# Zombieboy > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Zombieboy > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Zombieboy.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombieboy > Source revision: 1355122441 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|2025 song by Lady Gaga}} {{Infobox song | name = Zombieboy | cover = | alt = | type = song | artist = [Lady Gaga](/source/Lady_Gaga) | album = [Mayhem](/source/Mayhem_(Lady_Gaga_album)) | written = | published = | released = {{Start date|2025|03|07}} | recorded = | studio = [Shangri-La](/source/Shangri-La_(recording_studio)) (Malibu) | genre = [Disco](/source/Disco) | length = 3:33 | label = * Streamline * [Interscope](/source/Interscope_Records) | writer = * Lady Gaga * [Andrew Watt](/source/Andrew_Watt) * [Henry Walter](/source/Cirkut) * [James Fauntleroy](/source/James_Fauntleroy) | producer = * Lady Gaga * Andrew Watt * [Cirkut](/source/Cirkut) | misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|xWS0aRqzP6E|"Zombieboy"}} }} }} "'''Zombieboy'''" is a song by [Lady Gaga](/source/Lady_Gaga), released on her 2025 studio album ''[Mayhem](/source/Mayhem_(Lady_Gaga_album))''. It was written and produced by Lady Gaga, [Andrew Watt](/source/Andrew_Watt_(record_producer)) and [Cirkut](/source/Cirkut), with [James Fauntleroy](/source/James_Fauntleroy) providing additional songwriting. A [disco](/source/disco) track with [funk](/source/funk) elements, it was compared by journalists to [Chic](/source/Chic_(band))'s music catalogue. Lyrically, it is about overindulging during a night out and anticipating an unpleasant morning, likening that feeling to waking up like a zombie. Gaga also pays tribute to the late model [Rick Genest](/source/Rick_Genest), who had the nickname "Zombie Boy". Critics gave positive reviews, praising the track's production and describing it as an album standout. It peaked at number 76 on the [''Billboard'' Global 200](/source/Billboard_Global_200) and also charted in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Greece, and Portugal. The song has sparked a dance trend on social media. Gaga sang "Zombieboy" live at several [promotional concerts](/source/Mayhem_promotional_concerts) in 2025, while dancing alongside a skeleton. Further performances include [Netflix](/source/Netflix)'s [Tudum](/source/Tudum) event, where she emerged from a vertical coffin to begin the song, and [The Mayhem Ball](/source/The_Mayhem_Ball) tour (2025–2026), during which zombie eyes were projected onto audience members via screens. Journalists have frequently noted that the television series ''[Wednesday](/source/Wednesday_(TV_series))'', in which Gaga made a cameo appearance, was a major inspiration for the aesthetics of the song's live renditions. Gaga also performed a reimagined version of the song for ''[Mayhem Requiem](/source/Mayhem_Requiem)''. == Production and release== [Lady Gaga](/source/Lady_Gaga) wrote and produced "Zombieboy" with [Andrew Watt](/source/Andrew_Watt_(record_producer)) and [Cirkut](/source/Cirkut), while [James Fauntleroy](/source/James_Fauntleroy) provided additional songwriting. Paul Lamalfa recorded the track at [Shangri-La Studios](/source/Shangri-La_(recording_studio)) in [Malibu, California](/source/Malibu%2C_California); Marco Sonzini provided additional engineering, while Tyler Harris worked as the assistant engineer. "Zombieboy" was [mixed](/source/audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) by [Serban Ghenea](/source/Serban_Ghenea) at Mixstar Studios in [Virginia Beach, Virginia](/source/Virginia_Beach%2C_Virginia), and [mastered](/source/Mastering_(audio)) by [Randy Merrill](/source/Randy_Merrill) at [Sterling Sound Studios](/source/Sterling_Sound_Studios) in [Edgewater, New Jersey](/source/Edgewater%2C_New_Jersey). Gaga additionally played [Rhodes piano](/source/Rhodes_piano) and keyboards; Watt played drums, percussion, bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards; and Cirkut played synthesizer and keyboards and provided drum and bass programming. Bryce Bordone worked as the assistant mixing engineer, and Marc VanGool served as the studio technician. The track was first teased as a short snippet in the music for the single "[Disease](/source/Disease_(Lady_Gaga_song))", released on October 29, 2024, where a mid-video scene briefly switches to audio from a car radio, momentarily revealing about fifteen seconds of the then-unreleased song as an injured Gaga appears before the vehicle.{{Cite web |last=Wratten |first=Marcus |date=October 30, 2024 |title=Unpacking the five fiercest moments from Lady Gaga's twisted 'Disease' music video |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/10/30/lady-gaga-disease-music-video-best-moments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215111643/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/10/30/lady-gaga-disease-music-video-best-moments/#page/6 |archive-date=February 15, 2026 |access-date=February 15, 2026 |website=[PinkNews](/source/PinkNews)}} On March 7, 2025, "Zombieboy" was released as part of the studio album ''[Mayhem](/source/Mayhem_(Lady_Gaga_album))'' (2025), as the seventh track of the record's standard edition.{{cite web |title=Lady Gaga – Mayhem Standard CD |url=https://www.ladygaga.com/us-en/shop/products/mayhem-standard-cd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127173634/https://www.ladygaga.com/us-en/shop/products/mayhem-standard-cd |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |publisher=LadyGaga.com}} == Composition and inspirations == [[File:Rick Genest (2012, Zurich, Switzerland).jpg|upright|thumb|"Zombieboy" pays tribute to the late model [Rick Genest](/source/Rick_Genest) (pictured), who appeared in Gaga's 2011 "[Born This Way](/source/Born_This_Way_(song))" music video.|alt=A man covered in skeleton-like tattoos on his face, neck, and hands, wearing a spiky leather vest.]] "Zombieboy" is a tribute to the late model [Rick Genest](/source/Rick_Genest) (1985–2018), who appeared in the music video for Gaga's 2011 song "[Born This Way](/source/Born_This_Way_(song))".{{Cite magazine |last=Camp |first=Alexa |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga 'Mayhem' Review: An Album That Falls Short of Its Title |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-review/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |magazine=[Slant Magazine](/source/Slant_Magazine) |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307051743/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-review/ |url-status=live }} Genest received the "Zombie Boy" moniker due to the extensive skeleton tattoos that covered much of his body.