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Thursday, March 19, 2020

Joan Jett - Up Your Alley (1988) | Analysis, Fun Facts & Trivia

Joan Jett - Up Your Alley (1988) album front coverJoan Jett - Up Your Alley (1988) album back cover
Joan Jett - Up Your Alley (1988)

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – Up Your Alley (1988)

πŸ”₯ 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

  1. "I Hate Myself for Loving You" – 4:07
  2. "Ridin’ with James Dean" – 3:21
  3. "Little Liar" – 3:41
  4. "Tulane" – 2:52
  5. "I Wanna Be Your Dog" – 3:36
  6. "I Still Dream About You" – 3:42
  7. "You Want In, I Want Out" – 3:47
  8. "Just Like in the Movies" – 3:27
  9. "Desire" – 3:54
  10. "Back It Up" – 3:43
  11. "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
  • 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?

πŸ’‘ "I Hate Myself for Loving You" later inspired the melody for the NFL anthem "Are You Ready for Some Football?"
πŸ’‘ The album is often considered Joan Jett’s late-80s resurgence.
πŸ’‘ It helped reintroduce her to a new generation of rock fans during the MTV era.
πŸ’‘ 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.