Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – Up Your Alley (1988)
🔥 Released in 1988, Up Your Alley is the sixth studio album by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, marking a strong commercial comeback after a quieter mid-80s period. The album leans into a more radio-friendly hard rock sound while keeping Joan Jett’s signature attitude, and it became one of her most successful releases since I Love Rock ’n Roll.
Album Tracklist
- "I Hate Myself for Loving You" – 4:07
- "Ridin’ with James Dean" – 3:21
- "Little Liar" – 3:41
- "Tulane" – 2:52
- "I Wanna Be Your Dog" – 3:36
- "I Still Dream About You" – 3:42
- "You Want In, I Want Out" – 3:47
- "Just Like in the Movies" – 3:27
- "Desire" – 3:54
- "Back It Up" – 3:43
- "Play That Song Again" – 3:31
Album Credits
- Artist: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
- Year: 1988
- Label: Blackheart Records / CBS Associated
- Producers: Kenny Laguna, Desmond Child
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Line-up:
- Joan Jett – vocals, guitar
- Ricky Byrd – guitar
- Kasim Sulton – bass
- Lee Crystal – drums
Most Popular Tracks
- "I Hate Myself for Loving You" – massive hit and signature late-era anthem
- "Little Liar" – strong charting single
- "I Wanna Be Your Dog" – cover of The Stooges classic
- "Ridin’ with James Dean" – energetic opener
Fun Facts
- "I Hate Myself for Loving You" became one of Joan Jett’s biggest hits of the late 80s.
- The song was co-written with Desmond Child, known for working with major rock acts like Bon Jovi.
- The album features a more polished, mainstream rock production compared to earlier releases.
- It marked a return to major label distribution through CBS Associated.
- The album title reflects the rebellious and provocative image Jett maintained throughout her career.
Trivia
- "I Wanna Be Your Dog" is a cover of the 1969 song by The Stooges.
- "Tulane" is a cover of a Chuck Berry track.
- The album charted in the Billboard 200, signaling a commercial comeback.
- The songwriting on this album involved more outside collaborators than earlier records.
- "Little Liar" received significant MTV airplay during the late 80s.
Did You Know?
💡 "I Hate Myself for Loving You" later inspired the melody for the NFL anthem "Are You Ready for Some Football?"
💡 The album is often considered Joan Jett’s late-80s resurgence.
💡 It helped reintroduce her to a new generation of rock fans during the MTV era.
💡 The collaboration with Desmond Child brought a more commercial songwriting approach.
Commercial Performance
- The album achieved strong chart performance on the Billboard 200.
- "I Hate Myself for Loving You" reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- It became one of Joan Jett’s most commercially successful albums of the decade.
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