{{Cite web |last=Prance |first=Sam |title=Who are Lady Gaga's 'Zombieboy' lyrics about? The emotional meaning behind the song explained |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/lady-gaga-zombieboy-lyrics-meaning-rick-genest-who/ |date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=February 15, 2026 |publisher=[Capital](/source/Capital_(radio_network)) |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260215020423/https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/lady-gaga-zombieboy-lyrics-meaning-rick-genest-who/|archive-date=February 15, 2026|url-status=live}} Gaga explained that Genest had always been a source of inspiration for her, and while working on the track — which she described as an upbeat, celebratory song — the term "zombieboy" simply came to mind. She said the song captures that late-night moment when friends realise they'll feel awful the next morning because they’ve been having too much fun, comparing it to waking up like a zombie.{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Found 'Peak Confidence' on 'Mayhem': 'Now I Really Feel Like Myself' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-interview-1235283071/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306133852/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-interview-1235283071/ |url-status=live }} "Zombieboy" has been described as a [disco](/source/disco){{cite news |last1=Yeung |first1=Neil Z. |date=March 7, 2025 |title=''Mayhem'' by Lady Gaga |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mayhem-mw0004464509 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309034104/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mayhem-mw0004464509 |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=March 8, 2025 |publisher=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)}}{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2025 |last=Ki |first=Adelle |title=Lady Gaga Reignites Her Pop Empire with 'Mayhem' Album |url=https://hypebeast.com/2025/3/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-bruno-mars-gesaffelstein-stream-info |access-date=March 20, 2025 |publisher=Hypebeast |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319041506/https://hypebeast.com/2025/3/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-bruno-mars-gesaffelstein-stream-info |url-status=live }} song with elements of [funk](/source/funk), featuring a hand-clap drum beat, shimmering [synths](/source/synths), a [hair-metal](/source/hair-metal) guitar solo,{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga: Mayhem review – a fabulous return to her freaky first principles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/06/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-abracadabra |access-date=March 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} and a chant reminiscent of [double dutch](/source/Double_Dutch_(jump_rope)) rhymes.{{Cite web |last=Pinder |first=Jaeden |date=March 7, 2025 |title=6 Takeaways From Lady Gaga's New Album MAYHEM |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lady-gagas-new-album-mayhem/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308213906/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lady-gagas-new-album-mayhem/ |url-status=live }} It showscases inspirations from the [music of the 1980s](/source/1980s_in_music).{{Cite magazine |first=Shaad |last=D'Souza |title=Sound Off: 10 Songs You Need to Hear Now |url=https://www.papermag.com/sound-off-lady-gaga-mayhem#rebelltitem2 |date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |magazine=Paper}}{{Cite magazine |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga – ''Mayhem'' |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem/ |access-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-date=March 7, 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250307123652/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem/|url-status=live|magazine=[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine)) }}{{Cite magazine |last=Stremfel |first=Thomas |date=March 16, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga: Mayhem |url=https://spectrumculture.com/2025/03/16/lady-gaga-mayhem-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250704172719/https://spectrumculture.com/2025/03/16/lady-gaga-mayhem-review/ |archive-date=July 4, 2025 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |magazine=Spectrum Culture}} Gaga's vocals move between powerful belting and a manic, speak-sung delivery.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/lady-gaga-mayhem-best-songs-albums-b2710975.html|title=Lady Gaga: Every song ranked, from Born This Way to Abracadabra|first=Adam|last=White|website=[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)|date=8 March 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250511165603/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/features/lady-gaga-mayhem-best-songs-albums-b2710975.html|archive-date=May 11, 2025}} Journalists from ''[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)'' noted that in the lyrics, Gaga pleads for the attention of a man who is long gone,{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2025 |first=Arielle |last=Gordon |title=Lady Gaga Finds Magic In The Mayhem |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2299150/lady-gaga-new-album-mayhem/interviews/qa/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=Stereogum |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308023454/https://www.stereogum.com/2299150/lady-gaga-new-album-mayhem/interviews/qa/ |url-status=live }} and her line "Goodbye, I’ll see you in my dreams" serves as a poignant gesture of releasing her demons while reconnecting with her human side.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Abby |title=Premature Evaluation: Lady Gaga 'Mayhem' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2299731/premature-evaluation-lady-gaga-mayhem/reviews/premature-evaluation/ |access-date=July 4, 2025 |website=[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum) |date=March 10, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250704183129/https://www.stereogum.com/2299731/premature-evaluation-lady-gaga-mayhem/reviews/premature-evaluation/|archive-date=July 4, 2025}} Some outlets highlighted the "Put your paws all over me" lyric as being a callback to Gaga's early songs, such as "Born This Way" and ''[The Fame Monster](/source/The_Fame_Monster)''{{'s}} "[Monster](/source/Monster_(Lady_Gaga_song))" (2009), where she similarly used the word "paws" as a substitute for hands.{{Cite web |last=Lansing |first=Mariah |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga's "MAYHEM" is essential listening |url=https://www.campustimes.org/2025/03/25/lady-gagas-mayhem-is-essential-listening/ |access-date=March 28, 2025 |website=[Campus Times](/source/Campus_Times) |language=en-US |archive-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402154507/https://www.campustimes.org/2025/03/25/lady-gagas-mayhem-is-essential-listening/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Brasil |first1=Sydney |last2=Gregory |first2=Allie |last3=Lapierre |first3=Megan |last4=Rogers |first4=Karlie |date=March 7, 2025 |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/hot-takes-lady-gaga-mayhem-album-review |title=Hot-Take Reactions to Lady Gaga's 'MAYHEM': Recession Pop 2.0 for Non-Corporate Pride 2025 |website=[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!) |access-date=February 7, 2026 |archive-date=July 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250704210436/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/hot-takes-lady-gaga-mayhem-album-review |url-status=live}} Several journalists opined that the American disco band [Chic](/source/Chic_(band)) was a clear inspiration for "Zombieboy".