Melbourne, Rome. 1980s and 1990s
In 1985 I somehow came into the possession of an old TDK cassette that featured a bunch of songs that had been hastily taped off the radio. I had ‘accidentally’ acquired the tape at a recent slumber party I had attended. In most instances only parts of songs had been taped. In what confused me for many years, a Jackson Browne song inexplicably morphed into a Joe Jackson song. The catchy Jackson Browne tune Somebody’s Baby abruptly cut off just when you were getting into it. Suddenly you were listening to the sound of bouncy synth-pop and a voice that sung:
Now
The mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the colour of the lights that shine
I fell in love with this song. I just didn’t know who the artist was, nor the title of the song. In fact, for the next few years I actually thought the song was called Into The Light. The song gave me a wistful, warm feeling and made me think of a certain girl in my class. I played the song over and over in the summer of 1985-86 dreaming of a chance meeting with her. But I kept quiet about the tape. There was no way I was going to inquire as to who owned it. It was mine now.
A few years later I discovered that the song was called Steppin’ Out and the artist was Joe Jackson. At that time his new album Live 1980/86 was gracing the airwaves. There were a couple of tracks from this album which I managed to tape off the radio: an acoustic version of It’s Different For Girls, and an acapella version of Is She Really Going Out With Him? The opening line of the latter pretty much summed up my existence (and insecurity) into just nine words:
Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street
By way of chance I learnt that a school friend just happened to have the two Joe Jackson albums Night and Day and Big World. He was more than happy to lend them to me. Initially, it was Night and Day that captured my attention. I was thrilled to finally listen to Steppin’ Out in its entirety, as well as its close relative Breaking Us In Two. There was something about the melody and the chord changes that linked these two songs for me. And there was also a powerful piano ballad called Real Men that explored a range of thought-provoking topics that until then I had never contemplated. It contained the brilliant lines:
And if there’s war between the sexes
Then there’ll be no people left
Just when I was hoping he had forgotten, my friend asked for his albums back. I promised to return them the next day. I hadn’t even started on Big World – a live album of original songs. I gave it a bit of a listen that night, but struggled to connect with it. I needed more time. However, there was one song that stood out. It was called Hometown: a beautiful melody with evocative lyrics, concluding with a delightful guitar lick by Vinnie Zummo. That night I used my double cassette deck to copy and record the entire Night and Day album, as well as the song Hometown onto a 60-minute TDK cassette that I had pinched from my sister’s bedroom. This tape would serve me well for many years.
Fast forward almost a decade and I am staying at a cheap pensione in Rome. I am meeting a friend in Milan the following week, so am looking to pass the time. It’s my first time overseas. I am struggling with this country. The irritability of its inhabitants. The hawkers on every corner. I feel no connection with the land of my ancestors. There’s a couple of Irish backpackers staying in the same hostel as me. We get talking. One of them mentions that Joe Jackson is playing in Rome that night. He had seen a poster at a nearby laundromat.
“Joe Jackson is the Philip Larkin of Rock and Roll,” he says grandly. I am too embarrassed to admit I have never heard of Larkin, but later I will come to know what my fellow traveller means. Something about the brilliant wit. The irony. The dash of English cynicism. Instead of revealing my unfamiliarity with Larkin, I express that I am a Joe Jackson fan too. We make some inquiries. Perhaps we could go?
A few hours later we are sitting in a quaint little theatre in downtown Rome, awaiting the entrance of Joe Jackson. For a few seconds there is darkness, then the spotlight illuminates the frame of one Joe Jackson: resplendent in a black and white vest and bleached blonde hair, launching into some wondrous notes on his piano. But what song is this? Real Men? Breaking Us in Two? A Slow Song?
Then the penny drops … it’s Hometown. But it’s different. It’s a slower, more nostalgic version, whispering of Pachelbel’s Canon. Stunningly beautiful. Joe Jackson has the audience in the palm of his hand.
We never leave the past behind
We just accumulate
Stereo Story #541
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Enjoyable read, Damian. Regrettably, Joe Jackson seems to be a forgotten man these days – but not entirely, as your piece indicates.
Thanks Kevin. I still get a buzz out of playing my Joe Jackson albums. One of my favourite singer/songwriters. I certainly hope he tours here again soon.
Great yarn Damo, had a number of the old TDK & BASF tapes with scraps off the radio ruined by the DJ cutting in too early at the end. Underrated & somewhat forgotten, Joe Jackson is a brilliant artist.
Thanks JD. Ah, yes BASF tapes…it’s all coming back to me now. And those bloody DJs who loved the sound of their own voices.
Joe is still going strong. He was always much more than a pop singer and his back catalogue and live show encompass many different musical styles.
Thanks Damian.
Your story sure has brought back a few good memories and introduced me to a song that I didn’t know.
Night and Day would be one of my favorite albums. It’s a really clever concept album with the Night being side one and Day being side two. It is good in that the songs morph together and there is great use of Latin percussion, interesting rhythms and good songs.
Stepping Out is a great song in that it uses that 1980s bass line with analogue drum sounds with the big parallel chords on the piano. In the pre digital days that bass line was one of the first I had a go at programming on an analogue sequencer synced with a Roland drum machine! I saw Joe Jackson in about 1984 at the Olympic Pool that became Melbourne Entertainment Centre that became the Collingwood home base. Jumpin’ Jive had come out and there was a single of his out that was a duet called ‘Happy Ending’. I seem to remember people in the crowd were yelling out for that song but, as it was a duet with a female artist, I don’t remember that he even sang that one. It’s interesting that the only place in the world, I heard once, that charted Real Men as a single was Australia.
