Ready For Saturday Night

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Ready for Saturday Night" by Joanna Dean, a high-energy track from her 1988 album Misbehavin', and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, a quintessential '80s party anthem, captures the rebellious spirit of cruising in a '55 Chevy with a six-pack, leaving Memphis behind for the Arkansas line. One piece of trivia comes from the song’s music video, directed by Adam Bernstein and shot in Memphis, Tennessee. It features Joanna driving a convertible, with scenes of the band rocking out under an awning in a field, interspersed with clips of a man working and a woman getting ready for a night out. The video, which aired on MTV and VH-1, included cameos from local Memphis celebrities, adding a hometown vibe to its gritty, fun aesthetic. Fans on the Joanna Dean Fan Club Facebook group have shared stories about how the song’s infectious energy made it a staple at late-'80s rock clubs, with some recalling sweaty dance floors where it blasted alongside tracks by Lita Ford and Vixen.

Another tidbit about "Ready for Saturday Night" comes from its lyrical charm and Joanna’s bold delivery. The song’s opening line, “Gonna paint up my '55 Chevy,” sets the scene for a carefree, rebellious night, and its slide guitar solo is often praised as a standout moment. In a rare interview snippet shared on the fan site Joanna Dean Fans, Joanna mentioned that the song was inspired by her love for classic cars and the open road, reflecting her Tennessee roots. The track was the second single from Misbehavin', following “Kiss This,” and its upbeat, bluesy hard rock vibe earned comparisons to Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt. Fans on Joanna’s X account occasionally post nostalgic tweets about the song, with one user recently calling it “the ultimate weekend kickoff tune that never got the spotlight it deserved.”

Joanna Dean, born Joanna Dean Jacobs, kicked off her music career in a big way. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, she started singing as a teenager and landed an incredible gig at 18 as a backup singer for the legendary James Brown. This experience honed her stage presence and vocal grit, which later defined her solo work. According to her bio on her official website, she caught the attention of record labels while performing in local bands. She signed with CBS/Sony before moving to Polygram, where she recorded Misbehavin' at Memphis’s Ardent Studios with her band Big Noise. The album, released in 1988, showcased her raspy, powerful voice and bluesy hard rock style. Joanna’s career also included opening for acts like Johnny Winter and AC/DC, and she later fronted the band Bad Romance, releasing the 1991 album Code of Honor. Her official Facebook page occasionally shares throwback photos from those tours, delighting longtime fans.

While Joanna Dean’s time in the spotlight was brief, her cult following remains active. The Joanna Dean Instagram account posts rare clips and fan art, keeping her legacy alive. The Joanna Dean Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant community where Zoo Freaks and other fans swap stories, trade vinyl copies of Misbehavin', and lament the album’s rarity before its 2012 YesterRock reissue. Another fan hub, Joanna Dean Fans, offers a discography and archived reviews, celebrating her as an unsung hero of '80s rock. Though Joanna stepped away from music after the early '90s, her social media presence and dedicated fan groups ensure that tracks like "Ready for Saturday Night" continue to resonate with listeners who crave raw, bluesy rock with a rebellious edge.