ROCK MOMENT - Joan Jett 'Bad Reputation'

In 1980, Joan Jett released ‘Bad Reputation,‘ a song that would become her signature anthem and a rallying cry for anyone who refused to conform. After leaving The Runaways, the all-female rock band she co-founded as a teenager, Jett was determined to establish her own voice in a male-dominated music scene. ‘Bad Reputation‘ was her bold statement: she would do things her way, regardless of critics or expectations.

The song was co-written by Joan Jett and recorded with the early lineup of The Blackhearts, including seasoned session musicians and collaborators Jett had carefully assembled. The goal was to create a track that captured the raw, immediate energy of punk while keeping the rock edge accessible. In the studio, Jett focused on tight, aggressive guitar riffs, while the rhythm section laid down a punchy, driving foundation. Jett’s vocal sessions were intense—she recorded multiple takes to capture the right mix of defiance, grit, and melody, creating the iconic sound that fans still recognize today.

While the album Bad Reputation initially received modest commercial attention, the title track found traction on college radio and underground circuits. Its visibility skyrocketed with the launch of MTV in 1981. The music video, featuring Jett in her signature leather jacket performing with fearless attitude, became a defining visual of the early cable music era. MTV gave her exposure that radio often denied, connecting her directly with a nationwide audience and inspiring countless young musicians, particularly women, to pick up guitars and challenge industry norms.

Decades later, ‘Bad Reputation‘

remains a live staple and a cultural touchstone. From movies to commercials, the song continues to resonate, reminding audiences that Joan Jett’s success was built on independence, grit, and refusal to compromise—a perfect embodiment of rock rebellion.