"If My Friends Could See Me Now", with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, is a song from the 1966 Broadway musical Sweet Charity. In the musical the character of Charity, played in the original New York cast by Gwen Verdon, reflects on her marvellous luck as she spends time with Vittorio. In the 1969 film adaptation of Sweet Charity, "If My Friends Could See Me Now" is performed by Shirley MacLaine.
Lady Gaga recorded a two version of the song, one solo version for Harlequin (2024), her companion album to the musical thriller film Joker: Folie à Deux and second duet version with Joaquin Phoenix for film itself and its soundtrack. Harlequin version was produced by Gaga and Benjamin Rice.
Lyrics
If they could see me now
That little gang of mine
I'm lookin' at your smile, and it's a healthy sign
I'd like those stumble bums to see for a fact
The kind of top drawer, first-rate chum I attract
All I can say is, "Wow"
Just look at where I am
Tonight, I've landed, pow
Right in a pot of jam
What a setup, holy cow
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now
If they could see me now
That little dusty group
Traipsin' 'round this million dollar chicken coop
You're rubbin' elbows with the cream of the crop
Whoever said there ain't no room at the top
To think this famous man
Which I must say is he
Should pick an unknown gal
Which there's no doubt is me
What a setup, wow, holy cow
They'll never believe it
If my friends could see me
If they all could see me
If my friends could see me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Performances
 Dates
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 Location
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 City
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| September 30, 2024 | The Belasco: Harlequin Secret Show | Los Angeles, CA | 
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Credits
| Written by | Cy Coleman and Dorothy Relds |
| Published By | Notable Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP) Lida Enterprises Inc. (ASCAP) Administered By Hipgnosis Songs Group, LLC |
| Producers | Lady Gaga and Benjamin Rice |
| Arrangers | Lady Gaga, Benjamin Rice, Michael Polansky, Tim Stewart, Brian Newman, Alex Smith, Daniel Foose, Steve Kortyka and Donald Barrett |
| Recording Studio | Dragonfly Creek Recording Studio, Malibu, CA Sound Factory at The Palms, Las Vegas, NV
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| Engineers | David Boucher and Benjamin Rice |
| 2nd Engineer | Joe Dougherty |
| Asst. Engineers | Bella Corich, Miguel Lara, Patrick Hundley and Daniel "Chief" Van Billiard |
| Musicians | Trumpet - Brian Newman Piano - Alex Smith Bass - Daniel Foose Saxophone - Steve Kortyka Drums - Donald Barrett Guitar - Tim Stewart |
| Asst. Mixing Engineer | Bryce Bordone |
Joker: Folie à Deux Version
Although Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) has been placed in solitary confinement at Arkham, Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga) visits him to tell him that she’s being released because she’s a bad influence on him. She sings this song from the Broadway musical Sweet Charity expressing how she never thought she’d find someone like him.
Lyrics
If they could see me now, that little gang of mine
I'm lookin' at your smile and it's a healthy sign
I'd like those stumble bums to see for a fact
The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chum I attract
All I can say is, "Wow," just look at where I am
Tonight I landed, pow, right in a pot of jam
What a setup, holy cow
They'll never believe it
If my friends could see me now
If they could see me now, that little dusty group
Traipsin' around this million dollar chicken coop
I'm rubbin' elbows with the cream of the crop
Who ever said there ain't no room at the top?
To think this famous man which I must say is he
Should pick an unknown gal which there's no doubt is me
What a setup, wow, holy cow
They'll never believe it
If my friends could see me
If my friends could see me
If they all could see me now
Take a look at me now
Credits
| Performed by | Lady Gaga with Joaquin Phoenix |
| Written by | Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields |
| Published by |
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| Arranged by | David Campbell, Jason Ruder and Lena Glikson-Nezhelskaya |
| Recorded at |
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