{{cite magazine |last1=Doran |first1=John |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga – ''Mayhem'' |url=https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309025720/https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem-review/ |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |magazine=[The Quietus](/source/The_Quietus)}}{{Cite magazine |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Returns to Her Dance Floor Roots — and Has a Blast — on ''Mayhem'': Album Review |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/album-reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-review-1236330864/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307014732/https://variety.com/2025/music/album-reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem-album-review-1236330864/w |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))}}{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga: Mayhem review – a fabulous return to her freaky first principles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/06/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-abracadabra |access-date=March 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Mikael |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Review: On 'Mayhem,' Lady Gaga is a monster reborn |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-03-10/lady-gaga-mayhem-killah-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310172912/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-03-10/lady-gaga-mayhem-killah-review |archive-date=March 10, 2025 |access-date=March 11, 2025 |newspaper=[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)}} Due to its chanting segment, it received further comparisons to [Gwen Stefani](/source/Gwen_Stefani)'s 2005 [pop](/source/Pop_music)/[hip-hop](/source/hip-hop) song, "[Hollaback Girl](/source/Hollaback_Girl)" (2005).{{Cite news |last=Zoladz |first=Lindsay |date=March 10, 2025 |title=On 'Mayhem,' Lady Gaga Wants You to Party Like It's 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/arts/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-review.html |access-date=March 18, 2025 |work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310153156/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/arts/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-review.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Craig |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Throws Everything in the Pot |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/lady-gaga-mayhem-review.html |access-date=July 21, 2025 |website=[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website)) |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250721170052/https://www.vulture.com/article/lady-gaga-mayhem-review.html |archive-date=July 21, 2025|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2025 |last=Juzwiak |first=Rich |title=Lady Gaga: MAYHEM |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |website=[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website)) |archive-date=March 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310110542/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem/|url-status=live}} For ''[The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit)''{{'s}} David Cobbald, "Zombieboy" evoked "[Get Down On It](/source/Get_Down_on_It)" (1981) by [Kool & The Gang](/source/Kool_%26_the_Gang), particularly recalling the line "Get your back up off the wall!"{{Cite magazine |last=Cobbald |first=David |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga's Seventh Studio Album Needs More ''Mayhem'' |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem-needs-more |access-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-date=March 9, 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250309014518/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem-needs-more|url-status=live|magazine=[The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit) }} Helen Brown of ''[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)'' compared the track's bassline to that of "[Love Is the Drug](/source/Love_Is_the_Drug)" (1975) by [Roxy Music](/source/Roxy_Music).{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Helen |date=March 7, 2025 |title=On Lady Gaga's ''Mayhem'', Mother Monster Is Back in All Her Shock-Horror-Bop Glory |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/lady-gaga-review-mayhem-tracklist-lyrics-b2710858.html |access-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-date=March 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308141835/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/lady-gaga-review-mayhem-tracklist-lyrics-b2710858.html|url-status=live|newspaper=[The Independent](/source/The_Independent) }} For Marcus Wratten of ''[PinkNews](/source/PinkNews)'' it felt like "classic [glam-rock](/source/Glam_rock) meets [The B-52s](/source/The_B-52s)".{{Cite web |last=Wratten |first=Marcus |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Mayhem review: 'Bold, versatile and never boring, Mayhem is a return to form' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/03/07/lady-gaga-mayhem-how-bad-do-u-want-me-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309033305/https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/03/07/lady-gaga-mayhem-how-bad-do-u-want-me-review/ |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[PinkNews](/source/PinkNews)}} == Critical reception == Stephen Daw of ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'' ranked "Zombieboy" as the third-best track on ''Mayhem'', calling it a "one-of-a-kind jam" that provides "a much-needed switch-up" with its playful campiness—contrasting with the darker, more serious tone of much of the album—and channels the indulgent energy that first drew fans to Gaga in 2008.{{cite magazine |last1=Daw |first1=Stephen |title=Every Song From Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' Album, Ranked |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/lady-gaga-mayhem-songs-ranked/zombieboy/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 7, 2025 |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307194652/https://www.billboard.com/lists/lady-gaga-mayhem-songs-ranked/zombieboy/ |url-status=live }} ''[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)''{{'s}} [Alexis Petridis](/source/Alexis_Petridis) regarded it an illustration of the album's consistently sharp writing—full of hooks and marked by unexpected musical detours.{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga: Mayhem review – a fabulous return to her freaky first principles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/06/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-abracadabra |access-date=March 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} ''[Out](/source/Out_(magazine))''{{'s}} Taylor Henderson deemed it "instantly iconic",{{Cite magazine |first=Taylor |last=Henderson |title=Listen to new tracks from Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, and BANKS |url=https://www.out.com/gay-music/new-music-friday-march-7-2025#rebelltitem8 |date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |magazine=[Out](/source/Out_(magazine)) |archive-date=March 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316154119/https://www.out.com/gay-music/new-music-friday-march-7-2025#rebelltitem8 |url-status=live }} while Donovan Livesey of ''[MusicOMH](/source/MusicOMH)'' envisioned the song as one of ''Mayhem''{{'s}} "future classics".{{cite magazine |last1=Livesey |first1=Donovan |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga - ''Mayhem'' - Album of the Week, Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308114442/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |magazine=[MusicOMH](/source/MusicOMH)}} ''[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)''{{'s}} Wesley Stenzel and ''[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))''{{'s}} Sam Rosenberg both considered it a [Halloween](/source/Halloween)-inspired bop for the dancefloor.{{cite magazine |last1=Stenzel |first1=Wesley |title=The 10 best albums of 2025 |url=https://ew.com/the-best-albums-of-2025-11770287 |magazine=[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly) |access-date=December 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251207134315/https://ew.com/the-best-albums-of-2025-11770287 |archive-date=December 7, 2025 |date=December 5, 2025}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rosenberg |first=Sam |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Returns to the Pop Arena With the Familiar Yet Fun ''Mayhem'' |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/lady-gaga/lady-gaga-returns-to-the-pop-arena-with-the-familiar-yet-fun-mayhem |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251129142537/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/lady-gaga/lady-gaga-returns-to-the-pop-arena-with-the-familiar-yet-fun-mayhem |archive-date=November 29, 2025 |access-date=November 29, 2025 |magazine=[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))}} ''[NME](/source/NME)''{{'s}} Nick Levine found it a "disco-rap banger", noting that Gaga "sounds a bit like a musical theatre kid channelling [Blondie](/source/Blondie_(band))’s [Debbie Harry](/source/Debbie_Harry) – but just about gets away with it."{{Cite magazine |last=Levine |first=Nick |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga – ''Mayhem'' Review: Queen of Pop Bombast Dials Everything Up to Eleven |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-3844395 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |archive-date=March 9, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309032750/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-3844395|url-status=live|magazine=[NME](/source/NME) }} ''[Vogue](/source/Vogue_(magazine))''{{'s}} Christian Allaire said "Zombieboy" and "[Garden of Eden](/source/Garden_of_Eden_(Lady_Gaga_song))" are "sexy pop bangers certain to be hits in all the gay clubs".{{Cite web |last=Allaire |first=Christian |date=March 6, 2025 |title=On 'Mayhem,' Lady Gaga Crafts Perfect Pop for a Chaotic World |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/lady-gaga-mayhem-pop-album-interview |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306205703/https://www.vogue.com/article/lady-gaga-mayhem-pop-album-interview |url-status=live }} Stephen Ackroyd of ''[Dork](/source/Dork_(magazine))'' had a similar opinion, and considered the two tracks "a pair of gloriously camp club ragers destined to become late-night anthems for the creatures of the night."{{Cite magazine |last=Ackroyd |first=Stephen |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga – Mayhem |url=https://readdork.com/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250309033912/https://readdork.com/albums/lady-gaga-mayhem/ |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |magazine=[Dork](/source/Dork_(magazine))}} JT Early of ''[Beats Per Minute](/source/Beats_per_Minute_(website))'' called "Zombieboy" a "deliciously fun romp", and characterized it as "the darker sister to '[Killah](/source/Killah_(song))' with its more aggressive retro stylings".{{Cite web |title=Album Review: Lady Gaga – MAYHEM |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-lady-gaga-mayhem/ |date=March 19, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=[Beats per Minute](/source/Beats_per_Minute_(website))|archive-date=July 1, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250701191247/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-lady-gaga-mayhem/ |url-status=live}} ''[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)''{{'s}} Brittany Spanos described it as "a little ''[Artpop](/source/Artpop)'' meets ''[The Fame](/source/The_Fame)''," calling it "a cute and sexy track".{{cite magazine |last1=Spanos |first1=Brittany |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga's ''Mayhem'' Is More Than Just a Return to Her Pop Roots |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-1235291651/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309015400/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-1235291651/ |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |magazine=[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)}} Kristen S. Hé of ''[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))'' opined it is "the one ''Mayhem'' track that actually could have appeared on ''The Fame'' exactly as it is", adding that Andrew Watt's [Van Halen](/source/Van_Halen)–inspired shredding gives it a fresh twist, and while it may feel like a retread, "a little nostalgia is welcome when it sounds this smooth."{{Cite journal|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-lady-gaga-songs-ranked.html|title=Every Lady Gaga Song, Ranked A deep dive into a star who almost single-handedly raised the bar for pop music.|first=Kristen|last=S. Hé|website=[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))|access-date=April 22, 2025|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250422041654/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-lady-gaga-songs-ranked.html|archive-date=April 22, 2025}} Gary Grimes of ''[Attitude](/source/Attitude_(magazine))'' also felt that it recalls Gaga's early work, especially "Disco Heaven" from ''The Fame'', while noting "she sounds at home, and the end result is a lot of fun".