Australian rock band Jet burst onto the global music scene in the early 2000s with their electrifying blend of garage rock, classic rock influences, and infectious energy that captivated audiences worldwide. Formed in Melbourne in 2001, the band delivered anthems that dominated airwaves and festival stages, cementing their place in rock history. Their catalog spans high-octane rockers, emotionally charged ballads, and everything in between, making them one of the most celebrated rock acts to emerge from Australia. This comprehensive guide explores the 20 best Jet songs that showcase the band’s incredible range and enduring impact on modern rock music.
Are You Gonna Be My Girl
“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” stands as Jet’s most iconic and commercially successful track, instantly recognizable from its opening drum beat and infectious guitar riff. Released in 2003 as the lead single from their debut album “Get Born,” this high-energy rocker became a global phenomenon, charting in multiple countries and earning platinum certifications. The song’s raw energy, driving rhythm, and Cameron Muncey’s electrifying guitar work perfectly encapsulate everything that made Jet special, while Nic Cester’s powerful vocals deliver the flirtatious lyrics with undeniable swagger. Its widespread use in commercials, video games, and sporting events has kept it relevant decades after its release, introducing new generations to Jet’s explosive sound.
Rollover DJ
“Rollover DJ” represents Jet’s perfect fusion of 1970s glam rock influences with early 2000s garage rock revival energy. The track features a stomping beat, handclaps, and a chorus designed to fill stadiums, showcasing the band’s understanding of what makes a rock anthem truly memorable. Lyrically addressing the frustration with repetitive radio playlists, the song ironically became a radio staple itself, demonstrating Jet’s ability to craft commercially viable tracks without sacrificing their rebellious spirit. The song’s production captures the raw, unpolished aesthetic that defined their early work while maintaining enough polish to appeal to mainstream audiences.
Cold Hard Bitch
This aggressive rocker showcases Jet’s harder edge with distorted guitars, pounding drums, and lyrics about a toxic relationship delivered with venomous intensity. “Cold Hard Bitch” became one of their biggest international hits, particularly in the United States where it received significant rock radio airplay and MTV rotation. The song’s straightforward structure and memorable hook made it an instant crowd favorite at live shows, where audiences enthusiastically sang along to every word. Its inclusion on the “Get Born” album helped solidify the record as one of the defining rock releases of the mid-2000s.
Look What You’ve Done
Demonstrating Jet’s versatility beyond high-energy rockers, “Look What You’ve Done” is a tender acoustic ballad that became one of their most beloved tracks. Written by Nic Cester about his mother, the song features gentle acoustic guitar, subtle orchestration, and heartfelt vocals that showcase a completely different side of the band. The emotional authenticity resonated deeply with listeners, making it a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions while proving Jet could deliver powerful performances in quieter moments. This track’s commercial success proved the band wasn’t just a one-dimensional rock act but could craft genuinely moving songs across different styles.
Get Me Outta Here
“Get Me Outta Here” captures the restless energy and desire for escape that defined much of Jet’s early work with its driving beat and urgent vocals. The song features a propulsive rhythm section, layered guitars, and a chorus that builds to an explosive release, making it a standout deep cut for fans. Its themes of wanting to break free from mundanity and seek adventure resonated with young audiences who saw Jet as representing rebellion and freedom. The track showcases the band’s ability to create compelling rock songs that maintained momentum from start to finish without relying solely on massive choruses.
Lazy Gun
From their sophomore album “Shine On,” “Lazy Gun” marked Jet’s evolution toward a slightly more polished sound while retaining their core rock energy. The song features intricate guitar work, a memorable vocal melody, and production that added depth to their signature sound without sacrificing the raw power of their debut. Thematically exploring complacency and the need to take action, the lyrics paired perfectly with the song’s driving instrumentation. While not as commercially successful as their debut singles, “Lazy Gun” demonstrated the band’s growth as songwriters and their willingness to experiment within their established style.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
This track exemplifies Jet’s ability to craft straightforward rock anthems with attitude and swagger that demands attention from the first note. “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” features a blues-influenced guitar riff, punchy drums, and confrontational lyrics delivered with the confidence that characterized their best work. The song became a fan favorite for its no-nonsense approach and the way it captured the band’s live energy in a studio recording. Its place on “Get Born” contributed to the album’s cohesive strength, providing another burst of adrenaline in a tracklist filled with memorable moments.
Rip It Up
“Rip It Up” showcases Jet’s love for classic rock and roll with a track that could have been lifted from the 1970s but sounds fresh in their hands. The song features a boogie-woogie influenced rhythm, playful vocals, and an infectious energy that makes it impossible not to move along with the music. Its retro aesthetic demonstrated Jet’s deep appreciation for rock history while proving they could make those influences sound contemporary and relevant. The track’s celebration of rock and roll’s hedonistic spirit perfectly encapsulated the band’s approach to music-making.
