Steppin Out Joe Jackson-First Live Performance of Original Arrangement

Joe in concert 2019! He brings out the original drum machine he used for the original recording of Steppin Out and performs it in its original arrangement for the first time ever live. Joe explains it all at the beginning of the video. Live in Knoxville, TN, 2/5/19, first concert of the Fool tour.

[@tabathasheffroth7981]

This is the BEST arrangement of the song. Anytime l hear it, I'm whisked back to Christmas 1982, finding the "Night and Day" album under the tree. I can almost smell the turkey roasting and the scent of the tree🎄🤗

[@CarbageMan]

I remember when it was a hit it was cold, drizzly winter weather in LA, and long since moved away from LA, hearing it still takes me back to LA "winter."

[@nothanks1627]

It was the first song on a hits album i got for my birthday, along with a brand new sound design stereo with record player and 8 track. I was 7 and played the hel! out of it. Always loved this song.

[@lewisc215]

change your diaper

[@mrhoffame]

30+ years later and I still smile just as hard as I did the first time I heard it!

[@rkidlat]

Song's a time a time machine

[@rkidlat]

Makes me wanna cry. Like I'm reliving the 80s. Young and carefree

[@williamrubinstein3442]

One of the greatest pop songs of the past sixty years.

[@Wonderduck1]

I first heard this song in 1984 when I was a sophomore in high school. It made me feel that this would be my soundtrack into the future, with my whole life ahead of me. It's now nearly 40 years later. I'm lying on a bed in a nursing home at 345am. Earlier today I celebrated because I managed to stand unassisted for 18 seconds... and then reality returned and slapped me in the face. Again. I was looking for something totally different when I saw this video existed. When that synth bass kicked in, suddenly in was 1984 again. Just for a few minutes, but memories of a time when the whole world was mine to conquer came back. And who knows? Maybe tomorrow I'll manage to stand up for 19 seconds. I can't help but laugh bitterly at the irony involved: "Stepping Out" means something totally different to me these days.

[@ceephaxx]

Thanks for that very moving post, WD1. Whenever I hear this I'm also transported back to the early '80s. The local radio station had a Friday evening whats-on programme that used this as an instrumental intro. It always evokes the excitement and anticipation of a weekend 'steppin out' to me, although ironically, in retrospect I didn't do NEARLY enough steppin out that I should have done! The folly of youth, huh? 😏 (There's a lesson there, kids!) Anyway, thanks again and I hope your mobility is improving.

[@bganonimouse2754]

Many months ago I wrote a very similar comment to yours how this song helped to tell me that there was a bigger, better world out there than the miserable abusive school that I was stuck in. It made me feel exactly the way you described that my whole life was in front of me. I still feel some of that joy hearing it. I was by the way fortunate enough to have bought night and day as my first ever tape album and took hold of my sisters walkman to listen to that brilliant album over and over. We are all a lot older now, but I wish you all the very best and to keep smiling, we have to take and savour every bit of joy we can get in this life!

[@gomezgomez6299]

Still remember first time i heard it...back of my moms station ( 1982/3) wagon....heading to the Point Mogu air show 😃....bet kids now a days don’t get a smile with the songs that are out there these days... we’ll back to building my time machine

[@fasteddie9867]

such a happy tune, for a happier , more optimistic time. Joe Jackson is the most criminally underrated musician alive.

[@GabeFern]

OMG It hit me so hard I found myself crying listening to it...

[@501764727]

HAhahahahaha

[@Phoenix85006]

Yes, me too! 😢😂

[@MrH4R0]

Same ❤️

[@Dr.JudeAEMasonMD]

Same…it’s a wistful bittersweet nostalgia that makes me verklempt. ❤️

[@carriestuart9921]

Tears of pure joy and amazement for me. Superb performance. Love that guy.

[@Matt-mo8sl]

As a youngster, I was never really a big fan of Joe Jackson but now that I'm 50, I have rediscovered his music and I have really found a real appreciation for him and his music because nothing today measures up.