{{Cite magazine |last=Grimes |first=Gary |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga MAYHEM review: 'Gaga in her most straightforward pop star mode since The Fame' |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-480829/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |magazine=[Attitude](/source/Attitude_(magazine)) |archive-date=March 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313203558/https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-review-480829/ |url-status=live }} Chris Hedden of ''[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)'' wrote that, while the track functions more as a lighthearted filler than a centerpiece on ''Mayhem'', its smooth, playful energy and Gaga's signature lively vocals are likely to appeal to fans.{{cite web |last1=Hedden |first1=Chris |title=Lady Gaga's New Album: Every Song On Mayhem Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/lady-gaga-album-mayhem-songs-ranked-list/ |website=[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant) |access-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310160413/https://screenrant.com/lady-gaga-album-mayhem-songs-ranked-list/ |archive-date=March 10, 2025 |date=March 7, 2025 |url-status=live}} Megan Lapierre of ''[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!)'' said the track is the sort of delightfully weird, slightly cringey style she expects from Gaga, even if it's not exactly her thing. In a more negative assessment, Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of ''[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times)'' felt it is "an expertly observed but flat recreation" of the music of the 1980s.{{Cite magazine |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Fails to Follow Her Own Mantra in the Risk-Averse ''Mayhem'' — Album Review |url=https://www.ft.com/content/da92cd3f-43b4-41a6-bb69-5ef808de2a2f |access-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-date=March 6, 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250306223621/https://www.ft.com/content/da92cd3f-43b4-41a6-bb69-5ef808de2a2f|url-status=live|magazine=[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times) |url-access=limited }} Peter Piatkowski of ''[PopMatters](/source/PopMatters)'' found it "shockingly dull and rote."{{Cite magazine |last=Piatkowski |first=Peter |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga's Creativity Is Trapped In Retro Sounds Now|url=https://www.popmatters.com/lady-gaga-mayhem |access-date=July 1, 2025 |archive-date=July 1, 2025|archive-url= https://archive.today/20250701142749/https://www.popmatters.com/lady-gaga-mayhem|url-status=live|magazine=[PopMatters](/source/PopMatters) }} == Commercial performance == During the release week of ''Mayhem'', "Zombieboy" entered the [''Billboard'' Global 200](/source/Billboard_Global_200) at number 76. It was one of twelve tracks from the album to appear on the chart, ranking as the eighth highest-charting track among them.{{cite magazine |title=''Billboard'' Global 200 - Week of March 22, 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322191026/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/ |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |date=March 22, 2025}} In the United States, it debuted at number 85 on the [''Billboard'' Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) for the week of March 22, 2025, and reached number six on the [Hot Dance/Pop Songs](/source/Hot_Dance%2FPop_Songs) chart.{{cite magazine |last1=Zellner |first1=Xander |title=Lady Gaga Charts 10 Songs on Hot 100 From 'MAYHEM,' Breaks Record on Top Dance Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/lady-gaga-mayhem-songs-hot-100-1235925009/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 18, 2025 |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319191136/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/lady-gaga-mayhem-songs-hot-100-1235925009/ |url-status=live }} On the latter chart, Gaga simultaneously placed nine songs from the album, with "Zombieboy" ranking as the fifth highest-positioned track.{{cite magazine |last1=Zellner |first1=Xander |title=Lady Gaga Charts 10 Songs on Hot 100 From 'MAYHEM,' Breaks Record on Top Dance Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/lady-gaga-mayhem-songs-hot-100-1235925009/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250318185642/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/lady-gaga-mayhem-songs-hot-100-1235925009/ |archive-date=March 18, 2025 |date=March 18, 2025}} In Canada, it peaked at number 85 on the [Canadian Hot 100](/source/Canadian_Hot_100), while in Brazil it reached number 95 on the [Brasil Hot 100](/source/Brasil_Hot_100).{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100 - Week of March 22, 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2025-03-22/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326041749/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2025-03-22/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025}} In the United Kingdom, the track debuted at number 76 on the [UK Streaming Chart](/source/Official_Audio_Streaming_Chart) for the week of March 20. In France, it entered the top 200 at number 141, and in Greece, it charted at number 42 on the Digital Singles Chart. == Live performances == The first live performances of "Zombieboy" took place during several [promotional concerts for ''Mayhem''](/source/Mayhem_promotional_concerts) in 2025, beginning with a headlining set at [Coachella](/source/Coachella_2025). Gaga appeared in a blue corset,{{cite news |last=Sánchez |first=Jorge Emilio |date=April 27, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga, un regreso colosal en la CDMX |trans-title=Lady Gaga, a colossal comeback in Mexico City |url=https://www.excelsior.com.mx/funcion/lady-gaga-un-regreso-colosal-en-la-cdmx/1712877 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250427154121/https://www.excelsior.com.mx/funcion/lady-gaga-un-regreso-colosal-en-la-cdmx/1712877 |archive-date=April 27, 2025 |access-date=April 27, 2025 |newspaper=[Excélsior](/source/Exc%C3%A9lsior) |language=es}} and along with her backup dancers, [partner-dance](/source/Partner_dance)d with skeletons during the song.{{cite web |last1=Larsen |first1=Peter |title=Coachella 2025: Lady Gaga delivers a dazzling Coachella performance for the ages|url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2025/04/12/coachella-2025-lady-gaga-delivers-a-dazzling-coachella-performance-for-the-ages/ |website=[The Press-Enterprise](/source/The_Press-Enterprise) |access-date=April 12, 2025 |date=April 12, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250412201204/https://www.pressenterprise.com/2025/04/12/coachella-2025-lady-gaga-delivers-a-dazzling-coachella-performance-for-the-ages/amp/|archive-date=April 12, 2025|url-status=live}}{{cite web |first=Jason P.