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
Real Wild Child
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I'm real real cool
Gotta dance like a fool
Got the message that I gotta be
A wild one
Ooh yeah I'm a wild one
Gotta break it loose
Gonna keep a swingin', baby
I'm a real wild child, yeah
Well, I'm a real wild one
An' I like a wild fun
In a world gone crazy
Everything seems hazy
I'm a wild one
Ooh yeah I'm a wild one
Gotta break it loose
Gonna keep 'em movin' wild
Gonna keep a swingin', baby
I'm a real wild child
Well, I'm just outta school
Like I'm real real cool
Gotta dance like a fool
Got the message that I gotta be
A wild one
Ooh yeah I'm a wild one
Gotta break it loose
Gonna keep 'em movin' wild
Gonna keep a swingin', baby
I'm a real wild child
I'm a wild one, ooh yeah
I'm a wild one, oh yeah
I'm a wild one, oh baby
I'm a wild one
Gotta break it loose
Gonna keep 'em movin' wild
Gonna keep a swingin' baby
I'm a real wild child
The lyrics to Joan Jett's "Real Wild Child" are about embracing one's individuality and being free to express oneself. The singer is a young person who has just finished school and is eager to break free from conformity and expectations. They urge themselves to let loose and dance with abandon, because they have received the message that they need to be a "wild one." The singer is proud to be different and enjoys the excitement of wild and crazy fun, even in a world that may seem confusing or uncertain.
Throughout the song, the repeated phrase "I'm a real wild child" reinforces the idea that the singer is not afraid to be different, and that they thrive on the excitement of being unique. The chorus calls for the listener to "break it loose" and "keep 'em movin' wild," creating a sense of energy and freedom.
This song highlights the theme of rebellion and the search for individualism that was prevalent among teenagers in the 1980s. It encourages young people to embrace their differences and to resist societal expectations. The upbeat and driving music is an expression of the freedom and power that comes with being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm just outta school
Fresh out of formal education
Like I'm real real cool
Feeling self-assured and confident
Gotta dance like a fool
Feeling an urge to express physically
Got the message that I gotta be
Understood the concept that it's necessary to
A wild one
Embodying a free-spirited, uninhibited approach
Ooh yeah I'm a wild one
Wholeheartedly embracing the label of being wild
Gotta break it loose
Need to let go of inhibitions and societal norms
Gonna keep 'em movin' wild
Intentionally enthralling others and inspiring them to let go
Gonna keep a swingin', baby
Continuously maintaining a carefree, boisterous attitude
I'm a real wild child, yeah
Confidently asserting oneself as a true example of wildness
An' I like a wild fun
Enjoying the excitement and unpredictability of wildness
In a world gone crazy
Living in a time and place of chaos and confusion
Everything seems hazy
Feeling disoriented and uncertain
I'm a wild one
Reiterating the wildness, as if to reaffirm their identity
Ooh yeah I'm a wild one
Continuing to embrace the label of being wild
I'm a wild one, ooh yeah
Underscoring their wildness yet again
I'm a wild one, oh yeah
Continuing to proudly proclaim their wildness
I'm a wild one, oh baby
Incorporating a playful, affectionate tone into their declaration
Gotta break it loose
Reasserting the need to let go of inhibitions
Gonna keep 'em movin' wild
Continuing to entice and inspire others to be wild
Gonna keep a swingin' baby
Committing to a carefree approach for the long haul
I'm a real wild child
Once again proudly identifying oneself as a genuine wild child
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN GREENAN, JOHNNY O'KEEFE, DAVE OWENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Micktz28
I had the pleasure of seeing Joan Jett back in the 80's, she put on an awesome show !! Rocked the old Charlotte, NC Coliseum !! 🤘❤❤🤘
@markrussell3414
What amazing band Joan jett and the blackheart are legends in the music business with a beautiful voice and magnificent lyrics 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@diannecarpenter7718
I have this, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts/ Flashback ( record store day) on vinyl record!! Love it !!
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts rock !!
🎤🎸🎵🥁
Life is better with music.
@gatekeeperboxing5898
A great version of this song, love it !
@mabelmoore5647
Joan Jett is the awesome great female Rocker! You can never go wrong with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts! Beauty, brains and everything amazing! Been to concerts in the 80's and a couple years back here in Salina, KS. The sound and love for what she does remains the same. Keep Rockin' Joan! ♥️
@steverosten7101
I love Joan Jett so much ,she's amazing and looks so hot for her age,timeless beauty, I can't get enough of her
@musicschool2590
I love this track 🎶🖤🖤🖤
@ariellealien1012
I saw her when I was 8 or 9 with my dad, She came to my small town in Canada. I remember the show to this day! It was awesome!!
@thebroskies4209
Saw yall yesterday absolutely loved it as my very first concert in Washington DC🤘🏻❤️
@azmanarfan5972
I ♥️ Joan jett..