1982 Hit Ranked āBest Rock Song of All Timeā Became a Timeless Classic
1982 Hit Ranked āBest Rock Song of All Timeā Became a Timeless Classic
Nina DerwinWed, February 25, 2026 at 4:07 AM UTC
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More than four decades after it first blasted through speakers, āI Love Rock āN Rollā is still rocking harder than ever.
Joan Jett & the Blackheartsā 1982 smash has been ranked the "Best Rock Song of All Time" by Entertainment Weekly, a fitting honor for a track that has never truly left the cultural conversation.
Originally written and recorded in 1975 by British band The Arrows, the song took on an entirely new life when Joan Jett reimagined it. After the breakup of her pioneering all-female rock band the Runaways, Jett faced an uphill battle. She recorded a solo album with her backing band, the Blackhearts only to be rejected by 23 record labels. Undeterred, she and longtime collaborator and producer Kenny Laguna released the music independently on Blackheart Records.
That gamble paid off in a major way.
The Arrows officially disbanded in 1977, leaving an opening for Jett to make the song her own. Released in late 1981, Jett's version of "I Love Rock 'N Roll" soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982, where it remained for seven consecutive weeks. It became the defining song of her career and one of the most instantly recognizable rock anthems ever recorded.
Photo by Mark Weiss/Getty Images
Though it may technically be a cover, Jett and the Blackhearts made the song feel original. With her jet-black hair, leather-clad presence and unmistakable rasp, Jett didn't just sing about loving rock, she embodied it.
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"I think people have to understand that rock & roll is not just rock & roll,ā Jett told RollingStone. "It's more than that. It can be a message sender. It is something that is powerful and strong. And it is something that can be used to fight, people have injustices, and you can declare them and fight for it."
Beyond its in-your-face message, the track's production helped cement its staying power. Kenny Laguna crafted a stripped-down but powerful arrangement built on crisp, stomping handclaps and gritty guitar chords. The call-and-response energy gives the track a chant-like immediacy, while Jett's husky, commanding vocals cut through with pure confidence.
Over the years, āI Love Rock āN Rollā has remained a fixture in pop culture, appearing in films, commercials, sporting events and karaoke nights everywhere. Its rebellious simplicity continues to resonate across generations.
It may have started as a cover, but in the hands of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, "I Love Rock 'N Roll" became something bigger: a battle cry, a breakthrough and now, officially, the best rock song of all time.
Related: 1966 Hit Ranked Best āAmerican Rock Albumā of All Time
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: āAOL Entertainmentā
