ROCK MOMENT – Joan Jett ‘I Hate Myself For Loving You’
Joan Jett’s 1988 hit I Hate Myself for Loving You’ wasn’t just a chart success — it was the powerhouse centerpiece of her comeback album, Up Your Alley. After a few quieter years in the mid-1980s, Jett was determined to return with something bolder, louder, and more refined than anything she’d done before. Recorded primarily at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas and The Hit Factory in New York City, the album reunited her with longtime collaborator Kenny Laguna, who helped capture her gritty, live energy in a polished studio setting.
Jett and Laguna wanted Up Your Alley to sound raw but radio-ready, with sharp guitar tones and thunderous drums reminiscent of the hard rock bands dominating the airwaves. To achieve that balance, they brought in producer Desmond Child, best known for working with Bon Jovi and Aerosmith, to help shape the record’s sound. The result was a fusion of punk spirit and arena-rock power that showcased Jett’s versatility as both a singer and guitarist.
‘ Hate Myself for Loving You’ became the album’s lead single and centerpiece, featuring Mick Taylor, the former Rolling Stones guitarist, whose bluesy solo added a timeless swagger. Jett’s vocal performance was intense and emotional — equal parts defiance and vulnerability — embodying the frustration of wanting someone who’s bad for you.
Released on July 1, 1988, Up Your Alley climbed into the Billboard Top 20 and went platinum, proving Jett’s staying power in a rapidly changing rock landscape. Alongside other standout tracks like ‘Little Liar’ and ‘You Want In, I Want Out,’ the album solidified her reputation as one of rock’s toughest and most enduring women.
Even decades later, ‘I Hate Myself for Loving You’ remains a fan favorite — its riff-driven power and rebellious energy continuing to blast through speakers, reminding listeners why Joan Jett earned her crown as the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.
