Who: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
What: "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"
When: Released on Jan. 20, 1982; Hit No. 1 on March 20, 1982
I love rock 'n' roll, you love rock 'n' roll, he/she/it loves rock 'n' roll. Put another dime in the jukebox, add a killer, back-to-basics riff underneath a proper growl, and you got a hit for the '80s. No song offers the simple sentiment about digging good tuned better than this classic Joan Jett & The Blackhearts hit, and today (March 20) marks 32 years since the song took a loving hold on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven straight weeks. So, for today's #ThrowbackThursday, we're going to take another look back at this tune.
Originally written, recorded and released by the Arrows in 1975, Joan Jett reportedly first heard this track in 1976 while on tour in England. After covering the song solo, she recorded a version with the Blackhearts in 1982 and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sang with Jett's trademark ennui-filled yet sassy vocals during the verses and balls to the walls energy during the chorus, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" offers the perfect amount of rebellion for a bona fide rock track. Mix those elements with that killer, stomping guitar, and this track not only has attitude, it has all those perfect ingredients for an earworm.
So, throw on some leather, puff up your bangs and listen to "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" below:
