Introducing rock to your kids #10 - Joan Jett "I Love Rock n' Roll"

Let me be frank - if your kid doesn't know this song and he/she is 4 years old or older, there is a serious problem.  This song was made for kids.  It inspires them to jump, shout, howl like a coyote, and air guitar with a vicious rock sneer.

"I Love Rock n' Roll" is simple, catchy, timeless.  As a kid I locked myself in the bathroom, gripped my microphone (hairbrush) and sang along with Joan.  In college I raised both arms in joy as it played at a house party.  And even today, I always turn it up when it comes on the car radio.  That's the beauty of songs such as this one.  It never gets old and it appeals to just about everyone. 

Kids have about a 5 second window before they decide whether or not they like a song.  Something needs to catch their attention and not let go.  Because at the end of those 5 seconds, they ask themselves, "do I continue listening to this song or go back to setting up these blocks?" 

To me Joan embodies the power and potential of what I see as a sorely lacking group of female rock singers.  Pat Benatar is great, Stevie Nicks is amazing, Janis Joplin is an icon.  But where are the others?  You could make a case for Pink, an unbelievable singer who sometimes dabbles in rock.  That's what makes Joan and this song so special.  She stands out, and does it with an awesome pink sport jacket.

Please check out my new solo album "EXPLODE," which you can download on iTunes, Amazon, or CDBaby.

-neal