In the 80s, Hanoi Rocks were the most successful Finnish band internationally and are still popular in the United States, Japan, and the UK. They were also one of the first rock bands to tour in Asia, and were the first western rock band to play in Delhi. According to Finnish radio and TV personality Jone Nikula (who was also Hanoi Rocks' tour manager in the 2000s), Hanoi Rocks' albums have sold between 780,000 and 1,000,000 copies around the world, but mostly in Scandinavia and Japan. Although their album sales are strong, they are more widely known for their energetic live performances.
Hanoi Rocks was formed in Helsinki in 1979 and the first line-up included vocalist and saxophone player Michael Monroe (Matti Fagerholm), guitar player Nasty Suicide (Jan Stenfors), guitar player Stefan Piesnack, bass player Nedo and drummer Peki Sirola. The following year Piesnack, Sirola and Nedo were replaced by guitar player Andy McCoy (Antti Hulkko), bass player Sam Yaffa (Sami Takamäki) and drummer Gyp Casino (Jesper Sporre). In 1981 they moved to Stockholm and in 1982 to London to take advantage of the livelier music scene in these cities. Later that year Casino was fired and replaced by Razzle (Nicholas Dingley).
Although the band never gained significant commercial success, they have a considerable cult following and critical acclaim for their 'sleazy' yet melodic style of music. They have been cited as an influence by major bands such as Guns N' Roses and Manic Street Preachers. The re-release of Hanoi Rocks' albums on CD was in large part due to efforts by Guns N' Roses via their own record label UZI Suicide. In Finland, however, Hanoi Rocks is known as the Finnish rock band who at their time had come closest to real international fame, only much later giving way to such groups as HIM.
In 1983 the band signed to CBS Records and appeared to be on the cusp of gaining commercial acceptance. They recorded their fifth album in January 1984 with producer Bob Ezrin in his home town Toronto. The album had just been released when disaster struck in December of that same year: Razzle was killed in a car accident (the driver was Vince Neil, singer with the band Mötley Crüe). Although replaced by Terry Chimes, drummer on The Clash's first album, and René Berg from the Idle Flowers, the band never recovered; first Yaffa and then Monroe left, and in 1985 the band folded. The members spent the next 15 years in various short-lived projects, and although they worked with numerous artists including Iggy Pop, Stiv Bators, Steve Stevens, Little Steven, Samantha Fox, Sebastian Bach, Sylvain Sylvain, Nicky Hopkins, Joan Jett and Guns N' Roses they never achieved anything resembling their earlier success
In 2002 Monroe and McCoy reformed the band, with two members of the Electric Boys, and a drummer who had previously featured in Monroe's solo project. They have released two new albums and toured heavily since then.
2005 and beyond: Nasty Suicide works as a pharmacist. Sami Yaffa now plays in a band called Mad Juana with his wife, Karmen Guy, and is based in New York City. Yaffa is also touring and recording with the reformed New York Dolls. Suicide and Yaffa have appeared onstage with the reformed Hanoi although not at the same time. The single "Fashion", released in May, went straight to #1 in the Finnish singles chart. On the 8th of August, a the single 'This One's For Rock'n'Roll' was released to be downloaded from selected sites. This was featured on the album 'Street Poetry', which was released early September 2007.
In October 2008, the band announced that they will be splitting up for good in spring, 2009. The band will play their farewell tour in Japan and end their career with a gig in Tavastia, Helsinki where they originally started playing. According to Mike Monroe and Andy McCoy, the band has reached its full potential now and has gone as far as it will ever go.
Michael Monroe - lead vocals (1979-1985, 2002-2009)
Andy McCoy - guitar, backing vocals (1980-1985, 2002-2009)
Conny Bloom - guitar (2004-2009)
Andy "A.C." Christell - bass (2004-2009)
Lacu - drums (2002-2008)
New York City
Hanoi Rocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But New York won't leave me alone
I found everything I needed there
In a Deli right down the street
It's always in my blood
The last place I felt at home
Chewing up the great Big Apple
You learn to love the smell of the streets
THERE'S ROCK 'N' ROLL IN NEW YORK CITY
AND LOTS OF THINGS TO GET ON DOWN
LIFE CAN GET HARD IN NEW YORK CITY
BUT I'LL BE BACK TO ROCK THAT TOWN
JUST STICK AROUND
Either I had nails for breakfast
Or the day just wasn't right
Face to face with sheer brutality
Concrete cold reality
Part of me just couldn't stay
Part of me just can't break away
Survivin' New York City
Is an impressive fact indeed
THERE'S ROCK 'N' ROLL IN NEW YORK CITY
AND LOTS OF THINGS TO GET ON DOWN
LIFE CAN GET HARD IN NEW YORK CITY
BUT I'LL BE BACK TO ROCK THAT TOWN
JUST STICK AROUND
In the first stanza of Hanoi Rocks's song New York City, the lead singer describes his experiences with leaving the city, but never being able to fully disconnect from it. He notes that he found everything he needed in a deli down the street and that being in the Big Apple was in his blood. The chorus repeats the idea that although life can be hard in New York City, there's rock 'n' roll and plenty of things to do, and the singer fully intends to return.
In the second stanza, the singer gets more visceral in his description of New York City. He notes that some days are just brutal, and that the concrete, cold reality of life there is difficult to handle. Despite this, part of him finds it impossible to leave the city for good. Surviving New York City isn't easy, but the ability to do so is impressive.
Overall, these lyrics portray a complicating relationship with New York City. It's tough, demanding, and sometimes brutal, but it's also full of life and energy, and the idea of leaving it behind is difficult to fathom.
Line by Line Meaning
Took myself outta New York City
I left New York City on my own accord
But New York won't leave me alone
New York continues to have an impact on me even though I left
I found everything I needed there
I found all the things that were important to me in New York City
In a Deli right down the street
Specifically, I found what I needed in a deli that was nearby
It's always in my blood
My connection to New York City is something that will always be a part of me
The last place I felt at home
Out of all the places I've been, New York City was the last place where I felt like I truly belonged
Chewing up the great Big Apple
Living life in New York City can be intense and consuming
You learn to love the smell of the streets
Despite its challenges, New York City has a unique charm and character that you come to appreciate
THERE'S ROCK 'N' ROLL IN NEW YORK CITY
New York City has a vibrant music scene, especially when it comes to rock and roll
AND LOTS OF THINGS TO GET ON DOWN
There are many exciting things to do and see in New York City
LIFE CAN GET HARD IN NEW YORK CITY
Living in New York City can be challenging at times
BUT I'LL BE BACK TO ROCK THAT TOWN JUST STICK AROUND
However, I still love the city and plan on returning to play music and enjoy it again
Either I had nails for breakfast
I had a rough start to my day
Or the day just wasn't right
The day didn't go as planned
Face to face with sheer brutality
I encountered something or someone that was extremely harsh and unforgiving
Concrete cold reality
This encounter was a harsh reminder of the tough realities of life in the city
Part of me just couldn't stay
As a result of this encounter, I felt like I had to leave or couldn't stay in the city any longer
Part of me just can't break away
Despite these challenges, I still feel drawn to New York City and struggle to stay away
Survivin' New York City
Simply surviving in New York City is an accomplishment
Is an impressive fact indeed
Successfully navigating the challenges of New York City is something to be proud of
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kichomann S.M
Took myself outta New York City
But New York won't leave me alone
I found everything I needed there
In a Deli right down the street
It's always in my blood
The last place I felt at home
Chewing up the great Big Apple
You learn to love the smell of the streets
THERE'S ROCK 'N' ROLL IN NEW YORK CITY
AND LOTS OF THINGS TO GET ON DOWN
LIFE CAN GET HARD IN NEW YORK CITY
BUT I'LL BE BACK TO ROCK THAT TOWN
JUST STICK AROUND
Either I had nails for breakfast
Or the day just wasn't right
Face to face with sheer brutality
Concrete cold reality
Part of me just couldn't stay
Part of me just can't break away
Survivin' New York City
Is an impressive fact indeed
THERE'S ROCK 'N' ROLL IN NEW YORK CITY
AND LOTS OF THINGS TO GET ON DOWN
LIFE CAN GET HARD IN NEW YORK CITY
BUT I'LL BE BACK TO ROCK THAT TOWN
JUST STICK AROUND
Kathy Wheeler
Love them !!!
Kichomann S.M
woow