Shortly after that, with Kenny's assistance, Joan formed the backing group "The Blackhearts" with three obscure New York area musicians: Gary Ryan on bass, Eric Ambel (replaced shortly thereafter by Rick Byrd) on guitar and Lee Crystal on drums. After almost a year of touring, Joan's first album with The Blackhearts, entitled I Love Rock'N'Roll came out in December of 1981. The album included a version of "Little Drummer Boy" on the pre-Christmas editions. The album's impact on the music scene was immediate with the LP reaching the Top Five, while the single "I Love Rock'n'Roll" hit the very top of the Billboard's Charts on March 20, 1982 and stayed #1 for 7 weeks. Joan Jett had come back from nowhere.
A string of Top 40 hits followed, as well as sellout tours with The Police, Queen, and Aerosmith, among others. Jett was the second American act of any kind to perform behind the Iron Curtain, the first one being Blood, Sweat & Tears in Romania in 1969. She was among the first English-speaking rock acts to appear in Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Forced label changes in the 80's led to a decline in popularity. Despite the follow-up albums "Album" and "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth" being praised by her devout fans, neither got the attention or radio play the first two albums received.
After receiving her own MTV New Year's Eve special, Jett beat out a number of contenders to appear in the movie Light of Day with Michael J. Fox. It was about this time that Ryan and Crystal left the Blackhearts. They were soon replaced by the powerful rhythm section of Thommy Price and Kasim Sulton. Later that year, Jett released "Good Music", which featured appearances by The Beach Boys, The Sugarhill Gang and singer Darlene Love. The album only spawned two minor singles which received little airplay. This label decided the band had to either take in outside help or they would lose their contract.
And so they did. Her next release, Up Your Alley, went multi-platinum and was followed by "The Hit List", which was an international hit. Popular songwriter/producer Desmond Child was brought in, resulting in the release of album "Up Your Alley". This album brought the band a resurgence in popularity, with top 10 singles "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and "Little Liar".
This return to the spotlight would be short-lived, however. Follow-up album "The Hit List", an all-cover songs release, spawned only a minor hit with Jett's version of AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds".
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts became the first rock band to perform a series of shows at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, breaking the record at the time for the fastest ticket sell-out ever.
1991 and 1994 had two more releases, "Notorious" and "Pure & Simple". But radio had started looking to grunge by this time, and neither album got the attention they deserved.
In the 1990s, Jett and Laguna released "Flashback", a compilation of her career so far on their own Blackheart Records. Her next release, "Notorious" (which featured The Replacements' Paul Westerberg) was the last with Sony/CBS as Jett switched to Warner Brothers.
In 1994, the Blackhearts released the well received Pure and Simple, which featured tracks written with Kat Bjelland (Babes in Toyland), Donita Sparks (L7) and Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill).
While a slew of hits packages, some with an occasional new or previously unreleased track were released following this, it would be 10 years before a new studio album would appear.
This would be 2004's "Naked", and thus far has been a Japan-only release. The album sees Jett returning to a more raw and experimental sound, closer to that of her first 4 releases than the polished material that began with "Good Music".
Failing to get "Naked" released in other markets, Jett released on a more international level "Sinner" in June 2006, on Blackheart Records, her own label.. This album featured many remixed tracks from "Naked", and a complete rewrite of "Stuck in the Middle" to new version "Riddles". Lead-off single and video was a cover of "A.C.D.C." by Sweet.
To support the album, the band appeared on the 2006 Warped Tour, and embarked on a Fall 2006 tour with Eagles of Death Metal.
After a long break from recording, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts released a 6-song EP of new material, "Mindsets," in June 2023.
