“I don’t give a damn about my reputation.” It is a sentiment often echoed by punks, rebels, and other brands of misfits hoping to differentiate themselves from the rest of the comparatively tame population by displaying their apathy towards societal expectations. These revolts against regularity, however, often fall flat, because deep down doesn’t everyone want to feel that they belong? No, not everyone. In her 1980’s music video for her popular single “Bad Reputation,” Joan Jett makes it abundantly clear to her audience—comprised of both fans and critics—that she will go against the grain and triumph not in spite of this but because of this. Jett’s physical appearance and primary sources are strategically used throughout the video in an attempt to prove to her viewers that she is successful because she does things differently in every facet of her life.

Take Jett’s clothes as an example. During an era of bright colors, big hair, short skirts and exposed shoulders, Jett stomps through the majority of her video with heavy boots on her feet, an ill-fitting leather jacket on her back, and a snarl on her face. Her masculine, grungy look is vastly different from typical eighties fashion. This wardrobe choice is used to establish her rebellious nature.  The video’s message revolves around the fact that Jett is different from everyone else and is proud of it. Her song is certainly removed from the expected eighties music, but if her audience looks at Jett and sees mainstream eighties fashion then they are less likely to believe Jett when she claims she is unique. As the common expression states, “seeing is believing,” so Jett ensures that her audience is presented with a look that matches her message. This approach is compelling, but if represented by a single source, not convincing, something Jett takes into account.

Concrete evidence of Jett’s unconventional success appears in the form of multiple primary sources. The music video is littered with shots of posters and music billboards advertising Jett’s other popular songs. The posters have headlines that scream about Jett’s success, while Billboard’s Top 100 blatantly displays another one of Jett’s songs as number one. Since this information comes from sources other than Jett, they serve as an affirmation to her claim. Instead of having one source of information to rely on, the audience can clearly see that Jett is truthful when she says her uniqueness has brought her success because they can see tributes to that success. People might be skeptical when it comes to believing someone when he or she praises his or her self, as that person’s opinion is likely biased, so Jett’s inclusion of multiple perspectives is done in an attempt to validate her success to her audience.

Most people walk a thin line in their lives- on one side is their desire to be unique and special, on the other is their desire to belong and be accepted by others. Jett, on the other hand, leaps over that line, sets fire to the side of acceptance and embraces the side of uniqueness.  She makes this clear in her “Bad Reputation” music video through clever rhetorical strategies. And if she doesn’t? Well, she doesn’t give a damn!