Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

“I Love Rock ’n’ Roll:” Joan Jett

Here’s a detailed History of the iconic anthem made famous by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts:

by Dan J. Harkey

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Origins: The Arrows’ Forgotten Gem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMsazR6Tnf8 

“I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” was originally written and recorded in 1975 by British glam rock band The Arrows, led by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker.  It was intended as a bold response to the Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll,” with Merrill declaring, “Okay, I love rock and roll”.

Despite its catchy chorus and swagger, the song was released as a B-side and faced challenges, including a newspaper strike and label disputes.  However, it refused to be overshadowed, gaining visibility when The Arrows performed it on their UK television show in 1976.

Joan Jett Discovers the Song

While touring England with her band The Runaways, a teenage Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform the song on TV.  She was instantly hooked and wanted to record it with The Runaways, but the band declined.

In 1979, Jett recorded a version with Paul Cook and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, releasing it as a B-side.  It wasn’t until 1981, after forming Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, that she re-recorded the song for her second album, I Love Rock ’n Roll, breathing new life and energy into the classic.

The Breakthrough

Released in January 1982, Jett’s version of “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” became a massive hit, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 4 in the UK.  The song’s gritty guitar riff, handclaps, and rebellious vocals turned it into a rock anthem and a symbol of female empowerment.

The album I Love Rock ’n Roll became Jett’s most commercially successful, selling over a million copies and solidifying her place in rock History.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

  • The song has been covered by artists like Britney Spears, sampled by 5ive, and parodied by LadBaby.
  • It was featured in Wayne’s World 2 in 1993, with a new music video.
  • Joan Jett & the Blackhearts continue to tour and release music, including Unvarnished (2013), Changeup (2022), and Mindsets (2023).

Despite being a cover, Jett’s version is so definitive that many fans mistakenly believe she wrote it.  Her rendition transformed a forgotten glam rock track into one of the most enduring songs in rock History.

Joan Jett was inspired to cover “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” after seeing the original version performed by The Arrows on their UK television show in 1976, while touring England with her band The Runaways.  She was immediately struck by the song’s energy and catchy chorus and felt it had the potential to be a hit. 

Jett wanted The Runaways to record it, but the band declined.  At the time, they had just covered Lou Reed’s “Rock ’n’ Roll” on their debut album, and the group felt it was too soon to do another song with “rock ’n’ roll” in the title.  Jett agreed with their reasoning but decided to hold onto the song for a future opportunity.

In 1979, after The Runaways disbanded, Jett recorded a version with Paul Cook and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, releasing it as a B-side.  Finally, in 1981, she re-recorded it with her new band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and released it as the lead single from her album I Love Rock ’n Roll.  The song became a massive hit, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing her status as a rock icon.

Joan Jett’s version of “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” differs significantly from the original 1975 recording by The Arrows, both in style and Impact.

Here’s how:

1.  Musical Style and Energy

  • The Arrows’ version had a laid-back, pub rock vibe, typical of British glam rock at the time.  It was gritty but restrained, with a slower tempo and less aggressive instrumentation.
  • Joan Jett’s version amped up the intensity with a harder, punk-influenced edge.  Her rendition featured a more prominent guitar riff, stronger percussion, and raspy, rebellious vocals, transforming the song into a stadium-ready rock anthem.

2.  Production and Arrangement

  • The Arrows recorded the song with producer Mickie Most, and it was initially released as a B-side to “Broken Down Heart.” It was later flipped to the A-side but never gained significant traction.
  • Jett’s version, produced by Ritchie Cordell, Kenny Laguna, and Glen Kolotkin, was tighter and more polished, with a focus on anthemic choruses and handclaps, making it ideal for radio and live performance.

3.  Vocal Perspective

  • The original lyrics were sung from a male perspective, with the narrator picking up a girl at a disco.
  • Jett kept the lyrics mostly intact but flipped the gender roles, singing from a female perspective about picking up a guy.  This subtle shift added a layer of empowerment and challenged gender norms in rock music.

4.  Cultural Impact

  • The Arrows’ version was largely forgotten, despite being performed on their UK television show.
  • Jett’s version became a global hit, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the most recognizable rock songs of all time.  It helped define her image as the Queen of Rock and remains her signature track.

5.  Legacy

  • Jett’s version has been featured in films, commercials, and countless playlists.  It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 and is often mistakenly credited as her original composition due to its overwhelming popularity.

When Joan Jett & the Blackhearts released “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” in 1981, the fan reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and the song quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

Immediate Fan Response

  • The song’s catchy hook, rebellious energy, and anthemic chorus resonated with fans across generations.  It was seen as a bold declaration of musical identity, especially for young women in rock.
  • Fans embraced Jett’s raw vocal style and punk-infused attitude, which stood out in a music landscape increasingly dominated by polished pop and synth-heavy tracks.
  • The single shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks, is a testament to its popularity and radio appeal.

Cultural Impact

  • Jett’s version became a rallying cry for rock fans, especially those who felt disconnected from the emerging electronic and disco trends of the early ’80s.
  • Her image—leather jacket, black eyeliner, and unapologetic swagger—made her a symbol of female empowerment in a male-dominated genre.
  • The song was widely played in clubs, on jukeboxes, and at parties, becoming a staple of rock playlists and a favorite for sing-alongs.

Legacy Among Fans

  • Decades later, fans still react with enthusiasm to the song.  Reaction videos on YouTube show listeners of all ages discovering or rediscovering the track and praising its timeless appeal, gritty sound, and Joan Jett’s commanding presence.