Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are an American rock band led by artist Joan … Read Full Bio ↴Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are an American rock band led by artist Joan Jett. After The Runaways split in 1979, Jett pursued a solo career to explore the same aggressive punk style and met Kenny Laguna. Jett soon released her self-titled debut.
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
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
The Only Good Thing
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'The Only Good Thing' by these artists:
Alt. A penny for your time. I was so lonely i…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts:
(I'm Gonna) Run Away (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna) I can't take it This is gettin' si…
008 Be Straight I don't believe you should live by the rules I…
01 I Love Rock N Roll I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
01. I Hate Myself For Loving You Midnight gettin' uptight, where are you? You said you'd meet…
03 Wooly Bully One, two, three, four All right Watch it, watch it Say man H…
03 You Don't Know What You've Got I was caught so unaware When you made other plans Promises…
12 Wooly Bully One, two, three, four All right Watch it, watch it Say ma…
14 Hanky Panky My baby does the hanky panky My baby does the hanky…
15 Love is All Around Who can turn the world on with her smile Who can…
9. Why Can't We Be Happy I didn't mean to lose control and take it out…
A Hundred Feet Away Just a little girl in love staring at a penthouse…
A.C.D.C. She got girls Girls all over the world She got men Every …
Activity Grrrl She works real hard to try to make things right To…
Androgynous Here comes Dick He's wearing a skirt Here comes Jane…
Any Weather Hey! Hey! Why can't we let it go? Can't stand the status qu…
As I Am Oh, in another place and time, oh, I will be…
Ashes in the Wind (Joan Jett/Desmond Child) Here I am before you this is what…
Baby Blue Takes her time Bittersweet Reads the magazines She's not …
Back It Up All I hear is what you're worth With all those things…
Backlash I had it made, I never strayed From a course that…
Bad As We Can Be I didn't mean to lose control and take it out…
Bad Reputation I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation You're living in…
Bad Time I'm holding my hand out to you And you're…
Bad_Reputation I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation You're living in…
Be My Lover You strut into the room Well I don't know ya With a…
Be Straight I don't believe you should live by the rules I…
Bird Dog Johnny is a joker (he's a bird) A very funny joker…
Bits and Pieces I'm in pieces, bits and pieces I'm in pieces, bits…
Black Leather Oh, Well, he's all geared up, walkin' down the street I ca…
Brighter Day I watch my generation die I watch the heads of nations…
Call Me Lightning Dum dum dum durang See this little girl that's Smilin' s…
Can I didn't mean to lose control and take it out…
Can't Live Without You Yeah I know We're runnin aground And I see It's getting …
Celluloid Heroes Everybody's a dreamer And everybody's a star And everybo…
Change The World It ain't mine It ain't yours But I'm here I ain't goin' anyw…
Cherry Bomb Can't stay at home Can't stay at school Old folks say "You…
Cherry Bomb (live) (feat. L7) (J. Jett/K. Fowley) Can't stay at home, can't stay at schoo…
Coney Island Whitefish (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna) I warned you all the time to get…
Consumed (Joan Jett/Thommy Price) Things don't matter so much toda…
Contact This is the moment I been waitin' on And thinkin' on…
Cover Bird Dog Johnny is a joker (he's a bird) A very funny joker…
Crimson & Clover Ah, now I don't hardly know her But I think I…
Desire You're gone from mean street Each time our eyes meet I want…
Dirty Deeds If you're havin' trouble with the high school head He's givi…
Do Ya Wanna Touch Me We've been here too long Tryin' to get along Pretendin' that…
Doing All Right With The Boy Alright with the boys Hey you, what you gonna do Now I'm…
Doing All Right With the Boys Alright with the boys Hey you, what you gonna do Now I'm…
Don Before I was in a rock n' roll band I couldn't…
Don't Surrender (Joan Jett/Desmond Child) I can see the sadness in your e…
Everyday People Sometimes I'm right then I can be wrong My own beliefs…
Everyone Knows I know that people talk Don't tell me what they…
Eye to Eye (Joan Jett/Jim Vallance/Kenny Laguna) I got a word or two…
Fake Friends Fake Friends Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (Jett-Laguna) When …
Fantasy I've been friends with you for many days And I know…
Fetish Oh, look good in latex Get off having rough sex Surprise, ro…
Five Pretty palm, pretty balm, pretty bomb, pretty oh oh oh…
Friend To Friend Fake Friends Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (Jett-Laguna) When …
Frustrated Daddy's got his beer and he's glued to the television…
Fun Fun Fun Well she's got her daddy's car And she cruised to the…
Go Home (J. Jett/K. Hanna) Walkin' on the streets tonight I am s…
Good Music Everyone that I can see is gettin' right in tow…
Goodbye (Joan Jett/Desmond Child) Here we are playin' those games…
Gotcha You ran around like a hotshot It was a matter of…
Had Enough (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna/Ricky Byrd) When the fightin' starte…
Handyman (joan jett/kenny laguna) Randy, randy, I love you Oh I love…
Hanky Panky My baby does the hanky panky My baby does the hanky…
