Songs covered by Joe Jackson
This page was last updated 20 Sep. 2024. To send additions/corrections go to the contact page.
This page was last updated 20 Sep. 2024. To send additions/corrections go to the contact page.
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Notes:
Blue background: officially released studio recording exists
Green background: officially released live recording exists
Original artist is often unclear for early songs because several versions were recorded and released simultaneously
Year (original): before 1955 this is usually the year of publication or first performance/recording; from 1955 onwards the release year is given
| Song title |
Original artist |
Year (orginal) |
Written by |
JJ live performance |
JJ release |
Remarks |
| My Old Dutch | Albert Chevalier | 1892 | Charles Ingle (music); Albert Chevalier (words) | 2024 | — | only a snippet |
| Waterloo Sunset | The Kinks | 1967 | Ray Davies | 2024 | — | |
| Sing, You Sinners | The High Hatters | 1930 | W. Franke Harling (music); Sam Coslow (words) | 2022 | — | |
| Rain | The Beatles | 1966 | Lennon–McCartney | 2019 | — | |
| Johnny Was | Bob Marley | 1976 | Rita Marley (see remark) | 2017 | — | written by Bob Marley but credited to his wife for various reasons [source] |
| Night By Night | Steely Dan | 1974 | Walter Becker and Donald Fagen | 2016-2018 | 2019: Fool | only on 7-inch bonus disc and on Japanese bonus CD |
| Big Yellow Taxi | Joni Mitchell | 1970 | Joni Mitchell | 2015-2022 | — | |
| Peter Gunn | Henry Mancini | 1959 | Henry Mancini (music); Raymond B. Evans and Jay Livingston (words) | 2015-2018 | 2019: Fool | only on 7-inch bonus disc and on Japanese bonus CD; the version with added lyrics was first recorded in 1965 by Sarah Vaughan |
| See No Evil | Television | 1977 | Tom Verlaine | 2015-2016 | 2015: Fast Forward | |
| Good Bye Jonny | Hans Albers | 1938 | Peter Kreuder and Hans Fritz Beckmann | — | 2015: Fast Forward | with English lyrics by Joe Jackson |
| In A Sentimental Mood | Duke Ellington | 1935 | Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn | 2012 | — | |
| Isfahan | Duke Ellington | 1967 | Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn | — | 2012: The Duke | |
| I'm Beginning To See The Light | Duke Ellington | 1944 | Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges and Harry James | 2012 | 2012: The Duke | as a medley with 'Take The 'A' Train' and 'Cotton Tail' |
| Cotton Tail | Duke Ellington | 1940 | Duke Ellington | 2012 | 2012: The Duke | as a medley with 'I'm Beginning To See The Light' and 'Take The 'A' Train' |
| Rockin' In Rhythm | Duke Ellington | 1931 | Duke Ellington | 2012 | 2012: The Duke | |
| I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues | Duke Ellington | 1937 | Duke Ellington (music); Don George (words) | — | 2012: The Duke | as a medley with 'Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me' |
| Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear From Me | Duke Ellington | 1940 | Duke Ellington (music); Bob Russell (words) | — | 2012: The Duke | as a medley with 'I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues'; instrumental version |
| I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) | Duke Ellington | 1941 | Duke Ellington (music); Paul Francis Webster (words) | — | 2012: The Duke | |
| Perdido | Duke Ellington | 1941 | Juan Tizol (music); Ervin Drake and Hans Lengsfelder (words) | 2012 | 2012: The Duke | with lyrics in Portuguese, as a medley with 'Satin Doll' |
| The Mooche | Duke Ellington | 1928 | Duke Ellington | 2012 | 2012: The Duke | as a medley with 'Black And Tan Fantasy' |
| Black And Tan Fantasy | Duke Ellington | 1927 | Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley | 2012 | 2012: The Duke | as a medley with 'The Mooche' |
| It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | Duke Ellington | 1931 | Duke Ellington (music); Irving Mills (words) | 2012-2016 | 2012: The Duke | |
| Can We Still Be Friends | Todd Rundgren | 1978 | Todd Rundgren | 2010 | — | |
| Music To Watch Girls By | Andy Williams | 1967 | Sid Ramin and Anthony Velona | 2010 | 2017: Fools In Love (live) (single) | live version released as B-side of 'Fools In Love' limited edition 10" single |
| Anyone Who Had A Heart | Dionne Warwick | 1963 | Burt Bacharach (music); Hal David (words) | 2010 | — | |
| Yeh Yeh | Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames | 1963 | Rodgers Grant and Pat Patrick (music); Jon Hendricks (words) | 2008 | — | |
| Frank & Ava | Suzanne Vega | 2007 | Suzanne Vega | 2008 | — | |
| Knowing Me, Knowing You | ABBA | 1977 | Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson | 2008-2022 | — | |
| Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) | David Bowie | 1980 | David Bowie | 2008-2018 | 2011: Live Music | |
| Caravan | Duke Ellington | 1936 | Juan Tizol (music); Irving Mills (words) | 2008-2009 (1) 2012 (2) | 2012: The Duke (2) | (1) instrumental, as a medley with 'Chinatown' (2) with lyrics in Persian |
| I'm Looking Through You | The Beatles | 1965 | Lennon–McCartney | 2007 | — | |
| Dirty Love | Frank Zappa | 1973 | Frank Zappa | 2006-2008 | — | |
| Inbetweenies | Ian Dury & The Blockheads | 1979 | Ian Dury and Chas Jankel | 2006-2010 | 2011: Live Music | |
| Rose Darling | Steely Dan | 1975 | Walter Becker and Donald Fagen | 2006 | — | |
| Hello, Hello, Who's Your Lady Friend? | Harry Fragson | 1913 | Harry Fragson (music); Worton David and Bert Lee (words) | 2005-2024 | 2005: The Greatest Game Ever Played | |
| While My Guitar Gently Weeps | The Beatles | 1968 | George Harrison | 2004-2005 | — | |
| Don't Ask Why | Ron Sexsmith | 2001 | Ron Sexsmith | 2003 | — | |
| I Feel Possessed | Crowded House | 1990 | Neil Finn | 2003-2010 | — | |
| Girl | The Beatles | 1965 | Lennon–McCartney | 2003-2024 | 2011: Live Music | |
| The Mayor Of Simpleton | XTC | 1989 | Andy Partridge | 2003 | — | |
| Couldn't I Just Tell You | Todd Rundgren | 1972 | Todd Rundgren | — | 2003: Volume 4 (Japanese version) | also on the UK single 'Chrome' |
| For No One | The Beatles | 1966 | Lennon–McCartney | 2000-2010 | — | |
| Reelin' In The Years | Steely Dan | 1972 | Walter Becker and Donald Fagen | 2000-2009 | — | |
| That's Him | Cast of "One Touch of Venus" | 1943 | Kurt Weill (music); Ogden Nash (words) | 2000 | — | only performed once at 'Wall-to-Wall Kurt Weill' |
| Speak Low | Guy Lombardo | 1943 | Kurt Weill (music); Ogden Nash (words) | 2000 | — | only performed once at 'Wall-to-Wall Kurt Weill' |
| Mon Ami, My Friend | Cast of "Johnny Johnson" | 1936 | Kurt Weill (music); Paul Green (words) | 2000 | — | only performed once at 'Wall-to-Wall Kurt Weill' |
| Satin Doll | Duke Ellington | 1953 | Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn (music); Johnny Mercer (words) | 1999-2009 (1) 2012 (2) | 2012: The Duke (2) | (1) live version (with lyrics) (2) studio version (instrumental) as a medley with "Perdido" |
| Any Major Dude Will Tell You | Steely Dan | 1974 | Walter Becker and Donald Fagen | 1999-2022 | — | |
| Don't Get Around Much Anymore | Duke Ellington | 1940 | Duke Ellington (music); Bob Russell (words) | 1999-2010 | — | |
| Drive-In Saturday | David Bowie | 1973 | David Bowie | 1999-2009 | — | |
| Heroes | David Bowie | 1977 | David Bowie and Brian Eno | 1999-2001 | — | |
| Junkie Girl | Walter Becker | 1994 | Walter Becker | 1999-2022 | — | |
| Karma Police | Radiohead | 1997 | Thom Yorke, Jonathan Greenwood, Philip Selway, Colin Greenwood and Ed O'Brien | 1999 | — | |
| Life On Mars | David Bowie | 1971 | David Bowie | 1999-2022 | — | |
| Over The Rainbow | Judy Garland | 1939 | Harold Arlen | 1999 | — | instrumental version |
| Senses Working Overtime | XTC | 1982 | Andy Partridge | 1999 | — | |
| You Can't Be Too Strong | Graham Parker | 1979 | Graham Parker | 1999-2010 | — | |
| Summer In The City | Lovin' Spoonful | 1966 | John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone | 1999 | 2000: Summer In The City | |
| For Your Love | Yardbirds | 1965 | Graham Gouldman | 1999-2009 | 2000: Summer In The City | as a medley with 'Fools In Love' |
| Mood Indigo | Duke Ellington | 1930 | Duke Ellington and Barney Bigard (music); Irving Mills (words) | 1999 (1) 2012 (2) | 2000: Summer In The City (1) 2012: The Duke (2) | (1) live version (2) studio version of different arrangement |
| The 'In' Crowd | Ramsey Lewis Trio | 1965 | Billy Page | 1999-2001 | 2000: Summer In The City | |
| King Of The World | Steely Dan | 1973 | Walter Becker and Donald Fagen | 1999 (1) 2019 (2) | 2000: Summer In The City (1) | |
| Eleanor Rigby | The Beatles | 1966 | Lennon–McCartney | 1997-2010 | 2000: Summer In The City | |
| Statue Of Liberty | XTC | 1978 | Andy Partridge | — | 1995: A Testimonial Dinner | |
| Alright, Okay, You Win | Ella Johnson | 1955 | Sid Wyche and Mayme Watts | 1990 | — | |
| Oh Well | Fleetwood Mac | 1969 | Peter Green | 1990-2010 | 1991: Laughter & Lust | |
| When You Walk In The Room | Jackie DeShannon | 1963 | Jackie DeShannon | 1990 | — | |
| You Can't Do That | The Beatles | 1964 | Lennon–McCartney | 1990 | — | |
| Take The 'A' Train | Duke Ellington | 1939 | Billy Strayhorn | 1989 (1) | 2012: The Duke (2) | (1) live version (instrumental) (2) studio version (instrumental) as a medley with "I'm Beginning To See The Light" and "Cotton Tail" |
| Tiger Rag | Mills Brothers | 1917 | N. LaRocca, E. Edwards, H. Ragas, T. Sbarbaro and L. Shields (music); words added by Harry DaCosta in 1931 | — | 1988: Tucker | |
| Night Time | The Strangeloves | 1965 | Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, Richard Gottehrer | — | — | recorded for a Michelob US TV ad (1988) |
| 'Round Midnight | Thelonious Monk | 1944 | Thelonious Monk | — | 1984: That's The Way I Feel Now | |
| Soul Makossa | Manu Dibango | 1972 | Manu Dibango | 1984 | — | as a medley with 'T.V. Age' |
| Body And Soul | Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra | 1930 | Johnny Green, Robert Sour, Edward Heyman and Frank Eyton | 1984 | — | |
| Uptight (Everything's Alright) | Stevie Wonder | 1965 | Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy and Henry Cosby | 1982-1983 | 2012: Live At Rockpalast | as part of the 'Motown Medley' |
| The Tears Of A Clown | Smokey Robinson & The Miracles | 1967 | Stevie Wonder and Hank Cosby (music); Smokey Robinson (words) | 1982-1983 | 2012: Live At Rockpalast | as part of the 'Motown Medley' |
| I'm Gonna Make You Love Me | Dee Dee Warwick | 1966 | Kenneth Gamble, Jerry Williams and Jerry Ross | 1982-1983 | 2012: Live At Rockpalast | as part of the 'Motown Medley' |
| How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) | Marvin Gaye | 1964 | Holland–Dozier–Holland | 1982-1983 | 2012: Live At Rockpalast | as part of the 'Motown Medley' |
| (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave | Martha and the Vandellas | 1963 | Holland–Dozier–Holland | 1982-1983 | 2012: Live At Rockpalast | as part of the 'Motown Medley' |
| Alfie | Cilla Black | 1966 | Burt Bacharach (music) | 1982 | — | instrumental version (keyboards and saxophone) |
| A Night In Tunisia | Dizzy Gillespie | 1942 | Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Paparelli | 1981 | — | |
| Minnie The Moocher | Cab Calloway | 1931 | Cab Calloway and Irving Mills | 1981 | — | |
| Stompin' At The Savoy | Benny Goodman | 1934 | Benny Goodman, Chick Webb and Edgar Sampson (music); Andy Razaf (words) | 1981 | — | |
| Texas And Pacific | Louis Jordan | 1947 | Louis Jordan | 1981 | — | sometimes listed as 'TP Special' |
| Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out | Bessie Smith | 1923 | Jimmy Cox | 1981 | — | |
| Knock Me A Kiss | Louis Jordan | 1942 | Mike Jackson | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive (single) | |
| Jumpin' With Symphony Sid | Lester Young | 1947 | Lester Young (music); Clarence Beeks aka King Pleasure (words) | 1981-1989 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| Jack, You're Dead | Louis Jordan | 1947 | Richard Miles and Walter Bishop | 1981-1986 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby | Louis Jordan | 1944 | Billy Austin and Louis Jordan | 1981-1984 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| We The Cats (Shall Hep Ya) | Cab Calloway | 1940s? | Cab Calloway and Jack Palmer | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| San Francisco Fan | Cab Calloway | 1940s? | M. More | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| Five Guys Named Moe | Louis Jordan | 1941 | Jerry Bresler (music); Larry Wynn (words) | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| Jumpin' Jive | Cab Calloway | 1939 | Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba and Jack Palmer | 1981-1989 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| You Run Your Mouth (And I'll Run My Business) | Louis Jordan | 1930s? | Lillian Armstrong | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| What's The Use Of Getting Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again) | Louis Jordan | 1942 | Bubsy Meyers | 1981-2008 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| You're My Meat | Louis Jordan | 1940s? | Skeets Tolbert | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| Tuxedo Junction | Glenn Miller | 1939 | William Johnson, Erskin Hawkins and Julian Dash (music); Buddy Feyne (words) | 1981-1986 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | contains a quotation from 'A String Of Pearls' at 2:37-3:14 |
| How Long Must I Wait For You | Louis Jordan | 1930s? | Paul Specht | 1981 | 1981: Jumpin' Jive | |
| Downtown | Petula Clark | 1964 | Tony Hatch | 1979 | — | only performed in Portsmouth on 14 Dec 1979 as a 'Pompey version' ('Deynteyn'), i.e. in Portsmouth dialect |
| The Harder They Come | Jimmy Cliff | 1972 | Jimmy Cliff | 1979-1980 | 1980: The Harder They Come (single) | also on the compilation Master Series |
| I Can't Give You Anything | Ramones | 1977 | Ramones | 1979-1980 | — | |
| Pressure Drop | The Maytals | 1970 | Frederick "Toots" Hibbert | 1979 | — | |
| (You Gotta Have) Heart | Cast of "Damn Yankees" | 1955 | Richard Adler (music); Jerry Ross (words) | 1979 | — | |
| Polka Dots And Moonbeams | Frank Sinatra | 1940 | Jimmy Van Heusen (music); Johnny Burke (words) | 1979 | — | solo piano version? |
| Come On | Chuck Berry | 1961 | Chuck Berry | 1978-1979 | 1979: I'm The Man (single) | also as a bonus track on I'm The Man (2001 reissue) |
| Twenty Flight Rock | Eddie Cochran | 1957 | Eddie Cochran and Ned Fairchild | 1978 | — | performed solo |
| Ain't Misbehavin' | Fats Waller | 1929 | Fats Waller and Harry Brooks (music); Andy Razaf (words) | 1978 | — | |
| Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries | Rudy Vallée | 1931 | Ray Henderson (music); Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown (words) | 1978-1979 | — | |
| Ain't That A Shame | Fats Domino | 1955 | Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew | 1978-1979 | — |