I Love (Real) Rock and Roll

I love the movie Wayne's World. I watched it at the age of 13 and still re-watch it ever year or so. While this song wasn't actually on the soundtrack, it typifies the spirit of the movie - rock and roll for people wearing leather pants and Alice Cooper t-shirts, but who'd like to think that there's a slightly punky cut to their jib and all the while wondering where that pervasive smell of cheese is coming from.

The song's history is also a bit iffy - originally written by British band The Arrows, Jett initially covered it with Paul Cook and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols (yes, really) after the breakup of her first band, The Runaways. She later re-recorded it with her new backing band, the Blackhearts. It's been covered by the cool (Dresden Dolls, Reverend Run), the strange (Hayseed Dixie and Alvin and the Chipminks) and the completely banal (who can forget Britney, but you can add Weird Al, god-punkers Ghoti Hook and Miley Cyrus to this list). It was also a gigantic hit all over the world. That said, Britney's version only made it to #55 in Romania.

But, despite Joan being a bit of a fox, I can't really buy into the song. Faux hand claps over a guitar so processed it may as well be plastic dot the musical landscape, while Jett sings in an accent that I, as a non-American, think is meant to be an iffy approximation of Noo Joiseycan. There's also a disturbing American-ness to it that makes you think that it's probably a popular choice amongst the Young Republican brigade. This is arena rock trying to be edgy, and failing miserably.

Verdict: I don't even like it, let alone love it.

Tomorrow: The Cure - Just Like Heaven