Thanks David. I’m totally with you re the Latin percussion on ‘Night and Day’, particularly on Cancer and Another World. It gets you going. I envy that you got to see him live in ’84. I have heard the duet Happy Ending. There’s another duet called Down to London from later on in the 80s which I rate very highly too. And you’re right about Real Men charting in Australia. Come to think of it, I did recall having heard it on the radio occasionally, before I borrowed the N &D album in 1988. Strange that it charted in Australia of all places. It has an anthemic quality and seems to resonate as strongly now as it did then.
Hi Damian, I enjoyed reading you memory and especially the surprise of a lifetime to be in Rome at the same time as Joe Jackson and be able to catch the show.
In an amazing turn of events Joe Jackson came to my home town of Portsmouth NH only a couple of years ago. My friend and I who were huge fans in the 80’s when we were in our early 20’s got tickets and went to see him. He was trying out some new material but graced us with many wonderful performances of the old classics including those that you mention above. What a thrill it was to revisit his songs after some 30 years or more, we found that we still knew all the words!! Most of the audience sang along with him. Though perhaps he is no longer a household word, when his albums were first coming out, I put him right along side with Elvis Costello in my listening routine. Thanks for sharing your story and bringing me back to the memory of that show in Portsmouth in summer 2018. Keep your eye out, you may find a chance to see him again too!!!
Thanks for your feedback Jean. How ironic that you are from Portsmouth – albeit the one in NH, USA. Joe Jackson’s home town just happens to be Portsmouth too – but in the UK of course – and the subject of his song ‘Home Town’ which I refer to in my piece here.
Sounds like the concert was a blast in 2018 and it’s nice to know he is still going strong. I certainly hope to catch him Downunder when he’s back on the road again. I’ve found a song he recently released called ‘Dave’ which is another gem.
Bonjour,
Francaise de 60 ans, j apprécie cie Joe Jackson depuis mes 19 ans (1979),
Nous avons tous ses disques, les premiers en vynil 😉, nous aimons toutes ces facettes, rock, pop classique, jazz, musiques de film.
Nous l avons vu 5 fois en concert l depuis 1979 mais ses tournees francaises sont rares.
Serait il possible de me fournir une version francaise de votre texte, mon anglais n est pas fameux et la traduction numérique lamentable.
Au vu des les commentaires j ai hâte te de vous lire.
Si vous pouvez le faire, merci d avance
Bonjour Arnudet. Thanks so much for your comment. I’ll try and get this translated to French for you. My wife is part French, but doesn’t speak it too well. Maybe Stereo Stories editor-in-chief Vin Maskell might know someone who can translate this into French?
Au revoir.
Damian
Une version francaise de votre texte: https://www.stereostories.com/hometown-par-joe-jackson-histoire-de-damian-balassone/
I’ve been a Joe Jackson since I was about 10, I’m The Man was one of the few albums we had when I was a kid. I’ve seen him many times over the years, most recently last year. It was a great show with lots of great songs and the stories behind them. I always keep an eye out for the next tour and will try to see him whenever he plays London.
Thanks Chris. I’m The Man is a cracking song and album. I’m envious that you’ve seen him so many times over the years. His live show (just like his many albums & soundtracks) encompass many different musical styles. He is very hard to define.
It’s 1982. My wife and I were on our way to a honeymoon retreat in the Pocono Mt. We had both been huge Joe Jackson fans since the release of I’m the Man and all his subsequent albums. As we drove up the turnpike to our honeymoon hotel, Steppin Out came on the radio. Happy loving couple singing the lyrics at full volume!! As the song ended the DJ returned to let us know Joe would be playing that night at a theater on the campus of Leigh University. We exited the turnpike at the next exit, drove into Bethleham, PA and bought the tickets. Joe performed the entire Day and Night album as well as selections from previous releases. Amazing!!! Over the years we have seen Joe perform in various venues as a solo, with the band and once with Todd Rundgren!!
His music continues to be a part of our lives 38 years later.
Thanks Damian for a great story and the reminder of how music can shape a life.
Thanks for your beautiful story Roy. How ironic is that – first hearing Steppin’ Out while on your honeymoon!
Thanks for this, Damo. How fortunate for you to be in the right place at the right time!
Joe Jackson’s “Look Sharp” is one of the defining albums of my teens. My favourite album of his is 1989’s “Blaze of Glory”, which I still think is quite brilliant.
Thanks Smokie. Blaze of Glory has some real highlights ‘Nineteen Forever’ and of course ‘Down to London’ which is one Jackson’s great songs.
Thanks for introducing me to this song. Now I need to get Big World. I’ve been a fan for decades, but only have half a dozen JJ albums, many from later on. Night & Day is still my favorite, mainly because of Steppin’ Out. But yes, it also has other truly brutal songs like Slow Song and Real Men. The album itself evokes memories of when I was young and worked in a car stereo installation shop. The boss played it often over the shop stereo (which kicked ass). The video for Steppin’ Out always makes me happy and wistful.
Thank you Tut. Glad to hear you’ve discovered it. I’m with you re ‘Night & Day”. A beautiful album.