Joker: Folie à Deuxmade the unique decision to not only make the sequel a musical but to also bring in songstressLady Gaga as fan-favorite Harley Quinn. As a result, it was a given that the soundtrack for the movie would feature her stellar vocals. For his part, Joaquin Phoenix is no slouch musically speaking,having learned to sing in order to play legendary singer Johnny Cash.Joker:Folie à Deuxputs a distinctive spin on the musical genre, for better or worse, by featuring existing songs as representations of Arthur’s delusions.
This type of musical, commonly called a jukebox musical, constructs its narrative around previously released songs instead of writing new tracks. Of note,Lady Gaga also wrote original songs inspired byJoker: Folie à Deuxfor a separate album,Harlequin, but only one of these tracks, “Folie à Deux,“is part of the official soundtrack.Instead, the majority of numbers in the film are drawn from a variety of sources including previous stage and screen musicals.
Song
Artist
Slap That Bass | Get Happy | What The World Needs Now Is Love
Joaquin Phoenix
9 Biggest Changes Joker 2 Makes To DC Canon
Joker: Folie a Deux is set in a far more bleak and grimy world than usual, and as such made some notable changes to DC characters and narratives.
When Every Song On The Joker: Folie à Deux Soundtrack Plays In The Movie
Popular Songs Are Used To Represent Arthur’s Emotional State
“Get Happy” is sung by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in the film;however, the album version is credited to Nick Cave as part of a medley with “Slap That Bass” and “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” the former of which references a film Arthur watches inJoker. “Get Happy” features in the movie after Harley shares how the Joker’s chaos inspired her.
“For Once In My Life” is performed by Joaquin Phoenix after meeting Harley.Excited at the prospect of someone actually understating him, Arthur appears to be singing in his head, as no one else at Arkham participates in this musical number.
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” by Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix is featured after Harley makes an escape attempt.Gaga belts the song after she burns down a whole ward following an inmate movie night.
“Folie à Deux,” an original song by Lady Gaga, underscores a romantic fantasy sequence.As the song plays, Harley and Arthur tango on a rooftop in a scene that evokes classic movie musical visuals.
“Bewitched,” performed by Joaquin Phoenix, is used as a serenade from Arthur to Harley.Representing him falling under her spell, Arthur sings to Harley during a television interview with Paddy Meyers.
“That’s Entertainment” is performed by Lady Gaga after Harley and Arthur bond over the song.Earlier in the film, the couple have their first movie night, watchingThe Band Wagonstarring Fred Astaire, which features the track.
“When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)” by Joaquin Phoenix was probably the most advertised track inJoker: Folie à Deux.The song is twisted into a darker interpretation as it’s a mission statement of sorts for the Joker’s chaos.
“To Love Somebody” by Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix is performed in a quirky dream sequence.Arthur imagines himself and Harley as hosts of a variety show, a callback to the iconic duo Sonny and Cher, but the fantasy is cut short when he, as a result of increasing paranoia, imagines Harley shooting him.
“(They Long To Be) Close To You” by Lady Gaga is another love song, this time from Harley to Arthur.She serenades him with the Carpenters' classic hit when visiting him at Arkham.
“The Joker” by Joaquin Phoenix fittingly underscores one of Arthur’s violent imaginations.During this musical number, the Joker violently murders both Harvey Dent and the judge for his trial, dancing all the while.
“Gonna Build A Mountain,” sung by Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, is a statement of purpose for Harley’s ambitions with Joker. The two share a moment of this song, shortly before Arthur suffers another injustice at Arkham. It is also reprised by Arthur later on.
“I’ve Got the World On a String” by Lady Gagais used to convey power and manipulation inJoker: FolieàDeux.Both Lee and the prison guard, Jackie Sullivan, sing the song during the film.
“If You Go Away” is performed by Joaquin Phoenix during the film’s denouement.Arthur has renounced his Joker persona, leading Harley to renounce him in return. He is left heartbroken when she tells him that their romance was built on their shared fantasy. Without that, there is no relationship between Harley and Arthur.
“That’s Life” is covered by Lady Gaga as an homage to the firstJokerfilm.The song, which was featured during Murray Franklin’s talk show in the previous installment, plays over the credits.
“True Love Will Find You In the End” is Joaquin Phoenix’s swan song as the Joker.Its lyrics are Arthur’s final words after he is murdered by a former Joker devotee.
A few other songs are prominent in the film but do not appear on the official album.The biggest omissions are “When The Saints Go Marching In” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?,“which are both actively sung on screen. Other songs appear in the film, but not in such a prevalent way.
Where To Listen To The Joker: Folie à Deux Soundtrack
Both The Official Album And Lady Gaga’s Companion Soundtrack Are Streaming
The official album forJoker: Folie à Deuxis available to stream on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Pandora.The soundtrack is also available in both vinyl and CD format. Gaga’s companion album,Harlequin,is streaming on all of the aforementioned platforms as well as Soundcloud and Tidal.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Cast
Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips' critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker’s lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.
