B-side "Look Sharp!" Recorded 1978 Length 4:22 | Released February 1979 Genre New wave, ska Label A&M - AMS 7413 | |
"Sunday Papers" is a song by the British new wave musician Joe Jackson. It was released on his debut album, Look Sharp!, and also was released in the UK as the follow-up to his hit single, "Is She Really Going Out with Him?."
Contents
Background
The lyrics of "Sunday Papers" sarcastically criticize the press and those who read it. In the lyrics, Jackson, a vocal opponent of the press, sings of the trashy and inaccurate stories printed by the papers.
On stage, Jackson would often bring out a newspaper prior to performing the song, which he would read the headlines and stories in a sarcastic manner. He would also mockingly talk about the papers in general, sardonically calling the British papers "a sophisticated standard of journalism" in one performance. As Jackson performed the song, he would gradually rip the paper he showed the audience to pieces.
When a British newspaper, News of the World, became involved in a phone scandal, Jackson was asked whether the lyrics to "Sunday Papers" were prophetic. He replied:
"I don't know that [it] was. I think that what applied now applied then. I think that some of the worst people just got busted, that's all. All that stuff with the News of the World, I think it was business as usual. There are certain publications in the UK that have gone down market, that have gotten trashier. And there are some that are still at least trying to maintain a certain dignity. But yeah, I'm not a big fan of the UK media in general."
As well as being released on Look Sharp! "Sunday Papers" saw single release in the U.K. and Germany in early 1979, backed with "Look Sharp!" in both countries. However, unlike its predecessor, "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" it failed to make an impact. It was followed in the U.K. by "One More Time," another Look Sharp! single.
Reception
"Sunday Papers" has generally received positive feedback from critics. AllMusic's Tom Maginnis stated that the song "proved that the success of the novelty hit ”Is She Really Going Out With Him” was not a fluke," and went on to say that "[a]s engaging as Jackson’s lyrics are, the music refuses to be overlooked as the rhythm section of Graham Maby (bass) and Dave Houghton (drums) groove with a precise swing that exudes a playful confidence while Jackson contributes a well placed harmonica solo before the last surging call and response chorus that has the band shouting “Sunday papers!” to Jackson’s sharp accusations[.]" Another AllMusic writer, Steve Huey, said that the song "deal[s] with the lack of thoughtful reflection in everyday life."
Music critic Robert Christgau said that the track "inspires fond memories of 'Pleasant Valley Sunday'."