Joan Jett's 1981 hit 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' demonstrated that stripped-back, three-chord songwriting could outshine complex arrangements, becoming one of the most successful cover versions in rock history. Jett first encountered the track when it was performed on television by British group The Arrows, who had originally released it in 1975, and she held onto the idea for years before recording it herself with The Blackhearts once her career had gained momentum.

Released on Jett's second album of the same name, the song spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number four in the UK, a market she considered tougher for politically "soft" material to succeed in given its more politically engaged punk audiences. Jett has since spoken about the song's divisive reputation, telling Mojo that while opinions on it vary, most rock fans can relate to the raw feeling it captures, and that she has come to appreciate its lasting connection with listeners.