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
Steppin' Out
Joe Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes
We
So tired of all the darkness in our lives
Can come alive
Get into a car and drive
To the other side
Me babe, steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe, steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
We
Are young but getting old before our time
We'll leave the T.V. and the radio behind
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Steppin' out tonight
You
Can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while
If you follow me
Me babe, steppin' out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe, steppin' out
Into the night
Into the light
In "Steppin' Out," Joe Jackson captures the excitement of a couple taking a break from their routine and heading out into the night to explore the city lights. The opening lines reveal that the duo is sitting in a car, looking out of the misty window. The neon lights shining through the fog hint at the thrill of what's to come. The lines "Electricity so fine/Look and dry your eyes" suggest that the buzz of the city is exhilarating, but it's also intense enough to make one's eyes water. They are both tired of the darkness in their lives and have no more angry words to say, indicating that they are ready to escape their mundane routine and have a little adventure.
The chorus of the song - "Me babe, steppin out/Into the night/Into the light/You babe, steppin out/Into the night/Into the light" - is repetitive and straightforward, echoing the thrill of taking a step out of one's comfort zone and into unknown territory – whether it's exploring a new city or embarking on a relationship. The lyrics are full of youthful optimism; the idea that even though the couple knows they're growing old too quickly, they still have the courage to venture out and discover something new. It's interesting to note that the song was released in 1982, the beginning of the MTV era, and the video reflects that with its futuristic visuals and edgy fashion.
Line by Line Meaning
Now
At present moment
The mist across the window hides the lines
The fog that's settled on the glass obstructs the view of the city skyline.
But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine
Despite the foggy atmosphere, the colorful electric lights still light up the city.
Electricity so fine
The electricity that powers the city's lights is amazing.
Look and dry your eyes
Take a look at the beautiful view and stop crying.
We
Us or me and my partner
So tired of all the darkness in our lives
We're sick of being unhappy.
With no more angry words to say
We've said everything we need to say.
Can come alive
We can be happy and enjoy life.
Get into a car and drive
Let's take a drive and enjoy the night.
To the other side
To something better or to change our circumstances.
Me babe, steppin out
I am stepping out of my comfort zone.
Into the night
Going out at night.
Into the light
Into a happier and brighter life.
You babe, steppin out
My partner is also stepping out of their comfort zone.
We
Us or me and my partner
Are young but getting old before our time
We feel like we're getting old and tired even though we're still young.
We'll leave the T.V. and the radio behind
We'll leave the things that make us unhappy behind.
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Aren't you curious about what's out there for us?
Steppin' out tonight
We're going out tonight to explore and enjoy life.
You
My partner
Can dress in pink and blue just like a child
You can wear whatever you want and be carefree like a child.
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
And in a taxi, you can turn to me and smile because we're happy.
We'll be there in just a while
We'll arrive at our destination soon.
If you follow me
If you trust me and stick with me.
Me babe, steppin' out
I am stepping out of my comfort zone.
Into the night
Going out at night.
Into the light
Into a happier and brighter life.
You babe, steppin' out
My partner is also stepping out of their comfort zone.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ian Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@taofledermaus
Early 80's and this playing on MTV a couple times an hour it seemed. Good times.
@kirkcekada5637
This is one of the first videos I ever saw -- while staying at a friend's house who had MTV. The song and the video are both held up extremely well. Can't be said for all videos of that era.
@johnnysinger2653
TAOFLEDERMAUS funny how MTV stopped rock videos , then Vh1
The competition was on Saturdays soul train!
Barely remember the 80s
@F15ElectricEagle
@TAOFLEDERMAUS
Agreed, BTW,... planning to shoot any new custom designed shotgun slug soon?
@timmccreary2672
MTV WAS AWESOME!!! especially head bangers ball
@andrewluchsinger
Back when MTV was good. Not the crap that goes on now.
@toddforhetz
I am 62 and have tears in my eyes as I listen to this .... remembering back to a different time, a time of my youth. Everything back then was new and exciting. I had energy enough to light New York at night. Life was fun, going out was an experience, and life was full of promise. I was young, good looking, and ready to face the world. ............. I miss those days ............
@christystewart4567
In my case it was San Francisco.
@hindlewalker9330
Yes 69 now but can relate to what you are saying .from Yorkshire .England.
@djsubculture2786
I remember clubbing until the club closed and then hanging out by the beach until the sun came up. I was living in Hawaii at the the time.
What I wouldn't give to relive those days.