I was 15 the first time I heard it on the radio. I didn’t know who he was, I just knew I needed to hear more. I saw his album “Look Sharp” for sale I Woolworths. I worked out that it was going to take four whole weeks pocket money to buy the album. So I stayed in every weekend and every evening for a month. Then finally I had enough money. I walked to town and as I got inside Woolworths I realised there was a limited addition in white. It didn’t say that it cost any more than the black, so I took a gamble and fortunately it was the same price. All I had on me was enough for the album and there was 1p change. I walked home, played the A side, then the B sided, then I played them both again. I was very happy with my purchase, and not having any money for another week didn’t bother me in the slightest. And as I type this, that brand new album smell, that I had never smelt before, fills my nostrils one again. I still have the album. And every album, video, DVD and CD that followed. I’ve seen him play more times than I can count. That song has effectively cost me thousands of pounds, but not a penny was wasted. Thank you Joe, for everything
Thanks for sharing the memory, I have similar ones being a teenager in the late 70s and early 80s was great with music like this, The Jam, Specials, The Damned,Eurythmics and loads more.
thats so funny, I bought my first record at woolworths, duran duran "rio" simply for the cover art. Then discovered the sheer brilliance of a band way more talented then the videos showed.
the gems you could find at Woolworths. Oh Look, Ummagumma 8 track..........who owns an 8 track.......Brent does (thinks my friend). I'll give it to him.
Right there with ya. There’s something special about having to save your money, then actually have to go to the mall (or wherever) and BUY AN ALBUM. Listen in your room, with headphones on, read the lyrics, etc. This downloading crap is for the birds.
Joe Jackson has always had a certain positive energy that I don't think anybody else has had. The sound, the look, the attitude, sense of humor, ... Oh and then the talent. He's one of a kind.
This song was the beginning of my love for Joe Jackson... years later I saw him play at the Greek Theater in Berkeley in 1990 (?); he stepped on stage and it started to rain, but he kept on singing...great concert!
I had a 5 foot Cardboard Cutout of Joe Jackson I got from the record shop. He was wearing his white shoes which I got a pair of white leather Chelsea boots to try to match. I wish I still had them. He’s a great performer.
Senior year of high school, Joe Jackson, The Cars, The Knack, Blondie, The Clash and The Romantics, yes life was great, and those great bands were my soundtrack! Joe’s Look Sharp and I’m The Man albums were absolute favorites!! ps .. this version is absolutely stellar!
Those were the good old days, being in high school, listening to Joe Jackson, Blondie, The Cars, Cheap Trick, The Knack, albums, cassettes, Sony Walkmans, priceless memories.
I was a bit too young to see JJ in his early days but as he comes from my part of the world, Portsmouth, England, he is very gracious and does a “home gig” so have been fortunate to see him in recent years 🎹
Right from the very beginning, Joe Jackson was the consummate singer, song writer, arranger, musician, band leader and The Total Showman and he has only sharpened his Genius over the next four + decades...Brilliant!!!
I was about 24 when this came out. Man I knew that feeling and had asked myself that question so many times . LOVED that first line, 'Pretty girls out walk'n with gorillas on my street" Just hit the nail on the head,. Perfect Joe. Thanks.
I was 18, full of acne, no confidence, socially awkward. I heard this song on the radio and wept. When you hear a song that hits you in the soul with exactly what you're going through at the time.
I was born in 79'! and was very lucky to experience and be precocious enough appreciate his music in the 80's. I was so damn young but I thought the world of his music and absolutely nothing has changed. I was enthralled immediately with his creativity and talent. I think he's one of the most underappreciated, unheralded all time talents. He had some commercial success but mainstream enthusiasm wasn't there like he deserved, like he was over people's heads. The wonder and magic of his music was never fully embraced by the masses but the fans he did touch he changed their lives in powerful ways, real special connection. He really showed what the power of beautiful meaningful poignant music can be. He will always be an all time favorite and I am grateful for him 🙏. And I love sharing such touching sentiment with others. You are loved. God bless.
