10 Greatest Covers From Joan Jett
via Guitar Center / YouTube
Joan Jett has always had a knack for turning raw energy into something unforgettable. Whether she’s snarling through a punk anthem or injecting glam-rock grit into a classic tune, there’s a conviction in her delivery that can’t be faked. She doesn’t just perform songs—she grabs them by the collar and shakes them until they’re unmistakably hers.
Covers have always played a vital role in Jett’s discography. While many artists use covers to pay tribute, she uses them as a way to reinterpret and reclaim. Her renditions often blur the lines between homage and ownership, breathing new life into familiar tracks without losing their original spark.
The following collection showcases ten standout moments where Joan Jett took someone else’s song and transformed it with her signature mix of grit, glamour, and unapologetic attitude. Each one is a reminder of how a great cover isn’t about imitation—it’s about reinvention.
View this post on Instagram
1. “Crimson and Clover”
Joan Jett’s take on “Crimson and Clover” doesn’t just honor the original—it reinvents it. Originally a psychedelic love ballad by Tommy James & the Shondells, Jett’s version swaps dreamy vibes for a punchier, electrified feel. The result is bold, slow-burning, and full of bite.
What stands out most is how she preserves the hypnotic rhythm while giving it a rougher edge. The swirling tremolo effect stays intact, but the guitars snarl louder, and the vocals carry an intensity that makes the song feel more defiant than romantic. It’s a transformation that feels natural in her hands.
By the time the song reaches its climax, it explodes into a raw, thunderous finish. That powerful ending isn’t just sonic flair—it’s the sound of ownership. With this cover, Jett doesn’t just perform the song. She absorbs it, reshapes it, and spits it back out with punk venom.
2. “Fun, Fun, Fun”
The Beach Boys wrote “Fun, Fun, Fun” as a sun-soaked teen anthem, all bright harmonies and carefree rebellion. Joan Jett keeps the rebellion but replaces the sunshine with swagger. Her cover trades surfboards for leather jackets and palm trees for barstools.
Her vocals add a rough, raspy quality that pulls the track into darker territory. The innocent thrill of skipping school becomes something more dangerous in Jett’s hands. She doesn’t just sing about having fun—she sounds like she might burn rubber right through your neighborhood doing it.
There’s no attempt here to mimic the Beach Boys’ signature harmonies. Instead, Jett rebuilds the song with a bluesy stomp, pushing it toward hard rock. What started as a California joyride now feels like a ride straight into a rock dive at midnight.
3. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”
Joan Jett doesn’t deviate much from the Creedence Clearwater Revival original, but that’s not the point. Instead, she finds the space between the lines and fills it with her unmistakable tone. It’s a subtle cover, but an effective one.
Her version carries a weight that feels more personal. Where John Fogerty’s voice sounds like it’s searching for meaning, Jett’s delivery feels resigned, like she’s already found the answer and lived through it. That shift changes the mood entirely.
The instrumentation stays faithful—steady drums, clean guitar, restrained pacing—but her presence alone shifts the emotional core. With just a slight change in tone and texture, she turns a classic rock staple into something raw and reflective.
4. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”
This is the song that helped define Joan Jett’s career, even though she didn’t write it. Originally recorded by the Arrows, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” became a global smash after Jett and the Blackhearts got their hands on it. And it’s easy to see why.
Jett’s version cleans up the original’s scrappy edge, trading its sloppiness for something punchier and more focused. The riff hits harder, the chorus is tighter, and her vocal delivery commands attention. She doesn’t just sing the line—she declares it like a personal mantra.
More than a cover, this rendition became the definitive version. It was the right song at the right time with the right voice. For many listeners, it’s not even a cover—it’s the original, with Jett as its true author in spirit.
5. “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Taking on a song as iconic as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is no small feat. But when Joan Jett joined surviving band members at the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, she didn’t flinch. She owned every moment of it.
