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 Jettâs phone number to West. The two met on their own at Westâs home and later called Fowley to let him hear the outcome. Fowley then helped the girls find other members. Two decades later he said, âI didnât 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.â
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.
Is It Day or Night?
The Runaways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out on the avenue
I can't go back to being straight
I've seen the gutter view
Is it day or night?
Porcupine kiss, novacaine lips
Is it day or night?
In their warm dust sleep
And its dog eat dog tonight
Back door to insanity
Was ripped from their throats
Street wise hustlers and six string masters
Look cold in their over coats
Is it day or night?
Porcupine kiss, novacaine lips
Is it day or night?
White flowers weep
In their warm dust sleep
And its dog eat dog tonight
The Runaways' "Is It Day or Night?" is a song that perfectly captures the feeling of being completely disoriented and lost in a world where nothing seems to make sense. The lyrics describe a person who is struggling to find their place in the world, who feels out of step with the rest of society and unable to connect with the people around them. The singer expresses their dissatisfaction with their life, stating that they do not like living alone and that they are unable to "go back to being straight" after experiencing the "gutter view". This suggests that they have been exposed to a darker side of life, and that it has fundamentally changed them in some way.
The chorus of the song asks the question "Is it day or night?", which could be interpreted in a number of different ways. It could be seen as a metaphor for the uncertainty that the singer feels, or it could be a reference to the fact that they are unable to keep track of time due to their disorientation. The lyrics also feature a number of other interesting and evocative images, such as "porcupine kiss" and "novacaine lips", which suggest a sense of numbness and detachment.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't like to live alone
Living alone is not preferable to me
Out on the avenue
Being out in public
I can't go back to being straight
I can't pretend to be someone I'm not
I've seen the gutter view
I've seen the worst of life
Is it day or night?
Uncertainty about time of day or reality
Porcupine kiss, novacaine lips
Unpleasant or numb feelings
Is it day or night?
Uncertainty about time of day or reality
White flowers weep
Sadness and mourning
In their warm dust sleep
In the silence of their final resting place
And its dog eat dog tonight
The world is harsh and full of competition
Back door to insanity
Access to a crazy lifestyle
Was ripped from their throats
They were forced into this kind of life
Street wise hustlers and six string masters
Talented and experienced people who know how to get by
Look cold in their over coats
Appear tough and unapproachable
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carmel Dennison
This band could have gone a lot further if wasnât for bad management.. They deserved more for their talent... Male rockers got treated differently then female rockers.. one thing for sure women like this helped pave the way.. as well Ann and Nancy Wilson.â€ïžđ¶âïžđđ„
K.W Hiking
dave freeman And your claim to fame is what exactly.
DuĆĄan Radin
@K.W Hiking Fame isn't everything,neither is glory.Money is.
LittleLulubee
I think Cherie was just sick of life on the road, and homesick
Tessmage Tessera
It wasn't just their manager (Kim Fowley)... it was also the times. Girls simply weren't taken very seriously when they played hard rock/metal in those days.
Oddy. H Golightly
Facts
Johnny Glenn
I saw them in 1977. Opened for The Ramones. Cherie had already left the band but they were still sensational.
Oddy. H Golightly
Lucky
linda bishop
Oh wow!!! That's so cool.â€
Andrew Gilmore
I love that album so much. Every song is fantastic.