Bad Reputation
Joan Jett Lyrics


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I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
You're living in the past it's a new generation
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's
What I'm gonna do
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
Never said I wanted to improve my station
An' I'm only doin' good
While I'm havin' fun
An' I don't have to please no one
An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn
'Bout my reputation
I've never been afraid of any deviation
An' I don't really care
If ya think I'm strange
I ain't gonna change
An' I'm never gonna care
'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

Pedal boys!
An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my reputation
The world's in trouble
There's no communication
An' everyone can say what they want to say
It never gets better anyway
So why should I care
'Bout a bad reputation anyway
Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
You're living in the past it's a new generation
An' I only feel good when I got no pain
An' that's how I'm gonna stay
An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me




Oh no, not
Not me, not me, not me!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation" are all about rejecting the societal norms that come with being a woman in the music industry, or in any male-dominated field. Jett challenges the notion that women should be docile, obedient, and constantly striving to improve their station in life in the hopes of being accepted by men. Instead, she asserts that she has no interest in playing by those rules and will do as she pleases without concern for her reputation.


Furthermore, Jett sees herself as part of a new generation of women who have the ability to step outside of the confines of traditional gender roles and expectations. By unapologetically embracing her "bad reputation," Jett is making a statement about being true to oneself, no matter what others may say or think. She refuses to conform and, instead, rocks out to who she truly is.


In short, "Bad Reputation" is a bold and feminist anthem that encourages women everywhere to live authentically and to challenge the societal norms that try to limit their potential.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
I don't care about what people think of me


You're living in the past it's a new generation
Your outdated ideas don't apply to modern times


A girl can do what she wants to do and that's What I'm gonna do
I believe in freedom and will do what I want


An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Once again, I don't care how people view me


Never said I wanted to improve my station
My goal isn't to advance socially or improve my status


An' I'm only doin' good While I'm havin' fun
The only measure of success that matters is if I'm enjoying myself


An' I don't have to please no one
I'm not beholden to anyone's expectations


I've never been afraid of any deviation
I'm not scared to be different from the norm


An' I don't really care If ya think I'm strange
Your opinion of me being weird doesn't affect me


I ain't gonna change
I have no intention or desire to change myself


The world's in trouble There's no communication
The world is facing problems due to a lack of effective communication


An' everyone can say what they want to say It never gets better anyway
People can speak their minds but it doesn't necessarily lead to solutions


So why should I care 'Bout a bad reputation anyway
Given the state of the world, why should I care about a negative image of myself?


An' I only feel good when I got no pain
I only feel happy when I'm not in physical or emotional pain


An' that's how I'm gonna stay
I plan to continue living my life this way


Not me, not me, not me!
In case it wasn't clear before, I really don't care what you think of me




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joan Jett, Kenneth Laguna, Martin Kupersmith, Ritchie Cordell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@AnimeQ66.

Anyone here in 2024?

@jeromeblue3854

Yep.

@fishiefish6179

Yo

@265its3

Hi

@Magnifying_glass

Yoooo

@zedcanthandlethis

Hell yeahhh

4 More Replies...

@ArnetPhotography

She was and still is doing things nobody else is doing, or dares to do. What a trailblazer.

@seandavila835

I just saw her in concert last night. She puts on a great show.

@fortisetlenisstudios3352

"THE CHAIR!!! GIVE HIM THE CHAIR!!!"

@32voodoo

She played for the US troops stationed overseas. They knew all the words. She hated war and loved to play for the people in the military. She did not care about her bad reputation.

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