"I Love Rock 'n Roll" is a rock song written in 1975 by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker of Arrows, who recorded the first released version. The song was later made famous by the hit version by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts in 1981.[1] Alan Merrill has been playing the song recently live in England, Europe, Japan and most often in his home town New York City.
The song was originally recorded and released by Arrows in 1975 on RAK Records, with lead vocals by Merrill and produced by Mickie Most. In an interview with Songfacts, Merrill said he wrote it as "a knee-jerk response to The Rolling Stones' 'It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)'.".[2][1] This version was first released as a B-side, but was soon re-recorded and flipped to A-side status on a subsequent pressing of the record. Although not a chart hit in its original version as a result of nonexistent promotion by the band's label, the song has come to worldwide prominence due to very successful cover versions.
Joan Jett saw Arrows perform "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" on their weekly television series Arrows.[1] when she was touring England with The Runaways in 1976. She first recorded the song in 1979 with two of the Sex Pistols: Steve Jones and Paul Cook. This first version was not released until 1993 in Flashback. In 1981, Jett re-recorded the song, this time with her band, The Blackhearts. This recording became a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single for seven weeks,[3] effectively launching Jett's solo career. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, representing one million units sold. All versions count once toward certification. This success propelled Jett's I Love Rock 'n Roll album to number two on the Billboard 200. Joan Jett's version was ranked #89 in the list 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of Rolling Stone
In 1983, "Weird Al" Yankovic released a parody of Jett's version, titled "I Love Rocky Road," which appeared on his self-titled debut album. Set to accordion music, a promotional video was also released modeled after Jett's video.
Also, cover versions of Jett's version have appeared in two music video games: Guitar Hero and Karaoke Revolution Party. The original version made an appearance in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, as well as in Rock Band 3.It is also featured in 2000 movie Coyote Ugly.