Within the autumn of 1978, there was loads of buzz on the post-punk, new wave UK music scene about Joe Jackson. The classically-trained singer, songwriter and pianist from Portsmouth arrived with some highly effective melodies and cutting-edge lyrics, none extra so than on his debut single “Is She Really Going Out With Him.”
The music, with a title impressed by a lyric within the Shangri-Las’ pop basic “Leader Of The Pack,” appeared to seize the frustrations of adolescent romance and attracted nice evaluations when it was launched by A&M in October 1978. What it didn’t do was hassle the charts.
Nonetheless, Jackson began the brand new yr as one to observe, and with a debut album on launch. Look Sharp hit the retailers on January 5, 1979, additionally that includes the additional good singles “Sunday Papers” and “One More Time,” which loved related press approval however few gross sales. However, as phrase of mouth concerning the album grew and Jackson promoted it with in depth UK touring, the album (produced by American David Kershenbaum) made a modest debut in March, at No.63.
With curiosity within the British new wave working excessive in America, Look Sharp then made its album chart arrival there in April. “Is She Really Going Out With Him” grew to become the US hit that had up to now eluded Jackson again residence. It climbed to No.21 on the Scorching 100, serving to the LP to a No.20 US peak and eventual gold standing. Now, the phrase was out that this distinctive British expertise was a transatlantic success, and the British media and public gave him the eye he deserved.
“Is She Really…” lastly entered the UK singles chart in August, rising to No.13 and serving to Look Sharp to a considerably improved No.40 peak in September. Wider audiences had been now having fun with the singles and the equally realizing pop of “Happy Loving Couples,” “Fools In Love,” the title observe and extra.
The footwear on the quilt, by the best way, had been by Denson, because the sleeve credit score ran — and earlier than 1979 was out, Jackson can be trying and sounding even sharper on the sophomore album I’m The Man.
Take heed to the perfect of Joe Jackson on Apple Music and Spotify.
“I’m glad people liked it, and still like it,” says Joe of Look Sharp on his web site, “though I think some of that is nostalgia and a tendency to romanticize people’s first albums, as though later ones must somehow be less ‘authentic.’ For a first album, this one’s not bad, but I was only 23 when I made it and it would be pretty weird if I didn’t think I’d done better things since.”
Purchase or stream Look Sharp.
