been living in. I’ve been working on it for years, perfecting it, trying to make it ours. I wanted to make music into a song where we share our deep need to both be understood and try to understand each other—a longing to be close when we feel so far away and an ability to celebrate life’s heroes.
Lady Gaga and BloodPop wrote and produced “Hold My Hand” with some additional production by Benjamin Rice. The song is already incredible. But I can only hope Lady Gaga does a whole lot to promote her new song—and the film. Nobody does a press tour like her.
Top Gun: Maverick lands in theaters on May 27.
