Happy Birthday Joe

It’s Throwback Thursday and today we wish a very happy birthday to Joe Jackson, who turns 68 today. Jackson's recording career as a solo artist began in 1979, with the release of his debut album Look Sharp!. It’s a spectacular debut and one we’ll focus on today. Jackson’s style early on was compared to both Elvis Costello and Graham Parker - the angry, young me of the New Wave era. Guitar-strong albums with emotional depth and cynicism of lyrics.

Kicking off is the blazing “One More Time”, a restless breakup song that shows a glutinous side of the guy - he can’t believe the girl wants to leave. Then they dive right into the pub-rocker with a reggae-inspired touch, “Sunday Papers”. Written as a critique of the British tabloid press, Jackson touches on the trashy, inaccurate stories.

Then one of my favorites, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?”. Written as a humorous commentary on women dating unattractive men, the song is considered one of the classics of the new wave genre. According to Jackson, the song originated from when he heard the title. Jackson claimed that he had first heard it on a song by the Damned, who had gotten it from the Shangri-Las' song, "Leader of the Pack".

The punkier “Throw It Away” takes away from the melodies Jackson and his band create in other places on the album and smacks you in the face. The title track delivers a more melodic touch with fantastic vocalization from Jackson and his band. He even delivers a “ballad” with another reggae inspired track, “Fools In Love”.

The debut closes out with the fantastic “Got the Time”. In the lyrics, Jackson sings of a frantic lifestyle where he is constantly being encountered by new obligations and duties. Musically, the song is a fast and frenetic. The song was covered in 1990 by thrash metal band Anthrax.

Jackson has gone on to record 21 studio albums and eight live albums and has had other great songs like “Steppin’ Out”, “Breaking Us In Two” and “You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)”. But for me, his debut will always remain my favorite.