Star Dakota Johnson made a notable surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live” this week, embodying the enigmatic character “Madeline” during Lily Allen’s performance of her new track, also titled “Madeline”. This marked Allen’s second song of the night, and Johnson’s involvement added an unexpected twist to the performance.
Throughout the song, Johnson remained primarily hidden behind a screen, allowing Allen’s powerful vocals to drive the narrative of the song about a mistress. However, during the spoken word segment, Johnson stepped into the limelight, delivering poignant lines that capture “Madeline’s” perspective in a complicated love triangle. The track appears on Allen’s latest album, “West End Girl,” where the lyrics reveal an arrangement tied to secrecy and discretion: “We had an arrangement: Be discreet and don’t be blatant. And there had to be payment. It had to be with strangers. But you’re not a stranger, Madeline.”
The dramatic essence of the song is amplified as “Madeline” communicates her feelings via texts, expressing sympathy for Allen’s character while questioning the truth of her partner’s claims. “I hate that you’re in so much pain right now. I really don’t wanna be the cause of any upset. He told me that you were aware this was going on…” Johnson’s performance culminated with the two almost sharing a kiss, heightening the tension of the moment.
“Madeline” stands out as one of the highlights from Allen’s album, sparking speculation regarding the real identity of her mysterious muse. While some have claimed to be the inspiration behind “Madeline,” Allen has clarified that the character is a composite drawn from various experiences and women.
Before performing “Madeline,” Allen kicked off her set with “Sleepwalking,” set against a bedroom backdrop illuminated by a neon sign. The song’s suggestive lyrics necessitated some self-censorship, as Allen omitted the line, “Why aren’t we fucking, baby?” She maintained this approach during “Madeline,” skipping the provocative line: “I’m not convinced that he didn’t fuck you in our house.”
Allen appeared on “Saturday Night Live” to promote “West End Girl,” which has garnered significant praise for its raw honesty and lyrical craftsmanship. The album addresses her personal life, notably her split from “Stranger Things” star David Harbour, without directly mentioning him. Critics, like Chris Willman in Variety, have lauded the album as a strong contender for album of the year, commending Allen’s storytelling and ability to captivate listeners with each confessional line.
“West End Girl” is Allen’s first album release since 2018 and marks her comeback to touring, which she plans for March, her first tour since 2019. This “SNL” appearance was also a revisitation to the iconic stage, as it marks her second performance on the show, the first being in 2007, where she performed tracks from her debut album.