@Mike Bailey Long from now, history will tell the matter of fact story of the selfish and evil, plotting and scheming with cleverness and ingenuity in desperate attempts against fellow men to rule, only to fall in futility to the true context of man against their Creator. Everything seems so possible to the plotters now, all plans so reachable. But how they lack awareness. As finite beings the fullness of reality is in context of the Infinite One.
@Mike Bailey If you can have strong faith in these times you will have proved yourself to truly have faith. The Lord's life proves we are all tested to the absolute utmost. So prove yourself to everyone, including yourself. We are here to build our records.
Such a top artist and people don't come to listen to his songs very often anymore. It's really a shame. This says more about humanity than the genius himself.
I saw Joe at Great Adventure Park in New Jersey on the I'm the Man Tour back in the day. Good time, good show, great memory. He's always been true to himself in his music. Much respect.
I'd give anything to hear Joe do the entire 80-86 live album with all three versions of this song. So much greatness. Different for girls. Real men. It all still gives me chills. You were such a huge part of my life. Saw him live once. Dream come true. Thanks to Boo Radley (Bob Bradley) for coming along.
You know comments like that make me realize that people don't understand what the hell music is or that music advances with the times, and your kids are going to be saying the same thing about music when they were kids. Musical elitism is kind of bullshit, and people who believe in it are kind of stupid. Sorry. And before you say that I like shitty music, my favorite band is Weather Report. Piss off
@@RicardoRandom691 that's the fun part about music nowadays. You have the whole internet to go through, it is your oyster and your mission to find what you like :)
Ricardo - The thing is, going back some years you didn't have to. (look deep) Now you have to mine deeply for it. 60s, 70s etc, there was plenty of good music coming out all the time.
Oh for the days of car radios and vinyl. This song gives me the same smile as the day it came out. What an absolute gem of a pop song. Joe carved out the career that made him happiest (I hope) and played pretty much every popular genre but give me his first two albums as exemplars of well-crafted pop and rock.
Summer of 79, I was 16, got my drivers license and ran a grader and listened to AM Radio. In addition to this song, the most memorable tunes were "Let Go the Line" by Max Webster , "Gold" by John Stewart and Stevie Nicks, and "Chuck E's in Love'' by Ricky Lee Jones. "The Warriors" was in theatres, and the first punk and new wave records made it to my shithole hick home town. That really was a great time. RIP Danny.
Great song in the bars then and still great now. Everyone knew the words, and that beat. I remember it well and fondly. This was a fantastic song for us that are older now and we zoom back to that club seen. Can't replace it, and won't try.
Thanks for posting this I saw them in concert in the States they played at a college not far from where I lived at the time. This song was all over the radio at the time along with Sunday Paper, what a fun night. Many don't realize how tall he is until you see him in person he towers over the stage very talented guy.,
Saw Joe do the 'Robot' version of this live. He had all the band members line up across the stage and move with jerky motions as they played. He likes to mix things up a bit when performing this number. The man is a perfectionist and can produce a perfect sound in the most challenging venues.
Night and Day show at the Greek , La was historic . Perfect in every way . The energy was to the limit . I know as Iam a Vet of so many great shows from 60s to the 2000s
It was an Ibanez Silver Series bass like this one www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1977-ibanez-silver-series-lawsuit-50561895 (I used to play one - not like he could though). I understand that it was strung with black flat wound strings and more often played with a pick. Not 100% sure of the amp used, but I believe it was an old Fender amp. The story goes that he finally sold only a few years ago to a Dutch guy.
Real original top artists, artists they were in the 80s. After that, good songs were also brought every now and then. But in the 80's it was top music every day. Especially with this artist. Real respect for him! What a music, what a voice, and what a lyrics. RESPECT!
I remember this in the Summer of 79 was 12 years old. Not too far off Saturday Night Fever and all the Soft Rock. This record made it to Top 40 Radio and with the minimal production just stuck out like nothing else at the time and to my 12 year old ears sounded like nothing I heard before.
I remember this song, but I always though it was Micheal's Dad, I never knew there was another Joe Jackson until a few years ago. Cool song, lots of fun memories.
I am 63 years old and I still love that song
Me too!
61 here, hell yeah! B
60 here, still sing it in my head pretty regular. Always dug this one.
