Bad Reputation

I wasn't sure what to write about this evening, so I started browsing through some tunes from 1980.  Have to say that I wasn't too excited about any one of them in particular tonight.  In fact, I think I found some of them to be a little on the cheesy side.  It's no fault to the singers, though, because even someone like Diana Ross can get stuck with a tune that is just downright silly.  Sometimes, it just happens...

Anyway, somehow I came across Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," which was written just one year later in 1981.  Now, this is a classic tune that just about sums it up for me.  Yeah, I don't give a d@mn 'bout my reputation either, so this is perfect!  I'm just a clarinet player and not anywhere near as rockingly awesome as Joan Jett, but this message is probably shared by more than you'd think.  I noticed recently that Miley Cyrus covered this tune, and I even saw a video of her performing with Joan Jett.  Poor Joan.  No offense to anyone's creativity or artistic freedom, but Miley Cyrus?  Come on.  All I can think about is bubble gum and popcorn.  I just don't see Miley coming anywhere close to the renegade spirit of Joan Jett.  Teenaged rebellion just isn't the same, and I don't think Miley's hairdos or tattoos really are all that shockingly rebellious.  Anyway, back to Joan Jett.  SHE ROCKS!  Yup -- that about says it all.  The song was inspired by her search for a record company and the advice given to her by her producer Kenny Laguna.  She wasn't going to change for anyone, regardless of how many companies wouldn't sign her because of her "bad reputation."  Yeah -- right on, Joan.  I hear you loud and clear.  That message is so meaningful today -- and probably shared by even more than it was in 1981.  Let's face it, there is so much nonsense in the world today, and so many people talking about what is politically correct or not. Sometimes, you just have to say, "I don't give a d@mn" about what people think.  "A girl can do what she wants to do, and that's what I'm gonna do!"  You can, too -- just turn this tune on and crank it up!

I Hate Myself for Loving You

So, today I was having lunch with a co-worker at one of our favorite places--Subway.   Yes, it's true.  Not very exquisitely exotic or anything, but you always know how much it will be, and you know it is not fried.  I like to eat healthy food most of the time.  So, Subway is a good choice, and it is bright and cheery and yellow inside.  Kind of makes it "sunny" even on the gloomiest days.  This particular Subway usually plays light rock or pop on their radio station of choice, but today I heard Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You."  I thought, "Wow!  I haven't heard this in ages!"  I was even more surprised this evening when I read that the song came out in 1988.  Why was I thinking it was much earlier than that--like 1982?  I am getting all my years confused lately.  I hate myself for getting old...

Recent pic of Joan

Anyway, this song is awesome.  It's another one where I hadn't paid attention to the lyrics back in the day, so I took a look this evening.  The song is all about a woman who hates herself for loving a guy who is a cheater.  Ah, yes, we have heard this scenario many times before in '80s songs.  Well, we have heard songs where a woman is cheated and feels badly--maybe angry, sad, etc.  But!  We have only Joan Jett to really sock it to us with her title.  Yeah!  I think she wraps it up perfectly.  Listen to the lyrics--they are terrific.  I especially like, "But I've been dreamin' 'bout the lovin' you do..."  That just makes me smile.  Kind of a lyrical "wink."  Very cool.  The other part I remember was something about "but you don't know what you was missin' last night."  Little did I know that the whole verse ends with another bit of a jab at this guy: "Hey man bet you can treat me right...but you don't know what you was missin' last night...I want to see your face and say forget it just from spite..."   Sweet!  I love that last part.  This song is truly awesome.  I guess it's good to not have been overplayed.  Makes you really appreciate it many years later.  And Joan Jett is truly 100% rock and roll.  Enjoy!