I'm the Man (Joe Jackson album) explained

I'm the Man
Type:Studio album
Artist:Joe Jackson
Cover:jjitm.jpg
Released:5 October 1979
Recorded:March 1979
Studio:TW Studios, Fulham, London
Genre:New wave, post-punk
Length:38:03
Label:A&M
AMLH 64794
A&M/PolyGram Records
214 794
A&M/Universal Records
493 089 (2001 reissue)
Producer:David Kershenbaum
Prev Title:Look Sharp!
Prev Year:1979
Next Title:Beat Crazy
Next Year:1980

I'm the Man is the second album by English musician Joe Jackson, released in October 1979.[1] Released shortly after Jackson's breakthrough debut, Look Sharp!, I'm the Man saw Jackson continue the style of his earlier album. Singles from the album included "I'm the Man" and "It's Different for Girls", the latter of which was his biggest UK chart single, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

I'm the Man was re-released in 2001 with one bonus track, a live version of "Come On". "Come On" was originally released as the B-side to Jackson's single "I'm the Man", also issued in October 1979.[1]

Background

On the album cover, Jackson appears in the guise of a particular type of petty criminal known in the United Kingdom as a spiv, a character who, in Jackson's own words, "always wears a gross polka-dot tie and a pencil-thin mustache, and he's always trying to sell you a watch or something like that real cheap. I think people always want to put a label on what you do, so I thought I'd be one step ahead of them and invent one myself - spiv rock."[3] Jackson later explained, that the spiv character is "a silly image that I thought appalling. It's not intended to be a new musical revolution."[4]

The album was quickly recorded to follow up Jackson's successful debut album Look Sharp!. Shortly after Look Sharp's release, Jackson speculated, "Compared to the first album, I think it's a bit more mature. It's getting more interesting as it goes along. The band is getting stronger. I think the band is gonna amaze people on the next album". Since then, the album has been described by Jackson as "Part Two of Look Sharp!".[5] He later said on his website,

I'm the Man was also released as a 7" album (5 - 7" singles) in a package as 'The 7" Album' and included a poster.

John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls named the album as one of the ten albums that changed his life.[6] Carol Decker of T'Pau similarly praised the album as one of her favourites.[7]

Singles

Jackson pushed for "I'm the Man" to be the leading single from the album, and professed bemusement when it failed to chart in the US or the UK.[8] (It did reach the top 40 in Canada, peaking at #23.) The record label then decided on its own to release "It's Different for Girls" which went straight to the UK Top Ten.[8] Jackson later confessed: "I was amazed when that one was a hit."[8] The album's third single, "Kinda Kute", reached number 91 in Canada.

Critical reception

The Christian Science Monitor called the music "crisp and sharp," writing that "Jackson continues his subtle satirization and serves notice he ... is not getting soft."[9]

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by Joe Jackson, except where noted. Produced by David Kershenbaum.

Personnel

Musicians
Production

Charts

Album

Singles

YearSongChartPosition
1979"It's Different for Girls"Ireland (IRMA)
  1. 4
1979"It's Different for Girls"UK Singles Chart
  1. 5
1979"It's Different for Girls"U.S. Billboard Hot 100
  1. 101

Certifications

OrganizationLevelDate
CRIA – CanadaGold1 November 1979
CRIA – CanadaGold1 January 1980
BPI – UKGold29 April 1980

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Strong , Martin C. . 2000. The Great Rock Discography. 5th. Mojo Books . Edinburgh. 485–486. 1-84195-017-3.
  2. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 1-904994-10-5. 274.
  3. Henke . James . 17 May 1979 . Joe Jackson Puts His Best Shoe Forward . . Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. . 291 . 22 .
  4. Web site: Bocaro . Madeline . My Interview With Joe Jackson - June 1979 . madelinex.com . 6 May 2020.
  5. Web site: Jackson. Joe. I'm the Man. joejackson.com.
  6. Web site: Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik – The Ten Records That Changed My Life. Goo Goo Fans. en. 2020-05-23.
  7. Web site: Carol Decker: My six best albums Music Entertainment Express.co.uk. www.express.co.uk. 2020-05-23.
  8. Stand . Mike . May 1980 . Joe Jackson: Indifferent To Joe . . 18 October 2019 . . subscription .
  9. News: Siegel . Eric . The British are coming — again! . The Christian Science Monitor . 26 Mar 1980 . Arts.
  10. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 151.