The Heartbreakers were a punk rock group formed in New York in May 1975 by … Read Full Bio ↴The Heartbreakers were a punk rock group formed in New York in May 1975 by Johnny Thunders (vocals/guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums), who had just quit the New York Dolls, and Richard Hell (vocals/bass), who left Television the same week. After a few shows, they added Walter Lure (vocals/guitar), who had played with a group called the Demons. In 1976, Hell tried to persuade Nolan and Lure to kick Thunders out, but Nolan was too close with Johnny and kicked Hell out instead. He was replaced by Billy Rath, who, according to legend, was a gigolo. Hell went on to form Richard Hell and the Voidoids.

Arriving just as the UK punk scene was building momentum, the Heartbreakers developed a following playing in and around London. The Sex Pistols invited them to open on the ill fated Anarchy Tour. They shortly signed up with Track Records. Their debut--and only--studio album, L.A.M.F., featured all the Heartbreakers' popular live songs. The release of the album put a huge strain on the band because of anger among some band members over the poor quality of the mix. Several members left at this point. The band reformed in 1979 for a few farewell shows at Max’s Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix filling in for Nolan. The result was the live album Live at Max's Kansas City '79, considered a punk classic.

The band re-formed occasionally to play at New York clubs (and for a sold out show at The Lyceum in London, England in 1984) until the death of Thunders in 1991 of a supposed methadone overdose. The facts remain unclear: Johnny's passport and money were missing. The coroner's report said no alcohol was in his bloodstream, though many witnesses say Johnny was drinking the night before with people that he had just met. He was 38 years old. Jerry Nolan died of a stroke a few months later at age 40.

Live shows often consisted of songs performed with the New York Dolls or taken from Thunders' solo career. Richard Hell rarely plays music live, concentrating instead on writing and spoken word performances. Billy Rath's whereabouts are currently unknown, leading to various rumors such as that he died or became a priest. Walter Lure still performs about once a month with his band the Waldos, playing mostly Heartbreakers songs. The influence of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers is still noticeable today in many punk rock bands. Johnny Thunders solo work is mainly made up of live albums, although he recorded the critical success So Alone in 1978 and Que Sera Sera in 1985. He often worked with Patti Paladin of the band Snatch and they recorded an album of covers, Copycats in 1987.

Born Too Loose
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Lyrics

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That's the way it goes
The city is so cold
And I'm, I'm so sold
That's why I know

I said hit it!
Born to lose
Born to lose

Born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose

Nothing to do
I've nothing to say
Only one thing that I want
It's the only way

I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose

Living in a jungle
It ain't so hard
Living in the city
It'll eat out, eat out your heart

I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to

I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose

Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers's song Born Too Loose speaks of the life of a young rebel who has accepted his fate and is ready to embrace it fully. The first stanza talks about the coldness of the city and how he is so sold, which could mean he has completely given in to the urban way of living. He then goes on to say that he is "born to lose", which is a statement of acceptance of his lot in life. He has nothing to do and nothing to say except for one thing, which is not explicitly stated in the lyrics but could be interpreted as living life as a rebel or a wild child. The second and third stanzas describe this life as living in a jungle, which may symbolize living on the edge, where it can be hard, but it is still better than living in the city, which will eat out your heart.

The lyrics of Born Too Loose embody the punk rock ideology of rebellion, rejection of societal norms, and a disregard for authority. Johnny Thunders speaks to the struggles of those that are outcasts, those who have given up on a system that they feel has failed them. The song's iconic guitar riff and driving rhythm are a testament to the power of this ideology, and it has become a punk rock classic that is universally loved and celebrated. The song speaks to the feelings of many of the disaffected youth of the time, and even today, resonating with its message of acceptance of failure as a way of life.

Line by Line Meaning

That's the way it goes
Life is unpredictable and often unfair

The city is so cold
The city is harsh and unforgiving

And I'm, I'm so sold
I'm trapped in this lifestyle

That's why I know
I'm resigned to my fate

Born to lose
I'm destined to fail

Baby I'm born to lose
I'm accepting of my fate

Nothing to do
I have no purpose

I've nothing to say
My voice is not heard

Only one thing that I want
The only thing I desire

It's the only way
Is to live how I live

Living in a jungle
Life is like a jungle