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.
Pirate Love
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got to talk that talk
You've got to be that girl
In the diamond world
C'mon cut me so fast
Pirate love
Is what I'm looking for
Is what I'm wanting for
I never ever
needed it so bad
Yeah!
Well the blood's running cold, ain't it
All the mommies are praying
Little girls are saying 'no'
And big girls always want more
Pirate love
Is what I'm looking for
Pirate love
Is what I'm wanting for
I never ever
needed it so bad
Yeah!
Well I'm locked in all these getups
Everybody seems too cruel
I can't tell who's who
Without a bag of voodoo
Pirate love
Is what I'm looking for
Pirate love
Is what I'm wanting for
I never ever
needed it so fast
Fast!
Fast!
Pirate love
Is what I'm looking for
Pirate love
Is what I'm wanting for
I never ever
needed it so bad
Yeah!
The lyrics of Johnny Thunders's song "Pirate Love" seem to describe his insatiable desire for a specific type of woman, one who embodies the life of a "pirate" and lives in the "diamond world." He urges her to "walk that walk" and "talk that talk," to be the embodiment of this fantasy he has, and to "cut [him] so fast."
The chorus illustrates the intensity of his desire, stating that "pirate love" is what he is "looking for" and "wanting for", and that he has "never ever needed it so bad." The verses describe the societal backlash against such a lifestyle, citing the coldness of those around him, the pleas of mothers to stay away from such women, and the resistance of younger girls. Despite this, he is still drawn to this lifestyle and those who embody it, willing to endure the confusion and danger that come with it, as long as he can fulfill his desire for "pirate love."
Overall, the song portrays a desperate longing for a wild and dangerous lifestyle, embodied in the idea of "pirate love." It also highlights the restrictions and societal prejudices against such behavior, and the singer's willingness to endure them in pursuit of his desires.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got to walk that walk
You need to embody the persona you're trying to portray
You've got to talk that talk
You need to talk in a way that supports your persona
You've got to be that girl
You need to fully assume the identity you're adopting
In the diamond world
A world of glitz and glamour
C'mon cut me so fast
Make me feel the pain of life in a big way, immediately
Pirate love
Is what I'm looking for
Pirate love
Is what I'm wanting for
I never ever
needed it so bad
Yeah!
The wild, unpredictable love found in seafaring adventures is what Johnny desires more than anything
Well the blood's running cold, ain't it
Life can be painful, but it's also thrilling
All the mommies are praying
Mothers worry about their children's futures
Little girls are saying 'no'
Young people are resisting traditional ideas of love and sexuality
And big girls always want more
Adults, on the other hand, are often insatiable when it comes to love and its trappings
Well I'm locked in all these getups
Johnny is trapped in various guises or roles he’s adopted over the years
Everybody seems too cruel
The world is a harsh place to exist in
I can't tell who's who
Navigating the social world is difficult in the face of manipulative behavior
Without a bag of voodoo
A mystical tool for identifying friend or foe
Pirate love
Is what I'm looking for
Pirate love
Is what I'm wanting for
I never ever
needed it so fast
Fast!
Fast!
Johnny's desire for the physical and emotional rush of pirate love is growing more urgent
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J. THUNDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind