Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Released: May 23, 1988

Songwriter: Ricky Byrd Ric Browde Joan Jett

Producer: Thom Panunzio Desmond Child Kenny Laguna Ric Browde

[Verse 1]
Johnny, Johnny I was by your side
Been looking for a ride
Told me you won't be denied
You want a taste of everything
Your going too fast, you're gonna crash
But you know you'll survive
So much to fight for
Lots of flags to wave
A rebel without a cause
You've got so much to say

[Chorus]
Tell me how you feel
Tell me what you see
Ridin' with James Dean
Ridin' with James Dean

[Verse 2]
You want the world to go your way
But you're going to find life can be unkind
But it's O.K
Things will happen that you don't understand
But don't you worry you know I'll be there
To hold your hand
Got so much to die for
But even more to live
Don't you crash and burn
You got so much to give

[Chorus]
Tell me how you feel
Tell me what you see
Ridin' with James Dean
Ridin' with James Dean
Tell me how you feel
Tell me what you see
Ridin' with James Dean
Ridin' with James Dean
Jimmy Dean

[Verse 3]
So much to fight for
Lots of flags to wave
A rebel without a cause
You've got so much to say
C'mon say it

[Chorus]
Tell me how you feel
Tell me what you see
Ridin' with James Dean
Ridin' with James Dean
I'll tell you how I feel
I'll tell you what I see
Ridin' with James Dean
Ridin' with James Dean

After splitting with The Runaways, and releasing her first solo album, Joan Jett placed an ad in LA Weekly looking for bandmates. Gary Ryan, Eric Ambel, and Danny “Furious” O'Brien joined her, creating the orginial Blackhearts lineup.

After their initial tour though, O'Brien was replaced with Lee Crystal.

Early on, keeping the band afloat was not easy. Joan and producer Kenny Laguna struggled, sometimes selling copies of albums from the trunk of his car. Eventually unable to keep up with the demand for Joan Jett’s album, they signed with Boardwalk Records.

more tracks from the album

Up Your Alley

From the album

Up Your Alley (1988)

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts popular songs

Ridin’ with James DeanJoan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Up Your Alley