Have You Ever Seen the Rain Someone told me long ago There's a calm before the…
Heartbeat Are you my lover Or just fancy covers That I…
Hide & Seek Say man looky here Let's get together tonight an' play some…
Hold Me No tears for us tonight, we've really got to try Everybody's…
I Can't Control Myself I can't stand still cause you got me goin' Your…
I Got No Answers Little boy asked me why people get mad I just told…
I Hate Long Good-Byes (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna) I did not give you nonsense I …
I Hate Myself For Lovin' You Midnight, gettin' uptight. Where are you? You said you'd mee…
I Hate Myself for Loving You Hey Joan, don't you just hate it When you love somebody…
I Love Playin' With Fire (Jett) My one and only shining star said stick with me…
I Love Rock I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
I Love Rock & Roll I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
I Love Rock 'n' Roll I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
I Love Rock'n Roll I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
I Love You Love Me Love I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
I Need Someone (P. Falciglia/C. Mastrangelo) I need someone whoa how I nee…
I Still Dream About You Sitting on the edge of the bed I recall how…
I Wanna Be Your Dog So messed up I want you here And in my…
I Want You Midnight, gettin' uptight Where are you? You said you'd meet…
Indian Giver (B. Gentry/R. Cordell/B. Bloom) I can still remember It…
Insecure (Joan Jett/Jim Vallance/Kenny Laguna) It starts when I ge…
Jezebel I ain't gonna fool around I just know what you tried…
Joan Jett-I Love Rock N' Roll I saw him dancin' there by the record machine I knew…
Just Like in the Movies Standing on the corner Trying to hail a cab You tap…
Kiss on the Lips Feel connected Close my eyes Wanna touch Wanna take some …
Let It Bleed When the little bluebird Who has never said a word…
Let Me Go (Jett-Laguna-Cordell) I walk alone with no tomorrow Woah wo…
Let's Do It When the little bluebird Who has never said a word…
Lie to Me (Joan Jett/Desmond Child/Kenny Laguna) I can tell that so…
Light of Day One, two One, two, three, four Well, I've been out of the…
Little Drummer Boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Little Liar I was taught to never tell a lie To look you…
Locked Groove (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna) Let me go Out with you Let m…
Long Live the Night I go out about five I gotta job to stay alive Downtown…
Long Time It's nice of you to say We can still be…
Louie Louie (R. Berry) Louie, Louie woe baby Say we gotta go Yea, yea, …
Love Hurts Love hurts, love scars Love wounds and mars Any heart not to…
Love Is All Around Who can turn the world on with her smile Who can…
Love Is Pain Hey you must obey Or you will bleed You know…
Love Like Mine You call it charm but I'm not What you're supposin'…
Love Me Two Times Love me two times baby Love me twice today Love me two…
Love you love me love We're still together after all that we've been through They…
Machismo (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna) Machismo doesn't wanna know mach…
Make Believe I know you know Everybody knows it's true I'm in love But it…
MCA (J. Rotten/S. Jones/G. Matlock/P. Cook) It's in unlimited…
Misunderstood I'm not courageous I'm everything that they say Fame is ou…
Nag (A. Crier) Woe baby you're a nag (Nag nag naggity nag) You'…
Naked Built a house of cards around your heart Show yourself…
New Orleans I said a hey hey hey yeah I said a…
Nitetime (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna/S. Lunt) I don't like what I'm se…
Oh Woe Is Me What happened to my heroes They seemed to disappear The…
Outlaw (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna/Bob Halligan/Ricky Byrd) Black stre…
Play That Song Again Twenty one and lost out on the street You won't take…
Play With Me Life is never what you think Give a sentimental wink There y…
Pretty Vacant There's no point in asking you'll get no reply Oh…
Push and Stomp When I'm feelin' low need to let it out I do…
REAL WILD CHILD Well, I'm just outta school Like I'm real real cool Gotta da…
Real Wild Child (Iggy Pop cove Well I'm just outa school Like I'm real real cool Gotta da…
Rebel Rebel Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo [Repeat: x4] You've got…
Riddles Talkin' heads are talkin' But listen to what they say How th…
Ridin' With James Dean (J. Jett/R. Byrd/R. Browde) Johnny, Johnny I was by your …
Right 'Til the End Well, he's all geared up, walkin' down the street I can…
Right in the Middle Whoa oh oh oh Whoa oh oh oh Whoa oh oh oh Everybody's…
Right Til the End Well, he's all geared up, walkin' down the street I can…
Roadrunner One two three four five six Roadrunner roadrunner Going fast…
Roadrunner USA (Jonathan Richman) One two three four five six Roadrunn…
Run Away (Joan Jett/Kenny Laguna) I can't take it This is gettin' si…
School Days Used to be the trouble maker Hated homework, was a sweet…
Science Fiction One, two One, two, three, four Michael Rennie was ill …
Season of the Witch When I look out my window Many sights to see And when…
secret love Once I had a secret love, That lived within the heart…
Shout Shout Shout Let it all out These are the things I can do…
Someday Someday my love you'll learn to treat me right A…
Spinster (Jett-Hanna) Maybe I don't wanna maybe I don't wanna, wanna …
and many more tracks by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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