"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" is a song by American singer-songwriter

Cyndi Lauper Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper ( ; born June 22, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Known for her distinctive image, featuring a variety of hair colors and eccentric clothing, and for her powerful four-octave vocal range;Jerome, ...

, released as the third single from her fifth studio album, '' Sisters of Avalon'' (1996). The song was written by Lauper and Jan Pulsford, and produced by Pulsford, Mark Saunders and Lauper. It was released on September 16, 1997, by

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. Lyrically, the song describes the double life of a

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, the titular 'Joe' (by day) and 'Cleo' (by night). It received positive reviews from music critics. The song did not enter the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, but debuted at number 24 on the ''Billboard''

Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (also known as Bubbling Under the Hot 100) is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. The chart lists the top songs that have not yet charted on the main ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Chart ...

chart.

Background

In early 1996, Lauper began working on what would be '' 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

, the titular 'Joe' (by day) and 'Cleo' (by night). This song was one of the many songs on the album that was about a

taboo A taboo is a social group's ban, prohibition or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, offensive, sacred or allowed only for certain people.''Encyclopædia Britannica ...

subject.

Critical reception

Larry Flick Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the musi ...

from ''

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'' 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

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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

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, 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." Bob Cannon from ''

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'' gave the song a B, adding, "Lauper's a dance diva, this pounding slice of electro-pop would have us believe. But she has too much personality to disappear into an anonymous dance mix. Having dropped her

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mannerisms, she sounds earthier than usual, giving "Cleo & Joe"—an homage to a

—the gospelish feel of early

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Music video

music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...

was released for the song, featuring a

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Lauper rotating on a platform with her stomach decorated to look like a disco ball. The video received play primarily in clubs.

Track listing

* US CD single #"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" ( Soul Solution Radio Edit) – 3:54 #"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" (Soul Solution Vocal Dub) – 8:46 #"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" (Soul Solution Tribal Dub) – 3:35 #"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" (Soul Solution Instrumental) – 8:51 #"Ballad of Cleo and Joe" – 3:59

Charts

References

{{Authority control Cyndi Lauper songs LGBTQ-related songs 1997 singles Songs written by Cyndi Lauper Songs written by Jan Pulsford 1996 songs Epic Records singles Indietronica songs Songs about cross-dressing Drag (entertainment)-related music