I was 15 the first time I heard it on the radio. I didn’t know who he was, I just knew I needed to hear more. I saw his album “Look Sharp” for sale I Woolworths. I worked out that it was going to take four whole weeks pocket money to buy the album. So I stayed in every weekend and every evening for a month. Then finally I had enough money. I walked to town and as I got inside Woolworths I realised there was a limited addition in white. It didn’t say that it cost any more than the black, so I took a gamble and fortunately it was the same price. All I had on me was enough for the album and there was 1p change. I walked home, played the A side, then the B sided, then I played them both again. I was very happy with my purchase, and not having any money for another week didn’t bother me in the slightest. And as I type this, that brand new album smell, that I had never smelt before, fills my nostrils one again. I still have the album. And every album, video, DVD and CD that followed. I’ve seen him play more times than I can count. That song has effectively cost me thousands of pounds, but not a penny was wasted. Thank you Joe, for everything
Thanks for sharing the memory, I have similar ones being a teenager in the late 70s and early 80s was great with music like this, The Jam, Specials, The Damned,Eurythmics and loads more.
thats so funny, I bought my first record at woolworths, duran duran "rio" simply for the cover art. Then discovered the sheer brilliance of a band way more talented then the videos showed.
the gems you could find at Woolworths. Oh Look, Ummagumma 8 track..........who owns an 8 track.......Brent does (thinks my friend). I'll give it to him.
Woolworths? This song is old.
Right there with ya. There’s something special about having to save your money, then actually have to go to the mall (or wherever) and BUY AN ALBUM. Listen in your room, with headphones on, read the lyrics, etc. This downloading crap is for the birds.
Joe Jackson has always had a certain positive energy that I don't think anybody else has had. The sound, the look, the attitude, sense of humor, ... Oh and then the talent. He's one of a kind.
Debbie Harry?
This song was the beginning of my love for Joe Jackson... years later I saw him play at the Greek Theater in Berkeley in 1990 (?); he stepped on stage and it started to rain, but he kept on singing...great concert!
The cool thing about Joe Jackson was that he wasnt a poser... He was just Joe Jackson (a Brilliant talent)..... And that was so cool !!!!
He still is!!!
Joe was the third Elvis Costello. My highest praise.
yeah
@@vernpascal1531 Like that reply.
Yes, true Englishman, adorable.
Joe Jackson, the architect of perfectly constructed pop music. The guy is a genius in his own right.
not really
@@edrader yeah, really.
JJ was a one-hit wonder, really
ed rader
Maybe on your planet.
he may well be a genius in Uranus
Was 14 when I bought this single, great memories, cheers Joe
I had a 5 foot Cardboard Cutout of Joe Jackson I got from the record shop. He was wearing his white shoes which I got a pair of white leather Chelsea boots to try to match. I wish I still had them. He’s a great performer.
I graduated high school n 82 ...this looks when he was n his prime ..love Joe jackson back then and now 💋
Our school mate had us tap out the intro on the desk prior him to singing this as we waited for History class to start. Good memory!
Senior year of high school, Joe Jackson, The Cars, The Knack, Blondie, The Clash and The Romantics, yes life was great, and those great bands were my soundtrack! Joe’s Look Sharp and I’m The Man albums were absolute favorites!! ps .. this version is absolutely stellar!
I was 7 turning 8 and I loved it all!! Still do :)
Such great albums!
Great times in music👌
8th grade headed to high school. The bands you list…oh my God. It took me until college 4 years later but 100%
Those were the good old days, being in high school, listening to Joe Jackson, Blondie, The Cars, Cheap Trick, The Knack, albums, cassettes, Sony Walkmans, priceless memories.
I was a bit too young to see JJ in his early days but as he comes from my part of the world, Portsmouth, England, he is very gracious and does a “home gig” so have been fortunate to see him in recent years 🎹
Right from the very beginning, Joe Jackson was the consummate singer, song writer, arranger, musician, band leader and The Total Showman and he has only sharpened his Genius over the next four + decades...Brilliant!!!