[@pamcm1098]

My friend and I found "I'm The Man" in my brother's record collection when I was 14. We played it over and over, then my brother asked, "Did you listen to the other one?" (Look Sharp). I'm 54 now, have seen Joe at least 25 times, and I'm going again next Saturday!

[@hughhallett4589]

Matt- Glad you figured out how talented he is!

[@hughhallett4589]

@@pamcm1098 awesome!

[@andygrant1974tricky]

Am 48 and feel the same about Joe Jackson

[@electrosonicnebula]

He is amazing and has written a shitload of great tunes but recommend looking into hundreds of bands/artists that "measure up" today... He'd be the first to agree.

[@electrosonicnebula]

That was such a killer melody and mood. Joe Jackson has so many gems.

[@picardmadeoff1068]

Mr Jackson has offered up so many different and really impressive musical iterations dating back to Look Sharp. He is The Man!

[@adam872]

This song is just magical. I was only a kid when I heard it in '82, but it's always resonated with me for some reason. It still makes me smile after all this time.

[@dennispicone6801]

I was 20 back then,and 40 years later, not much has changed. It's still a great song, and brilliantly written. 👏 😁😄👍🍺

[@RICHGREENNOW]

Being a musician and keyboardist all my life or since I was 7 (61 now) I heard this in a club some thirty or more years ago. It stopped me dead in my tracks. It became a radio hit...I mean really it was considered a classic Prog Rock Fusion song. Other than soft Jazz Brunches on the radio Sunday mornings, this was all us musicians that were clamoring for something more, Jean Luc, Weather Report, Special EFX, you get the idea, and then this guy who looked like a cross of Howdy Doody and Donald Fagen on Nightfly pulls up in this now beautiful classic that was a crossover and had the industry by the gonaadious, what else could you do but bow to the guy and say, nice fucking progression, what was the name?

[@derekbaker3279]

Agreed! It's a majical jazzy chord progressing over a New Wave synth bass groove, with a traditional claasical music instrument (glockenspei), not a jazz vibraphone. Creative, unique, and definitely 'earworm' material ! BTW, I was eyeing the synth they used, and it certainly wasn't the Prophet 5 that is pictured in the "Night and Day" album photos. I have a sneaking suspicion that he used a Prophet 6 (with its smaller keyboard), but we don't get agood look at it. I couldn't tell for sure what the synth was. What do you think? Also, I watched the guy playing the synth to see what he was doing. I have always assumed that the 1/8th note bass line was programmed using the Prophet's sequencer, in part because I don't think the Prophet 5 or 6 has an arpeggiator that plays that complex pattern. But I'm not sure how he was transitioning from the sequenced 1/8th note bass groove during the chorus to the verse part. Was playing the verse part by hand? Also, was he playing the organ part during the verse, or was Joe Jackson? I'd be interested in your thoughts, as I want to learn the synth part for this tune for a future jam session. Thanks in advance!

[@inezacevedo9144]

À

[@inezacevedo9144]

I have experienced some dark days in my life, this song is powerful,thank you joe

[@a.jbandel5462]

Mr Jackson is a great artist!! The MAN!

[@richardromero5596]

Fantastic Mr. Jackson. Unforgettable.

[@garrettfranklin7119]

I was there 😁👍🙏. I'm so thankful for Joe continuing to tour and fulfill our needs for steppin' back into a musical era that I'm not sure can be reproduced in 50 years.

[@WarrenCromartie2]

One of the best songs ever written. Simple, yet sophisticated, and so evocative. Such good songwriting.

[@petersokol1603]

You need to listen to a lot more music.

[@kevinquarles7803]

I agree. I get so nostalgic whenever I hear this. It reminds me of middle school and how life was so much more simple...

[@superorangeish]

That's a stretch.

[@WarrenCromartie2]

@@petersokol1603 My tastes are very eclectic. What's your measure of good music? Mine is whether it has an emotional impact on me as a listener. It could be King Crimson. It could be The Moody Blues or it could be Jinjer or Haken...maybe Kenny Rogers. What does it matter?

