Happy Monday! Today is a statutory holiday here in Canada known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and as is KKP custom, we have a special Monday edition of Reminiscings of Youth.
When I first saw the music video for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' iconic "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", it was probably through Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" show which I often saw on the weekends. And I got to see it a lot because it was such a hit; the US Billboard chart had it at the top spot (just like in Canada) for seven weeks in a row after its release in January 1982. What stood out for me was that Jett was a lady who looked like she could not only rock hard but could literally rock an opponent hard with her fists and/or her guitar, so I put her alongside the intimidating Pat Benatar. As well, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was pure unadulterated hard guitar rock with no jazz or pop mixed in, which was during a time filled with plenty of synthesizers. "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" ended up as the No. 3 song of the year in America and certified Platinum.
As with a number of songs that I've covered in ROY articles over the past few years, I...along with a number of other commenters...am once again surprised to hear that Jett's hit is actually a cover version of an original "I Love Rock 'n' Roll". The British rock band The Arrows released this song back in July 1975 and there really isn't much of a difference in the arrangement. It was also a hard and pulsing rock tune back then as well.
Interestingly enough, the following three Japanese singles were released on the same day: January 21st 1982.
Yoshimi Iwasaki -- Aishite Mon Amour（愛してモナムール）
Southern All Stars -- Chako no Kaigan Monogatari （チャコの海岸物語）
Seiko Matsuda -- Akai Sweet Pea (赤いスイートピー）
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