Jett’s performance is all about power. She leans into the distortion and chaos, her voice slicing through the fuzz like a blade. The anger and frustration that defined the original are still there, but her delivery adds a dose of punk snarl that feels entirely her own.
What made the moment resonate wasn’t just nostalgia—it was how seamlessly she fit into the song’s message. Jett didn’t try to copy Kurt Cobain. She brought her own perspective to the angst, proving once again that a great cover doesn’t need to replicate—it needs to resonate.
6. “Real Wild Child”
Joan Jett’s version of “Real Wild Child” takes Iggy Pop’s already-rowdy track and dials it up to eleven. Where Iggy leaned into a synth-heavy swagger, Jett throws the whole thing into overdrive with pounding drums and high-octane guitar riffs. The result is a version that feels less like a strut and more like a sprint.
There’s urgency in her delivery—she tears through the lyrics like she’s got somewhere to be, and the band behind her is barely keeping up. The energy never dips, pushing the cover into full-on rock ‘n’ roll chaos. It’s less about polish and more about propulsion.
That relentless pace is what makes it work. Jett doesn’t just match Iggy’s spirit—she channels it through her own gritty lens, making the song sound like it was written for her in the first place. It’s a cover that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go.
7. “Love Stinks”
When Joan Jett tackles “Love Stinks,” she doesn’t just agree with the sentiment—she sells it with full-throated fury. The J. Geils Band’s version had a tongue-in-cheek bitterness, but Jett leans into the phrase like she’s felt every word firsthand.
Her voice adds weight to the sarcasm, pushing the song beyond a playful breakup anthem. You can almost hear the eye-rolls and slammed doors in her delivery. There’s no trace of self-pity—just raw, unapologetic frustration aimed straight at the heart of heartbreak.
By the time the chorus kicks in, it becomes a rallying cry. In Jett’s hands, “Love Stinks” turns from a sad observation into a powerful declaration. It’s not just a cover—it’s a rock anthem for the emotionally fed up.
8. “Tush”
Covering ZZ Top’s “Tush” means stepping into some heavy boots, but Joan Jett doesn’t shy away. She keeps the song’s Southern rock backbone intact while layering in her own brand of gritty glamour. The track still swaggers, but now it struts in black leather.
Her vocals, raspy and weathered, bring a new flavor to the track. There’s something smoky and sharp about the way she sings it—equal parts sultry and dangerous. The playful innuendo becomes a little more charged with her unmistakable voice guiding it.
Even with the bluesy guitar licks still front and center, Jett’s presence is what really shifts the tone. It’s the same “Tush,” just viewed through a punk-rock lens. Somehow, it feels just as at home in a Texas roadhouse as it does in a back-alley club.
9. “Rebel, Rebel”
David Bowie’s “Rebel, Rebel” is sacred ground for a lot of fans, but Joan Jett walks into it with confidence. She doesn’t try to out-weird Bowie—she just brings the song down to street level. The glam still shines, but now there’s a little more grease on it.
Her guitar tones are punchier, and the vocals have a snarling edge. That iconic riff stays intact, but the vibe is less outer space and more rock dive. It’s a celebration of misfits with its boots on the ground, more denim than glitter.
What’s striking is how naturally the song fits her style. Jett lives the rebellious spirit the song praises. She doesn’t need to act out the lyrics—they already sound like part of her story. It’s a seamless fusion of homage and attitude.
10. “Dirty Deeds”
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” was already a monster of a rock song, but Joan Jett somehow makes it feel even meaner. Her cover keeps the riff-heavy swagger intact but adds a layer of grit that feels distinctly hers.
She leans into the sleazy rhythm with relish, giving each line a smirk and a punch. Where AC/DC’s original had a mischievous grin, Jett’s version adds a bit of menace. It’s less cartoonish, more confrontational, and entirely commanding.
The magic here is that she doesn’t try to one-up the original—she stands alongside it, shoulder to shoulder. Jett’s take is proof that a great cover doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel; sometimes, it just needs the right hands on the steering wheel.