Shine On
The title track from their second album, “Shine On” represents Jet’s most ambitious and emotionally resonant work, building from a gentle opening to a powerful crescendo. The song features layered instrumentation including strings, multiple guitar tracks, and Cester’s most vulnerable vocal performance, creating an epic soundscape. Lyrically addressing perseverance through difficult times and finding light in darkness, the track showed maturity in both songwriting and production. Many fans consider “Shine On” to be Jet’s artistic peak, demonstrating they could craft complex, emotionally sophisticated songs while maintaining their essential rock spirit.
Radio Song
“Radio Song” ironically comments on the music industry’s formulaic approach to creating hits while being itself an incredibly catchy and radio-friendly track. The song features jangly guitars, a memorable chorus, and self-aware lyrics that poke fun at the very system that helped make Jet successful. This meta-textual approach added an intellectual layer to their work while never losing sight of creating an entertaining rock song. The track’s placement on “Shine On” showed the band grappling with their commercial success and the expectations that came with it.
Bring It On Back
This energetic rocker from “Shine On” demonstrates Jet’s continued ability to craft driving rock songs with memorable hooks and infectious energy. “Bring It On Back” features a propulsive rhythm, soaring guitar solos, and a sing-along chorus that made it a highlight of their live performances during the album’s tour. The song’s production showcases the band’s evolution, with more sophisticated arrangements than their debut while maintaining the raw power that initially captured audiences. Its themes of resilience and fighting back against adversity resonated with fans who had followed the band’s journey.
Come On Come On
“Come On Come On” perfectly captures Jet’s garage rock roots with a stripped-down arrangement that emphasizes raw energy over production gloss. The song features a simple but effective guitar riff, pounding drums, and urgent vocals that create an sense of immediacy and excitement. Its straightforward rock and roll approach harks back to the genre’s earliest days while sounding perfectly suited to the 2000s garage rock revival. The track became a favorite among purist fans who appreciated Jet’s commitment to fundamental rock principles over trendy production techniques.
Hold On
This emotional ballad showcases Jet’s ability to craft moving slower songs that connect with listeners on a deeply personal level beyond their rockers. “Hold On” features delicate acoustic guitar work, subtle orchestration, and lyrics about supporting loved ones through difficult times delivered with genuine feeling. The song’s universal message of perseverance and the power of human connection made it resonate across different audiences and demographics. Its inclusion on “Shine On” provided crucial dynamic range to an album that balanced hard rockers with more contemplative moments.
Holiday
“Holiday” captures the euphoric feeling of escape and freedom with an upbeat tempo, bright guitar tones, and celebratory lyrics that make it perfect for summer playlists. The song features a more melodic approach than some of Jet’s heavier tracks, with vocal harmonies and jangly guitars creating a feel-good atmosphere. Its themes of leaving troubles behind and embracing joy resonated with listeners looking for music that celebrated life’s positive moments. The track demonstrated Jet’s range and their ability to craft songs for different moods without abandoning their rock foundation.
Last Chance
From their third album “Shaka Rock,” “Last Chance” marked Jet’s return after a hiatus with a track that reminded fans why they fell in love with the band initially. The song features the explosive energy of their early work combined with the production sophistication they’d developed over the years, creating a perfect synthesis. Lyrically addressing themes of redemption and seizing opportunities before they disappear, the track felt particularly poignant given the band’s own journey. Its commercial performance, while not matching their earliest hits, proved there was still appetite for Jet’s brand of straightforward rock music.
She’s A Genius
This track celebrates a captivating woman with energetic instrumentation and playful lyrics that showcase Jet’s ability to write character-driven songs. “She’s A Genius” features dynamic shifts between verses and choruses, intricate guitar interplay between Muncey and Cester, and a vocal performance that conveys both admiration and bewilderment. The song’s production balances clarity with rawness, allowing each instrument to shine while maintaining the band’s signature cohesive sound. Its placement in their catalog shows Jet continuing to explore different lyrical territories while staying true to their musical identity.
Black Hearts (On Fire)
“Black Hearts (On Fire)” represents Jet’s harder-edged material with distorted guitars, aggressive drumming, and lyrics about passion and intensity delivered with raw power. The song features a relentless energy that never lets up from its explosive opening to its final note, making it a live show highlight. Its darker themes and heavier sound showed Jet could compete with harder rock acts while maintaining their melodic sensibilities. The track’s inclusion on “Shine On” added crucial variety to the album, preventing it from becoming too polished or safe.
