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.

Johnny Guitar
The Runaways Lyrics

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(Kim Fowley/Lita Ford)

I got myself a bad lover
His name is Johnny Guitar lookout

Go for it Johnny
All night long
Go for it Johnny

That's where I'm coming from

My fingers roll his body
Making him scream
And I'm lost in a metal dream

Go for it Johnny
All night long
Go for it Johnny
That's where I'm coming from

Hot hands on his wet neck
I'm a hunter he's my gun

Go for it Johnny
All night long

Go for it Johnny
That's where I'm coming from

Overall Meaning

The Runaways' "Johnny Guitar" is a song that seems to be about sexual desire and passion. The singer of the song, presumably a woman, is involved with a man called Johnny Guitar, who is her "bad lover." The sexual tension is palpable in the lyrics as the singer rolls her fingers on Johnny's body, making him scream. Her hot hands are on his wet neck, and she's a hunter, while Johnny is her gun. The song is filled with metaphorical language that hints at a sexual encounter, but it's also an expression of female empowerment.

The singer of the song isn't passive but takes control, and Johnny Guitar is at her mercy. This song represents a departure from traditional rock songs in which the woman's role was often that of a submissive object, seen as something to be conquered by the male protagonist. "Johnny Guitar" subverts the gender roles and portrays the woman as the aggressor. The woman doesn't wait for a man to come to her; instead, she takes charge and dominates the situation.

Line by Line Meaning

I got myself a bad lover
I have a lover who is not good for me

His name is Johnny Guitar lookout
His name is Johnny Guitar and he is always on the lookout

Go for it Johnny
Keep doing what you're doing, Johnny

All night long
Throughout the entire night

That's where I'm coming from
That's my perspective, my point of view

My fingers roll his body
I touch his body with my fingers

Making him scream
Causing him to scream in pleasure

And I'm lost in a metal dream
I am completely absorbed in a fantasy world

Hot hands on his wet neck
My hands are warm on his damp neck

I'm a hunter he's my gun
I am the one hunting and he is the tool I use to accomplish my goals

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: KIM FOWLEY, LITA ROSSANA FORD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind