In the wake of Lady Gaga's highly anticipated album release, **Mayhem**, which hit the music scene on March 7, 2025, a intriguing conspiracy theory has emerged among fans, particularly those in the Taylor Swift camp, known as 'Swifties.' The speculation centers around whether Taylor Swift had a hand in the creation of one of the album's tracks, specifically "How Bad Do U Want Me."

### The Rumor

The rumor gained traction due to the striking vocal and stylistic similarities between "How Bad Do U Want Me" and Taylor Swift's music, particularly from her 2014 album **1989** and her more recent work like **Midnights**. Fans have been quick to point out the song's Eighties-inspired synth-pop vibe, which bears a resemblance to Swift's signature sound. Some even went so far as to suggest that Swift might have secretly provided background vocals or even penned the song for Gaga[4].

### Debunking the Rumor

However, these speculations have been categorically denied by sources close to the matter. An insider told Page Six that the talk of Swift working on the Gaga track is "false," and the notion of Swift doing background vocals is "not true"[1][3].

### Fan Reactions

Despite the denial, the debate among fans continues. Some have expressed disappointment, feeling that the song sounds too much like a Taylor Swift track, with one fan commenting, "I played 'How Bad Do U Want Me' to my mom and she thought it was a Taylor song that Gaga bought."[4]

On the other hand, Gaga's supporters have defended her, highlighting that she has a long history of producing synth-pop tracks, such as her 2008 hit "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)". They argue that "How Bad Do U Want Me" is simply another example of Gaga's versatility and her return to her pop roots[4].

### Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift's Relationship

It's worth noting that Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift are friends, and Swift has publicly defended Gaga in the past. Last June, Swift supported Gaga after she shut down false pregnancy rumors using lyrics from Swift's song "Down Bad"[1].

### The Album 'Mayhem'

**Mayhem**, Gaga's sixth studio album, has received critical praise for its bold and eclectic mix of genres, ranging from synth-pop and disco to industrial pop and rock. The album was recorded at Rick Rubin's Shangri-La studio and features collaborations with producers like Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Gesaffelstein. It includes the hit singles "Disease" and "Abracadabra," as well as a duet with Bruno Mars, "Die with a Smile," which won a Grammy Award[2].

In conclusion, while the rumor of Taylor Swift's involvement in Lady Gaga's "How Bad Do U Want Me" has sparked lively discussions among fans, it remains unfounded. **Mayhem** stands as a testament to Gaga's artistic boldness and her ability to evolve and surprise her audience, even if it doesn't include a secret collaboration with Taylor Swift.