You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)

Not to be confused with The Rolling Stones song You Can't Always Get What You Want.

"You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)" is a single from Joe Jackson's 1984 album Body and Soul.^[2][3] It spent sixteen weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was Jackson's second-highest charted song in America when it peaked at number 15 the week of June 23, 1984.^[4][5]

"You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)"
Single by Joe Jackson
from the album Body and Soul
B-side	"Cha Cha Loco"
Released	1984
Recorded	1984
Studio	Masonic Hall (Manhattan)[1]
Genre	Sophisti-pop, jazz
Length	3:42 (Single Version) 4:54 (Album Version)
Label	A&M Records
Songwriter(s)	Joe Jackson
Producer(s)	David Kershenbaum and Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson singles chronology
"Memphis" (1983) "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)" (1984) "Happy Ending" (1984)

In addition to the 7” single, it was also released as a 12” single, remixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez.

Background

The track features a slap bass performance from Jackson's longtime bassist Graham Maby. Maby recalled, "For 'You Can't Get What You Want,' on Body and Soul, Joe wanted me to slap. It was certainly not one of my strengths, but I think the track came out fine, and it was fun to play live."^[6]

Reception

Glide Magazine ranked the song as Jackson's third best song.^[7] Mike DeGagne of AllMusic called the song "explosive."^[8]

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9]	96
Canada Singles Chart	30
UK Singles Chart[10]	77
US Billboard Hot 100[11]	15
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[12]	13