Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
ShareThisDifficulty
Guitar
Two stars
Vocals
Four stars
Drums
Five stars
Bass
Two stars
Band
Four stars
Album
Joan Jett
Release Year
1980
Genre
Punk
Supervision Recommended
Listen to Song
Video
The Story
When this song was recorded in 1979, Joan Jett was barely 21 and already a punk-rock veteran. As a teenager, she’d been recruited by the notorious LA impresario Kim Fowley to be part of the all-teen girl band, the Runaways (inspired by singer Cherie Currie, Jett co-wrote the Runaways’ anthem “Cherry Bomb”).
Like many early punk bands, the Runaways scared off as many people as they attracted, but they left their mark; the opening band on their last US tour was the Ramones. Jett eventually took over as the Runaways’ leader and singer, so making a solo album was no big stretch.
“Bad Reputation” got turned down by every record label there was, leading to Jett’s becoming the first female artist to form her own label. She had the last laugh when her next album, I Love Rock’n’Roll went Top Ten. Though not a hit at the time, “Bad Reputation” remains her anthem and gets played at every show.
Trivia
Joan Jett may be the only singer alive who has duetted with both Bruce Springsteen and Ellen DeGeneres.
Gameplay Hints
On drums, the tom-toms are frantic all the way through, so make sure you alternate your hands. If you try playing all the green and blue notes with your right hand, your tendons are going to hate you.
Where Are They Now?
Still going strong. Still doesn’t give a damn about her reputation.
Note: Any song or music video featured on RockBand.com may not represent the same version of the song used in any Rock Band content (including Rock Band games, Track Packs or our downloadable content). Rock Band content may feature or be based on alternate recordings or cover versions of any of the songs presented here.
Rock Band Network
Beautiful Girl, 2004
Overall Difficulty
Four stars
Blink, 2010
Overall Difficulty
Four stars
Circles, 2009
Overall Difficulty
Two stars
Great for LEGO Rock Band!
Keep the party going! You can play any "Family Friendly" rated Rock Band song in LEGO:Rock Band!
All Over Again, 2008
Overall Difficulty
One star
Break My Heart, 2009
Overall Difficulty
Two stars
Crosseyed and Painless, 1980
Overall Difficulty
One star
