Misbehavin’

The song "Misbehavin'" by Joanna Dean, featured on her 1988 album of the same name, captures the rebellious spirit of a night gone wild, with lyrics painting a vivid scene of cruising through Jackson with "blue lights on my tail" and a mix of whisky and tequila. The track’s gritty, bluesy hard rock vibe, driven by Dean’s powerful, raspy vocals, has made it a fan favorite among Zoo Freaks for its unapologetic energy. In a rare interview snippet from a 1988 music magazine, Dean described the song as inspired by a real night of mischief in her hometown of Memphis, where she narrowly escaped trouble after a high-spirited bar crawl. The song’s raw attitude and defiant chorus—“I don’t give a damn, I’m misbehavin’”—resonated with listeners, though limited promotion by Polydor kept it from becoming a mainstream hit. Fans on a Joanna Dean Facebook group often share stories of blasting the song during late-night drives, calling it an anthem for living on the edge.

Another piece of trivia about "Misbehavin'" comes from its production at Ardent Studios in Memphis, where Dean worked with producers Eli Ball and James Hampton. The studio’s storied history, having hosted legends like Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top, added a layer of prestige to the album. According to a fan post on the Heavy Metal Rarities Forum, the title track was almost cut from the album due to time constraints, but Dean insisted on its inclusion, believing it encapsulated her personality. The song’s lyrical nod to gambling—“hand me them dice ‘cause I’m on a roll”—was a playful reference to Dean’s love for late-night poker games with her band, Big Noise, as mentioned in a 2012 Rock Garage review of the album’s reissue. Though no official social media posts from Dean herself discuss the song, fans on X occasionally share grainy clips of her live performances from the era, praising her Janis Joplin-like stage presence during "Misbehavin’."

Joanna Dean, born Joanna Dean Jacobs in Memphis, Tennessee, kicked off her music career at the remarkably young age of 18 as a backup singer for the iconic James Brown. This early exposure to soul and funk shaped her distinctive, soulful voice, which later blended seamlessly with her hard rock and blues influences. According to her bio on Wikipedia, Dean’s talent caught the attention of CBS/Sony before she signed with Polygram Records, leading to the recording of her debut album, Misbehavin’, in 1988. Her time fronting the band Big Noise and touring with acts like Johnny Winter and AC/DC honed her stagecraft, earning her comparisons to Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt. After her solo album, she formed Bad Romance and released Code of Honor in 1990, but her music career faded soon after, with rumors suggesting she transitioned to web design, as noted in an Amazon customer review.

For those looking to connect with Joanna Dean’s music or legacy, her official website is www.joannadean.com, though it’s sparse on updates. She doesn’t maintain active social media profiles, but you can find fan-driven content on Facebook through the Joanna Dean Fans group, where enthusiasts share rare photos and memorabilia. No official Instagram or X accounts exist for Dean, but fans occasionally post about her on these platforms using hashtags like #JoannaDean or #Misbehavin. The Heavy Metal Rarities Forum remains a go-to for collectors seeking obscure details about her work, and Discogs offers a space for fans to trade vinyl and CD copies of her albums. Dean’s small but dedicated fanbase keeps her music alive, making her a hidden gem for Zoo Crew listeners to rediscover.