He started off learning to play the violin but soon switched to piano. From the age of 16 he played in bars, and won a scholarship to study musical composition at London's Royal Academy of Music. Jackson did not like the prospect of being a serious composer, and moved towards pop and rock.
His first band was Arms and Legs which collapsed after two unsuccessful singles. He then spent some time in the cabaret circuit to make money to record his own demos.
In 1978 a producer heard his tape, and got him signed to A&M Records. The album Look Sharp! was recorded straight away, and was released in 1979, quickly followed by I'm the Man and Beat Crazy in 1980. He also collaborated with Lincoln Thompson in reggae crossover.
The Joe Jackson Band was very successful and toured extensively. After the breakup of the band, Joe took a break and recorded an album of old-style swing and blues tunes, Jumpin' Jive, featuring songs of Cab Calloway, Lester Young, Glenn Miller, and most prominently, Louis Jordan. He went on to record Night and Day, an album that paid tribute to the wit and style of Cole Porter (and less directly, to New York City) and was his last album to hit the Top 10, peaking at #4.
He recorded another record that was heavily influenced by jazz, pop and jazz standards, and salsa, Body and Soul, which hit #20, containing the hit You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want).
Jackson followed with Big World, a three-sided double record (the fourth side consisted of a single centring groove and a label stating "there is no music on this side"). The instrumental Will Power set the stage for things to come later, but before he left pop behind he put out two more cerebral and celebratory albums, Blaze of Glory and Laughter and Lust. For some years he drifted away from the pop style, going on to be signed by Sony Classical in 1997, which released his Symphony No. 1 in 1999 for which he received a Grammy award.
Night and Day II in 2000 lacked strong pop hooks though, as usual with Jackson, displayed fine lyrics and some elegant songwriting. Volume 4 in 2003 reunited the original band and was well received. A promotional CD, bundled with the initial release, of the 'live' band playing some of Jackson's strongest material was widely admired.
Jackson is also an author, having written A Cure for Gravity, published in 1999, which Jackson has described as a "book about music, thinly disguised as a memoir". It traces his early musical life from childhood until his 24th birthday. Life as a pop star, he suggested, was hardly worth writing about.
In 2004 Jackson performed a cover of Common People with William Shatner for Shatner's album Has Been.
He has actively campaigned against smoking bans in both the USA and the UK, writing a 2005 pamphlet The Smoking Issue and issuing a satirical song (In 20-0-3) on the subject.
In 2008 the album Rain was released by Joe Jackson. Like its predecessor Volume 4, it featured members of the 'Joe Jackson Band', this time minus guitarist Gary Sanford.
Currently he lives in Kreuzberg, Germany.
Discography:
1979 - Look Sharp!
1979 - I'm The Man
1980 - Beat Crazy
1981 - Jumpin' Jive
1982 - Night and Day
1983 - Mike’s Murder, (Soundtrack)
1984 - Body and Soul
1986 - Big World
1987 - Will Power
1988 - Live 1980/86
1988 - Tucker, (Soundtrack)
1989 - Blaze of Glory
1991 - Laughter & Lust
1994 - Night Music
1997 - Heaven and Hell
1999 - Symphony No. 1
2000 - Summer in the City: Live in New York
2000 - Night and Day II
2002 - Two Rainy Nights, (Live)
2004 - Volume 4
2004 - Afterlife, (Live)
2008 - Rain
2011 - Live Music, (Live)
2012 - The Duke
Got The Time
Joe Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got another man to see
Got to call him on the telephone
Got to find a piece of paper
Sit down, got another letter to write
Think I'll got to get the letter just right
There's a ringing on the telephone
No such day as tomorrow, only one two three go!
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
If I tell you what I'm doing today
Will you shut up and get out of my way?
Someone asked me what the time is,
I don't know
Only know I gotta go now
No time - trying to get a watch repaired
No time - never got a thing to wear
Hear the ringin' of the telephone no no
Hear a ringin' in my head now
No such thing as tomorrow, only one two three go!
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
In Joe Jackson's "Got The Time," the lyrics tell the story of a busy day in the life of a person. The day begins with an alarm clock ringing, signifying that there is another day to navigate through. The singer has a lot to do, including seeing a man, making a phone call, and writing a letter.
The song emphasizes the fleeting nature of time, as the character feels the pressure of deadlines and the ongoing ticking of a clock in their head. There is no time to waste, with no such thing as tomorrow, only "one two three go!" The song then repeats the phrase "got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head" to emphasize the importance of staying on schedule and making the most out of time.
The song speaks to the stress and pressure of modern life, where time management is vital to getting everything accomplished. It's a relatable story that reminds listeners to keep moving forward, even when everyday life feels chaotic and overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, got another day to get through now
I have just started my new day which is full of tasks and to-do's that I need to complete.
Got another man to see
I have an appointment or a meeting with someone else today which I need to attend.
Got to call him on the telephone
I need to communicate with the person I need to meet on the phone to confirm and discuss the details of the meeting.
Got to find a piece of paper
I need to find a piece of paper to write down important notes or reminders of the tasks I have to do today.
Sit down, got another letter to write
I need to write a letter and to do so I need to sit down and focus on getting the message right.
Think I'll got to get the letter just right
I am focused on writing the letter correctly and making sure the message is clear and concise.
There's a ringing on the telephone
The phone is ringing and I need to answer it to attend to whatever business or task is being asked of me.
Oh no, got to write a little later
I need to continue writing the letter later because I have to attend to other tasks for now.
No such day as tomorrow, only one two three go!
There is no such thing as tomorrow, today is the only time I have to get anything done and I need to work on my goals effectively by utilizing every minute.
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
I am constantly aware of the passage of time and how it is moving quickly with each passing moment.
If I tell you what I'm doing today
If I explain to you the list of tasks I need to accomplish today,
Will you shut up and get out of my way?
would you stop interfering and let me work in peace?
Someone asked me what the time is, I don't know
Someone asked me the time, but I don't have a watch on me to check.
Only know I gotta go now
I am only aware that I have to leave now to get to my next appointment or task on time.
No time - trying to get a watch repaired
I don't have time for anything extra, but I need to get my watch fixed.
No time - never got a thing to wear
I don't have time to buy or choose clothes to wear, despite not having anything suitable.
Hear the ringin' of the telephone no no
I can hear that the phone is ringing, but I cannot stop to pick it up right now.
Hear a ringin' in my head now
I am so busy and distracted that I can hear the ringing in my head even when the phone is not actually ringing.
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
The passage of time is constantly on my mind, causing me stress and anxiety.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ian Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Schulpantalker
Got The Time By Joe Jackson
Wake up, got another day to get
Through now, got another man to see
Gotta call him on the telephone AY-O
Gotta find a piece of paper
Sit down, got another letter to write
Think hard, gotta get a letter just right
Little ringin' on the telephone oh no,
Gotta write another letter
No such thing as tomorrow
All we want, Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
If I, tell ya what I'm doing today
Will you, shut up and get out of my way
Someone ask me what the time is, I don't know
Only know I gotta know now
No time, tryin' ta get a watch repaired
No time, never got a thing to wear
Little ringin' on the telephone
Oh no, hear a ringin' in my head now
No such thing as tomorrow
All we want, Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
No such thing as tomorrow
All we want, Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
Danel DanSar
Wake up,got another day to get.
Through now,got another man to see.
Gotta call him on the telephone,
Gotta find a piece of paper.
Sit down, got another letter to write.
Think hard,gotta get a letter just right.
Little ringing on the telephone, wo no.
Gotta write another letter.
No such thing as tomorrow, all we want...
(two three go!)
Got the time tick, tick, tickin' in my head.
Ticking in my head
If I tell you what i'm doing today,
will you shut up and get out of my way?
Someone asked me what the time is,
I don't know only know I gotta go now.
No time, tryin' to get a watch repaired.
No time, never got a thing to wear.
Little ringing on the telephone, wo no.
Hear a ringing in my head now
No such thing as tomorrow, all we want...
(two three go!)
Got the time tick, tick, tickin' in my head.
Ticking in my head
GonsalvoDeCordova
Cannot believe that for all these decades I had no idea the Anthrax version was a cover. I own Joe Jackson vinyl, just not this. Wow. Never too late to learn.
mtemps 79
Not only is it a cover - it’s a pretty faithful one as well. They didn’t change much at all
MetalForTheMasses
Oh yeah, Anthrax's setlist consist of almost 50% covers, almost 40 years into their career..
mtemps 79
MetalForTheMasses By 50%, you mean 2.
LaserGadgets
SOME DUDE JUST TOLD ME >< because I wrote "its one of those anthraxiest anthrax songs". Googled it, and here I am. Dammit :<
JP
Me neither.. I was not aware the anthrax versión was a cover and so is Anthrax's antisocial...
Al Roman
Been a fan of Joe Jackson since the late 70’s, met hm at a College Radio convention in NY before the Look sharp album dropped. We got advanced copies, I played his album to death on air and at home. This is one my favorite songs. Later as an adult, I got to see him in concert in Poughkeepsie NY, many bands came there to work out the bugs before touring. I was blown away. You can tell he’s a perfectionist, won’t settle for anything less than perfection in execution of his works. I’m thankful I came of age during the 80’s. Grateful my hearing somehow survived the decibel abuse so I can still blast the guitar solo towards the end of Got the Time. Just like I’m doing right now as I type this. CRANK IT UP!!!!!
bottomburp
Absolutely love the Anthrax version because I'm a metalhead, but this original version is pretty damn good too. never heard the original version till today.
Heroin Mom
Same here!
TitanFind
Maby was (and is) a great bassist.