JOE JACKSON - IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM?

Estrena: octubre de 1978

Llistes: EUA: #21   Regne Unit: #13

"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" de Joe Jackson és una cançó notable que va servir com a single debut, llançat a l'octubre de 1978. També va trobar el seu lloc a l'àlbum debut de Jackson, "Look Sharp!" La pista va ser una de les primeres gravacions amb la nova banda de suport de Jackson, amb qui va col·laborar en els seus primers tres àlbums.

El single inicialment va enfrontar dificultats comercials després del seu llançament, no aconseguint entrar a les llistes de venda. De manera similar, altres singles com "Sunday Papers" i "One More Time" també van experimentar resultats decebedors a les llistes. De tota manera, en el seu rellançament el 1979, coincidint amb la creixent reputació de Joe Jackson i la popularitat creixent de la música new wave, "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" va guanyar impuls i va aconseguir l'èxit a les llistes. El segon llançament de la cançó la va fer arribar al top 20 al Regne Unit i al top 30 als Estats Units, marcant un dels singles de Joe Jackson que ha aconseguit millors posicions a les llistes a nivell mundial. Malgrat el seu èxit comercial i el reconeixement com a clàssic del gènere new wave, Jackson mateix no la considera la seva millor cançó.

"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" és una cançó minimalista de New Wave de Joe Jackson i la seva banda, que presenta els seus comentaris esprènics sobre el fenomen de les dones atractives que surten amb homes menys convencionalment atractius. La primera frase de la cançó, "Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street", (noies guapes surten a passejar amb goriles pel meu carrer), marca el to de la seva exploració humorística de la dinàmica social i les relacions. En una entrevista, Joe Jackson va revelar que la gènesi de la cançó va sorgir del mateix títol, que va encendre la idea de crear un comentari humorístic sobre la juxtaposició de dones boniques i homes menys atractius. Jackson va intentar que la cançó fos lleugera i divertida, però va quedar sorprès quan alguns oients la van interpretar com a enuig.

"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" ha estat un element bàsic a les seves actuacions en viu des del seu llançament, mostrant la popularitat perdurable de la cançó i el compromís de Jackson a mantenir la seva música fresca i dinàmica. Com moltes de les seves cançons, Jackson ha reimaginat "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" en diverses actuacions en viu per alinear-se amb els seus interessos musicals i la evolució de la seva visió creativa. Aquestes reinterpretacions de la cançó han inclòs versions acústiques i versions acapella de doo-wop, les dues incloses a l'àlbum "Live 1980/86". A més, una versió acapella de la cançó va ser llançada com a single el 1988 en diferents països europeus. Joe Jackson atribueix la seva tendència a reconfigurar les seves cançons a la influència del músic de jazz Duke Ellington, a qui Jackson admira profundament.

JOE JACKSON - IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM?

Released: October 1978

Charted:  US: #21 UK: #13 

"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" by Joe Jackson is a notable song, serving as his debut single released in October 1978. It also found its place on Jackson's debut album, "Look Sharp!" The track marked one of the initial recordings with Jackson's new backing band, with whom he collaborated for his first three albums. 

The single initially faced commercial struggles upon its release, failing to chart. Similarly, subsequent singles like "Sunday Papers" and "One More Time" also experienced disappointing chart performances. However, upon its rerelease in 1979, coinciding with Joe Jackson's rising reputation and the growing popularity of new wave music, "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" gained traction and achieved chart success. The song's second release propelled it to the top 20 in the UK and the top 30 in the US, marking one of Joe Jackson's highest-charting singles worldwide. Despite its commercial success and recognition as a classic of the new wave genre, Jackson himself does not regard it as his best song.

"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" stands as a minimalist New Wave song by Joe Jackson and his band, featuring his witty commentary on the phenomenon of attractive women dating less conventionally attractive men. The song's opening line, "Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street," sets the tone for its humorous exploration of social dynamics and relationships. In an interview, Joe Jackson revealed that the song's genesis came from the title itself, which sparked the idea of creating a humorous commentary on the juxtaposition of beautiful women and less attractive men. Jackson intended the song to be lighthearted and funny, but he was surprised when some listeners interpreted it as angry.

Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" has remained a staple in his live performances since its release, showcasing the song's enduring popularity and Jackson's commitment to keeping his music fresh and dynamic. As with many of his songs, Jackson has reimagined "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" in various live settings to align with his evolving musical interests and creative vision. These reinterpretations of the song have included acoustic renditions and acappella doo-wop versions, both of which were featured on the album "Live 1980/86." Additionally, an acappella rendition of the song was released as a single in 1988 in select European countries. Joe Jackson attributes his tendency to rework his songs to the influence of jazz musician Duke Ellington, whom Jackson deeply admires.