[@petersokol1603]

@@WarrenCromartie2 at 63…as a musician who has spent between 500k to 750k hours of practicing and playing out on the road for 20 years….for me it’s composition and technique and musicianship…..my goal was always to be the best musician I could be….the music I admire most happens to be Progressive….Classical….Jazz….Fusion….so when you mention King Crimson…..Moody Blues…it brings a smile….and it does not matter to me what genre the music….as long as it’s honest….with great thought given to composition and musicianship…..it strikes a chord in me…….huge fan of The Police…XTC…The Cardigans….The Carpenters….Patsy Cline….pretty much all of Mowtown…born in Cleveland…lots of funk in Cleveland…..and hey…Kenny Rodgers and the First Edition were a great band……….what you did not put in your post….we’re the words…in my opinion……that’s why you got my reply……you need to listen to a lot more music if you think Stepping Out is one of the best songs ever written….everyone has favorite likes and dislikes in music…film…books…..life…..but for all the music that has ever been composed and recorded……all the music composed and passed down through ages……you need to listen to a lot more music….you make a bold statement without the caveat of starting out with in my opinion…….you say such good songwriting….yep….it’s good….and in my opinion….good is just average.

[@charlesware5767]

My all time favorite version of my all time favorite song!! I love how they build and layer the parts. Just gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! And the crowd enthusiasm set it all off. Quintessential 80's. Joe Jackson I hope this message gets to you. You are a true treasure. Thank you for brightening our lives. Such talent and beauty. God bless.

[@kevibo75]

Used to fantasize about getting dressed up and going out when I think of this song.

[@jaredjackson8526]

For years I hoped he would do this arrangement live. I'm 11 years old crossing from 1982 into 1983 again ❤

[@treedaniels7217]

My goodness, I just ran across this song that I use to hear when I was in the U.S.A.F stationed in the Nederlands...I STILL LOVE IT!!

[@alonsocushing2398]

Steppin' out. Manhattan, yellow taxi, tux, gal in pink and blue (just like a child), heading to Studio 54. Dreams.

[@Fremulshmat]

You seldom get to see the ‘inside’ of how a famous recording was built. Really interesting and the fact that it’s such an iconic song makes it even more so. Thanks for posting

[@markgrimes5532]

Genius musician and brilliant song.

[@donthewatcher8835]

my Favorite Joe Jackson song, new wave dancing all night........the odessey , 7 seas, dillions in los angeles

[@mdelaubergine8930]

Great song, great album. His voice is still in fine form.

[@williamchristian8705]

If you saw me right now I’m smiling and tapping my foot to the beat. Keep at it Joe! You still got it. Thanks for the pleasure of your lyrics and melodies. Still sound very fresh!

[@TheManiacsis1]

Me too William. One of my favorite songs!

[@sergiotadeu209]

@@TheManiacsis1 ESSA MUSICA FAZ PARTE DA MINHA ADOLESCÊNCIA MESMO AOS MEUS 56ANOS ELA ESTÁ VIVA DENTRO DE MIM!!! ESSA MUSICA É MARAVILHOSA.

[@sergiotadeu209]

william, verdade essa musica é inesquessivél.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

I didn't know Joe still did concerts. This is great.

[@paulneal8376]

Awesome song!!!! Joe Jackson still sounds great !!

[@danrodrigues3531]

I love how the drummer seamlessly and effortlessly eases into the song while Joe is talking...

[@UberSynth]

This is the way this track is supposed to be played! Brilliantly done. We need different for girls now. Peace ✌️ out people

[@jeffcollins5188]

I was there that night in Knoxville. Little did Joe know, I was also at Surf-a-Bout at Johnny Mercers Pier at Wrightsville Beach, NC in 1981 when that song first came out and it was playing over the loudspeakers pointed toward the ocean, and we could hear it waiting for the next set of waves. It was a Pro-Am surfing event (Lane West was competing) It was the first time any of us had heard it. Full Circle!

[@kevdonew1412]

wanted the hear him in 2019 and not disappointed loved it back in 1982 and it has great memories for me and many others thanks for posting

[@Dutch2go]

Love this song so much - brings me back - so many good memories. 👍🧡

[@stevebarrett2106]

has been one of my favourite songs since it first hit the radio.

