The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band from Los Angeles, Californ… Read Full Bio ↴The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band from Los Angeles, California, who performed from 1975 to 1979. Believed at the time to have been a novelty act formed by producer Kim Fowley, who thought the notion of five teenage girls dressed in leather and lingerie performing heavy metal music was highly marketable, the band released its eponymous first album in 1976.

The Runaways were formed in late 1975 by drummer Sandy West and rhythm guitarist Joan Jett after they had both introduced themselves to producer Kim Fowley, who gave Jett’s phone number to West. The two met on their own at West’s home and later called Fowley to let him hear the outcome. Fowley then helped the girls find other members. Two decades later he said, “I didn’t put The Runaways together, I had an idea, they had ideas, we all met, there was combustion and out of five different versions of that group came the five girls who were the ones that people liked.”

Starting as a power trio with singer/bassist Micki Steele, The Runaways began the party and club circuit around Los Angeles. They soon added lead guitarist Lita Ford who had originally auditioned for the bass spot. Steele got fired from the group, later resurfacing in The Bangles. Local bassist Peggy Foster took over on bass but left after a month. Lead singer Cherie Currie was found and recruited in a local teen nightclub called the Sugar Shack, followed by Jackie Fox (who had originally auditioned for the lead guitar spot) on bass.

The band's lineup was:

* Cherie Currie, lead vocals and keyboards
* Joan Jett, rhythm guitar and vocals
* Lita Ford, lead guitar
* Jackie Fox, bass guitar and vocals
* Sandy West, drums and vocals

Despite the apparent "jailbait on the run" gimmick, the girls in the band were proficient at playing their instruments and wrote or co-wrote most of the band's material and, as later became obvious, were serious about their music. Their best known song is 1976's "Cherry Bomb" which has been covered by many other bands, including the punk band Bratmobile.

The Runaways made five albums and went through several personnel changes. Michael Steele was briefly part of the band before their first album, and later joined The Bangles. In 1977 Vicki Blue replaced Jackie Fox on bass guitar and Joan Jett took over as lead singer after the departure of Cherie Currie. In 1978 Laurie McAllister replaced Vicki Blue. The band broke up in 1979.

Jett and Ford both went on to achieve substantial success as solo artists in the 1980s. Currie went on to a briefly successful career as an actress, appearing in "Foxes" with Jodie Foster, before falling into heavy drug use. She later recovered and wrote an autobiography, "Neon Angel". West continued with music, sometimes playing with her former bandmates. Fox went to UCLA and Harvard Law School and became an entertainment attorney.

There was some progress made towards a Runaways reunion at the end of the 1990s, but this was killed off by Lita Ford who backed out at the planning stage, to the disgust of Jett. Currie did join Jett onstage in 2001 to sing "Cherry Bomb", the first time they had performed together in close to 25 years.

In 2004 Vicki Blue directed a feature-length documentary named "Edgeplay - A Film About The Runaways". The film includes interviews with most of the band members as well as producer Kim Fowley.

Drummer and vocalist Sandy West died on October 21, 2006 of lung cancer, at age 47.

The Runaways paved the way for female oriented punk bands like X-Ray Spex, Bikini Kill and most recently, The Donnas.

Most recently a movie called "The Runaways" was released starring Dakota Fanning as Currie and Kristen Stewart as Jett.

Joan Jett and Cherie Currie re-recorded "Cherry Bomb" for the video game "Guitar Hero Warriors Of Rock.

Gotta Get Out Tonight
The Runaways Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Joan Jett)

In the dead of the night I slip away
Lookin' for some heavy action
No matter what it is, I get that little itch
My body needs satisfaction

Gotta get out tonite

The wild one is callin' me
Gotta get out tonite
Out on the town is where I'll be alright

My folks think I'm bad and you know
They're probably right
But I don't listen to a thing they say
But I don't listen to a thing they say
Cause They're always uptight

My fantasy is strong, it really turns me on
I'm gettin' oh so wet
When will I discover my red hot lover
The one I'll never forget

Gotta get out tonite
The wild one is callin' me

Gotta get out tonite
Out on the town is where I'll be alright

Overall Meaning

The Runaways, an all-female 70s rock band, released Gotta Get Out Tonight in 1977. The lead singer Joan Jett wrote the lyrics about unapologetically giving in to her wild, hedonistic desires. In the opening lyrics, Jett sings about sneaking away in the middle of the night, craving some "heavy action" to satisfy her body's needs. She describes feeling an itch that only satisfaction can scratch. Jett's tone is rebellious and unapologetic.

Jett's parents disapprove of her behavior, and she recognizes that they're probably right in thinking she's "bad." However, she refuses to listen to them and live by their strict standards because they're "always uptight." Jett instead dives deeper into her fantasy, feeling turned on by the idea of discovering a red hot lover she'll never forget. Overall, the song celebrates the thrill of living in the moment and satisfying one's desires.

Line by Line Meaning

In the dead of the night I slip away
I leave unnoticed during the night

Lookin' for some heavy action
I want excitement and adventure

No matter what it is, I get that little itch
I have an urge for something, anything thrilling

My body needs satisfaction
I crave physical pleasure

Gotta get out tonite
I need to go out tonight

The wild one is callin' me
I feel pulled by my desire for excitement

Out on the town is where I'll be alright
Going out is what makes me feel alright

My folks think I'm bad and you know
My parents have a negative opinion of me

They're probably right
They may be correct in their assessment

But I don't listen to a thing they say
I ignore their advice and opinions

Cause They're always uptight
They are typically overly strict or anxious