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.
Little Sister
The Runaways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little Sister on your rollerskates
It's Friday night an' you got a date
Right in front of the Watergate.
But now he's gone 'cause you're too late
It's too late to be a kid in love
We're the kids in hate
Little sister you're sure lookin' great
You hope someday you'll be playmate
Well why did you wait
Your chance is gone an' now you're too late
It's too late to be a kid in love
It's too late to be a kid in love
We're the kids in hate
Little sister don't you be so straight
Let your old folks call ya jailbait
This mean world it belongs to us
It can be yours so don't hesitate(c'mon)
It's too late to be a kid in love
It's too late to be a kid in love
We're the kids in hate
The Runaways' song "Little Sister" tells the story of a young girl who is ready to start exploring love and relationships. The song seems to be both cautionary and encouraging, as the girl is reminded that it's too late to be a "kid in love", but is also urged to take charge of her own future and not hesitate to claim what she wants. The first verse establishes the setting of the song as Friday night in front of the Watergate, a well-known hotel in Washington D.C., and introduces the central character as a young girl on rollerskates going on a date. However, she has missed her opportunity and the boy has left, leaving her feeling left behind and older than her years.
The chorus of the song suggests a certain disillusionment with love and relationships, calling the young characters "the kids in hate" rather than the "kids in love" they might have expected to be. The second verse encourages the young girl to take control and not let society's norms hold her back, urging her to let her "old folks call [her] jailbait" and claiming that the world belongs to them. The song ends with another repetition of the chorus, leaving the listener with a sense of both disillusionment and empowerment.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Sister on your rollerskates
Addressing a younger girl, who is innocent and carefree.
It's Friday night an' you got a date
She is excited about going out with someone.
Right in front of the Watergate.
The location of her date is next to a significant monument.
But now he's gone 'cause you're too late
She missed her chance with her date due to her lack of punctuality.
It's too late to be a kid in love
The time for childhood naivety and love is over.
We're the kids in hate
The band is rejecting the idea of being naive children in love.
Little sister you're sure lookin' great
The younger girl is growing up and becoming attractive.
You hope someday you'll be playmate
She wants to be involved in romantic relationships like her peers.
Well why did you wait
Questioning why she hesitated to pursue such relationships.
Your chance is gone an' now you're too late
She missed her opportunity to engage in romantic relationships.
Little sister don't you be so straight
Encouraging her to be more adventurous and take risks.
Let your old folks call ya jailbait
Encouraging rebellion against societal norms and expectations.
This mean world it belongs to us
Embracing their rebellious nature and claiming the world as their own.
It can be yours so don't hesitate(c'mon)
Encouraging her to take charge and not let opportunities slip away.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Joey Castillo, Joshua Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind