On Wednesday, Lady Gaga offered fans a first look at “The Joker,” a dark and edgy new track from her surprise companion album ‘Harlequin’, which ties into the upcoming film Joker: Folie à Deux. The 80-second preview showcases Gaga’s unique spin on the character of Harley Quinn, captured in a haunting video set in the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris. In the clip, Gaga’s Quinn roams the museum’s shadowy halls, transforming the space into a playground of mischief and rebellion.
“The Joker” positions itself as an anthem for Joaquin Phoenix’s character, capturing the tragic and chaotic essence of the Joker persona. The song opens with subtle guitar notes, providing a fitting backdrop as Gaga strolls past the Louvre’s glass pyramid and performs by the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Dressed in a modest prairie dress, Chuck Taylors, and polka dot tights, with her hair dyed red, Gaga embodies Quinn’s blend of innocence and menace.
As she wanders the museum, Gaga sings, “There’s always a joker in the pack / There’s always a lonely clown,” encapsulating the complex nature of the Joker’s character. The video captures her character’s playful yet destructive side, with scenes of her firing finger guns at priceless artworks as the song’s tempo builds, blending Quinn’s childlike mischief with an underlying darkness.
The performance reaches a fever pitch as Gaga sings, “The Joker is meeeee!!” Her character then gives the Mona Lisa a sinister makeover, painting a blood-red smile across the famous face. It’s a chilling moment that underscores the Joker’s chaotic influence, as Gaga’s vocals rise to a dramatic crescendo and her character’s makeup begins to melt, leaving her face streaked with runny paint.
The preview comes as part of a broader promotion involving the Louvre’s upcoming exhibition, “Figures du Fou” (Figures of the Fool), which opens on October 16. The exhibition explores the historical role of the fool in Western art and culture, examining their influence as figures of both humor and subversion. In this context, the Joker is positioned not just as a character, but as a symbolic disruptor of societal norms—a theme that resonates throughout Gaga’s artistic portrayal.
Gaga also used the video preview to announce that the Harlequin album will drop this Friday, September 27. The album cover features Gaga in a shower, fully dressed, with her makeup smeared—mirroring the imagery seen in the “The Joker” video. A teaser for the album’s tracklist appeared on the back of a milk carton, hinting at a collection of 13 songs that mix new material with recognizable standards such as “Get Happy,” “That’s Entertainment,” and “World on a String.”
In addition to Harlequin, Gaga recently confirmed that her seventh studio album is slated for release in February, with a lead single expected next month. Meanwhile, Joker: Folie à Deux will hit theaters on October 4, further cementing the collaboration between Gaga’s musical and cinematic personas.
The preview of “The Joker” provides a tantalizing glimpse into Gaga’s vision for Harlequin, blending her dynamic vocal talent with a theatrical, rock-infused edge that captures the allure and danger of her character’s world.