2011 Greatest Joan Jett song of all time POLL RESULTS, part 1

After years of being told by the media that “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” is the only Joan Jett song that deserves to be on any of their countdown lists, I decided to ask YOU, the Jettheads, what song YOU would pick if you were ever given the chance. No holds barred, every vote counts.

I wanted to only accept write-in votes, to keep it pure, but Polldaddy won’t allow anyone to create a poll without providing at least three choices. I was therefore stuck with allowing you to also choose between “I love them all equally and cannot choose a favorite!” (your #1 choice), and ILRNR itself, which came in at #2. Big surprise, right? 😉

But what the results lacked in drama, they made up for in creativity. The write-in option garnered votes for a staggering 55 different songs! Most of them had the same number of votes, so rather than have a 15-way tie for #8, for example, I’m just going to count down each group of tied songs in alphabetical order within the group. Remember, even if a song only gets one vote, it counts! (My poll, my rules. 🙂 )

So, let’s get started with #55 through #46!

#55 A Hundred Feet Away

First released on Album in 1983 and re-recorded for Sinner in 2006, A Hundred Feet Away (Jett/Laguna/Anders) is a sweet and simple tale of unrealized potential. I LOVE the guitars, the melody, and especially the lyrics. And of course, this song is absolutely awesome live.

#54 A.C.D.C.

A cover of The Sweet, from 2006’s Sinner. This was the first single and video Joan released after the 1994 Pure and Simple album. We waited 12 years for this one, and it was a lovely surprise. 🙂

#53 Activity Grrl

Written by Joan the day after a Bikini Kill show, this song first surfaced on 1993’s Flashback, and on Pure and Simple, Evil Stig, and USA (UK Promo). The versions are nearly all different from each other.

#52 As I Am

I admit, I voted for this one. It’s highly personal to me, and I wept the first time I heard it. I think it’s one of Joan’s best ballads, and it showcases the tenderness in her voice beautifully. From Pure and Simple, written by Joan with Desmond Child.

#51 Be Straight

The 8th track of I Love Rock ‘N Roll, written by Joan Jett, Kenny Laguna, and Greg Kihn. Great rhythm.

#50 Black Leather (rap version)

…as opposed to The Runaways’ song of the same name, which did not make the list. You won’t find “Black Leather” in the Rap/Hip Hop timeline of the 80’s, but Scorpio of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, and other hip hop icons of the day, wrote and recorded this rock-and-roll rap song with Joan for 1986’s Good Music album. You can also hear the demo version on Flashback.

#49 Do You Wanna Touch Me?

WOW, I can’t believe this hit from Bad Reputation didn’t rank higher! Even people who barely know Joan will stand up and dance for this one at her shows. (Pay attention to the overhead claps in this video. THAT’S what we want to see at shows! Yeah, oh yeah!).

#48 Fake Friends

So, so happy to see this one back in the set list. Yet another signature tune from my tortured childhood, but its truth is universal. From 1983’s Album.

#47 Handyman

Another one from Album, and probably one of the dirtiest songs Joan’s ever written. Simple. Raw. Need. The studio version is beautiful, but this is a dish better served LIVE:

#46 Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

A Creedence Clearwater Revival song from 1990’s The Hit List, and one of Joan’s best covers. It was a number one hit in southeast Asia that year, and played in a second-season episode of The Wire, “Port in a Storm,” in 2003 (Source: IMDB).