Up Your Alley Songs Ranked
Up Your, Alley is the sixth studio album by American rock band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. It was originally released in May 1988, by Blackheart Records and CBS Records in the United States, and by Polydor Records in Europe and Japan, a year and a half after their previous album Good Music. This album contains the single “I Hate Myself for Loving You”, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100,and had been used as the theme song for Sunday Night FootballNFL games in America (with altered lyrics, by two singers) during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The follow-up single “Little Liar” continued Jett’s chart success, peaking at No. 19 on the Hot 100 in late 1988/early 1989. Here are all of Up Your Alley songs ranked.
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10. Little Liar
“The other single from here shows how Joan can exhibit the vulnerable and hurt apart from the anger from being lied to. “Little Liar” exudes all three in this rock ballad, with a choral backing and rhythm guitar that makes this more an 80’s Heart song”
9. You Want In, I Want Out
“The mid-paced rocker “You Want In, I Want Out,” also co-written with Desmond Child, has a sound that mirrors KISS, Crazy Nights era, minus the Ron Nevison wall of synth, but with the arena rock backing vocals of Heart.”
8. Play That Song Again
“Play That Song Again” digs deep into Jett’s honest-to-God rock and roll spirit. She’s been called the female Elvis. The more tempered but listenable.”
7. Back It Up
“Joan’s shift to arena rock, with crashing guitar theatrics and riffs. “Back It Up” even has shades of Def Leppard. Given that Hysteria was released the previous year, it’s hardly surprising that incorporating that sort of sound was seen as a boon.”
6. Tulane
“Joan does two cover songs back-to-back. The first is Chuck Berry’s rollicking “Tulane.” See, that’s the thing about a Jett album. It’s anticipating what she’ll cover in a sea of original numbers that makes it fun.”
5. I Still Dream About You
“There is not a `filler’ on the album. “I Still Dream About You” is an all time classic, with Joan throwing herself at you with some of the most Vulgar Lyrics ever recorded.”
See more: Joan Jett Songs Ranked
4. Ridin’ With James Dean
“Ridin’ With James Dean” shows Joan’s shift to arena rock, with crashing guitar theatrics and riffs. Joan Jett’s career had hit something of a speed bump. This girl and her rock is terrible, for those who love rock of the 60s, but sometimes very strong.”
3. Desire
“Ace songwriter Diane Warren helps Joan and producer Kenny Laguna on the 60’s-pop inspired “Desire,” which sounds quite nice with the usual guitars and backing vocals, also 60’s-inspired”
2. I Wanna Be Your Dog
“A moody, paced, chugging rendition of Iggy Pop’s “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” with enough power guitar to make it worthwhile. She’s one of those musicians who knows a sucessful formula and doesn’t stray from it.”
1. I Hate Myself for Loving You
“The lead track and top ten single “I Hate Myself For Loving You” was perfect for Jett. Co-written with Child, the big beat drum opening is quickly followed by Gary Glitter guitar wallop, a yelp from Jett and charges straight into a mega-catchy handclap chorus.”