Joseph Kahn was hired as director, but left the project only a few days before filming was to start because of creative differences with Lady Gaga. The original video was reportedly to be mermaid-themed, and casting notices for an "on-air reporter", a "doctor role reminiscent to the one in the American show Dr. 90210", and a "group of military men for scenes involving rifles" had been posted prior to Kahn leaving the project, as well as sets constructed for a hospital scene, the Brooklyn Bridge, and an underwater mermaid scene. The minimalist video that resulted was credited to Gaga's creative team "Haus of Gaga", though Kahn commented that Gaga directed the video herself.
The song was written and produced by Gaga and Fernando Garibay, and is a pop, electro-rock, and disco song that speaks of the very last moments of life.
According to Gaga, lyrical inspiration came from the death of her grandfather, who died in September 2010.
In the United States, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Gaga's tenth consecutive top-ten single in the United States.
Gaga has performed the song in award shows, music festivals and her concert tours.