This album worked very well as an LP (which I also have), because sides one and two are referred to as the night side and day side respectively. The night side had more uptempo numbers, while the day side included mostly slower songs. They're all well-written and well-performed, however. The more interesting tracks, from my point of view, are the dark and mysterious "Chinatown", the somewhat glitzy (and slightly paranoid) "TV Age", "Steppin' Out" (Jackson's most commercially successful song to date), "Breaking Us In Two", and "A Slow Song". The aura that this collection exudes is one of Jackson attempting to be a modern day Cole Porter...and for the most part he succeeds. Jackson proves himself to be one of the best tunesmiths of our day, and he has surrounded himself with a cadre of capable musicians. The result is one of the best pop albums of the 1980's.

This collection is well worth getting...but listen to it for the craftsmanship of the music and not for some sort of hidden message. You won't be disappointed.


Modern pop classic   January 25, 2002
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

I'm not necessarily a big Joe Jackson fan, but purchased this on record when it first came out (replaced it on CD a few years back). I was 13 years old at the time and liked it a great deal. I've put aside most of the stuff I listened to back then (anyone for Joan Jett?), but this one keeps making its way back into my CD player. Steppin' Out sounds as fantastic today as it did then and has become one of my all-time favorite. A Slow Song is also great and sounds better all the time. Joe Jackson has moved on to make CD's in a variety of styles, but Night and Day is the highlight of his career for me.


Definitely a catchy album   August 14, 1999
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Joe Jackson definitely brings a New York feel into this album, Night and Day. Each song on the album has its own distinct sound and melodic rhythm. From the salsa-like, "Target", to the slow, emotional, "Real Men". The Top 10 hit, "Steppin' Out", still remains as one of my favorite songs of the '80s, as well as, of all time. Since I was born in 1979, that song, along with the Top 20 hit, "Breaking Us In The Two", always takes me back to my early childhood. During a time when New Wave was blasting the airwaves and MTV, "Night and Day" was a refreshing sound to the ears. It was a great piece of work for Mr. Jackson, as the album peaked at #4 on the Billboards, and was certified gold by the end of 1982.


We..so tired of all the darkness in our lives..   December 17, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Yes, it sums up everything that I need to say about "Night and Day". The lyrics from "Steppin' Out" really say what I feel about life and future in general. And oh! What a beautiful bassline with tinkling the keyboard in the background.

I picked up this album sometime ago in this "Sale Bins" after watching the MTV Classic of "Steppin' Out". It captures a certain feeling of the dark and dampness of the streets after the rain. It sort of grow on me after the nights I spend on the driving on the wet streets of Portland (yes it rains a lot over there!) and everytime I heard those words "Me babe, steppin out into the night..into the light" it creeps in like a lonely feeling. Windy nights, cold rain, a scarf and a peacoat jacket!

It is released in 1982 but still shines like a gem. I also love the sketchy cover of Joe on the piano. A classic! It shows how the nightlife lurks in the background calling to follow them..into the night, into the light.

I haven't listened to N&D II, but an album of this stature can not be matched with a sequel. So better off to value N&D II on its own merit.