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.

I Wanna Be Loved
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Lyrics

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Well won't you listen baby
To what I wanna say
I'm so crazy 'bout you
I don't wanna play

I wanna be loved
Be loved by you
I wanna be loved

Be loved by you

You clawed your way to the top
I don't care if you're a flop
I'll do what I gotta do
To take care of you

I wanna be loved
Be loved by you
I wanna be loved
Be loved by you

I wanna be loved
Be loved by you
I wanna be loved
Be loved by you

You can change my eye
You can change your time
You can do what you want
You better read between the lines

I wanna be loved
Be loved by you
I wanna be loved
Be loved by you

I wanna be loved
Be loved by you

I wanna be loved
Be loved by you

Overall Meaning

"I Wanna Be Loved" by Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers is a love song that conveys a message of desperation and vulnerability from the singer to his love interest. The song starts by talking about how crazy the singer is about his lover and how much he wants her to listen to him. It's clear that the singer is willing to do anything to avoid playing games and just wants to be loved by her.

The song proceeds to address the difference in social status between the two lovers. The singer tells his love interest that he doesn't care if she's at the top or a flop, and he'll do whatever it takes to take care of her. The line "You can change my eye, you can change your time, you can do what you want, you better read between the lines" suggests that the singer is willing to compromise anything to be with his love interest.

The song essentially expresses an intense desire for love and acceptance from the love interest, despite the challenges (including possibly a difference in social status). The song's emotional honesty and vulnerability are what make it a relatable and powerful love song.

Line by Line Meaning

Well won't you listen baby
I want you to pay attention to me

To what I wanna say
I have something important to tell you

I'm so crazy 'bout you
I am deeply in love with you

I don't wanna play
I am serious and don't want any games

You clawed your way to the top
You have worked hard to achieve success

I don't care if you're a flop
I don't care if you fail

I'll do what I gotta do
I will do whatever it takes

To take care of you
To make sure you are happy and safe

You can change my eye
You can change my perception

You can change your time
You can change your pace

You can do what you want
You have the freedom to do as you please