A collection of Joan Jett’s favourite rock songs
At the young age of 16, Joan Jett founded The Runaways, experiencing notable success in the mid-1970s while opening for diverse acts, ranging from Talking Heads to Van Halen. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1976, included the renowned track ‘Cherry Bomb’ and a rendition of The Velvet Underground’s ‘Rock and Roll’.
Following The Runaways’ disbandment, Jett embarked on a solo journey that cemented her legacy. Her cover of The Arrows’ ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ became an instant classic, catapulting her to the top of the charts and solidifying her status as a rock icon. Her solo work radiated with unapologetic confidence and empowered audiences worldwide.
It’s undeniable that Jett stands as a rock and roll legend. She blazed a trail for aspiring female musicians in a predominantly male-dominated industry, emphasising that young women could also claim the rockstar spotlight. As a pivotal figure in one of the earliest all-female rock groups, she played a vital role in shaping the feminist punk movement, later collaborating with acts like Bikini Kill and L7.
Jett has been outspoken about the industry’s underlying misogyny, sharing insights and advice during a conversation with The Guardian. “For guitar-playing girls – this is important – don’t listen to what people tell you,” she said. “You may run into people asking you what you’re doing, saying that girls don’t play guitar. You’d think we’d be way past that now – it’s been 30 years since I played in the Runaways – but that’s not the case. […] Just screw all that and keep at it.”
Jett also draws inspiration from various musical sources that have shaped her sound and career. One such band is The Rolling Stones, which she particularly admires for their raw energy, catchy riffs, and rebellious attitude. Singling out ‘Sympathy For The Devil’, Jett is specifically fond of the “Chuck Berry riffs” of the song. Despite only discovering the band in her 20s, as “that’s when I really started taking them apart,” The Rolling Stones have undeniably resonated with Jett’s approach to music.
When T. Rex released ‘Bang A Gong (Get It On)’, musicians from genres across the board were entranced. This track became the band’s most acclaimed single in the United States and was also among the earliest tunes that Jett mastered on the guitar. “I loved the rhythm and there was something about [Marc Bolan’s] scream,” she told The Wall Street Journal.
It’s hard to imagine anybody in the American punk and rock ‘n’ roll scenes not being heavily affected by Green Day’s American Idiot. Jett, too, became particularly drawn to the album’s titular track, appreciating the overtly political message at its crux. “The music is so hooky,” she said, “but the fact that the lyrics are thought-provoking is icing on the cake.”
Of course, David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ from his album Diamond Dogs also made Jett’s list, mainly as she hails it as “one of the best riffs in rock ‘n’ roll.” The song emerged in the time frame between Bowie’s early 1970s Ziggy Stardust era and his 1975 R&B-infused album Young Americans. Jett included a ‘Rebel Rebel’ cover on her 1994 album Flashback.
Check out Jett’s full list of favourites below.
Joan Jett’s favourite rock songs:
- ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ – The Rolling Stones
- ‘Bang A Gong (Get It On)’ – T. Rex
- ‘Rebel Rebel’ – David Bowie
- ‘Waiting Room’ – Fugazi
- ‘American Idiot’ – Green Day
