Even if you’re not a fan of Joan Jett, you’ve probably heard the song Bad Reputation from the album of the same name, which became the debut album in her solo career.
This is the visiting card of a rock singer, in which she assures us that she does not care about the opinions of others about her person. And the composition was so convincing because Joan really sang about her attitude to life.
Bad Reputation – Joan Jett Song Story
Jett co-wrote the song with Kenny Laguna, producer of the Bad Reputation album. In an interview with SongFacts.com, he spoke a bit about the history of the track and the meaning of the composition:
It’s about Joan, who was sort of a runaway member of The Runaways, and us who were trying to get a record deal and heard us say, “No, she’s too crazy, like the punks and the Nazis.” Joan had this bad reputation, no label wanted to sign her – that’s why the records belong to us. It was so disappointing. We thought we should write a song about it. One day Joan said something and I said, “You shouldn’t be doing this.” I tried to give her advice from an older man, but she was a teenager at the time and said, “Look, I don’t care about my bad reputation.” And I said, “Hey, so this is a song.”
He also elaborated on what Joan Jett’s song “Bad Reputation” is about:
“I don’t care about my reputation, this is a new generation,” that’s the point. The girl could do whatever she wants. When she sang these words, it was radical because there were no girls who would do anything other than what they were supposed to do. And they were supposed to be the same as girl groups. They had to be graceful, wear dresses. They were not supposed to play instruments. The song was definitely autobiographical.
Release and achievements
In the original version, the singer’s debut album was called Joan Jett, and Bad Reputation was not even released as a single. Kenny Laguna recalled inviting Dan Near, one of WNEW’s top DJs, to listen to Joan’s songs. He left without getting acquainted with all the compositions, but from the next evening he began to put on the air “Bad Reputation”, although he was asked to promote other tracks. By the end of the week, it turned out to be the most sought-after novelty among listeners.
It soon became clear that this song was the most successful on the record, so Jett and Laguna re-released the album under the name Bad Reputation (already on their own Blackheart Records label).
It was ranked #29 on VH1’s list of the best hard rock songs.
Video of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
The music video for Bad Reputation, directed by David Mallet, tells the story behind Jett’s debut album. It shows all the labels that refused to release it.
Cover versions
The most famous cover was performed by Avril Lavigne. We listen online.
Interesting Facts
- Kenny Laguna appears in the video for Bad Reputation as a producer from Warner Brothers.
Bad Reputation Lyrics by Joan Jett
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
When 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 I 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 do 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
Bad Reputation Lyrics by Joan Jett Alternative
I don’t care about my reputation
You live in the past, and this is a new generation
Any girl can do what she wants and
I’m going to do the same
I don’t care about my bad reputation
Oh no not me
And I don’t care about my reputation
I never said that I wanted to improve the situation in society
And I’m only getting better
When I am having fun
And I don’t have to please anyone
And I don’t care
my bad reputation
Oh no not me
Oh no not me
I don’t care
My reputation
I’ve never been afraid of rejection
And I don’t really care
If you think I’m strange
I’m not going to change
And I will never care
my bad reputation
Oh no not me
Oh no not me
Jerks!
And I don’t care
my bad reputation
The world is in trouble
No means of communication
And anyone can say
What wants
But it doesn’t get better
So why should I care
my bad reputation
Oh no not me
Oh no not me
I don’t care about my reputation
You live in the past
And this is a new generation
And I feel good only when
When it doesn’t hurt me
And that’s how I’ll stay
And I don’t care
my bad reputation