Seventeen
This nostalgic track reflects on youth and the passage of time with wistful lyrics paired with energetic instrumentation that captures youthful spirit. “Seventeen” features jangly guitars, driving drums, and a chorus that invites audience participation, making it an instant concert favorite. The song’s universal themes of remembering formative years resonated across different age groups, from teenagers experiencing those moments to adults looking back. Its balance of melancholy reflection and celebratory energy perfectly encapsulates Jet’s ability to explore complex emotions within accessible rock frameworks.
Start The Show
From “Shaka Rock,” “Start The Show” demonstrates Jet’s continued evolution while maintaining the fundamental elements that made them successful initially. The song features polished production, confident performances, and songwriting that reflects the band’s maturity and experience in the music industry. Its themes of performance and putting on a display felt meta-textual given the band’s own relationship with touring and recording. While representing their later period, the track proved Jet could still deliver compelling rock music even as they explored slightly different sonic territories.
K.I.A. (Killed In Action)
This powerful track tackles serious subject matter with appropriate gravity while maintaining Jet’s musical energy and commitment to creating compelling rock songs. “K.I.A.” features somber lyrics addressing loss and sacrifice paired with driving instrumentation that creates tension between the emotional weight and musical intensity. The song demonstrated Jet’s willingness to address more substantial themes beyond typical rock subject matter while never becoming preachy or losing their essential identity. Its inclusion in their catalog shows the depth and range the band possessed beyond their party anthems and love songs.
Timothy
From their later work, “Timothy” showcases Jet’s maturity as songwriters while maintaining the melodic sensibilities that always defined their best material. The song features intricate arrangements, thoughtful lyrics, and performances that reflect years of experience playing together as a tight musical unit. While not achieving the commercial heights of their earliest singles, “Timothy” represents the artistic growth that comes from a band continuing to challenge themselves. Its place in their discography reminds fans that Jet’s journey included constant evolution and experimentation within their established rock framework.
Exploring the full range of songs that Jet created throughout their career reveals a band that mastered the art of rock and roll while bringing their own unique Australian energy and perspective. Whether you’re listening through quality headphones to catch every guitar nuance or through earbuds during your daily commute, Jet’s catalog offers something for every mood and moment. Their legacy continues to influence new generations of rock bands who look to their combination of classic influences and modern energy as a blueprint for success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jet’s most famous song?
“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” is undoubtedly Jet’s most famous and commercially successful song, becoming a global hit upon its 2003 release. The track achieved platinum certifications in multiple countries, charted internationally, and has been featured in countless commercials, video games, and sporting events over the years. Its iconic drum intro and infectious guitar riff have made it one of the most recognizable rock songs of the 2000s, ensuring its place in rock history.
When did Jet break up?
Jet announced an indefinite hiatus in 2012 after completing their tour cycle for “Shaka Rock,” though they never officially announced a permanent breakup. The band members pursued various solo projects and other musical endeavors during this period, with occasional hints at potential reunions. In 2017, they performed reunion shows in Australia, and in 2018 they announced additional tour dates, suggesting the possibility of future activity though no new studio album has been released since 2009.
What album is “Look What You’ve Done” from?
“Look What You’ve Done” appears on Jet’s debut album “Get Born,” which was released in 2003 and became one of the most successful rock albums of the decade. The album achieved multi-platinum status globally and contained several hit singles including “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” “Rollover DJ,” and “Cold Hard Bitch” alongside this emotional ballad. “Get Born” established Jet as major players in the early 2000s rock revival and remains their most acclaimed and commercially successful release.
What genre is Jet’s music?
Jet’s music is primarily classified as garage rock and alternative rock with strong influences from 1960s and 1970s classic rock, particularly artists like The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Iggy Pop. Their sound incorporates elements of hard rock, blues rock, and power pop, creating an energetic and accessible style that appealed to mainstream audiences. The band’s approach emphasized raw energy, straightforward song structures, and a no-frills production aesthetic that harked back to rock’s fundamental principles while sounding contemporary.
Where is Jet from?
Jet formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2001, adding to the country’s rich tradition of producing internationally successful rock bands. The band consisted of brothers Nic and Chris Cester, Cameron Muncey, and Mark Wilson, all of whom grew up in Melbourne’s music scene. Their Australian roots influenced their sound and attitude, bringing a distinctive energy that helped differentiate them from American and British bands in the garage rock revival movement of the early 2000s.
Did Jet win any awards?
Jet received numerous awards and nominations throughout their career, particularly following the success of “Get Born” which earned them several ARIA Awards (Australian Recording Industry Association). The band won Best Rock Album and Album of the Year at the 2004 ARIA Awards, among other nominations for their debut. They also received international recognition including MTV Award nominations and various music industry accolades that acknowledged their impact on rock music during the mid-2000s.