Bad Reputation (Acoustic)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "Bad Reputation (Acoustic)" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts from their 2022 album Changeup here at THE ZOO! This track is a stripped-down take on Jett’s iconic anthem, and it’s got a wild story behind it. Joan Jett revealed in a 2022 interview with SPIN that she was initially dead-set against acoustic guitars, saying, “I wanted that electric guitar and I did not want to even see an acoustic guitar.” Growing up, she faced biases that girls should stick to acoustic, which made her push harder for electric. The idea for an acoustic album like Changeup came about unexpectedly when Jett and the band recorded unplugged versions for the 2018 documentary Bad Reputation. They loved the raw, intimate sound so much that they decided to mark the 40th anniversary of Bad Reputation with a full acoustic project, dropping 25 unplugged tracks that give classics like this one a fresh, gritty edge.

Another cool tidbit comes from the band’s official X account, where they posted in March 2022 about how Changeup let them experience their music “in a completely different way.” Jett herself told CBC Radio that she didn’t even own an acoustic guitar until about a decade ago, admitting she kept “acoustic stuff at arm’s length” because of societal pressures. The acoustic “Bad Reputation” first surfaced online in 2021, teasing fans with what was to come. Reviewers, like those at NME, praised the track for its raw vocals, making it feel like stumbling into a dive bar where Jett’s belting out an impromptu set. This version keeps the song’s rebellious spirit but adds a new layer of intimacy, perfect for our Zoo Crew’s laid-back, hippie vibes.

Joan Jett’s journey to rock stardom started when she was just a teenager, and it’s a tale of pure grit. Born Joan Marie Larkin in 1958 in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, she got her first electric guitar—a Silvertone—at 13 and never looked back. By 15, she co-founded The Runaways, an all-female punk rock band that shook up the male-dominated 1970s music scene with hits like “Cherry Bomb.” When The Runaways split in 1979, Jett faced a rough road—23 major labels rejected her debut solo album. Undeterred, she teamed up with producer Kenny Laguna, and together they founded Blackheart Records, pressing records and selling them out of Laguna’s Cadillac at shows. This hustle led to the release of Bad Reputation in 1980 (initially self-titled), and by 1981, Jett and her newly formed Blackhearts hit it big with “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” which topped the charts for seven weeks.

Jett’s been a trailblazer ever since, earning a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, with Miley Cyrus calling her a “badass being” during the induction. She’s not just a musician—she’s acted in films like Light of Day, produced albums for punk bands like The Germs, and even had a Barbie made in her likeness. Her influence spans generations, from inspiring punk rockers to being a feminist icon for fans who see her as a guitar-wielding superhero. You can keep up with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For more fan love, check out the Bad Reputation Nation fan site or join the Joan Jett and The Blackhearts Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect with other diehard supporters and keep the rock ’n’ roll spirit alive!