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.
Take It Or Leave It
The Runaways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told you when you walked in the door
You know that you make me happy
Better than the time before
Take it or leave it
Do whatever you want
Take it or leave it
You know that you're just a playmate
What are you trying to gain
Lead me into the darkness
To play our little nightime games
Take it or leave it
Do whatever you want
Take it or leave it
Do whatever you want to me
You say you wanna be with me
I see it in you
It's only a one night stand
And then we're through
You know that it makes me sad
To see how you feel for me
I gotta start movin' on
Someone else is waitin' for me
Take it or leave it
Do whatever you want
Take it or leave it
Do whatever you want to me
The Runaways's song Take It Or Leave It is a track that illustrates the power dynamic in a relationship where the singer, Joan Jett, is in control of the situation. The lyrics are a warning to her partner, reminding him that she is not an angel and that he is just a playmate for her. She tells him that he can take it or leave it, that he can do whatever he wants to her, but he should be aware that it's a one night stand, and then they're through.
The lyrics of the song suggest that Joan Jett is not interested in a long-term relationship with her partner. She sees him as a temporary player, someone she can have some fun with, but not someone she wants to make a commitment to. She reminds him that he can take it or leave it, which suggests that if he's not happy with the situation, he can walk away.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power dynamic in the relationship, with Joan Jett singing "Take it or leave it, do whatever you want to me." The fact that she is giving her partner permission to do whatever he wants to her suggests that she is in control of the situation.
Overall, Take It Or Leave It by The Runaways is a powerful and empowering song about a woman who is in control of her relationships and her own life.
Line by Line Meaning
You know that I'm not an angel
I'm not perfect, and you should know that.
I told you when you walked in the door
I was honest with you when we first met.
You know that you make me happy
I enjoy being around you.
Better than the time before
Each time we're together, it gets better.
Take it or leave it
You can accept what I have to offer, or not.
Do whatever you want
It's your choice, and I won't hold it against you.
You know that you're just a playmate
You're not in a committed relationship with me.
What are you trying to gain
What is your motivation for being with me?
Lead me into the darkness
You're taking me outside of my comfort zone.
To play our little nightime games
To engage in playful, intimate behavior.
You say you wanna be with me
You claim you want to spend time with me.
I see it in you
I can sense your desire for me.
It's only a one night stand
This is a short-term fling, nothing more.
And then we're through
Once this is over, we'll go our separate ways.
You know that it makes me sad
I'm upset about how things have turned out.
To see how you feel for me
To realize that you don't have deeper feelings for me.
I gotta start movin' on
I need to move forward with my life.
Someone else is waitin' for me
I'm going to seek out a more meaningful relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind