Song: “I Hate Myself for Loving You”
A 1988 hit by a female rock trailblazer still rocks
Joan Jett is a rock trailblazer, first as a founding member of the all-female rock band the Runaways (“Cherry Bomb”), and then as the lead singer of her own band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Originally titled, “I Hate Myself Because I Can’t Get Laid,” this 1988 song uses a hook Jett came up with on guitar. Running the song by producer Desmond Child, he told her the title wouldn’t work, and suggested something with “love” in it. This was one of Child’s go-to moves, having co-written “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” with Kiss and “You Give Love a Bad Name” with Bon Jovi.
“I Hate Myself for Loving You” reached #8 on the US charts, Jett’s first Top 10 since 1982’s “Crimson and Clover.” Her biggest hit was 1981’s cover of “I Love Rock and Roll,” a 1975 song first recorded by the UK band the Arrows.
Mick Taylor, who was lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones in the early 1970s, played the solo on “I Hate Myself.” The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
The song was adapted for NBC Sunday Night Football, named “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” with Carrie Underwood (previously Pink! and Faith Hill) singing lead vocal and Joan Jett on guitar.
Enjoy!
And listen for the “Ow!s”