Joan Jett has defiantly stated that she will not stop performing her cover of Gary Glitter's hit 'Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)', despite the disgraced singer's child sexual abuse convictions. The 67-year-old rocker, who rose to fame with the Runaways in the 1970s, covered the 1973 song on her solo album 'Bad Reputation' seven years after Glitter wrote and released it.
Jett's Defiant Stance
In an interview with The Telegraph, Jett acknowledged that knowledge of Glitter's crimes troubles her, but she separates the artist from the art. "Of course it bothers me. But that's not the context in which I'm singing it," she said. She challenged critics, adding, "If people want to come at me for that, do it. I've been come at for more."
Jett also noted that she has altered the lyrics to make the song her own. "I'm singing different words from what he's saying. I try to make it my own. But am I going to drop it after the fact, after I've had my own career with the song? No," she stated.
Gary Glitter's Criminal History
Glitter's career ended in 1999 when he was convicted of downloading child sexual abuse material. In 2006, he was found guilty of committing obscene acts with two girls aged 10 and 11. In 2015, he was convicted of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault, and one count of having sex with a girl under 13, receiving a 16-year sentence. He was released in 2023 after serving half his sentence but was re-imprisoned for breaching parole conditions by allegedly seeking access to the dark web. In 2024, he was reportedly declared bankrupt after failing to pay over £500,000 in damages to a victim.
Context and Comparisons
Jett drew comparisons to classic rock bands, noting the Rolling Stones' 1968 track 'Stray Cat Blues', which describes a man lusting after a 15-year-old groupie. "One of my favourite bands is the Rolling Stones," she said, implying that holding artists to modern standards could apply broadly. She emphasized, "I'm not condoning it at all," but maintained her right to continue performing the song.
Joan Jett's cover of 'Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)' remains a staple of her live shows, and she shows no intention of removing it from her setlist despite ongoing controversy.
