Lady Gaga Hits No. 1 On Some Pretty Unlikely Billboard Charts

Lady Gaga’s new album Harlequin is here, and it arrives on a number of Billboard charts this week. The set wasn’t the commercial win she was likely hoping for, as it underperformed on some of the most closely-watched and most competitive rosters in America, but it’s also become a winner on other tallies.

While Harlequin might not have managed to dominate the Billboard 200—or even reach the top 10—the set is an immediate smash on a few other rankings. The project brings Gaga back to the top spot on a pair of rosters, ones which few could have predicted she’d ever reach when she first took over the world with her signature dance-pop sound.

Harlequin debuts at No. 1 on both the Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums charts. The two tallies are closely related, and it’s not odd to see the same title reach the highest of highs on both lists at once—though that’s not always the case.

Gaga might seem like an odd fit for the jazz charts, but she’s not new to these rankings. In fact, Harlequin marks her third No. 1 on both tallies she currently commands.

The singer and actress first hit No. 1 on both the Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums charts a decade ago. She teamed up with traditional pop icon and friend Tony Bennett for their joint project Cheek to Cheek, which shot right to the peak. Eventually, it spent 24 weeks at No. 1 on the two jazz-only rankings.

Gaga and Bennett would score a second consecutive leader in 2021, shortly before the latter’s passing. Love For Sale didn’t stay at No. 1 for nearly as long on either the Jazz Albums or Traditional Jazz Albums charts, but it did hit the highest rung.

The Grammy and Oscar winner has earned one additional top 10 placement on the Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums charts, and it was also with Bennett. Cheek To Cheek: Live reached No. 10 on the two tallies in 2022, and so far, it’s Gaga’s only title to land on both rankings that hasn’t found its way to No. 1.