Wynnewood
Nag
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woe baby you're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
Would you go do this, and go do that, nag
(Nag) I just can't seem to get rid of you
(You're a nag) You order me around just like a slave
(Nag) You're gonna send me to an early grave
Would you go fix the bacon and don't burn the toast
Run down to the butcher shop and buy me a roast
(Nag) The way you're naggin' never gonna stop
(Nag) You always seem to be a blowin' your top
(You're a nag) One of these days I'm gonna lose my mind
(Nag) Jump out a window and I'll be real fine
Would you go do this, go do that
Wash up all the dishes
And don't you talk back
When I met you you were oh so sweet
Now you give me the bread and you take all the meat
You're always screamin' and hollerin' loud
I'm gonna buy me a ticket to the nearest cloud
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
Would you go do this, and go do that, nag
Hey you, get out of here
When I met you you were oh so sweet
Now you give me the bread and you take all the meat
You're always screamin' and hollerin' loud
I'm gonna buy me a ticket to the nearest cloud
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
Would you go do this, and go do that, nag
I hate you, get out of here
The lyrics to the song "Nag" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts depict the frustration and anger of the singer towards their significant other, who they refer to as a "nag." The repetition of the phrase "Nag nag naggity nag" conveys the annoyance and constant presence of the person in question. The singer describes how their partner bosses them around, constantly giving orders such as "go fix the bacon and don't burn the toast" and "wash up all the dishes and don't you talk back." The use of imperatives in the lyrics reinforces the power dynamic in the relationship, with the singer being subservient to their partner's demands. The singer expresses a desire to escape this suffocating situation, saying "I'm gonna buy me a ticket to the nearest cloud" and ultimately telling the person to leave by saying "Hey you, get out of here" and "I hate you, get out of here."
The song "Nag" was released in 1981 as part of the album "I Love Rock N' Roll." It was written by Joan Jett and her manager Kenny Laguna. The song was not released as a single, but it became popular as an album track and was frequently played on rock radio stations. "Nag" has been interpreted as a feminist anthem, as it speaks to the expectation of women to be subservient and accommodating to their male partners. It has also been noted for its rebellious and defiant tone, in line with Joan Jett's persona as a rock icon.
Overall, "Nag" is a blistering take down of a controlling and demanding partner, with the repetitive lyrics and powerful guitar riffs reflecting the frustration and anger of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Woe baby you're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag)
You constantly nag me and it's really bothering me
(Nag) You're always tellin' me what to do
You are constantly trying to give me orders and I'm tired of it
(Nag) I just can't seem to get rid of you
No matter what, you're constantly in my life and I can't escape you
(You're a nag) You order me around just like a slave
You treat me like a servant and it's not right
(Nag) You're gonna send me to an early grave
Your constant nagging is causing me so much stress that it's going to affect my health in the long run
Would you go fix the bacon and don't burn the toast
You're asking me to do something, yet again
Run down to the butcher shop and buy me a roast
You're asking me to do yet another errand for you
(Nag) The way you're naggin' never gonna stop
Your nagging will never end
(Nag) You always seem to be a blowin' your top
You get angry far too easily
(You're a nag) One of these days I'm gonna lose my mind
Your constant nagging is driving me crazy and I'm going to snap soon
(Nag) Jump out a window and I'll be real fine
I wish you would go away completely
Would you go do this, go do that
You are asking me to do yet another task
Wash up all the dishes
Another chore that you want me to do
And don't you talk back
You don't want me to complain about it
When I met you you were oh so sweet
You used to be a nice person
Now you give me the bread and you take all the meat
But now you take advantage of me and it's not fair
You're always screamin' and hollerin' loud
You are always making a scene and causing a disturbance
I'm gonna buy me a ticket to the nearest cloud
I want to escape and get away from you
Hey you, get out of here
I want you to leave me alone
I hate you, get out of here
I really do not want you in my life anymore
Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: ARTHUR G L CRIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martha Adsit-Owens
This lady knows how to entertain. I’m 60 now but loved it when I went to her concerts. Her Performance never disappoints
MetFan37
A must-see live, all her albums are awesome, seen her a bunch of times and have many live bootlegs. The Undisputed Queen of Rock N' Roll!!!
TheVetoSkreeemer
Joan Jett is awesome. Hope to see her live again some time soon. Yes she is fantastic live, great sound and gives the audience a positive feedback, Thanks Joan!!
TheVetoSkreeemer
Joan Jett is the best. In my opinion her two first albums are her greatest.
Preachin' OldSchool
Joan delivers lines like nobody's business
Paulette Conley
My friend, Joanne, and I used to Jam in my car to ,Joan Jett's, cassette, with Nag, on it, all the time! Great memories!
TheVetoSkreeemer
Great , cheeery song , thx for posting this up. Joan Jett is the best, well she knows that, but I never get tired of saying it.
Miss F
We all had that "special" someone!! NAG! 🤟
Janevsk
Nice Rythm 👍🤘
Queenie🥀5🥀3O-54
My Grandmother hated when I played this in my Fathers truck when I was a teenager. Just the other day I was listening to a joan jett song and out of nowhere started singing You're a nag nag naggity nag. My 25 year old son had no clue.