Bad Reputation: Joan Jett and Questions of Canon

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to identify and examine the reasons for which American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joan Jett has been widely excluded from critical musicological study and discussion. The overall aim is to create a discourse around the problems of canonizing popular music and the subsequent marginalization of artists who do not conform to the standard identity associated with a particular genre. The thesis focuses on three songs from Jett’s career as the foundation for in depth analysis of her musical contributions and career as well as discussions about gender and authenticity in the music industry to establish Jett’s musical credibility and historical relevance in popular music studies.