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.
Thunder
The Runaways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speeding from the flashing lights
Heaven in the twilight
Driving till the morning shines
Running from the searchlight
Slicing through with cold blue steel
Cutting through the night
With thunder in your eyes
Flames burning in my eyes
Lift me higher off the ground
Take me into the night
There’s a fire in the sky
Flames burning through my eyes
Lift me higher off the ground
Take back this burning heart
Time’s moving in slow motion
Syrupy flashing lights
Fighting with emotion
Driving till the morning shines
All of my devotion
Cold sound that rings so real
Cutting through with light
I’m lightning in your eyes
There’s a fire in the sky
Flames burning through my eyes
Lift me higher off the ground
Take me into the night
There’s a fire in the sky
Flames burning through my eyes
Lift me higher off the ground
Take back this burning heart
There’s a fire in the sky
Cutting through with knives
There's blood here tonight
There’s a fire in the sky
Flames burning through my eyes
Lift me higher off the ground
Take me into the night
There’s a fire in the sky
Flames burning through my eyes
Lift me higher off the ground
Take back this burning heart
The lyrics to The Runaways' song Thunder evoke the feeling of a wild and reckless night, with the singer and their partner speeding through the city under cover of darkness. The first verse sets the scene, with the couple escaping from the flashing lights of the city and finding solace together in the twilight. The second verse increases the tension, with the singer feeling the rush of adrenaline as they slice through the night with "cold blue steel" - a possible reference to a knife or gun.
The chorus adds another layer of intensity to the song, with the verses building up to a moment of release. There's a sense of danger and excitement in the air, with flames burning in the sky and thunder in the singer's eyes. The lyrics express a desire to be lifted higher, to escape from the mundane and embrace the thrill.
The final verse takes a darker turn, with the mention of knives and blood hinting at violence lurking beneath the surface of the night. The repeated plea to "take back this burning heart" suggests that the singer is struggling with intense emotions and looking for a way to quiet the fire within.
Overall, Thunder is a song about the release that comes from losing control and embracing the unknown, even if it means facing danger along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Riding in the midnight
Driving through the darkness of the night
Speeding from the flashing lights
Driving away from the lights that bring unwanted attention
Heaven in the twilight
Feeling free and alive in the moment between night and day
Driving till the morning shines
Driving until the break of dawn
Running from the searchlight
Escaping from those who seek to find and capture
Slicing through with cold blue steel
Cutting through the air swiftly with a cold and sharp weapon
Cutting through the night
Moving through the darkness with ease and precision
With thunder in your eyes
Expressing intense emotion and energy through one's eyes
There’s a fire in the sky
The sky is ablaze with bright lights and energy
Flames burning in my eyes
Feeling intense passion and energy within oneself
Lift me higher off the ground
Feeling liberated and uplifted by the experience
Take me into the night
Embracing the excitement and unknown of the night
Time’s moving in slow motion
Feeling like time is slowing down and the moment is being savored
Syrupy flashing lights
Lights that are slow and sticky like syrup
Fighting with emotion
Struggling with intense feelings and impulses
All of my devotion
Putting all of one's passion and energy into the experience
Cold sound that rings so real
A sound that is sharp and clear, almost tangible
Cutting through with light
Moving through the darkness with brightness and clarity
I’m lightning in your eyes
Creating a powerful and electrifying experience for those involved
Cutting through with knives
Moving through the atmosphere with sharp and dangerous energy
There's blood here tonight
The energy and experience is intense and potentially violent
Take back this burning heart
Regaining control of one's intense emotions and passions
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Ana Crusis, Colin Caetano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind