it's just so good, so good, when i get a chance to take a break from the world and catch up with what you're doing. "we're gonna keep pushin. all we can do." hell yah! that's the spirit, man. rock on. love this Joe Jackson reaction ... he's got some incredible deep cuts too -- "Cancer," "Sunday Papers," so many others. peace & inspiration be with you
When he calls them gorillas, he just means they're big strong muscle guys - unlike him, who is a skinny music nerd. Really, he's picking on himself in this song as much or more than he picks on the guys the girls he wants are dating. But for reals, EVERY song on this same album Look Sharp is a classic. One of the most underrated classic albums of all time.
You are correct. It was a term used in London at the time. Same as cheeky monkey was used. It's easy to understand the misunderstanding even in those days.
@@josephself2610 A&M released a special 10", 2-record set of "Look Sharp" (I don't think it was a promo), with a little hole in the lower right-hand corner of the cover that held a tiny "Look Sharp" black button (with white print) in it! Did you ever have that one? Late '70s, record companies were coloring records, making die-cut records, making 'em smaller, swirling colors, making 'em smell like stuff (rubber, strawberries, raspberries)!
I saw Joe Jackson a few years ago at The Calgary Folk Festival (really) and at the "look over there." the entire audience shouted the "Where?" and sang along the chorus. Folk music sure enough.
A minimalist New Wave song recorded with his band, "Is She Really Going Out With Him" was Joe Jackson's amusing commentary on hot girls hooking up with butt-ugly dudes. Jackson makes this clear in the marvelous opening line, "Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street." In a Songfacts interview with Joe Jackson, he explained that the song was written with a humor that was lost on some listeners. Said Jackson: "That is just one of those songs that started with the title. I heard that phrase somewhere and I thought that could be a kind of funny song about gorgeous girls going out with monsters. It just started from there. It was just a funny song, or supposed to be funny. It was a great surprise to me when some people interpreted it as being angry."
Speaking of minimalism in New Wave! One of my favorite examples is the B52's Planet Claire, especially a tv appearance that you can fine at "B52s Planet Claire FULL HQ Restored best version" Classic B52's with minimal instrumentation. Also, anything by early DEVO.
Brother, you are southern...thats what we all say...bless his heart, he weren't raised right. That time you spent with your grandparents still shows.😀😀😀
Joe's a classically trained pianist, was a big part of new-wave music and recorded albums in several genres! Check out his "Look Sharp", "One More Time", and "Sunday Papers",
Joe Jackson is a genius. And one of the best performers I have ever seen. This is one of my favorite top-down driving songs. Too much fun! I recommend “I’m The Man” next because the lyrics are killer and it rocks like a mother!
One of my favorite Joe Jackson tunes is "Fools In Love". The killer bass line, poppin' percussion, and crisp guitar riff provide a smooth background for his vocals and piano.
I fell off my bed when you lost it at the gorillas lyric. I'm still laughing. 😂🤣😂🤣 Your laugh is so contagious! I've heard this song before a long time ago, but I was too little to pick up on the metaphors - I actually thought there were women walking their gorillas on leashes. Hahaha 😄
This is also clearly the pain you can feel when a girl has left you and you hear she has a new man or you see her with a new man. A "gorilla" is a an extremely muscular/buff person,
"Pretty women out walkin' with gorillas down my street" - Paints a real picture, don't it! That line has stuck with me 40+ years. Your laugh was right on queue. Love that beat.
Glad you're discovering Joe Jackson, brother! Not too many reactors cover his material. I used to follow his discography all through the 80's as his music can be very eclectic but at the same time interesting. He's a multi-instrumentalist and classically trained on the piano (plays a decent sax too!). Started with new-wave/neo-punk music and went on to big-band, jazz, pop, synth-tech, right on to classical music. His lyrics are witty with the occasional touch of cynicism but very honest and truthful, especially when it came to the ballads. Now you got me to go back to my JJ collection!! 😀👍
That opening line always conjures a funny image in my head. I love Joe Jackson so much! I always interpreted it to be not so much cold, but more that he's hurt that the girl he likes is going out with the jock, and Joe is obviously not a jock. It's him putting down the other guy to make him feel better about himself.
Your laughter is so infectious and genuine. You are proof that smooth songs should be nothing but fun. Don't over think them and just appreciate and enjoy them. Thank you.
This song always appealed to me for some reason. I really love it. The line about Jeanie and her new boyfriend always gives me a chuckle. Just a great song.
Man, there are so many songs of Joe's to be heard. Here's my Top 10 for today: 1) Got The Time 2) The Other Me 3) Another World 4) Real Men 5) The Verdict 6) Man In the Street 7) Fairy-Dust 8)Take It Like A Man 9) Different for Girls 10) Beat Crazy. There is so much!!!!!!!!!!! A little trivia: Joe didn't play this song for over 20 years because he was so angry at the idea that this song would be what he would be remembered for. He doesn't love it. He performs it now, but I don't know how often. I have seen him 13 times and he's NEVER disappointed. Neil Peart was a HUGE Joe Jackson fan.
Joe put out 5 or 6 Lp's in a row first two were new wave/pub rock he then ventured into Jazz, one was inspired by Cole Porter he has even produced Classical music. Not much on the charts these days because he isn't really writing music for the pop charts anymore. Along with Elvis Costello one of the finest songwriters to come out of the UK from the late 70's early 80's. Check out the live videos of I'm The Man from his second record. His early band was one of the tightest performing bands out there at the time. PS, please do a reaction to Peter Gabriels song Biko
Joe Jackson is one of the best live perforemers ever. His concerts are fantastic. Every time he visit Hamburg, about 10 times over the last 20 years (he lives in Berlin) I catch a ticket and listen. Last time he had a special support for the Joe Jackson Band concert. His support gig was: "Joe Jackson solo" He played some songs of his great new album before he started the "real" concert
I heard that phrase somewhere and I thought that could be a kind of funny song about gorgeous girls going out with monsters. It just started from there. It was just a funny song, or supposed to be funny. It was a great surprise to me when some people interpreted it as being angry. - Joe Jackson, Songfacts
You going thru Joe Jacksons catalog makes me SO HAPPY. Joe Jackson was like...one of the first artists I remembering hearing, on my Dad's stereo. Dad to this day loves him some New Wave/Punk and now so do I...and this album is just...THE BEST. Ahhhh, im so happy lol. I've been hoping some reactor would check out Joe Jackson beyond his hits and from the YT suggestions it seems like you have. Please...please continuing being you. You are a awesome human being
I really love his voice. Joe has a real slick style. That opening line is catching! The beat is definitely one you can keep pace with! Good reaction Jamel!
YAAAS!! So glad you are getting to Joe Jackson! Please, Please, PLEASE, keep delving into his catalog. There's lots of videos of live performances that are brilliant!
This takes me back to being a 16 year old, loved this album. Played it so much one summer, alternated with Station to Station by Bowie, Led Zepp, the Who and The Jam.
Incredible live artist, still going (on tour beginning of next year) and has made many incredible albums over the years...which, of course, didn't get any radio play :( I do a feature on my Saturday radio show on Radio Free Phoenix called, "He's The Man" where I play two tracks back to back from each album in chronological order...it's been going for months now and every song is top class. :)
I loved this song back in the late seventies (79) to be exact.. it had everything.. a great beat and a great voice.. your reaction threw me back a bit.. but, this is your channel and you can react anyway you want. I respect that.. ✌️
My 1st experience seeing Joe Jackson….opened for The Who…I was 13…the hammered guy next to me throws an apple and hits Joe in the head as he’s performing……concert almost got cancelled…but lucky for me….it wasn’t. Classic tune right here
When I was a young kid, we lived in a diverse neighborhood. We moved to a predominantly white area when I was 11 ( it was a real shock for me) and this was the way people described an ugly guy with a good-looking girl. I never realized that was the opening line until now. This has always been my favorite song he did.
Love Joe Jackson. This is one of his early ones, very different and cool song when it came out. If you want to react to another one I suggest " Can't get what you want " lots of horns n stuff very instrumental, well arranged.
Great lyricist. I always love these lines (from "Hit Single"): And when I die and go to pure pop heaven, the angels will gather around. And ask me for my whole life story, and ask for that fabulous sound. But I know they're gonna stop me as I start going through every line, and say 'Please, not the whole damn album. Nobody has that much time! Please... Just the hit single'
I thought my husband was the only man that walks to the outside when we are walking somewhere! If we are watching a show and a couple jumps into the bed he yells aren't you going to take a bath first!!!!! Great pick and reaction!
When I heard Anthrax's cover of "Got the Time", I immediately bought "Persistence Of Time", and discovered a band I wouldn't have checked out otherwise. Then I heard their cover of Pipeline and so I had to get "Attack of the Killer B's" as well.
