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.
So Alone
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't break your girlish fears
I try to get close, I couldn't get near
If I tell you too much, baby, I'll get smeared
Said red light, green light
You never stop
Always trying to word me out
I'll just tell you what you wanna hear
If I tell you too much, baby, I'll get smeared
Seems like every time
I try to love somebody
It's that same old story
I try so hard
I give it everything I got
But in the end
I'm the one who's
I'm so all alone
I'm so alone
I'm so all alone
I'm so alone
The lyrics of Johnny Thunders's "So Alone" are filled with melancholy, desperation, and heartache. The singer is expressing his plight of feeling isolated and disconnected, despite trying his best to connect with others. The opening lines, "Well I'll just tell you what you wanna hear, I won't break your girlish fears," signify that the singer is willing to say or do anything to please his partner, and he is willing to suppress his true feelings and emotions to maintain the relationship. However, the next line, "I try to get close, I couldn't get near," suggests that despite his efforts, he is unable to bridge the gap between them.
The chorus of the song, "Seems like every time I try to love somebody, It's that same old story, I try so hard, I give it everything I got, But in the end, I'm the one who's, I'm so all alone, I'm so alone," reflects the theme of the song, which is the singer's feeling of loneliness and disappointment in love. The line "red light, green light, you never stop" indicates the frantic pace of the singer's attempts to connect with his partner, and the fear of rejection that constantly hovers over him. In the end, he realizes that no matter what he does, he is always going to be alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'll just tell you what you wanna hear
I will say what you want to hear to avoid breaking your heart.
I won't break your girlish fears
I will not scare or hurt you in any way.
I try to get close, I couldn't get near
I attempt to get closer but there are barriers that prevent me from doing so.
If I tell you too much, baby, I'll get smeared
If I reveal too much about myself, it may backfire and have negative consequences for me.
Said red light, green light
Using the metaphor of traffic lights, indicating there's inconsistency or uncertainty in the relationship.
You never stop
The other person’s behavior continues to be unpredictable or erratic.
Always trying to word me out
The other person is always trying to figure out how the other person feels or what they are thinking.
Now I know, what you’re bopping about
The person finally understands the other's intentions or motivations.
Seems like every time I try to love somebody
The author feels that every time they try to love someone, they end up being hurt.
It's that same old story
The same thing happens over and over, leading to disappointment.
I try so hard
The author works very hard to make their relationships successful.
I give it everything I got
They put all their effort into the relationship.
But in the end, I'm the one who's
Despite their efforts, the author ends up feeling lonely and isolated.
I'm so all alone
The author feels completely isolated and disconnected from others.
I'm so alone
Emphasis on the author's feelings of loneliness and isolation.
I'm so all alone
Rhetorical repetition emphasizes the author's despair and isolation.
I'm so alone
The song ends with the same emphatic expression of isolation and loneliness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY THUNDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PuNk JuNk ©
No matter the mood for music u r in at the moment, u can listen always at Johnny Thunders. He plays every thing from punk R'n'R to blues &,psychedelic up to 60's pop hits. In the best way can get
jony screwzo
@nanchanger The Wizard maybe?
nanchanger
What song is psychedelic?
Matthew J Douglas
Man thunders makes me feel alive. The man was great. What a bad ass. Restin in peace legend
TheJetfighter666
The Thunders album that fades ‘em all and the album his entire body of work is compared to. What this man was capable of with just 50% of his faculties going at once blows away most of the New York wannabe’s and (Pun intended) Johnny come lately’s ! More feeling in his pinky finger then the whole lot of ‘em. Right Johnny!!!!Born To Cry. Born to rock and roll. There will never be another Johnny Thunders or a time period when talent like his has the time to mature. So blessed to have seen the Dolls in ‘76 and many of his marathon concerts! Oh, one more thing>Fuck New Orleans! The whole swamp should just get swallowed up! “ tell me more’.❤ JOHNNY4EVER❤️
Damon Cuccia
The incomparable Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy makes a guest appearance during "Daddy Rolling Stone"! What a album!
Jipwell
Don't forget Jonesy lol
TheJetfighter666
And the legendary Steve Marriott! All three, gone well before their time.
Matthew J Douglas
And Peter perret on another one too
jony screwzo
He also plays bass in a few songs 🤙