"Is She Really Going Out with...

Ask the timeless question with Joe Jackson's sharp 1978 debut single, "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" This iconic track, blending New Wave energy with Power Pop hooks, launched Jackson's career. Its witty observations and unforgettable bassline made it an instant classic.

Originally released as a single in the UK in late 1978 and featured on the 1979 album Look Sharp!, "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" became Joe Jackson's breakthrough hit. Its sparse arrangement, built around that signature bassline, perfectly complemented the cynical yet catchy nature of this New Wave/Power Pop gem.

Driven by Jackson's incredulous vocal delivery and astute lyrical observations on mismatched couples, this 1978 track remains a defining song of the New Wave era. Its minimalist power pop structure and relatable theme of romantic bewilderment have ensured its enduring appeal for decades.

SONG MEANING: The song captures the singer's bewildered and slightly jealous observation of attractive women dating men deemed unattractive or unworthy ("Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street"). It repeatedly poses the title question, expressing disbelief and questioning the nature of attraction and relationship choices from an outsider's cynical perspective.