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.
Rock 'N Roll
The Runaways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was nothin' happening at all
Every time she puts on the radio
There was nothin' goin' down at all, not at all
Then, one fine mornin', she puts on a New York station
You know, she couldn't believe what she heard at all
She started shakin' to that fine, fine music
You know, her life was saved by rock'n'roll
Despite all the imputations
You know, you could just go out
And dance to a rock'n'roll station
And it was all right, hey baby,
You know, it was all right
Jenny said, when she was just about five years old
`You know, my parents are gonna be the death of us all
Two TV sets and two Cadillac cars
Well, you know, ain't gonna help me at all
Then, one fine morning, she turns on a New York station
She doesn't believe what she hears at all
Ooh, she started dancin' to that fine, fine music
You know, her life was saved by rock'n'roll
Yeah, rock'n'roll
Despite all the computations
You could just dance to that rock'n'roll station
And baby, it was all right, yeah
Hey, it was all right
Hey, here she comes now
Jenny said, when she was just about five years old
'Hey, you know, there's nothin' happening at all, not at all
Every time I put on the radio
You know, there's nothin' goin' down at all, not at all
But, one fine morning, she hears a New York station
She couldn't believe what she heard at all, hey, not at all
She started dancing to that fine, fine music
You know, her life was saved by rock'n'roll
Yes, rock'n'roll
Despite all the computations
You know, you could just dance to the rock'n'roll station
All right
All right, all right, and it was all right
Oh, listen to me now, it was all right
Come on now, believe me, it was all right
it was all right
hey, it's all right now
The lyrics of The Runaways’ song “Rock N Roll” tells the story of Jenny, who at five years old, was bored with the music she used to hear on the radio. Her excitement grew when she stumbled upon a New York station playing rock n roll. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing and started shaking to the music. The lyrics further explain how she found solace in rock n roll despite all the imputations and depressing situations in her life. The repetitive phrase, “you know, her life was saved by rock n roll” emphasizes the transformative power of music in the character's life.
The song is unique in that it captures the essence of rock music and how it has shaped different people's lives. The lyrics are crafted in such a way that they not only speak to rock music fans but also acknowledge non-fans’ opposition to the genre. Despite the imputations, the song suggests that rock music can have a positive impact on individuals' lives. The repetitive use of the phrase “it was all right” at the end of each verse highlights the liberating and uplifting feeling that comes with listening to rock n roll.
Line by Line Meaning
Jenny said, when she was just five years old
There was nothin' happening at all
Jenny, at a young age, found boredom in her surroundings and in the music played on the radio.
Every time she puts on the radio
There was nothin' goin' down at all, not at all
Jenny couldn't find any excitement or enjoyment in the music on the radio.
Then, one fine mornin', she puts on a New York station
You know, she couldn't believe what she heard at all
Jenny discovers a New York radio station that plays a new and exciting genre of music.
She started shakin' to that fine, fine music
You know, her life was saved by rock'n'roll
Rock and roll music brought Jenny joy and gave her a newfound purpose in life.
Despite all the imputations
You know, you could just go out
And dance to a rock'n'roll station
And it was all right, hey baby,
You know, it was all right
Jenny found freedom and happiness in dancing to rock and roll music, regardless of societal judgments or pressures.
Two TV sets and two Cadillac cars
Well, you know, ain't gonna help me at all
Jenny realizes that material possessions can't bring her true happiness or satisfaction in life.
Ooh, she started dancin' to that fine, fine music
You know, her life was saved by rock'n'roll
Yeah, rock'n'roll
Jenny once again finds salvation in rock and roll music, which gives her a sense of purpose and direction in life.
All right
All right, all right, and it was all right
Oh, listen to me now, it was all right
Come on now, believe me, it was all right
it was all right
hey, it's all right now
Overall, Jenny's experience with rock and roll music was positive and life-changing, bringing her joy and purpose despite any obstacles or judgment she faced.
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind