Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr (July 15, 1952 - April 23, 1… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr (July 15, 1952 - April 23, 1991), was a rock and roll guitarist and singer, first with the New York Dolls, the proto-punk glam rockers of the early '70s. During the late '70s, he was a familiar figure on the New York punk scene, both with The Heartbreakers and as a solo artist. His screeching, penetrating guitar sound is distinctive and highly influential in punk rock music. Thunders tangled with the demons of fame and drug addiction until his death on April 23, 1991 of a methadone overdose. Some suspect foul play. The theory is that two hustlers met Thunders in a bar and they hung out in his room where they proceeded to kill Thunders, steal his belongings, and spike him with methadone to make it seem like an overdose. This theory arose when Thunders' sister Mariann requested to see the police report and half of the report was missing. The autopsy also showed no evidence of alcohol in his system, which is perplexing because many witnesses say that they saw Thunders drinking with the two men the night before he was killed. Johnny Thunders was 38.

Sad Vacation
Johnny Thunders Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm sorry I didn't have more to say
Maybe I coulda changed your fate
You were so misunderstood
You coulda been anything you wanted to

It's a sad vacation
What can I say?
It's a sad vacation

Oh, you knew how to play

Flowers of romance
Hey, wasn't that you?
Belsen was a gas
Oh, just like you

Oh, you were so real
That's why they offed you
Singin' from your grave
It's so very hard to do

Because it's a sad vacation
What can I say?
It's a sad vacation
Oh, you knew how to play

Well, I'm sorry
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry

Well, it's a sad vacation
What can I say?

Overall Meaning

In this song, Johnny Thunders reflects on the life and death of someone he knew who was misunderstood and had potential to do great things, but ultimately met a tragic end. He expresses regret for not saying more to this person, perhaps recognizing that he could have made a difference in their life if he had spoken up. The lyrics "You were so real, that's why they offed you" suggest that this person was authentic and true to themselves, but their authenticity may have made them a target for others who felt threatened by it.

Thunders uses imagery throughout the song to convey the sadness and tragedy of this person's life. He references the Flowers of Romance, which could be interpreted as a nod to the experimental post-punk band formed by Sid Vicious and members of Public Image Ltd. The line "Belsen was a gas, oh, just like you" is a reference to a controversial comment made by Sid Vicious, who was accused of glorifying the Holocaust. Thunders may be suggesting that this person was similarly misunderstood or misrepresented.

Overall, "Sad Vacation" is a poignant tribute to someone who was lost too soon. Thunders' lyrics and delivery capture a sense of mourning, regret, and frustration with the way things ended.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm sorry I didn't have more to say
I wish I could have told you more, maybe it could've changed your fate

Maybe I coulda changed your fate
If I had the chance, I would've tried to change what happened to you

You were so misunderstood
People didn't understand you and couldn't see who you really were

You coulda been anything you wanted to
You had so much potential and could've achieved anything you set your mind to

It's a sad vacation
Life without you is like a sad holiday

What can I say?
I don't know what else to say about your loss

Oh, you knew how to play
You were talented and knew how to make music well

Flowers of romance
You were romantic and had a poetic soul

Hey, wasn't that you?
Wasn't that you who wrote romantic songs and poetry?

Belsen was a gas
You were referencing the Holocaust and how it was a horrible experience

Oh, just like you
You were also a victim of a horrible experience

Oh, you were so real
You were genuine and honest in your music and persona

That's why they offed you
That's why they took you away from us

Singin' from your grave
Your spirit lives on through your music and fans who still listen to you

It's so very hard to do
It's hard to keep singing and performing without you in the world

Well, I'm sorry
I apologize for not being able to change what happened to you

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry
I am deeply remorseful for not being able to help you

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN GENZALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@nowhirr8135

4y↑34

One of the best guitarists ever, will never get the credit he deserves sadly.

@edrader

2y↑1

"one of the best guitarists ever" haha

@landonricketts4309

man he just isn’t though he’s unfortunately

@nowhirr8135

1y↑1

@@edrader I should say influential, rather than best.

@giulioluzzardi7632

24w

You can't put a good Man down, he has "Cult" status now and that is what he wanted.

@Junkiescum

2y↑17

Studio version’s solo only has about 4 notes but SO much emotion. I didn’t think he could put any more emotion into it but god damn that was beautiful.

@iwantthe80sback59

2y↑2

Can’t Put Your Arm Around A Memory is a close 2nd I would say.

@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec

12w

It has the compassion and empathy for Sid vicious that to this day no one bothers with including NPR media etc , emotive that is moved me more than most pop I’ve heard, who was just a kid, people forget, and he got crushed by the world. He didn’t deserve his fate. He wasn’t what the media portrayed him as, but he also played the part. He was a sweet sensitive timid boy, with addiction issues due to his mother introducing him to heroin, thrown in the deep end.

@HenriPaulTortosa1959

8y↑57

we did a great tour in Europe 1985 ☆

@nelsonx5326

+Henri Paul . Tortosa So that's you playing with Johnny?

@kevinsousa3581

7y↑4

NELSON X Henri Paul is the French guy with the guitar. The white dude.

@charlieschmitt1420

So sweet!

@jefrey5578

5y↑2

You still live in France, Henri?

@jessecruz4670

4y↑9

Mr. Paul Tortosa you honestly dont know how much Johnny thunders means to me. I'm 14 years old and I idolize him. Even if he was associated with drugs that doesn't matter to me. What matters is he played with passion and that's what I'm doing in my guitar playing. Thank you for everything you and johnny and Walter and stiv and deedee contributed to make my life filled with the music my guitar playing is filled with.

7 More Replies...

@KennyShangrila

2y↑4

Great show..Best guitarists..ture Rock and Roll stars!

@kevinsousa3581

7y↑25

He could really make that shit cry.

@arliecornett796

7y↑17

Love this RIP Sid and Johnny. Love Beth~

@charlieschmitt1420

6y↑17

He was a true rock star!

@albericopriviano8591

1y↑3

The great John Anthony Genzale, Italian hero

@alanpike3788

1y↑2

Poor Sid 😢

@ubiratanmorenosoares

2y↑2

Dramático, como um grito de desespero num mundo de surdos.

@Bittersteamtrain

8y↑7

The great Johnny Thunders.

@rafaelrubiodiaz

7y↑9

el brillo en sus ojos no deja ver la tristeza que habitaba en su interior

@Julietly76

4y↑5

Heartbroken forever, for all of it

@davidcaff2689

5y↑4

Bromace love song,heartfelt and soooooooo touching

@phyllismauro8481

6y↑6

Happy 66 birthday Johnny

@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL

5y↑4

real rock n roll

@miketabacco5436

I wrote a song from this, recorded it in a studio, and toured on it. The solo ..I am proud of.

@mbirch96

8y↑7

johhny looks like he on a come down. his pupils are like polka dots. what a performer though. and his right hand man her Mr Henri Paul tortosa.

@jenimiranda9419

4y↑2

RIP Sid!!! I love you!

@jbug1979

crowd is just kind sittin there chillin.

@kevindeforest6489

3y↑4

Thanks for sharing. He looks on point. Do you have the entire show?

@Paperbacknovel

7y↑13

The era of bad video production -- which we are still in -- Johnny goes into a guitar solo but the camera bolts around the stage showing the drummer, the far-away view, etc. -- instead of staying with a closeup of Johnny on guitar -- in an effort to simulate movement and excitement. So many bad video cameramen and post-production people out there. Otherwise -- great performance by Johnny here.

@henripaultortosa3022

@ Paperbacknovel
And thanks to the band The Black Cats cos if Johnny were alone you'll had only an acoustic show . No Rock'n'Roll.

@lisadd72

So what the camera only did it a second .... flip sake see people can’t please them

@Beatrhythmfashion

7y↑12

Sad Vacation / SV / Sid Vicious, nifty.

@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec

12w

Too bad he never recorded this in a studio. The major labels by this point had closed the doors to Johnny and he often refused to give indie labels his best unrecorded songs. Ode to Sid vicious, compassion and empathy for a kid that to this day no one bothers with. Punk was bullshlt smoke and mirrors and he played the part that was the opposite of his real personality.

@maryloureed2864

かっこいい
大好き

@aleksandardevic5585

7y↑2

on this video,excellent line up with johnny 1984-1985. musicians from "que sera sera" album.

@enzosallu3444

18w

The best years 🎸🎤💉💊🎼🎶🐁

@willandrews9741

8y↑9

He's sweating profusely & no one else on stage is even a little. Yet, he's wearing that coat, suggesting that he's also cold. Heroin withdrawal while singing about Sid vicious. No mention of Nancy? I guess Sid is the only one that missed her.

@thureintun1687

@@skaface32 accept!

@shoplift6362

Not withdrawal sweating like that I don't think. Speed

@mirawondafication5731

4y↑3

It hasn't to be withdrawal, just high bloodpressure like I have for reasons I do not know. Also I am sure Nancy was missed a lot.

@lisadd72

4y↑1

He wouldn’t be able to stand if herion withdraw,coat probably hiding track marks

@nothx962

3y↑1

@@lisadd72 if he knew he was making 800 bucks for this gig and his dealer was in the back alley...lemme tell u as long as he wasn't on like day 2 or 3 of WD u ou bet your ass he would be up there playing. How do I know? Well...I know. Thats all ill say. This is a combo of early WD and old hot stage lights.

1 More Replies...

@dirtyworks13

Damn...

@bethanycornett9790

🥀❤️❤️❤️

@aprendizdebrujo100

this man was K.O...

@MrBunghole666

Just say NO kids.

@cadillacbluez

Henri Paul LAMF

@iwantthe80sback59

Is this song about Sid Vicious?

@Person-wf1qk

1y↑2

Yeah

@barryhester170

24w

I hope Johnny kids are getting any money that whomever is making off of his name and music these days.

@user-lp4mg5jo3f

6y↑1

Fucking drugs...

@MrBunghole666

The audience... er, love it? right? surely they love it?

@thureintun1687

4y↑3

Second poorest living thing ever, just below Kurt Cobain.

@lisadd72

Nah kurt is crap

@thureintun1687

@@lisadd72 crap, still very very poor

@iltourcinico

3y↑2

No. Kurt it's too much idolized. Nothing compare to Layne Staley, Bob Liebling, Shane McGowan, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Syd Barrett, Skip James or a lot of indie names with no hype.