Joan Jett blasted onto the rock and roll scene with her first band, The Runaways. But, after four years and as many records, the band broke up. Two years after The Runaways disbanded, Jett released her second solo record with The Blackhearts. In 1981’s I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll was released in the fall. Jett’s sophomore record as a solo artist would prove to be her most successful. Not only didit reach the No. 22 spot on the Billboard 200 Chart, but it has also sold over a million copies as of this writing.
I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll has a run time of half an hour and the album contains 10 songs. What’s great about this record is that it’s straight-to-the-point rock and roll. There are no long, overdone ballads. It’s meat and potatoes rock and roll, which is just what her fanbase desires.
The first song off the record is her most famous song. The title track, “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” has been played through speakers across the world. It’s one of rock’s greatest anthems and shows the band at their absolute best. There is a great, nasty riff from both Jett and Ricky Byrd throughout the tune that has become a staple of rock. This song was originally recorded by the British band Arrows, but Jett makes it her song. At the end of the tune, the chorus gets repeated over and over and it cements the opening track into the listener’s ears.
Track two, “(I’m Gonna) Run Away,” lasts just under two and a half minutes. In comparison with the opening song, it has a softer edge than “I Love Rock ‘N Roll.” On this track, the recording quality gives it more of an indie/punk feel. The entire track is slightly muddy, with the guitars having some reverb. But the beauty in the song is the punk feeling. Even though the lyrics contain more of Jett leaving a spouse, the overall recording quality speaks to a harder edge.
Song four is the most underrated tune of the record. “Nag” features Jett supported by spectacular ’50s doo wop singers. This song is just under three minutes but features more catchy choruses from Jett & The Blackhearts. Throughout the song, the singers clap along to add more depth of sound to the tune. While Jett is known for her classic rock and roll sound, she also excels at exploring different avenues of rock. “Nag” is a fun song that is easy to sing along to. On the expanded version of the album, The Coasters are the featured background singers.
On song five, Jett tackles another cover, “Crimson and Clover,” which was recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells. Jett & The Blackhearts again paint their version as more rock and roll with louder guitars than compared to the original. Producers Kenny Laguna and Ritchie Cordell do a great job at focusing more on guitars and Jetts signature sound rather than trying to imitate the original tune. Around the two-minute mark, the band steps back and allows Eric Ambel to add a guitar solo before returning to the chorus and closing out the tune.
Now that the listener is more than halfway down the record, “Victim of Circumstance” clocks in as the sixth song. Dummer Lee Crystal provides a steady, smooth beat throughout the record, which allows the band smoother transitions into and out of the solos. “Victim of Circumstance” reads as autobiographical to what Jett had to go through being a woman in a male-dominated field. Like all of the band’s tunes, they easily hook the listener in with simple guitar riffs and “meat and potatoes” rock and roll.
“Bits and Pieces” sees the band return to the anthem rock and roll tunes. Crystal and bassist Gary Ryan lead the forefront on this track. The title is sung as the chorus and gets repeated throughout the track. Jett and the rest of the band are caught in a groovy call and response. Additionally, Ryan’s bass showcases his skills, which beef up Jetts vocals and the guitar, adding sound to the band’s background vocals. “Bits and Pieces” is an overall fun tune where the call and response style creates a new and fresh sound for a song that’s towards the bottom of the album.
Jett returns to her roots on song nine. “You’re Too Possessive” is Jetts take on her original tune while she was with the Runaways. The original Runaways version was first released on the band’s 1977 album, Waitin’ for the Night. Now, four years later, Jett returns with a harder rock sound to this Runaways classic. Jett also showcases her vocals as she can reach a higher octave throughout the song. It’s very amazing to see Jett return to a song that she recorded while she was with another band. It’s a great head nod to her former group.
The final tune on the record is her take on the Christmas tune “Little Drummer Boy.” As of 2025, it feels like every rock and roll group has recorded some Christmas song. But in 1981, it was very rare for a band to have a recording appear on a record of theirs. It goes to show how Jett was truly a trailblazer in every sense. But like with the two other covers that appear on the album, they get Jetted. Loud guitars, deep drum sounds and a simple yet useful solo are on the track, which makes it more of a rock and roll song rather than a Christmas carol.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts were perfectly able to execute their best record to date back in the fall of 1981. Little did they know at the time that this record would propel them to stardom and would make Jett the most popular and most selling artist of The Runaways. Lita Ford would be a close second with her duet with Ozzy Osbourne on “Close My Eyes Forever,” which would peak at the No. 8 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. But from the very first note of the very first song of her sophomore record, Jett launched herself into the rock and roll category, which would help with the success of I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Rating: 8/10
Tracklist:
1. I Love Rock ‘N Roll
2. (I’m Gonna) Run Away
3. Love Is Pain
4. Nag
5. Crimson and Clover
6. Victim of Circumstance
7. Bits and Pieces
8. Be Straight
9. You’re Too Possessive
10. Little Drummer Boy
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area. I am always looking for the next concert to attend.