Their self-titled album was an underground sensation, particularly with smooth 70s easy listening ruling the airwaves back then. Chrissie Hynde once commented that every punk band ("And I knew them all") had both New York Dolls albums, illustrating the Dolls' influence. Still, the original line-up experienced many problems, particularly with the mainstream record industry that didn't know what to do with the wild group. Upon their break-up, frontman David Johansen had a moderately successful solo career.
In 2004, the three surviving members reunited for some sporadic touring. In 2006, now down to two surviving members, the band released a new album, 'One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This'. Two albums followed after this: 'Cause I Sez So', in 2009, followed up by a revamped lineup for 2011's 'Dancing Backward in High Heels'.
Sylvain Sylvain died on January 13, 2021. He was 69 years old.
Final lineup
* David Johansen - vocals, harmonica (1971-1977, 2004-2011)
* Sylvain Sylvain - guitar, bass, piano (1971-1977, 2004-2011; died 2021)
* Claton Pitcher - guitar (2011)
* Kenny Aaronson - bass (2021)
* Brian Delaney - drums (2005-2011)
Past members
* Johnny Thunders (deceased) - guitar, vocals (1971-1975)
* Rick Rivets - guitar (1971)
* Arthur Kane (deceased) - bass guitar (1971-1975, 2004)
* Billy Murcia (deceased) - drums (1971-1972)
* Jerry Nolan (deceased) - drums (1972-1976)
* Blackie Lawless - guitar (1975)
* Peter Jordan - bass (1975-1977)
* Chris Robison - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Tony Machine - drums (1976-1977)
* Gary Powell - drums (2004)
* Steve Conte - guitar (2004-2010)
* Sami Yaffa - bass (2005-2010)
* Frank Infante - guitar (2010-2011)
* Brian Koonin - keyboards (2005-2006)
* Earl Slick – guitar (2011)
* Jason Hill – bass (2010–2011)
Baby
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta show you what I can do
But everything connects and that ain't nowhere
Well, maybe they're just giving you all you've ever wanted
And maybe you never-ever know what that was
And maybe you're just finding it out now
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
What's wrong today and why was
Everyone so busy they've forgotten
Why they're playing that, he said
What's wrong today is what's wrong with you
You're so solid, busy solid, that's all you do
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Your pretty little mind
Match me your slingshot with
Every life of Queens and I got to
Show you more busted glass than any girl ever seen
Since I been blasted, I've been blownin', I've been backing away
You've got to back it away
You've got to take a search of values, yeah
But I've got a concert out to play
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Your pretty little mind
Your pretty little mind
When I'm getting home to you
I've got to show you what I can do
But everything connects and that ain't nowhere
No-no-no
Ah-baby, no-no-nowhere
It just won't give out, no, no
I'm talking about your overkill
Talking bout your overkill
Got to shout about your overkill
Now that it's over, now that it's over
Now that it's over, now that it's over, what ya gonna do?
The New York Dolls' song "Vietnamese Baby" addresses various themes such as the struggle to find one's authentic self, the all-consuming effect of technology, and the internal conflicts and regrets one might have as they confront the reality of their choices. The opening lyrics depict the singer as wanting to impress a lover with his abilities, but coming to the realization that everything appears to be connected in some way that leads to nowhere. He suggests that perhaps satisfying desires can sometimes leave us unfulfilled since we might never know what we truly wanted. The person is struggling with their own identity and trying to find meaning, having a "Vietnamese baby on their mind" as a metaphor for their own internal conflicts.
The middle stanza uses the power of technology as a means of enhancing this self-discovery, referring to it as a "technology satellite". However, despite its benefits, the worry is that technology is making everyone too busy to the point where they forget why they made the choice in the first place. The singer suggests that what's wrong with technology is what's wrong with ourselves as we become too consumed in our own lives. The reference to a "Vietnamese baby" possibly represents the effects of war on society, making one think about life and what really matters.
The last set of lyrics are more reflective, as the singer looks back on the choices he has made and the consequences of his actions. He admits that he has gone too far in certain aspects of his life, and suggests that his actions can be equated to "overkill". The chorus repeats the idea that "everything is connected" and "that ain't nowhere," as the singer comes to the realization that everything is interwoven and that nothing can be done to change it. Overall, the lyrics suggest that the search for meaning and fulfillment is a never-ending process.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm getting home to you
When I finally arrive home to see you
I gotta show you what I can do
I want to impress you with my abilities
But everything connects and that ain't nowhere
Things don't seem to make sense or matter anymore
Well, maybe they're just giving you all you've ever wanted
Perhaps people are fulfilling your desires and dreams
And maybe you never-ever know what that was
You may not even realize what you truly wanted
And maybe you're just finding it out now
You might be discovering your true desires presently
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Thinking about a Vietnamese girl
Technology satellite, well
The satellite of technology
What's wrong today and why was
What's happening and why?
Everyone so busy they've forgotten
People are too busy to remember what's important
Why they're playing that, he said
The reason behind playing that music, he mentioned
What's wrong today is what's wrong with you
The problem with today is the problem with you
You're so solid, busy solid, that's all you do
You're so focused and busy that it's all you do
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Thinking about a Vietnamese girl
Your pretty little mind
Your lovely thoughts
Match me your slingshot with
Compare your fight with mine
Every life of Queens and I got to
Every aspect of life in Queens, I've experienced
Show you more busted glass than any girl ever seen
I'll exhibit more broken glass than any girl has ever seen before
Since I been blasted, I've been blownin', I've been backing away
Since I have been wounded, I have been regressing and retreating
You've got to back it away
You have to pull back
You've got to take a search of values, yeah
You need to assess what's most important to you
But I've got a concert out to play
However, I have an upcoming concert to perform
With a Vietnamese baby on your mind
Thinking about a Vietnamese girl
Your pretty little mind
Your lovely thoughts
Your pretty little mind
Your lovely thoughts
When I'm getting home to you
When I finally arrive home to see you
I've got to show you what I can do
I want to impress you with my abilities
But everything connects and that ain't nowhere
Things don't seem to make sense or matter anymore
No-no-no
No, no, no
Ah-baby, no-no-nowhere
Oh, baby, nowhere to go
It just won't give out, no, no
It just doesn't work out
I'm talking about your overkill
I'm referring to your excessive actions
Talking bout your overkill
Discussing your excessive actions
Got to shout about your overkill
Gotta yell about your excessive actions
Now that it's over, now that it's over
Now that it's finished
Now that it's over, now that it's over, what ya gonna do?
What will you do now that it's over?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind