He did not like the prospect of being a serious composer, and moved towards pop and rock. His first band was Arms and Legs which collapsed after two unsuccessful singles. He then spent some time in the cabaret circuit to make money to record his own demos. In 1978 a producer heard his tape, and got him signed to A&M Records. The album Look Sharp! was recorded straight away, and was released in 1979, quickly followed by I'm the Man and Beat Crazy in 1980. The Joe Jackson band was very successful and toured extensively. After the breakup of the band, Joe took a break and recorded an album of old-style swing and blues tunes.
From then on, he left the world of pop further and further behind him, and went on to be signed by Sony Classical in 1997, who released his unconventional Symphony No. 1 in 1999.
Jackson is most commonly known for the 1982 hit song "Steppin' Out", which still gets extensive FM radio airplay.
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1978 | Look Sharp | A&M |
| 1979 | I'm the Man | A&M |
| 1980 | Beat Crazy | A&M |
| 1981 | Jumpin' Jive | A&M |
| 1982 | Night and Day | A&M |
| 1984 | Body & Soul | A&M |
| 1986 | Big World | A&M |
| 1987 | Will Power | A&M |
| 1988 | Live 1980/86 | |
| 1988 | Tucker | A&M |
| 1989 | Blaze of Glory | A&M |
| 1991 | Laughter & Lust | Virgin |
| 1994 | Night Music | Virgin |
| 1997 | Heaven & Hell | Sony |
| 1999 | Symphony No. 1 | Sony |
| 2000 | Summer in the City: Live in New York | Sony |
| 2000 | Night and Day II | Sony |
| 2001 | The Best of Joe Jackson | Universal |
| 2002 | Two rainy nights | |
| 2003 | Volume 4 |