|last=Frank|title=Lady Gaga Played Chess with Her 'Poker Face' at Coachella|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/lady-gaga-coachella-2025.html |website=[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website)) |access-date=April 12, 2025 |date=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250412083148/https://www.vulture.com/article/lady-gaga-coachella-2025.html |url-status=live }} ''Rolling Stone''{{'s}} Tomás Mier felt "Gaga was channeling a [Wednesday Addams](/source/Wednesday_Addams)-esque narrative" for "Zombieboy".{{cite web |last1=Mier |first1=Tomás |title=Lady Gaga proves why she's a once-in-a-generation pop icon during Coachella set|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/lady-gaga-coachella-performance-2025-review-1235315933/ |website=[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone) |access-date=April 12, 2025 |date=April 12, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250412103106/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/lady-gaga-coachella-performance-2025-review-1235315933/|archive-date=April 12, 2025|url-status=dead}} Reviewing one of the concerts in Mexico City, Jamie Fullerton of ''[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)'' observed a slight decrease in energy during the show's third segment and said that "Zombieboy" was styled more for an intimate, salon-like setting than a stadium performance, although the presence of Gaga and her dancers, along with the use of skeleton props, maintained audience engagement.{{cite web |last1=Fullerton |first1=Jamie |title=Lady Gaga, Mexico City, review: more brilliantly bonkers than Katy Perry in space|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/concerts/lady-gaga-mexico-city-review/ |website=[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph) |access-date=April 27, 2025 |date=April 27, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250427143155/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/concerts/lady-gaga-mexico-city-review/|archive-date=April 27, 2025|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} Writing about the Rio de Janeiro show, Leonardo Lichote of ''[Folha de S.Paulo](/source/Folha_de_S.Paulo)'' noted that the performance contained elements familiar to Brazilian audiences, highlighting a festive, carnival-like aesthetic; the skeleton dance in "Zombieboy" evoked traditional Brazilian celebrations while still fitting into the context of a pop concert.{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2025 |last=Lichote |first=Leonardo |title=Lady Gaga sela retomada do verde e amarelo pelos transviados no Brasil |trans-title=Lady Gaga seals the return of green and yellow to the wayward in Brazil |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ilustrada/2025/05/lady-gaga-sela-retomada-do-verde-e-amarelo-pelos-transviados-no-brasil.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250504051553/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ilustrada/2025/05/lady-gaga-sela-retomada-do-verde-e-amarelo-pelos-transviados-no-brasil.shtml#selection-3239.5-3239.75 |archive-date=May 4, 2025 |access-date=May 4, 2025 |website=[Folha de S.Paulo](/source/Folha_de_S.Paulo) |language=Brazilian Portuguese|url-access=subscription}} [[File:Lady Gaga performing Zombieboy on The Mayhem Ball, Lyon, November 2025.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Gaga performing "Zombieboy" during [The Mayhem Ball](/source/The_Mayhem_Ball) tour, in 2025|alt=A stage illuminated in green lights, with a big skull prop in the background. Lady Gaga appears in a black dress adorned with red roses, surrounded by her dancers in purple clothing.]] On May 31, 2025, Gaga took part in [Netflix](/source/Netflix)'s [Tudum](/source/Tudum) event with a special performance inspired by ''[Wednesday](/source/Wednesday_(TV_series))''. She emerged from a vertical coffin bearing the inscription "Here lies the monster queen", and performed "Zombieboy" and "[Abracadabra](/source/Abracadabra_(Lady_Gaga_song))", both incorporating elements from [''The Addams Family'' theme song](/source/The_Addams_Family_Theme).{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Walden |title=Watch Lady Gaga Perform "Zombieboy" and "Abracadabra" at Netflix Tudum 2025 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-lady-gaga-perform-zombieboy-and-abracadabra-at-netflix-tudum-2025/ |website=[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website)) |access-date=February 14, 2026 |date=May 31, 2025 |archive-date=February 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260214145835/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-lady-gaga-perform-zombieboy-and-abracadabra-at-netflix-tudum-2025/ |url-status=live }} For "Zombieboy", Gaga's gothic look involved a black robe adorned with rose appliqués along the collar, layered over a matching black dress. Her platinum-blonde hair was styled with height and volume in a dramatic bouffant, complemented by bold black eyeshadow and red lipstick.{{cite web |last1=Teti |first1=Julia |title=Lady Gaga Returns to Her Theatrical Roots in Gothic Look for Netflix Tudum 2025 Performance With Jenna Ortega|url=https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/lady-gaga-outfit-netflix-tudum-2025-1237877291/ |website=[Women's Wear Daily](/source/Women's_Wear_Daily) |access-date=February 14, 2026 |date=June 2, 2025 |archive-date=February 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260214145817/https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/lady-gaga-outfit-netflix-tudum-2025-1237877291/ |url-status=live }} She was accompanied by dancers resembling ''[The Addams Family](/source/The_Addams_Family)'' and ''Wednesday'' character, [Gomez Addams](/source/Gomez_Addams).{{cite magazine |last1=Oganesyan |first1=Natalie |title=Lady Gaga Closes Out Netflix's Tudum With Mesmerizing On-Theme 'Wednesday' Performance Featuring Viral Dance |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/lady-gaga-netflix-tudum-wednesday-performance-viral-dance-1236415137/ |magazine=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |access-date=February 14, 2026 |date=May 31, 2025 |archive-date=January 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260118225841/https://deadline.com/2025/05/lady-gaga-netflix-tudum-wednesday-performance-viral-dance-1236415137/ |url-status=live }} "Zombieboy" was included in the set list of [the Mayhem Ball](/source/the_Mayhem_Ball) concert tour (2025–2026), with a giant skull placed on stage as prop.