It took Lady Gaga about 10 minutes and a shared bottle of tequila to create one of her acclaimed hits from her second studio album.

This is what the singer, who just embarked on her fifth concert tour earlier this month, explained to Oprah in 2012 about her powerful pop anthem The Edge of Glory. Standing beside the very piano on which she began to craft the song, Gaga shared the story of how the imminent loss of her grandfather led her to channel emotions into music.

It was me right here, Gaga said, gesturing to the piano. My father was sitting here. And we had a big bottle of agave tequila sitting right here.

The two were both feeling somber that night. My grandfather was on his last leg of life, Gaga explained. I think my dad and I just knew he was going to go, and I knew my dad was just so sad.