[@RATCLIFFE-LISTENS]

Joe Jackson took us in a completely unique direction.He was a “Class” Act and this song along with some of his others taught so many classic song structure. This was so good that it completely outclasses the so-called Pop we are stuck with today. Bless Joe. Peace

[@Neptuneman07]

One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Excellent job on the arrangement.

[@ladycharlesmusic]

This show was amazing when I saw it in Ottawa, the new songs sounded amazing, old songs sounded amazing, and hearing this one like this was the cherry on top.

[@paulbeecroft9635]

The best of Joe Jackson thanks

[@dee1458]

*I MISS YOU 82!* Steppin' Out is near the top of my Eighties Faves --- along with Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen and Love Come Down by Evelyn "Champagne" King. *Ze mesmerizing Korg KR-55 synth melody und the sweet accompaniment of Das Glockenspiel!*

[@mariomego5243]

Joe Jackson, fantástico como me emociona oir este tema después de un largo tiempo, su voz casi intacta, increíble, por el no pasan los años, me entra mucha nostalgia de mi adolescencia y recordar cuando tenia a mis padres en vida y muchos anécdotas y recuerdos con esta canción. Joe Jackson un gran maestro.Uno de mis preferidos de los 80s, mi década que no la cambio por nada.

[@IndridCool54]

Takes me back forty years… 😌

[@TomTimeTraveler]

Absolutely wonderful! A classic for the ages!

[@cjwilliams55]

I remember working the midnight shift and listening to WNEW and hearing the album Look Sharp. Joe Jackson is magnificent.

[@wallabumba]

Graham Maby has played bass for Joe Jackson forever. Nice to see he is still with him. This was a fun experiment.

[@JoeDonFan]

I saw Joe in the mid-80's, and IIRC when he did STEPPIN' OUT the tempo was slowed waaay down; further, it was a solo: Just Joe and an acoustic piano. This version is like visiting an old friend who hadn't quite been himself lately but has now been magically cured. I'll be seeing him in less than a week (May 22, 2022, at the Lincoln Theater in Washington D.C.) and I'm looking forward to this arrangement.

[@roelhoremans5887]

Aaaand.... he went back to a slower arrangement in '22.

[@popboy0]

Mark Hopper, Thanks for 7:24 minutes of pure joy.... I really need it.......I think we all need some relief right now..... Blessings and good health everyone, everywhere.....from Lima-Peru.

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Such a brilliant song- always loved it. I read an article somewhere a few years ago that called it the best song of the 80's. If you listen closely to the fast descending glockenspiel part towards the end, it's alternating between a major and a minor run- just one note difference that adds a tiny bit of tension. Starts at 5:53 on this video but easier to discern on the studio recording.

[@Boblobblaw88]

omg.....................just wonderful....thanks for sharing!

[@estefanysanchez8213]

ohh Mr. Joe Jackson, gran filósofo de la música.

[@malena2467]

❤️ I love Joe Jackson so much❤️. He is GREAT 🎇

[@alexstewart1770]

My goodness, this brings back memories! Saw him in the '80s in Glasgow. Brilliant!

[@cc92103]

A couple days ago, this song popped into my head for no reason that I can explain. I had not heard it anywhere for ages. But there it was, going round and round, this amazing melody...and I could NOT think of the artist (OK, I didn't mull it over for hours or anything); all I could do was look it up. Of course, Joe! Brilliance!

[@mattsweadner8318]

It's been in my head for days just out of the blue!

[@mattsweadner8318]

Pete S., maybe. I hear a lot of good stuff in the Publix supermarket lol

[@batron101]

My favorite 80's song. Thanks for uploading.

[@ShannonKCampbell]

Thanks for posting Mark. I was sad to have missed this show. Looks like a blast from the past for sure!

[@Brandon_Lee83]

WOOOO! THIS IS THE COOLEST! 🤘😁 Thank you for posting. I love this song. Wish we had this track in Rock Band.

[@efrensanchez6488]

FANTASTICOOOOOOOOOOO...! Un millón de gracias por subirlo. Voy a llorar de emoción y nostalgia...!