{{cite magazine |last1=Chrisfield |first1=Bryget |date=December 6, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Was at the Peak of Her Powers at First Australia Tour Show |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/lady-gaga-australia-tour-melbourne-live-review-87975/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251205204201/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/lady-gaga-australia-tour-melbourne-live-review-87975/ |archive-date=December 5, 2025 |magazine=[Rolling Stone Australia](/source/Rolling_Stone_Australia_%2F_New_Zealand)}} Gaga performed the song in a black, crisp taffeta gown,{{cite news |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title=Lady Gaga thrills at theatrical Mayhem Ball tour kickoff: Review |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/07/17/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-review/85246056007/ |access-date=July 17, 2025 |newspaper=[USA Today](/source/USA_Today) |date=July 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717221827/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/07/17/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-review/85246056007/ |archive-date=July 17, 2025 |issn=0734-7456 |oclc=8799626 |url-status=live}} accompanied by her Gomez-inspired dancers dressed in purple jackets.{{Cite magazine |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 31, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem Ball': A haunting dance that keeps the crowd in a trance – Review |url=https://deadline.com/2025/07/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-review-1236474490/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251018174116/https://deadline.com/2025/07/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-review-1236474490/ |archive-date=October 18, 2025 |access-date=October 18, 2025 |magazine=[Deadline](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)}} During the performance, screens projected audience members with glowing green eyes resembling zombies.{{cite news |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |date=September 30, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga review – from skeletons to sexy plague doctors, this is a glorious, ridiculous spectacle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/30/lady-gaga-review-o2-arena-london-mayhem-ball |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250930210833/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/30/lady-gaga-review-o2-arena-london-mayhem-ball |archive-date=September 30, 2025 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |newspaper=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)}} Journalists noted ''Wednesday'' and ''[Beetlejuice](/source/Beetlejuice)'' (1988) as influences for the segment.{{cite web |last1=Zoladz |first1=Lindsay |title=At Lady Gaga's Mayhem Ball, a Pop Star Is Reborn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/23/arts/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-review.html |work=The New York Times |date=August 23, 2025 |access-date=August 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250824101301/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/23/arts/music/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-review.html |archive-date=August 24, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Ferguson |first1=Richard |title=Concert review: Lady Gaga turns on the magic in Melbourne on first Australian tour in 11 years |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/culture/concert-review-lady-gaga-turns-on-the-magic-in-melbourne-on-first-australian-tour-in-11-years/news-story/e21519ce775fd55465c171321a13b53a |newspaper=[The Australian](/source/The_Australian) |access-date=December 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251205122723/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/culture/concert-review-lady-gaga-turns-on-the-magic-in-melbourne-on-first-australian-tour-in-11-years/news-story/e21519ce775fd55465c171321a13b53a?amp |archive-date=December 5, 2025}} A reimagined version of "Zombieboy" appeared in Gaga's concert film and live album ''[Apple Music Live: Mayhem Requiem](/source/Apple_Music_Live%3A_Mayhem_Requiem)'', released on May 14, 2026.{{cite magazine |last1=Lomax |first1=Taylor |title=We Infiltrated Lady Gaga's Funeral for 'MAYHEM' at the Grove|url=https://www.papermag.com/mayhem-requiem-the-grove |magazine=[Paper](/source/Paper_(magazine)) |access-date=May 16, 2026 |date=May 15, 2026 |archive-date=May 16, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516012423/https://www.papermag.com/mayhem-requiem-the-grove#rebelltitem7 |url-status=live}} Recorded during an invite-only performance at the [Wiltern Theatre](/source/Pellissier_Building_and_Wiltern_Theatre) in Los Angeles in January 2026, the version features a more prominent [synthesizer](/source/synthesizer)-driven arrangement and a [synthwave](/source/synthwave) style.{{cite magazine |last1=Harrigan |first1=Annie |title=Lady Gaga Gives 'MAYHEM' a Funeral at Film Premiere, Then Reimagines Album in 'MAYHEM Requiem' |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/lady-gaga-mayhem-funeral-film-premiere-requiem-reimagine-album-1236248838/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515180636/https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/lady-gaga-mayhem-funeral-film-premiere-requiem-reimagine-album-1236248838/ |archive-date=May 15, 2026 |date=May 15, 2026 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Bardají |first1=Jordi |title=Mayhem Requiem: Lady Gaga despide era con un funeral pop oscuro |url=https://jenesaispop.com/2026/05/15/523233/mayhem-requiem-el-funeral-con-el-que-lady-gaga-entierra-su-gran-era/ |publisher=[Jenesaispop](/source/Jenesaispop) |access-date=May 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516151310/https://jenesaispop.com/2026/05/15/523233/mayhem-requiem-el-funeral-con-el-que-lady-gaga-entierra-su-gran-era/ |archive-date=May 16, 2026 |language=es |date=May 15, 2026 |url-status=live |trans-title=Mayhem Requiem: Lady Gaga bids farewell to an era with a dark pop funeral}} == Other appearances== In March 2026, "Zombieboy" inspired a dance trend on [TikTok](/source/TikTok) featuring stiff, jerking movements reminiscent of a zombie, and choreography comparable to the dance from ''[Michael Jackson's Thriller](/source/Michael_Jackson's_Thriller_(music_video))'' (1983).{{Cite magazine |last=Watts |first=Marina |title=Lady Gaga Puts Her Paws Up for the 'ZombieBoy' TikTok Dance Trend |url=https://people.com/lady-gaga-puts-her-paws-up-for-the-zombieboy-tiktok-dance-trend-11699643 |date=March 19, 2025 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |magazine =[People](/source/People_(magazine)) |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320133107/https://people.com/lady-gaga-puts-her-paws-up-for-the-zombieboy-tiktok-dance-trend-11699643 |url-status=live }} Gaga joined the trend by posting a 12-second video of herself performing the routine to the song's chorus while wearing a black dress and hat. In the clip, she convulses to the beat, extends her arms in a zombie-like pose and curls her fingers like claws.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Lady Gaga Hops on the 'Zombieboy' Dance Trend |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lady-gaga-zombieboy-dance-trend-1235925292/ |access-date=March 19, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260127002712/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lady-gaga-zombieboy-dance-trend-1235925292/ |url-status=live }} "Zombieboy" was also included in the [rhythm game](/source/rhythm_game) ''[Just Dance 2026 Edition](/source/Just_Dance_2026_Edition)'', which was released on October 14, 2025.