Regarding her songwriting inspiration for her latest album, she said, “Some of the songs were inspired by my life, and they were written with my son, Jake Hays. I wrote the song ‘Believe’ 19 years ago, and ‘Reverie’ was co-written by Jake and myself for a movie that was supposed to happen a few years back that never happened.”
Currie listed “Believe” and “Shades of Me” as her personal favorite tunes on the collection. “I wrote ‘Believe’ at a time in my life that everything seemed possible, and when I would listen to that song, I would get that feeling,” she said. “My son is singing ‘Shades of Me’ as a duet with me, so I love that one. I love The Runaways songs because I got to perform them with Lita Ford, and that was terrific. I really love this record.”
Aside from her musical career, she is an esteemed chainsaw carver. “That has been my career for the last 15 years. Right now, I am catching up on carving orders. My clients have been waiting patiently for two years now for their carvings, and I am getting those orders done. Then, I would like to tour on this record.”
In 2010, her life was made into the feature film The Runaways, which was based on her book, Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway, where Currie was portrayed by actress Dakota Fanning, while Joan Jett was played by Kristen Stewart. “I am still pinching myself. I have always been a huge fan of Dakota’s. It was surreal and truly one of the most exciting experiences of my life,” Currie said.
Currie had nothing but the nicest words for her former Runaways band-mate Joan Jett, who was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Joan has worked consistently since The Runaways. She’s a hard worker, she’s amazing and she deserves it,” she said.
In her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Jett gave a shout-out to The Runaways, which was quite flattering for Currie. “She’s so kind and that was very nice of her. I really appreciate that,” she said.
When asked to look back in a rear-view mirror on the last three decades, Currie acknowledged that she sees “a very lucky girl.” “I see all of the life that was planned in advance by some higher power. I have been through a lot of things in my life, and I was able to marry a wonderful man, Robert Hays. Even though we are divorced, he is my best friend and we have an amazingly talented son, and I know that he will go on and do all of the things that I was not able to accomplish in this business. We’ve got today and tomorrow, and I am going to do the best I can every day,” she said.
Currie listed David Bowie as her dream male duet choice, and she defined success as “being able to breathe.” “Breathing, and having the love of my family and friends. That’s success to me,” she said.
For more information on rock sensation Cherie Currie and her comeback album Reverie, check out her official website.
