[Still Loving Rock 'n Roll] -- Forty years ago yesterday, 11/18/1981, Joan Jett released her second studio album, I Love Rock 'n Roll. Although it was her second record, this LP was her first with The Blackhearts, the backing band she still fronts (and with whom her career has been intrinsically linked). I Love Rock 'n Roll is Joan Jett's biggest commercial success. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and sold over one million copies in the US. The album's title track, and first single, is probably her best known hit, but she didn't write it. It's a cover of The Arrows' original 1975 song. Jett's 1981 version of "I Love Rock 'n Roll" reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, US Mainstream Rock, and US Cash Box Top 100 charts, making it her highest charting hit in her career. The second single was another cover: Tommy James & The Shondells' 1968 hit, "Crimson and Clover." Jett's version of that tune was a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, US Mainstream Rock, and US Cash Box Top 100 charts, as well as a top 40 hit in several other countries. It remains her second-highest charting single to date. As a whole, this is a tough and loud record that covers quite a bit of musical territory over the course of ten tracks (or up to 15 tracks on later remastered editions): for example, there's glam rock, psychedelia, and holiday ("Little Drummer Boy").
In addition to the better known tracks, I have a fondness for "Bits and Pieces" and "Love is Pain." How about you?
Flashback: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts -- I Love Rock 'n Roll (1981)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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