On Your Radio
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| "On Your Radio" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Joe Jackson | |
| from the album I'm the Man | |
| Released | 5 October 1979 |
| Recorded | March 1979, TW Studios, Fulham, London |
| Genre | |
| Label | A&M |
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Jackson |
| Producer(s) | David Kershenbaum |
"On Your Radio" is a song written and performed by new wave musician Joe Jackson for his 1979 album I'm the Man. Written by Jackson as a put-down of his past enemies, the song features a prominent bass line played by Graham Maby.
Though not released as a single, "On Your Radio" has since become a live favorite of Jackson's and has seen positive critical reception.
According to AllMusic's Tom Maginnis, "On Your Radio" was written by Jackson as an "honest yet cutting kiss-off to all those who ever doubted him".[1] The song condemns Jackson's enemies of the past in lyrics such as "Ex-friends, ex-lovers, and enemies/I've got your cases in front of me today/All sewn up/Ex-bosses you never let me be/I got your names and your numbers filed away/I've grown up."[1] Jackson had been an unpopular outcast during his youth; in an interview, Jackson recalled struggles with asthma and remembered being "punched, tripped and taunted in the playground".[3]
Musically, the song is consistent with the new wave style of Jackson's music at the time; according to Maginnis, the song "cruises along upon the exuberant bounce of a straight driving bassline" played by Joe Jackson Band bassist Graham Maby.[1] Maginnis also notes the "steady rhythmic jangle" that comes from guitarist Gary Sanford's performance.[1]