01. Diamond Heart (2016 August)
I love Perfect Illusion to death but it was the wrong choice for Joanne's lead single. Joanne is tinged with different genres: country, rock, blues e.t.c., without fully delving into them but enough to be palatable commercially and I think DH is a great example of that. It's also coming back from the backlash of ARTPOP and her determination to succeed, despite her naysayers which is a great message. Additionally it references her broken engagement with Taylor Kinney and the diamond heart engagement ring at the time. I don't think it would've been a mega hit like Rain On Me/Shallow but certainly think it would've done better than PI and introduced the record to the public in the right way, whilst showcasing some of Gaga's best raw vocals so far. Premiering the song at the VMAs in 2016 could've helped also.
02. Million Reasons (2016 October)
I think this was the right choice for second single and feels like the obvious hit of the record, providing a softer side to Gaga at this point in her career. The only ballad she'd released at this point was You And I. However I think the single was rolled out incorrectly. Originally A-YO was the second single and MR was only a promo single, but due to commercial success, MR was promoted to the second single which has become a tired trend in Gaga's career (Judas/TEOG, Venus/Do What U Want). This confused the public and explains MR's initial peaks. Secondly, the video is the worst of her career. MR is one of my all time favourite songs and I never tire of it but I haven't seen the video more than 5 times. I just can't believe this is the same woman that's delivered Paparazzi, Bad Romance, Judas and G.U.Y. I felt this is a huge factor in its failure to resonate originally. Still, the song has garnered over 600m streams despite no mainstream Spotify playlisting and limited radio play in the US. It's also eligible for 4x Platinum in the US and certified Gold here, which is impressive given its UK peak of #39. I think it could've been a lot bigger but thank to countless performances including the SuperBowl, Royal Variety, Victoria Fashion Show and X factor - the song has become an organic classic in her catalogue and is regularly covered on live singing shows.
PS. Perfect Illusion (2016 October)
As much as I don't think PI should've been a single, I do appreciate the video and its simple but effective approach. I'd release it a few days before the record drops just to add anticipation and a treat for the fans, but wouldn't expect it to smash.
ALBUM RELEASE (2016 October)
PS. John Wayne (2017 January)
I'd release this on New Year's Day as a treat to fans, reminding them also the era is far from over. I think JW is majorly underappreciated and whilst I don't think the song would work as a single, I think a promo single would help promote the album whilst providing one of her best visuals of all time. I just love the video and so couldn't imagine her career without it.
03. Hey Girl (with Florence Welch) (2017 February)
Personally I think Hey Girl is the worst track on Joanne and it's the only one I skip when I return to the album, it just doesn't go anywhere for me. Still, I think radio and the locals would eat it up and the sentiment would be well-received. All my friends love it and that's because of the song's message but I just hate it. Still, I think releasing it after the Super Bowl would ensure at least top 40 peaks and it would do pretty well here given the Florence feature.
04. The Cure (2017 April)
As originally released, I'd surprise drop The Cure during Coachella, along with a video which could somehow die into the era? Perhaps a dream sequence she wakes up from?? Anyway, TC was a cute hit here, Australia and a few other countries but feel it could've been pushed more. I think she missed out on an easy hit. I'd later add it to a deluxe version of Joanne along with Joanne (Piano Version), Million Reasons (Andrelli Remix) and a few more work tapes, just to tie into the era more. With the right video and a performance or two here, I see it easily going top 5 in the UK.
05. Dancin' In Circles (2017 July)
One of my favourite Gaga songs of all time, it's just so rich and feels a major injustice that she never gave it a single. Watching videos of her performing it on the JWT still gives me chills. I don't think this would've been a hit like Million Reasons/The Cure, but I think it could've been a cute top 40 hit world-wide and Gaga would've serve an iconic video - I imagine a Kesha 'Your Love Is My Drug' type video with lots of fire, facepaint and naked bodies. I just think it's so different for her and released in the summer, would've had a chance of smashing.
06. Joanne / Joanne (Piano Version) (2017 September)
Along with the Netflix documentary 'Gaga Five Foot Two', I would've sent Joanne to radio worldwide and made it a single. Simultaneously I would've also released the grammy-award winning Piano Version too with a separate video. It feels appropriate to end the era with Joanne as it's the heart of the record. I think it's beloved by most fans the GP would adore it too. Given it's the sixth single, I doubt it would've been a hit but I could see it being a slow-burning hit and selling a lot over time, especially given ASIB would be released a year later. People who became fans due to ASIB may resonate with the single and check out the album. I just think it could've been pushed more, especially in the US had the original been sent to radio in oppose to the piano version.