“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” a timeless anthem celebrated for its rebellious spirit, powerful guitar riffs, and irresistible sing-along quality, is deeply associated with female empowerment. However, the journey of this iconic track to becoming the stadium-filling rock staple we know today is a story of reinvention and transatlantic musical exchange. While Joan Jett and the Blackhearts undeniably catapulted it to global fame, the question remains: who sings the song “I Love Rock and Roll” originally?
The Genesis: The Arrows’ Original “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”
The answer takes us back to 1975 and British rock band, The Arrows. Known in the UK for their hit “Touch Too Much” and their own weekly music television show, The Arrows were more than just a fleeting pop act. It was within this vibrant musical landscape that they conceived and first recorded “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Penned by lead singer Alan Merrill and guitarist Jake Hooker, the song emerged as the B-side to their single, “Broken Down Heart.”
Merrill explained the inspiration behind the song was a direct response to The Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It).” In an interview, he recounted watching The Stones on Top of the Pops and feeling that their song, seemingly an apology to their high-society circles, missed the raw energy of true rock and roll. This sparked the idea for a song that unapologetically embraced the genre’s rebellious heart.
Merrill envisioned crafting a simple yet impactful three-chord song with a memorable hook. He aimed to create a song within a song, where the chorus acted as a hit record playing from a jukebox in a scene of youthful flirtation. This meta-narrative concept aimed to amplify the song’s hit potential, imagining it as a fictional chart-topper within the very fabric of the lyrics. The Arrows’ 1975 version delivers a raw, garage-rock energy, a spirited take that, while not commercially explosive, laid the groundwork for the song’s future.
Joan Jett’s Transformation: From B-Side to Global Anthem
Fast forward to the late 1970s, Joan Jett, then with The Runaways, encountered The Arrows’ version while touring England and catching their TV show. Intrigued by the song’s raw energy and rebellious message, Jett saw its potential, even though her bandmates weren’t convinced about covering it.
Undeterred, Jett first recorded “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 1979 with Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook. This rendition, like the original, was initially relegated to a B-side. However, Jett’s persistence paid off when she re-recorded the track in 1981 with her band, the Blackhearts. This version became a phenomenon, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks and transforming “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” into a global anthem.
Jett’s version wasn’t just a cover; it was a powerful reimagining. While The Arrows’ lyrics depict a typical boy-meets-girl scenario, Jett flipped the script, embodying a confident female persona taking charge. Her assertive delivery of lines like “I saw him dancing there by the record machine / I knew he must have been about seventeen / The beat was going strong / Playing my favorite song / And I could tell it wouldn’t be long till he was with me, yeah me” resonated deeply, particularly with female audiences. This lyrical and sonic shift cemented the song as an anthem of female empowerment, establishing Joan Jett as a rock icon and inspiring generations of musicians.
Enduring Legacy: Covers and Parodies of a Rock Classic
Joan Jett’s iconic rendition ensured that “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” would be revisited and reinterpreted by numerous artists across genres. From Britney Spears’ pop take to L.A. Guns’ hard rock version and Miley Cyrus’ recent collaboration with Dolly Parton, the song’s adaptable structure and universal theme have made it a popular choice for covers.
However, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”‘s cultural impact extends beyond straightforward covers. Its infectious melody and recognizable chorus have made it a prime target for parody. “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “I Love Rocky Road,” LadBaby’s comedic “I Love Sausage Rolls,” and Apologetix’s religious parody “I Love Apostle Paul” demonstrate the song’s deep entrenchment in popular culture, proving its ability to be both celebrated and playfully mocked.
In conclusion, while many immediately associate “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” with Joan Jett, the answer to who sings the song “I Love Rock and Roll” originally points to The Arrows. It is their foundational 1975 track that sparked the song’s journey, a journey that Joan Jett amplified into a global phenomenon. Both versions, however, contribute to the rich history of this enduring rock anthem, a testament to the song’s timeless appeal and transformative power across artists and generations.
