The Runaways’ ‘Cherry Bomb’ has Cherie Currie clapping back at Joan Jett over who truly ‘owns’ respect for 1976 classic.

It’s a bombshell no one saw coming—a clash that threatens to tarnish the legendary camaraderie of rock’s first and greatest all-female band, The Runaways.

On November 25, Joan Jett’s official X account dropped a sleek, original video featuring explosive cherry bomb art layered over a live recording of Jett covering The Runaways’ 1976 classic “Cherry Bomb.” The clip has racked up nearly 14,000 views and 500 likes, but not everyone is cheering. Most notably, former Runaways frontwoman Cherie Currie. whose voice made the original track a timeless rock anthem, isn’t exactly thrilled.

Currie wasted no time sharing her frustration in the comments, firing off a searing reply:

“I OWN CHERRY BOMB! For f*ck sake…Why don’t you give credit where credit is due. Damn you ppl.”

The tension here is deeper than just a fiery tweet. While Jett co-wrote the track with the L.A. band’s notorious manager, Kim Fowley, it was Currie’s iconic vocals and kick-ass attitude that cemented “Cherry Bomb” as a cultural touchstone.

The song itself has a spontaneous origin story: According to the 2005 documentary Edgeplay: A Film About The Runaways, it was written on the spot for Currie’s audition after the band struggled to play her prepared track.

But this isn’t the first time the song has been revisited. Jett recorded a version of “Cherry Bomb” with her band, The Blackhearts, for their 1984 album Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth, while Currie re-recorded it alongside her twin sister, Marie Currie, for their 1997 reissue of Messin’ with the Boys. Still, it’s Currie’s original delivery that fans and critics alike credit with the song’s enduring appeal.

Expectedly, the feud has ignited a firestorm among diehard fans on X, with many rallying to Currie’s defense:

“The Runaways version with Cherie Currie was WAAAAAY better!!” one fan declared.

“Cherie is the embodiment of ‘Cherry Bomb,’” another chimed in.

“Cherie Currie is an icon,” wrote one commenter. “People may cover it until the end of time, but everyone thinks of Cherie when they hear it in any format.”

Some fans even turned their frustration directly toward Jett:

“Wow. Disappointed yet not surprised. Cherie Currie is literally THE CHERRY BOMB. You will NEVER be her. Give her credit where it is due, Joan.”

The brewing controversy highlights a deeper question: When a band’s legacy is divided among its members, who truly owns the gams’ respect? For now, it seems the explosive legacy of The Runaways has once again become a battleground, with “Cherry Bomb” at its core. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.