The Runaways Albums Ranked

The Runaways were an all-female teenage American rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among their best-known songs are “Cherry Bomb”, “Hollywood”, “Queens of Noise” and a cover version of the Velvet Underground’s “Rock & Roll”. Never a major success in the United States, the Runaways became a sensation overseas, especially in Japan, thanks to the hit single “Cherry Bomb”. Here are all of The Runaways albums ranked.

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5. And Now… The Runaways (1978)

“And now…The Runways is the crowning jewel in The Runaways catalog. They were almost at the end of their career when this was recorded and it has a melancholy feel to it. Its nowhere as in your face as their earlier albums. And now….The Runaways is somber, and like another reviewer stated, its relaxing. Saturday Night Special and Right Now should have been top ten hits for the band as they are extremely catchy with a hook you cant get out of your head. “

4. Live In Japan (1977)

“Live in Japan shows their set drawn from various albums with that extra vital edge and aggression as they power their way through their set- everything a live album should be. Highpoint is the way Joan’s fast boogie ‘You Drive Me Wild’ seques via a rhythm change in an instrumental bridge into ‘Neon Angels’ with Cherie’s screaming vocals.”

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3. Waitin’ For The Night (1977)

“These performances are a fantastic, well-balanced combination of punk rock and heavy-metal. They are highly skilled and professional; far superior to their previous performances. Joan Jett’s lead vocals are terrific! Although Cherie Currie (former lead vocalist) was noteworthy and good, Joan was simply better. These girls may have been underage, but they were still HIGH VOLTAGE, and certainly not underpowered! It’s a pity that the group didn’t continue much longer, as this quartet deserved stardom, though I’m happy to know that some members did have later success and/or continued to preform afterword.”

2. The Runaways (1976)

“This album is a must for any classic rock fans, especially those interested in the rise of females in the genre. I would fight anyone who says these girls are merely an image. Just listen to Lita’s guitar solos or Sandy’s drums leading into the first vocals on “Cherry Bomb” and taking us out in “Dead End Justice”! Cherie’s vocals are practically dangerous and, of course, this is the beginning of the legendary Joan Jett’s life on the record.”

1. Queens Of Noise (1977)

“The tracks on the “Queens of Noise” are powerful, played with impressive talent, and have a unique nastiness. The mood is definitely punk, but also feminine, in the bad girl sense. A typical all-male or minority-female rock band can’t even come close to what The Runaways created. Bottom line: This is real rock that you can blast in your car as you drive to the job you never imagined yourself having when you first heard “Queens of Noise.”