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
Sunday Papers
Joe Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just sits at home and rolls her spastic eyes
But every weekend through the door
Come words of wisdom from the world outside
If you want to know 'bout the bishop and the actress
If you want to know how to be a star
If you want to know 'bout the stains on the mattress
Sunday papers
Mother's wheelchair stays out in the hall
Why should she go out when the TV's on?
Whatever moves beyond these walls
She'll know the facts when Sunday comes along
If you want to know 'bout the mad punk rockers*
If you want to know how to play guitar
If you want to know 'bout any other suckers
You can read it in the Sunday papers
Read it in the Sunday papers
Sunday papers, don't ask no questions
Sunday papers, don't get no lies
Sunday papers, don't raise objections
Sunday papers, ain't got no eyes
Brother's headin' that way now, I guess
He just read somethin', made his face turn blue
Well I got nothin' 'gainst the press
They wouldn't print it if it wasn't true
If you want to know 'bout the gay politician (oh yeah!)
If you want to know how to drive your car
If you want to know 'bout the new sex position
You can read it in the Sunday papers
Read it in the Sunday papers
Sunday papers, don't ask no questions
Sunday papers, don't get no lies
Sunday papers, don't raise objections
Sunday papers, ain't got no eyes
Sunday papers, don't ask no questions
Sunday papers, don't get no lies
Sunday papers, don't raise objections
Sunday papers, ain't got no eyes
Read all about it, Sunday papers
Get your Sunday paper, get your Sunday paper, get your
Joe Jackson's song "Sunday Papers" is a cynical commentary on the sensationalism and shallowness of the media, and the way it has replaced real-life experiences for people like the singer's mother who doesn't leave her house anymore. The lyrics depict a person who is disconnected from the outside world but gains knowledge of it from the Sunday papers. The song refers to various topics, ranging from the bishop and the actress to punk rockers, gay politicians, and new sex positions.
The first verse describes the mother who is confined to her home and gains her knowledge of the outside world through the Sunday papers. The second verse describes the brother who is influenced by the sensationalist and often alarming news he reads in the papers. The chorus repeats that the Sunday papers don't ask questions, don't get lies, don't raise objections, and don't have eyes. The lyrics sarcastically suggest that the Sunday papers are an infallible source of truth, and people believe everything they read without questioning it.
The song's ironic tone is reinforced by the upbeat music and catchy melody, which contrast with the dark lyrics. The song uses a rockabilly style with a driving rhythm, and Jackson's distinctive voice adds to the song's energy and urgency.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother doesn't go out anymore
The mother is confined to her home, and she no longer ventures outside.
Just sits at home and rolls her spastic eyes
Mother is unbearably bored and restless, and she strolls her eyes around in desperation.
But every weekend through the door
Every weekend, new things come into Mother's world through the Sunday papers.
Come words of wisdom from the world outside
The Sunday papers bring the latest and smartest information from everywhere outside the home.
If you want to know 'bout the bishop and the actress
The paper gives exclusive stories about the bishop and the actress.
If you want to know how to be a star
The paper provides valuable tips on how to become a popular figure.
If you want to know 'bout the stains on the mattress
The paper has inside scoop on the stains on the mattress.
You can read it in the Sunday papers
All these exciting pieces of information can be found only in the Sunday papers.
Mother's wheelchair stays out in the hall
The wheelchair mother uses is left in the hallway.
Why should she go out when the TV's on?
Mother has no need to leave her home since she has TV, and she can watch whatever is happening in the world.
Whatever moves beyond these walls
Everything outside the walls is out of mother's reach.
She'll know the facts when Sunday comes along
Despite being confined to her home, Mother can stay updated to new information through the Sunday papers.
If you want to know 'bout the mad punk rockers*
The papers cover crazy punk rockers in fascinating detail.
If you want to know how to play guitar
The paper provides great lessons on how to play a guitar.
If you want to know 'bout any other suckers
Other idiotic or foolish people are also showcased in the Sunday papers.
Brother's headin' that way now, I guess
Brother is slowly following Mother's example of staying updated with the world through the Sunday papers.
He just read somethin', made his face turn blue
Brother reacted to a piece of news he read in the Sunday papers, and it made him feel disturbed.
Well, I got nothin' 'gainst the press
The author has no ill will towards the press.
They wouldn't print it if it wasn't true
The paper's content would not be published if it were not verified as authentic.
If you want to know 'bout the gay politician (oh yeah!)
The paper writes about politicians who identify as gay in sensational detail.
If you want to know how to drive your car
The Sunday papers provide excellent tips on driving a car or maintaining it.
If you want to know 'bout the new sex position
The paper has the latest, most explicit details on a new sex position.
Sunday papers, don't ask no questions
The Sunday papers do not challenge their readers, do not inquire into their lives, and do not critique their opinions.
Sunday papers, don't get no lies
The Sunday papers are reliable sources of information and do not promote false narratives.
Sunday papers, don't raise objections
The Sunday papers do not spark any complaints, grievances, or criticisms.
Sunday papers, ain't got no eyes
The Sunday papers are not sentient and cannot gaze upon their readers or perceive their emotions.
Read all about it, Sunday papers
Readers can devour all the latest and juiciest stories from all over the world through the Sunday papers.
Get your Sunday paper, get your Sunday paper, get your
The author is urging the readers to go out and purchase their copy of the Sunday papers.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ian Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind