Get ready, Little Monsters! Lady Gaga is not only starring in the upcoming ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, but she’s also dropped a surprise concept album in honor of the film. Titled ‘Harlequin,’ this collection of songs featured in the movie is a complete production by Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky. So, as a devoted Gaga fan, I’m diving headfirst into this musical journey and sharing my 15 key takeaways from ‘Harlequin’ in real time.
Let’s set the stage: Gaga plays Lee Quinzel, a Joker fan who falls deeply in love with him. The film promises an exploration of a woman who thrives in chaos, a force beyond control. This sets the stage for a musical journey into a twisted love story—the tale of two lonely souls finding connection in the midst of darkness.
The first track, ‘Good Morning,’ is a cover of the classic Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed song popularized by Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. The opening is a smooth jazz piano, hinting at a jazz-infused Gaga, a sound she explored in her albums ‘Cheek to Cheek’ and ‘Love For Sale’ with Tony Bennett. And let me tell you, she sounds incredible! She’s even given the lyrics a twist: ‘When the inmates began to sleep, the stars were shining bright,’ she sings. ‘Now the warden’s on his way, it’s too late to say goodnight.’ Could this be the soundtrack to their first encounter in Arkham Asylum?
Next comes ‘Get Happy,’ another Judy Garland classic, this time from ‘Summer Stock.’ Is the whole album a collection of covers? Intriguing! Gaga’s rendition is full of soul: ‘All you sinners, gather ’round,’ she croons. ‘All you sinners—follow me. Forget your troubles, come on, get happy; get ready for the judgment day.’ I can easily picture her belting this out to her glam asylum friends. But the song has a swingin’ energy, the kind of tune you’d want to dance to in a luxurious ballroom with a man in a tuxedo.
We’re then treated to Louis Armstrong’s ‘Oh When the Saints,’ featuring groovy organ sounds. ‘I talked to God about my heart,’ she sings. ‘The devil plays some mean guitar.’ (Cue: a fierce guitar solo!) I can totally envision her in full Harley Quinn garb, rocking out. This performance is going to be phenomenal—both vocally and choreographically. Does she ever do anything less than all-out? This is the woman who wore a meat dress!
The song choices are incredibly clever. Every lyric ties back to themes of love, pain, and the darkness of the world. In ‘That’s Entertainment,’ made famous by Judy Garland, Gaga sings: ‘The clown, with his pants falling down—that’s entertainment. The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment.’ In ‘The Joker,’ popularized by Shirley Bassey, Gaga sings: ‘There’s always a joker in the pack. There’s always a lonely clown.’ Someone clearly did a lot of research on songs featuring lyrics about clowns and jesters.
‘The Joker’ is a true bop, a rock-soul fusion that could have easily fit on Gaga’s ‘Joanne’ album. We then transition back to jazz with ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now,’ from the musical ‘Sweet Charity.’ ‘If they could see me now,’ she trills, ‘traipsin’ around this million-dollar chicken coop.’ Perhaps this is when Harley and Joker break out of the asylum together? The song has a flapper-Gatsby-party vibe. Someone grab me a moonshine martini!
Gaga’s cover of Nat King Cole’s ‘Smile’ brings a touch of melancholia. ‘Smile, though your heart is aching. Smile, even though it’s breaking. When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by.’ You can hear the heartache in her voice. (Have Harley and Joker split up?) Could this cover be nominated for best song? At the very least, I’m expecting a stellar Grammys performance!
There are plenty of instrumental breaks on ‘Harlequin,’ giving the album a strong ‘Theater Kid’ vibe. This suggests we’re in for some elaborate dance numbers in the film. Get ready to put your paws up and watch the choreography unfold!
But Gaga doesn’t just rely on covers. She’s written original music for the album as well. ‘Folie à Deux,’ a string-heavy waltz-ballad, features the lyrics: ‘They might say that we’re crazy, but I’m just in love with you.’ And in ‘Happy Mistake,’ another acoustic original, she sings: ‘I can try to hide behind the makeup, but the show must go on. If I could fix the broken pieces, then I’d have a happy mistake.’ I love when Gaga goes for stripped-back tracks that showcase her stunning voice. Sure, I adore the freaky-deaky Mother Monster Gaga, but her dramatic flair can sometimes overshadow how incredible a singer she truly is.
The album concludes with ‘That’s Life,’ a song made famous by Frank Sinatra. ‘That’s life—that’s what people say,’ she sings. ‘As funny as it may seem, some people get their kicks stomping on a dream—but I won’t let it get me down.’ Now those are words to live by! Don’t let life get you down, folks!
So, will I be learning all of these songs to belt them out in the theater on October 4th, the release day for ‘Joker’? Absolutely! ‘Harlequin’ is a captivating journey that delves into the emotional depths of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and showcases Lady Gaga’s musical brilliance. It’s a must-listen for any Gaga fan and anyone eager to experience the world of the new Joker film.
