Complete List Of Joan Jett Songs From A to Z

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Complete List Of Songs From A to Z

Joan Jett launched her music career as a teenager, igniting a movement that challenged gender norms in rock and roll. She was raised in Pennsylvania and later relocated to Los Angeles, where her interest in music quickly turned serious. By age 15, she co-founded The Runaways, an all-female hard rock band that defied expectations in the mid-1970s. As rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist, Jett helped push the band into the spotlight with a fierce, no-compromise approach that broke through overseas—especially in Japan—while facing a dismissive American market that was reluctant to accept women in aggressive rock roles.

The Runaways released four studio albums during their short but impactful career, including The Runaways (1976) and Queens of Noise (1977). Their music was loud, defiant, and unapologetically raw, but internal tension and lack of U.S. commercial success led to their breakup in 1979. Jett was not finished. She moved to England and recorded a solo album with members of the Sex Pistols before returning to the U.S. and forming her next project from the ground up.

After being rejected by over twenty record labels, Jett and producer Kenny Laguna financed and released her solo debut Joan Jett independently. They later formed Blackheart Records, making Jett one of the first female artists to own a label outright. This decision gave her total control over her output and helped lay the groundwork for the DIY ethos that would influence punk, alternative, and indie scenes in the decades to come.

The 1981 re-release of her debut under the title Bad Reputation gained momentum through grassroots promotion. The title track—loud, rebellious, and punchy—became her mission statement and a defining anthem of her career. That same year, she assembled the Blackhearts and recorded I Love Rock ’n Roll, which turned her into a household name. The album’s title track reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for seven weeks. Its success catapulted Jett into the top tier of rock artists in the early ’80s.

“I Love Rock ’n Roll” wasn’t her only hit. The album also featured charting singles like “Crimson and Clover” and “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah),” both cover songs reinvented with her signature sneer and driving guitar. In a music industry that often sidelined women or forced them into soft pop categories, Jett carved out a distinct lane. She wasn’t asking for space—she was taking it.

Throughout the 1980s, she released a string of albums including Album (1983), Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (1984), and Good Music (1986). These records kept her touring constantly and cemented her reputation as a relentless performer. In 1988, she scored another major hit with “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” which reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later became the theme song for Sunday Night Football on NBC.

In the 1990s, Jett kept working, though commercial visibility dimmed. Albums like Notorious (1991) and Pure and Simple (1994) didn’t reach the charts but maintained a loyal fanbase. She made headlines with collaborations, appeared in films and television, and continued to influence the rising riot grrrl scene. Bands like Bikini Kill and L7 cited her as a direct influence, and her independent label Blackheart Records became a platform for young female-fronted bands who followed her lead.

In 2006, she returned with Sinner, her first U.S. release in over a decade, featuring politically charged tracks and updated versions of previous material. She continued to tour, including high-profile slots on the Warped Tour and festivals across Europe and North America. She remained a constant presence on the road, known for delivering loud, tight, high-energy sets whether in front of thousands or hundreds.

The 2010s saw a renewed spotlight. The 2010 biopic The Runaways, starring Kristen Stewart as Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, introduced her story to a younger audience. In 2013, Jett released Unvarnished, which charted on the Billboard 200 and proved she had no interest in nostalgia-only tours—she was still writing new material, still pushing forward.

Joan Jett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 alongside the Blackhearts. Her induction wasn’t just overdue—it was a statement. The Hall had long been criticized for its gender imbalance, and Jett’s inclusion was a recognition of her impact not just as a performer, but as a music industry trailblazer who refused to let gatekeepers control her work or her legacy.

Outside of music, Jett has consistently aligned herself with causes she believes in. She has been a passionate animal rights advocate, appearing in PETA campaigns and maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle. She has also supported LGBTQ+ rights and broader feminist causes, often using interviews and public appearances to speak out for equality in entertainment and beyond.

Blackheart Records continues to operate today, signing and promoting artists outside the mainstream. It stands as a rare example of a woman-owned rock label that has lasted for decades, rooted in the same resilience and independence that defined Jett’s own rise. She remains involved in its operations, continuing to shape the careers of others the way she shaped her own.

Joan Jett’s discography includes more than a dozen studio albums, multiple live albums, and compilations. She has placed songs in film, television, and advertising without watering them down or reshaping them for commercial tastes. Her voice, both musically and socially, has remained constant: tough, clear, and unfiltered.

Her influence can be seen in punk, glam, hard rock, and pop. Artists across generations—from Kathleen Hanna to Miley Cyrus—credit her for showing that women can own the stage and the business behind it. Jett proved you don’t have to change who you are to succeed in rock and roll—you just have to play louder than the people trying to shut you out.