I was about 24 when this came out. Man I knew that feeling and had asked myself that question so many times . LOVED that first line, 'Pretty girls out walk'n with gorillas on my street" Just hit the nail on the head,. Perfect Joe. Thanks.
Was actually what I used to think
You're not alone, man.
How young he looks, I was 16 when this came out , and he looked like an old dude to me back then, great song
I was 16 too. I also saved and bought the album.
I was 18, full of acne, no confidence, socially awkward. I heard this song on the radio and wept. When you hear a song that hits you in the soul with exactly what you're going through at the time.
I was born in 79'! and was very lucky to experience and be precocious enough appreciate his music in the 80's. I was so damn young but I thought the world of his music and absolutely nothing has changed. I was enthralled immediately with his creativity and talent. I think he's one of the most underappreciated, unheralded all time talents. He had some commercial success but mainstream enthusiasm wasn't there like he deserved, like he was over people's heads. The wonder and magic of his music was never fully embraced by the masses but the fans he did touch he changed their lives in powerful ways, real special connection. He really showed what the power of beautiful meaningful poignant music can be. He will always be an all time favorite and I am grateful for him 🙏. And I love sharing such touching sentiment with others. You are loved. God bless.
@Mike Bailey Long from now, history will tell the matter of fact story of the selfish and evil, plotting and scheming with cleverness and ingenuity in desperate attempts against fellow men to rule, only to fall in futility to the true context of man against their Creator. Everything seems so possible to the plotters now, all plans so reachable. But how they lack awareness. As finite beings the fullness of reality is in context of the Infinite One.
@Mike Bailey If you can have strong faith in these times you will have proved yourself to truly have faith. The Lord's life proves we are all tested to the absolute utmost. So prove yourself to everyone, including yourself. We are here to build our records.
@@charlesware5767 Great comments. But I'm curious how you guys got on *that* subject.
@Mike Bailey KiZZ , i was made for loving you album , REO speed wagon 9 lives ,,,
I said this over and over during high school.😂
Best live version❤
Sooo young...
"Learnt more from a 3 minute record, than we ever learnt in school"
As another favourite artist of mine, once sung
Joe Jackson has a really good talented awesome singing voice
I love that Jackson ran back to the keyboard! He was the epitome of cool for my era, about 1980.
Killer version of his first smash hit. That Graham Maby bass riff is tight.
Jackson is reminiscent of Rundgren. Huge talents worth being discovered again and again.
I was just thinking that.
Oh my god that was wonderful to hear again.
Joe Jackson gave us some piano at the end after singing lead. Now that's a band leader and team player at the same time!!!!!
Best opening line of any song, hands down!
Such a top artist and people don't come to listen to his songs very often anymore. It's really a shame. This says more about humanity than the genius himself.
What an awesome performance, full live singing, no lip syncing, and Cowntdown used to rock!
I remember this song from the local roller skating rink in the early 80s. A video arcade down the street was the after party. Good times.
1979, and I was 15.
This was one of the songs we all listened to, along with Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall and Blondies Atomic.
Happy times.
Can completely relate Euan👍
@@seangallactico11 Thanks for writing, best wishes.
E X A C T L Y ! ! ! ! Blondie's Eat To The Beat Album!
Same age, same songs. Great memories.
@szs voc That is a very enlightening comment.
Joe Jackson is a newwave ICON wow. Incredible energy
Did the UK have a factory putting out badass music groups like Joe Jackson, I've lost count.
Yes. Yes. They did.
I remember Joe and his brother Stephen as a kid when he used to visit his grandad Walter at Swadlincote in South Derbyshire. A distant cousin!!
I saw Joe at Great Adventure Park in New Jersey on the I'm the Man Tour back in the day. Good time, good show, great memory. He's always been true to himself in his music. Much respect.
I'd give anything to hear Joe do the entire 80-86 live album with all three versions of this song. So much greatness. Different for girls. Real men. It all still gives me chills. You were such a huge part of my life. Saw him live once. Dream come true. Thanks to Boo Radley (Bob Bradley) for coming along.
Great song. Might be the best opening verse of a song, ever.
I was 15 in 1980 too . Great tune
This is incredible. He was categorized as New Wave and it helped him get started but this band is killing me.
The guy has made a hit album in every musical jonra,...I cant think of anybody else who's done that
King of real punk.
Back in the days when music was still music, damned great song!
You know comments like that make me realize that people don't understand what the hell music is or that music advances with the times, and your kids are going to be saying the same thing about music when they were kids. Musical elitism is kind of bullshit, and people who believe in it are kind of stupid. Sorry. And before you say that I like shitty music, my favorite band is Weather Report. Piss off
@@kalelvigil1510 Exactly. If someone thinks "today's music" is uniformly crap, then they're not looking deep enough.
@@RicardoRandom691 that's the fun part about music nowadays. You have the whole internet to go through, it is your oyster and your mission to find what you like :)
Ricardo - The thing is, going back some years you didn't have to. (look deep)
Now you have to mine deeply for it.
60s, 70s etc, there was plenty of good music coming out all the time.
music is still great. You're just old.
Really swell performance of a classic song. Love me some Joe Jackson! ❤☮🌎
Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello and Graham Parker the trifecta.
One of the greatest debut LPs in rock history... I saw Joe Jackson live around 1980 - great show. Very talented guy.
The best opening line in any song ever
‘They say that looks don’t count for much, so there goes your proof.’ That is one of the classic lines in all of rock n roll.
It better be. He told a story once about how a black guy almost attacked him over it
Oh my dog, yes!
God I love Joe Jackson. So damned talented. What can't he do?
@@rosaceusborgogne5517 touche
Plenty, but it’s not what he can’t do that’s the point....it’s what he can do and that’s rock.✌🏾
@@rosaceusborgogne5517 Anthrax covered "Got the time", close enough for you?
I played this album over and over. Joe Jackson - a unique talent!
I have had to replace my copy several times due to wear!
@@lokisan100 I'm due for a replacement too! Mine slid across the backseats before I could get it back in its case. Scratched!
@@jeanharper9683 Oh no! I buy these in tiplicate, one for work, one for car and one for home!
@@lokisan100 I don't drive anymore, I'm retired, so one will do me!
The song that got me hooked on Joe Jackson back in 1979 just great music
Great music. I remember when the album Look Sharp came out. Brilliant stuff.
He said 'came out' haha
@@VanPebble Oh dear!
Joe is a such a woefully underappreciated musician.
oh bullshit
@@edrader How often do people talk about him?
Bullshit indeed.
@Wayne M I do not.
My point is that too few people appreciate his talent.
I like Joe quite a lot, and this song in particular.
@Wayne M I was 12.
How often do you hear him getting airplay these days?
I rest my case.
I saw Joe Jackson in concert here in Rome in March 2019, still very fit, even if now he is sitting at the piano... it was exciting.
I was thinking I didn't remember Joe on Countdown.
OK, wrong Countdown... 🤣🤣🤣
I rem playing this over n o er as a heartbroken 25yr old in 79
Thank you! Great post! Miss the days of actual talent.
Oh for the days of car radios and vinyl. This song gives me the same smile as the day it came out. What an absolute gem of a pop song. Joe carved out the career that made him happiest (I hope) and played pretty much every popular genre but give me his first two albums as exemplars of well-crafted pop and rock.
great vocals
Summer of 79, I was 16, got my drivers license and ran a grader and listened to AM Radio. In addition to this song, the most memorable tunes were "Let Go the Line" by Max Webster , "Gold" by John Stewart and Stevie Nicks, and "Chuck E's in Love'' by Ricky Lee Jones. "The Warriors" was in theatres, and the first punk and new wave records made it to my shithole hick home town. That really was a great time. RIP Danny.
This is flippin' amazing!
Joe Jackson is so unique and so cool ! No one else like him ❤
When I was a kid in school listening to this I thought he looked so old then, damn he looks like a kid now LOL .... but what an incredible talent
Great song in the bars then and still great now. Everyone knew the words, and that beat. I remember it well and fondly. This was a fantastic song for us that are older now and we zoom back to that club seen. Can't replace it, and won't try.
Thanks for posting this I saw them in concert in the States they played at a college not far from where I lived at the time. This song was all over the radio at the time along with Sunday Paper, what a fun night. Many don't realize how tall he is until you see him in person he towers over the stage very talented guy.,
I sometimes listen to 80s jams to calm my restless soul
he caputered 1980s gen x teen angst with this song...the 1980s great times!
i remember back in 90s this was a crowd chiller when in clubs during chucking out??? Joe Jackson is a LEGEND
He was a very good songwriter/pop singer. "Is she really going out with him" is the only song I know him for. Legend? No.
@@johnkuipers7829 You're missing out mate
@@johnkuipers7829 isn't it a tad solipsistic to say he's not a legend because you only know him for one song?
Saw Joe do the 'Robot' version of this live. He had all the band members line up across the stage and move with jerky motions as they played. He likes to mix things up a bit when performing this number. The man is a perfectionist and can produce a perfect sound in the most challenging venues.
His memoir is *wonderful*
I was blown away. This is the only version I need now.
A brilliant performer, simple as that. One of the best of the much maligned 1980s.
First time watching this, I'll have to watch this over and over.
SO glad I got to see him live, his band was great.
Night and Day show at the Greek , La was historic . Perfect in every way . The energy was to the limit . I know as Iam a Vet of so many great shows from 60s to the 2000s
Very much enjoying this in lockdown 2020. Great singer and Artist JJ.
They say that looks don't count for nothing, there goes your proof. GREAT!!!!!
Loved the bass tone Graham Maby has on the "Look Sharp" and "I'm the Man" albums.
It was an Ibanez Silver Series bass like this one www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1977-ibanez-silver-series-lawsuit-50561895 (I used to play one - not like he could though). I understand that it was strung with black flat wound strings and more often played with a pick. Not 100% sure of the amp used, but I believe it was an old Fender amp. The story goes that he finally sold only a few years ago to a Dutch guy.
@@RossG61 Look Sharp is 40% Joe Jackson, 45% drums, 46% bass.
Dude is a beast. Anybody ever tells you real bass players don’t use picks, two words for em. Graham Maby
AWESOME live version!
Real original top artists, artists they were in the 80s. After that, good songs were also brought every now and then. But in the 80's it was top music every day. Especially with this artist. Real respect for him! What a music, what a voice, and what a lyrics. RESPECT!
Saw him in '82 when they did the a capella version. Awesome.
...Ahh, the beauty of the days gone by...🎵🙏
Love Joe so much. What a unique artist.
I have always had a tremendous crush on Joe Jackson. He has a charisma that is timeless ❤
I knew him well back in the day...a different kinda cat. One of a kind., unforgettable.
I remember this in the Summer of 79 was 12 years old. Not too far off Saturday Night Fever and all the Soft Rock. This record made it to Top 40 Radio and with the minimal production just stuck out like nothing else at the time and to my 12 year old ears sounded like nothing I heard before.
So talented
!What a song¡ What a band.
he is just too cool ~ this version is sweet. That Gibson Firebird is super sweet ~ hardly saw anyone in this era play those!
hey now Thats actually a Gibson RD... note the headstock
@@jamesmilardo5694 hey dude can you tell me who that guitar player is or did Joe get mixed up ?
summer of '79, a great decade!
Same here, summer of 1979 & the whole of the year were great for me. 16 years old & loads of brilliant music.
In the day it hurt. Still does after years
I remember this song, but I always though it was Micheal's Dad, I never knew there was another Joe Jackson until a few years ago. Cool song, lots of fun memories.
Musical genius enough said about the man!!
A Classic, thanks
Oh the 80 .Love Joe Jackson I had just turned 20 .And I moved to London Oh the Good Times
had a band in grade 8, this was our song, (we sucked ass at the time) still do, but love the song just the same
Like Joe, I'm 19 forever.
Love you Joe!
this is art spiti song , as as small guy , allways loved this , God Bless .....................................................
I was 13 when this song came on the radio!
The only punk musicians who could play their instruments
Fabulous song and performance, love this and thanks for upload, great stuff!
What a cool cool band 😊
God long lost song In the back of my mind. Great to relive it
If ever there was a song that was better suited for a club than an arena, this is it, here we are.