Is She Really Going Out with Him?

Joe Jackson

About Is She Really Going Out with Him?

"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" is a song written and performed by British musician Joe Jackson. It was released in October 1978 as his debut single and was later included on Jackson's debut album, Look Sharp! The track was one of the first Jackson recorded with his new backing band, a band he would perform with for his first three albums. Written as a humorous commentary on women dating unattractive men, the song contains a prominent bass line and a chorus praised by critics as memorable. Jackson has since stated that the song's reputation for being angry was untrue. On its initial release, the single was commercially unsuccessful and failed to chart. Two follow-up singles, "Sunday Papers" and "One More Time", were also chart failures. However, when "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" was rereleased in 1979 after Jackson's reputation and new wave music grew in popularity, the single saw more attention and became a chart success. This second release reached the top 20 in the UK and top 30 in the US, becoming one of Jackson's highest charting singles worldwide. 


Year:
1996
3:34
403 
#1

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Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street
From my window I'm staring while my coffee grows cold
Look over there! (Where?)
There's a lady that I used to know
She's married now, or engaged, or something, so I am told
 
Is she really going out with him?
Is she really gonna take him home tonight?
Is she really going out with him? 
Cause if my eyes don't deceive me,
There's something going wrong around here 
 
Tonight's the night when I go to all the parties down my street. 
I wash my hair and I kid myself I look real smooth
Look over there! (Where?) 
Here comes Jeanie with her new boyfriend
They say that looks don't count for much
If so, there goes your proof
 
Is she really going out with him?
Is she really gonna take him home tonight?
Is she really going out with him? 
Cause if my eyes don't deceive me,
There's something going wrong around here 
 
But if looks could kill
There's a man there who's more down as dead.
Cause I've had my fill
Listen you, take your hands off her head
I get so mean around this scene
 
Is she really going out with him?
Is she really gonna take him home tonight?
Is she really going out with him? 
Cause if my eyes don't deceive me
There's something going wrong around here

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Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson (born David Ian Jackson, 11 August 1954) is an English musician and singer-songwriter now living in Berlin, whose five Grammy Award nominations span from 1979 to 2001. He is probably best known for the 1979 hit song and first single "Is She Really Going Out with Him?", which still gets extensive US FM radio airplay; for his 1982 hit, "Steppin' Out"; and for his 1984 success with "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)". He was popular for his pop/rock and New Wave music early on before moving to more eclectic, though less commercially successful, pop/jazz/classical hybrids. more »

2 fans

Written by: David Jackson

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" was first released on October 26th, 1978, as a single, and again in 1979 on Joe Jackson's debut album, "Look Sharp!"
Song Writer
The song was written by the British musician, Joe Jackson. It is notable for being his first single, and one he is best known for, helping to establish his career as a popular musician.
Chart Success
The song was Jackson's first major hit, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Record Label
"Is She Really Going Out with Him?" was released under the record label A&M Records.
Song Theme
The song is often considered a "nice guy" anthem, as it explores the feelings of a man who sees a beautiful woman with a man who doesn't treat her right.
Album Success
The debut album "Look Sharp!" where "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" features, was certified gold in both the UK and the US, indicating sales of over 500,000 copies each.
Music Video
Despite the song being released in the late 1970s, its official music video surfaced much later. Released originally in 1982, the video was shot in black and white, matching the style of the cover for "Look Sharp!"
Genre Classification
The song fits into the genres of New Wave and Power Pop. It retains punk elements emphasised by Joe Jackson during the early stages of his career.
Cover Versions
Multiple artists have covered "Is She Really Going Out with Him?", including Sugar Ray for the soundtrack of the 1998 film 'There's Something About Mary', and Goldfinger for their 2002 album, "Spokesman".
Live Acoustic version
A live, solo piano version was released as a single in 1988, ten years after the original, peaking at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart.

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    Is She Really Going Out with Him?

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1979

    Billboard #21


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