{{Cite web |title=Discover 7 new tracks in Just Dance 2026 Edition! |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/de-de/news/ignt.55073/discover-7-new-tracks-in-just-dance-2026-edition |access-date=February 22, 2026 |website=[Ubisoft](/source/Ubisoft)|archive-date=February 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222100158/https://www.ubisoft.com/de-de/news/ignt.55073/discover-7-new-tracks-in-just-dance-2026-edition |url-status=live}} In May 2026, the song appeared in "The Practice", the second episode of the [Prime Video](/source/Prime_Video) series ''[Off Campus](/source/Off_Campus)'',{{cite web |last1=Gomez |first1=Dessi |title=All The Songs In 'Off Campus' Season 1: Lady Gaga, Role Model, Griff & More |url=https://deadline.com/lists/off-campus-soundtrack-songs-by-episode/season-1-episode-1-the-deal/ |website=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |access-date=May 15, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515002848/https://deadline.com/lists/off-campus-soundtrack-songs-by-episode/season-1-episode-1-the-deal/ |archive-date=May 15, 2026 |date=May 14, 2026 |url-status=live}} and was also used in a lip-sync battle in the third episode of [''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'' season 11](/source/RuPaul's_Drag_Race_All_Stars_season_11).{{cite magazine |last1=O'Keeffe |first1=Kevin |title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 11' plays it safe for the first bracket—until the very last minute |url=https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-episodes-1-3-282029 |magazine=[Xtra Magazine](/source/Xtra_Magazine) |access-date=May 17, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517204219/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-episodes-1-3-282029 |archive-date=May 17, 2026 |date=May 15, 2026 |url-status=live}} ==Credits and personnel== Credits are adapted from the [liner notes](/source/liner_notes) of ''Mayhem''.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Mayhem |last=Gaga |first=Lady |author-link=Lady Gaga |year=2025 |type=vinyl liner notes |id=602475451099 |publisher=[Interscope Records](/source/Interscope_Records)}} '''Recording''' * Recorded at [Shangri-La](/source/Shangri-La_(recording_studio)), and [The Village](/source/The_Village_(studio)). * Mixed at MixStar Studios ([Virginia Beach, Virginia](/source/Virginia_Beach%2C_Virginia)) * Mastered at Sterling Sound ([New York City](/source/New_York_City)) '''Personnel''' {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *[Lady Gaga](/source/Lady_Gaga) – songwriter, producer, lead vocals, background vocals, [Rhodes piano](/source/Rhodes_piano), keyboards *[Andrew Watt](/source/Andrew_Watt_(record_producer)) – songwriter, producer, drums, percussion, bass guitar, electric guitar, keyboards *[Cirkut](/source/Cirkut) – songwriter, producer, synthesizer, keyboards, drum programming, bass programming *[James Fauntleroy](/source/James_Fauntleroy) – songwriter {{col-2}} *Paul Lamalfa – [recording engineer](/source/recording_engineer) *[Serban Ghenea](/source/Serban_Ghenea) – [mixing engineer](/source/mixing_engineer) *Randy Merrill – [mastering engineer](/source/mastering_engineer) *Marco Sonzini – additional engineer *Tyler Harris – assistant engineer *Bryce Bordone – assistant mixing engineer *Marc VanGool – studio technician {{col-end}} == Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance ! scope="col"| Chart (2025) ! scope="col"| Peak
position |- {{single chart|Brazil2|95|artist=Lady Gaga|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2025}} |- {{single chart|Canada|85|artist=Lady Gaga|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |- ! scope="row"| France ([SNEP](/source/SNEP)){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=11&annee=2025&categorie=Top%20Singles|title=Top Singles (Week 11, 2025)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=French|access-date=March 17, 2025|archive-date=March 18, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318031646/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=11&annee=2025&categorie=Top%20Singles|url-status=live}} | 141 |- {{single chart|Billboardglobal200|76|artist=Lady Gaga|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |- ! scope="row"| Greece International ([IFPI](/source/IFPI_Greece)){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|title=Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 11/2025|publisher=[IFPI Greece](/source/IFPI_Greece)|access-date=March 19, 2025|language=el|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319082336/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|archive-date=March 19, 2025|url-status=dead}} | 42 |- ! scope="row"| Portugal ([AFP](/source/Associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Fonogr%C3%A1fica_Portuguesa)){{cite web|url=https://audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2025-03-20-12-35-18.pdf|title=Top 200 Singles Semana 11 de 2025|publisher=[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa](/source/Associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Fonogr%C3%A1fica_Portuguesa)|date=March 20, 2025|access-date=March 20, 2025|archive-date=March 20, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320133120/https://audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2025-03-20-12-35-18.pdf|url-status=live}} | 103 |- ! scope="row"| [UK Streaming](/source/UK_Streaming_Chart) ([OCC](/source/Official_Charts_Company)){{cite web|url=https://officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20250314/7510/|title=Official Streaming Chart Top 100|publisher=[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)|access-date=March 14, 2025|archive-date=March 18, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318065254/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20250314/7510/|url-status=live}} | 76 |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|85|artist=Lady Gaga|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddancepop|6|artist=Lady Gaga|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |} == References == {{Reflist}} {{Lady Gaga songs}} {{Authority control}} Category:2025 songs Category:American disco songs Category:Commemoration songs Category:Lady Gaga songs Category:Song recordings produced by Andrew Watt (record producer) Category:Song recordings produced by Cirkut Category:Song recordings produced by Lady Gaga Category:Songs written by Andrew Wyatt Category:Songs written by Cirkut Category:Songs written by James Fauntleroy Category:Songs written by Lady Gaga --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Zombieboy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombieboy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombieboy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.