Rolling Stones

However, the song has a complex history, beginning as an Arrows original composition first released in 1975 on Rak Records. Lead singer and bassist Alan Merrill ...

The single sleeve had a picture of me with a pen digging into me as if it were a sword. Whilst touring with The Runaways in England, Joan Jett happened to watch the Arrows perform the track on their TV show of the same name. The anthemic hit has since been covered by pop icon Britney Spears and even adapted into a comedy (if you can call it that) charity single called ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’ by Ladbaby. Yet the recognisable tune ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ has a much lesser known origin. The track was originally released as an Arrows B-side, though it was quickly re-recorded and released, this time as an A-side, with ‘Broken Down Heart’ becoming the ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ B-side. Although Arrows gained much success, even landing their own show on Granada Television (now known as ITV), it wasn’t until Joan Jett performed the song that it became the massive hit we recognise today. It was a lighthearted, anti-journalistic sort of thing.” However, the song has a complex history, beginning as an Arrows original composition first released in 1975 on Rak Records. Lead singer and bassist Alan Merrill wrote both the lyrics and music; however, credit is also given to fellow member Jake Hooker as a way to settle a debt.