[@82Echo411]

Magnificent!!!! Lovely Listening & a wonderful performance. Thanks Joe Jackson.

[@olderthandadirt]

COVID-19 I want to be steppin' out

[@gizzardjunkie]

Excellent show, really glad I've FINALLY gotten to see him live...

[@Blackdiamond0125]

Im in tears. The best.

[@PetShopMod]

This is history repeating. l hope the crowd realise what they are a witness to. Lucky sods. Thank u Joe. From the rest of us.

[@ericbush6124]

Awesome song never gets old great recreation takes me back 40 years young Stepping out in NY Party scene it was Electric

[@mikem782]

Joe is a true innovator, and to see him and his band play this original arrangement of a classic hit gave me goose bumps!

[@eduardoc748]

God bless you Joe, in honour of those who enjoyed your music with me and are gone now.

[@h.v.7703]

So simple and so much bounce. Classic!

[@oliveroneill1388]

No so simple, maybe you are .

[@iankyoko]

The creator of so many childhood emotions.

[@oliveroneill1388]

A total classic. Joe such a hero of mine ..

[@derekkelly2185]

Thank you for sharing. This is one of my favor songs. Such a simple song brings me so much joy

[@miguelwong8299]

Outstanding after 35years ... Love it !! :D

[@vincentwhitley1119]

Excellent ...always loved Joe's music

[@stereo8665]

Wonderful musician‼️

[@judymaggs4354]

SO NICE!!!! I'll be seeing him tomorrow in Boston - I saw him play this during the "Night & Day" tour back in college!

[@sunshinemallorieparkinson2560]

You will love it! Enjoy

[@sithtabby]

Wow this is amazing...Thank you so much for posting this....it brings back memories from another life :)

[@stephenbeardwood1567]

great Joe nostalgic memories cheers

[@501764727]

This was Beautiful!!

[@pattibrown8496]

That was so great!

[@robertscarlett480]

This is amazing!

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Korg KR-55 drum machine made 1979. Best snare drum sound and closed hi-hat sound on any analogue drum machine to my ears. Hypnotic. Great song Joe. KR-55 also on the very early Depeche mode records 1981 like Dreaming of Me, Tora Tora Tora & photographic (some bizzare version)

[@stevedrums1675]

Fantastic!

[@bo2oservice]

Lovely tune!

[@jamesaviv8112]

Outrageously good !

[@albertogozzini]

STUNNING!

[@TomTimeTraveler]

Joe Jackson is having fun with this classic and his audience loves it!

[@andrewspencer8828]

Love this song !!!

[@anthhony]

This is amazing

[@mkattn]

This was a great show. Thanks for posting this. Going by the angle, you were pretty close to me. I was in the first row of the balcony on the right-hand aisle. (My right, not stage right.)

[@Gusrikh1]

Fabulous!

[@davidkarr4632]

Great song. Very positive message....🎶👍.

[@davidmaslow399]

So cool!

[@pamelawertz498]

His entire first 2 albums, Look Sharp! and I'm the Man are completely amazing. Also check out the album Jumpin' Jive which is all songs played in what were considered raunchy nightclubs & whiskey joints back in the 30's and 40's, several Louis Prima songs.

[@stanchampion4016]

I was there, too!!! Salisbury, NC!!!

[@roelhoremans5887]

Saw this live today. Impressive.

[@philguest4674]

Looking forward to Manchester in April!

[@morrisman64]

LOVE this song I miss the 80's

[@ricardocespedes1955]

escuchar y veer al maestro joe jackson es grandioso y con tan buenisimo grupo que mas pido

[@tom221263]

Crazy shit man...like it very much. Nailed my first GF to this Song in the 80s.....🤪😎✌️😁😋

[@chiaracorio470]

thank you so much !

[@terra2468]

wonderful

[@mkattn]

This was such a great show. I couldn't believe it was his first time in Knoxville.

[@antoniofongaro6833]

Great song by Joe Jackson👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kaesar1175]

brividi nella schiena ---chills in the back