JOAN JETT V DEBBIE HARRY Summertime Blues

A right rockin' battle royale between two of the coolest chicks in pop culture - Joan Jett and Debbie Harry. 'Summertime Blues' has certainly been covered a lot since the original was released all the way back in 1958! Co-written and recorded by Eddie Cochran, this song has been done by the best: The Who, The Beach Boys, James Taylor and more recently The Black Keys among countless artists. But as yours truly loves himself some female rockers, here is a double header kicked off by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts who recorded 'Summertime Blues' in 1981 but it only found its way onto their 'I Love Rock & Roll' album on a deluxe edition in 1998. Joan brings her requisite edge and energetic bite to this ode to young angst. Debbie Harry recorded it a decade later for the soundtrack for a 1992 movie called 'That Night' which starred Juliette Lewis. Blondie's lead singer lends a cool charm and swagger to the classic song.

I first came across 'Summertime Blues' in 1988 after it was recorded by Stray Cats singer Brian Setzer for the movie 'La Bamba' a year earlier. As I am a nostalgic fellow, Joan's version fits for my 40 year celebration of pop as I trawl through 1982, and as 'I Love Rock & Roll' dropped off the #1 spot here in Australia this week exactly 40 years ago (making way for Toni Basil's 'Mickey') and I have already posted a mashup of Joan's classic monster hit, this badass version of another anthem; teamed up with the High Priestess of Cool Rock - Debbie Harry seemed a good idea. 40 years since Joan, and 30 for Deb on 'Summertime Blues'. Another piece of meaningless trivia - Olivia Newton John recorded a version of this song in 1975! I don't think I can check that out......Doesn't seem right. :)

Who wins the battle here? Joan or Debbie?