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 to Lose
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This city is so cold
And I'm, I'm so sold
That's why I'm know
I said hit it
Born to lose, born to lose, born to lose
Oh baby I'm born too loose
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
Oh baby I'm born too loose
Oh baby I'm born too loose
Living in a jungle
It ain't so hard
Living in the city
It will 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 too loose
Oh baby I'm born too loose
Oh baby I'm born too loose
Oh baby I'm born to ...
The lyrics to "Born to Lose" by Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers depict a sense of hopelessness and resignation towards life. The first verse describes the city as "so cold" and the singer as "sold" to this way of life. This suggests that the singer has been conditioned to expect and accept the hardships of living in the city. The chorus reinforces this sense of despair with the repeated phrase "Born to lose" that expresses the fatalistic view that some people are destined to fail in life. The line "Oh baby I'm born too loose," suggests that the singer feels unmoored in life and lacks a sense of purpose or direction.
The second verse highlights the sense of boredom and lack of fulfillment felt by the singer. He has nothing to do and nothing to say, except for the desire for something that he has not yet named. The final verse contrasts living in a jungle, which is depicted as easier, with living in the city, which is described as something that will "eat out your heart." This line further reinforces the idea that the city is a hostile environment that pits people against each other, resulting in a dog-eat-dog mentality.
Overall, the lyrics to "Born to Lose" paint a bleak picture of life in the city and suggest that the singer has given up on trying to change it. The repeated refrain of "Born to lose" seems to embody a sense of fatalism and resignation towards life's struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the way you go
This is the path that you take
This city is so cold
The city is unwelcoming and lacks warmth
And I'm, I'm so sold
I am fully committed and convinced
That's why I'm know
That's why I am here now
I said hit it
I say start playing the music
Born to lose, born to lose, born to lose
I was destined to fail, from birth
Oh baby I'm born too loose
I am lacking in restraint, always wild
Nothing to do
I have no plans or task
I've nothing to say
I am out of words, and have nothing new to express
Only one thing that I want
I have just one desire, goal or wish
It's the only way
It's the only path or option for me
Living in a jungle
Living in a wild, uncivilized place
It ain't so hard
It really isn't that difficult
Living in the city
Living in a big, bustling metropolis
It will eat out, eat out your heart
It will drain the life and soul out of you
Baby I'm born too loose
I am lacking in restraint, always wild
Oh baby I'm born to ...
The song ends abruptly and inconclusively
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Genzale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind