I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll Songs Ranked
I Love Rock ‘n Roll is the second studio album by Joan Jett and the first with her backing band The Blackhearts. Soon after the first recording sessions at Soundworks Studios, original Blackheart guitarist Eric Ambel was replaced by Ricky Byrd. It is Jett’s most commercially successful album to date with over 10 million copies sold, largely due to the success of the title track, which was released as a single soon after the album was released. Joan Jett saw “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” performed on TV by Arrows in 1976 and was taken away by the song. It was a staple of her setlist for years before the album was recorded. Here are all of I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll songs ranked.
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10. (I’m Gonna) Run Away
“The album is consistent in applying Joan’s influences, particularly 60’s rock with a thick layer of dynamite hard-rock attack of guitar, drums, and kick-a** vocals from the woman herself, as seen in the lovers’ drama of “(I’m Gonna) Run Away.”
9. Love Is Pain
“Love Is Pain” is a throwback to 60’s girl-groups like the Shangri-Las or the Angels, but is as blistering as the title track. Joan Jett was next to Pat Benatar in the 80’s when it comes to hard rocking music.”
8. Be Straight
“For an earful of Bo Diddley-type rockabilly done with the Jett sound, check out “Be Straight.” And I’ll be straight and say it rocks out like the others. And for something more punk mixed with a “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” energy, there’s “You’re Too Possessive.”
See more: Joan Jett Albums Ranked
7. Nag
“The cover of the Halos’ “Nag” duplicates the sounds of the original, down to the pause and one of the Blackhearts speaking a line on cue, almost like “Summertime Blues.””
6. You’re Too Possessive
“A great album. Another one with only a few original songs and ALOT of covers. But as we know, this is where Joan got to be a star. Still love all the songs.”
5. Bits and Pieces
“Her cover of the Dave Clark Five’s boot-stomping “Bits And Pieces” is another standout due to the beginning stand-alone drums and alternating vocals between Joan and the Blackhearts.”
See more: Joan Jett Songs Ranked
4. Little Drummer Boy
“The Christmas song “Little Drummer Boy” was on version 1 of I Love Rock And Roll as the album was released around Christmas-time. After the holidays, it was later replaced by the B-side of “Crimson And Clover,” the engaging “Oh Woe Is Me,” featuring a loud alley cat screech from Jett, also present here.”
3. Victim of Circumstance
“Well, this is an awesome album. It used to be that Rock and Roll music had strict frontiers. Joan Jett, a singer and songwriter has set a new standard for Rock and Roll music. No big hair and no scary make up. This is NOT your big brothers Rock and Roll music.”
2. Crimson and Clover
“The other big hit from this album was her Top Ten cover of Tommy James’ #1 hit “Crimson And Clover,” and the Blackhearts’ harmonies in the refrain bring an 80’s hard rock update while giving a nod to the original.”
1. I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll
“This album is practically a landmark event, signaling the end of punk music as a source of toneless anger. It was replaced by the joyous anthem on this album, the very musical and melodically insinuating “I love rock n roll”, now one of the biggest songs of all time in rock music history.”