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.

Don't Mess With Cupid
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cupid draw back your bow
And you let your arrow go
Straight to my lover's heart for me
Nobody but me

Cupid please hear my cry
And let your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart its for me

Now I don't need to bother you, but I'm in disstress
There are dangerous of losing all of my happiness
But just between the two of us our love is conceiled
So help me if you will

So, Cupid draw back your bow
And let your arrow go
Straight to my lover's heart its for me
Nobody but me
Cupid please hear my cry
And let your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart its for me
Nobody but me

Cupid if you make your arrow make it for me
Make it for me
I promise I will love you to eternity
But just between the two of us our love is conceiled
So help me if you will

So, Cupid draw back your bow
And let your arrow go
Straight to my lover's heart its for me
Nobody but me
Cupid please hear my cry
And let your arrow fly

Straight to my lover's heart its for me
Nobody but me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Johnny Thunder's "Don't Mess With Cupid" are a plea to Cupid, the god of love, to intervene and shoot his arrow of love to the singer's lover. The singer is in distress, fearing the loss of his happiness, and is calling on Cupid to help him ensure that his love for his partner is reciprocated. The lyrics are full of desperation, as the singer fears he may lose his love forever.

The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer calling on Cupid to draw back his bow and shoot his arrow straight into his lover's heart, ensuring that their love is mutual. The second verse is even more desperate, with the singer begging Cupid to hear his cry and shoot his arrow to save his relationship. The singer is willing to do anything to ensure the success of his love, even if it means enlisting the help of a god.

The chorus is a plea to Cupid to ensure that the arrow he shoots is meant for the singer and no one else. It's a declaration of the singer's love and commitment to the god of love, promising to love him to eternity if he can help in this time of need. The song's final verse repeats the same plea as before, with the singer calling on Cupid once again to shoot his arrow straight to his lover's heart and save their relationship.

Overall, "Don't Mess With Cupid" is a heartfelt and desperate plea for love and connection. The singer's fear of losing his happiness is palpable, and his call for divine intervention is a testament to the power of love and the lengths we'll go to ensure its success.

Line by Line Meaning

Cupid draw back your bow
Oh, Cupid, please prepare your bow's string for the arrow to fly

And you let your arrow go
Shoot that arrow towards my lover's heart immediately

Straight to my lover's heart for me
I beg you to aim this arrow to my lover for me

Nobody but me
I am the only one who deserves that arrow

Cupid please hear my cry
Please listen to my plea, Cupid

And let your arrow fly
Shoot that arrow, Cupid!

Now I don't need to bother you, but I'm in disstress
I hate to take your time, but my heart is in immense trouble

There are dangerous of losing all of my happiness
My happiness is at risk of being lost forever

But just between the two of us our love is conceiled
Keep our love a secret, just between you and me

So help me if you will
Please assist me if you can, dear Cupid

Cupid if you make your arrow make it for me
If you make an arrow, direct it towards me, Cupid

I promise I will love you to eternity
I pledge my love and loyalty to you forever

So, Cupid draw back your bow
Come on, Cupid, prepare your bow

And let your arrow go
And shoot your arrow towards my lover's heart

Straight to my lover's heart its for me
This arrow is genuinely for my lover's heart and no one else's

Cupid please hear my cry
Please, dear Cupid, attend to my tearful plea

And let your arrow fly
Shoot that arrow swiftly and accurately

Straight to my lover's heart its for me
Please direct that arrow to my lover's heart only

Nobody but me
I'm the only one who needs that arrow's strike

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE FLOYD, STEVE CROPPER, WILLIA DEAN PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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