Ballad of Cleo and Joe

"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" is a song by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, taken from her fifth studio album, Sisters of Avalon (1996). The song was written and Cyndi Lauper, Jan Pulsford while it was produced by Pulsford, Mark Saunders and Lauper.[2] The song was released as the third single from the album on September 16, 1997 by Epic Records.[3] Lyrically, the song describes the double life of a drag queen, the titular 'Joe' (by day) and 'Cleo' (by night).

"Ballad of Cleo and Joe"
Single by Cyndi Lauper
from the album Sisters of Avalon
ReleasedSeptember 16, 1997[1]
Recorded1996
Length3:59
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
  • Cyndi Lauper
  • Jan Pulsford
Producer(s)
Cyndi Lauper singles chronology
"Sisters of Avalon"
(1997)		 "Ballad of Cleo and Joe"
(1997)		 "Early Christmas Morning"
(1998)
Music video
"Ballad of Cleo & Joe" on YouTube

The song received positive reviews from music critics.[4] "Ballad of Cleo and Joe" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 but debuted at number 24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

Background

In early 1996, Cyndi Lauper began working on what would be her next studio album, Sisters of Avalon. Thematically the album expounded on the issue of complacency and ignorance in popular culture and the discrimination of minorities, gays, and women. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe" is a song about the double life of a cross dresser. The song is about the double life of a drag queen, the titular 'Joe' (by day) and 'Cleo' (by night). This song was one of the many songs on the Sisters of Avalon album that was about a taboo subject.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "It is downright criminal that Lauper's current "Sisters Of Avalon" set is not a huge hit. It's chock-full of rhythm-smart, lyrically sharp jams like "The Ballad Of Cleo And Joe", which sparks with a credible house beat and an enthralling tale of a couple just trying to get by in the naked city. Lauper's sterling composition is enhanced by the time-sensitive post-production of Ernie Lake and Bobby Guy, who juice up the bassline, tweak the chorus, and mold a few simple refrains into rousing riot chants. Support this record. After years of warbling about goonies and girls just wanting to have fun, Lauper has hit creative pay dirt."[5]

Music video

A music video was released for the song, featuring a pregnant Lauper rotating on a platform with her stomach decorated to look like a disco ball.[6] The video received play primarily in clubs.

Track listing
US CD single[7][8]
  1. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe"(Soul Solution Radio Edit) – 3:54
  2. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe"(Soul Solution Vocal Dub) – 8:46
  3. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe"(Soul Solution Tribal Dub) – 3:35
  4. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe"(Soul Solution Instrumental) – 8:51
  5. "Ballad of Cleo and Joe" – 3:59

Charts
Chart (1997) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles[9] 24
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[10] 36
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales[11] 43
Dance Music Authority Top 50 4

References
  1. "Ballad of Cleo & Joe: Cyndi Lauper: Music". Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  2. http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Cyndi+Lauper&titel=Ballad+Of+Cleo+%26+Joe&cat=s
  3. http://www.discogs.com/Cyndi-Lauper-Ballad-Of-Cleo-Joe/release/151378
  4. http://www.ew.com/article/1997/10/24/music-review-ballad-cleo-joe
  5. Flick, Larry (1997-09-20). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 68. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybx6x8EiP4o
  7. http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1090847/a/ballad+of+cleo+%26+joe.htm
  8. http://www.ebay.es/itm/CYNDI-LAUPER-BALLAD-OF-CLEO-JOE-US-5-TRK-CD-HTF-SISTERS-OF-AVALON-/120996818658
  9. "Billboard". 1998-02-07.
  10. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/cyndi-lauper-mn0000122754/awards
  11. https://www.billboard.com/music/Cyndi-Lauper/chart-history/DSA
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