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.
You're Too Possessive
The Runaways Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want your lover's tips
I don't need your interrogations
Don't ask me 'bout my other relations
You're too possessive for me
So leave me alone
Get off my back, go on home
You're too possessive for me
So get out of my life
Get off my back, I ain't your wife
I come in late and you throw a fit
You sit me down and give me some lip
Well, I don't have to waste my time
A wimp like you ain't worth a dime
You're too possessive for me
So leave me alone
Get off my back, go on home
You're too possessive for me
So get out of my life
Get off my back, I ain't your wife
No way, baby
Go away an' don't come back
I don't want my mirror cracked
Go and find somebody new
Got no time to mess with you
You're too possessive for me
So leave me alone
Get off my back, go on home
You're too possessive for me
So get out of my life
Get off my back, I ain't your wife
No way, baby
The lyrics of The Runaways' song "You're Too Possessive" address a common theme in relationships - possessiveness. The song is about a woman who is fed up with her partner constantly trying to control and interrogate her. She is asking him to let go of his iron grip and to stop being so possessive. She is tired of being under surveillance, always being questioned about her whereabouts, and not having the freedom to do as she pleases. The woman comes in late, and her partner throws a fit, giving her some lip. This behavior is not acceptable, and she decides that she does not have to waste her time with a "wimp" like him. She tells him to leave her alone, get off her back, and go home. She is not his wife, and he needs to understand that.
The song is a message about relationships and the importance of trust and respect. Possessive behavior can be a sign of insecurity and can lead to jealousy, suspicion, and control. The singer is advocating for autonomy, freedom, and individuality in a relationship. The lyrics highlight the struggle between dependence and independence, trust and mistrust, and love and control.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me out of your iron grip
I want to be released from your tight hold on me
I don't want your lover's tips
I am not interested in your advice on my relationships
I don't need your interrogations
I do not require your questioning and investigation
Don't ask me 'bout my other relations
Do not inquire about my involvement with other people
You're too possessive for me
Your level of control and demand over me is excessive and unacceptable
So leave me alone
Give me space and do not bother me
Get off my back, go on home
Stop criticizing and harassing me, and leave my presence
I come in late and you throw a fit
You react with anger and annoyance when I arrive home later than usual
You sit me down and give me some lip
You lecture me and speak disrespectfully to me
Well, I don't have to waste my time
I do not have to spend my time dealing with you
A wimp like you ain't worth a dime
A weak and unassertive person like you is not valuable to me
Go away an' don't come back
Leave and do not return
I don't want my mirror cracked
I do not want to see myself reflected in a negative way due to our relationship
Go and find somebody new
Move on and look for a different person to be with
Got no time to mess with you
I do not have the time or interest to deal with you
No way, baby
Absolutely not
So get out of my life
Leave me alone and completely exit my life
Get off my back, I ain't your wife
Stop imposing yourself on me and recognize that we are not in a marital relationship
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOAN JETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind