An underground rock anthem.
The Runaways' 1977 'Queens of Noise' became a timeless underground anthem, featuring 18-year-old Joan Jett.
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In 1977, the Runaways released "Queens of Noise" — a hard-charging rock anthem led by an 18-year-old Joan Jett. Parade reports it was one of Jett's earliest chances to front a song, years before she became one of rock's most recognized voices.
The song appeared on the band's sophomore album of the same name. Despite modest commercial success during the Runaways' four-year run, "Queens of Noise" has endured for decades as an underground classic, drawing new listeners long after the band broke up.
How Five Teenage Girls Built a Rock Band
The Runaways took shape when music manager Kim Fowley brought five Los Angeles teenagers together. The lineup included Cherie Currie, Jackie Fox, Sandy West, Lita Ford, and Joan Jett. According to Star-Telegram, this became the band's most recognizable version.
The group was unusual for its time. All five members were teenagers playing loud, aggressive rock music at a moment when few young women did. Jett was just 18 when she helped write and lead "Queens of Noise," according to The State.
A Beach Boys Producer Shaped the Runaways' Sound
"Queens of Noise" was produced by Earle Mankey, a name best known for his work with the Beach Boys. Fresno Bee notes the song is widely considered one of the strongest tracks on the band's second record.
Mankey's production gave the track a sharp, polished edge without losing its raw energy. That balance helped the song stand out on an album full of hard-driving rock cuts.
Commercial Struggles Could Not Kill the Song's Legacy
The Runaways never broke through to mainstream success. The band lasted only four years before splitting up. But "Queens of Noise" refused to fade quietly, according to Parade.
Fans kept returning to the track long after the band dissolved. The song carved out a life of its own as an underground anthem — proof that a record does not need chart success to leave a lasting mark on rock history.
Joan Jett's Early Work Foreshadowed a Massive Career
For Jett, "Queens of Noise" was a preview of what was coming. She went on to form Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and score massive hits like "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." But her roots were here, on this 1977 track, at age 18.
Mahoning Matters notes that Jett wrote the song herself, showing a creative confidence rare for someone her age. That early spark, recorded on a scrappy rock album, helped set her on the path to becoming a rock icon.
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