The New York Dolls were a rock group formed in New York City in 1971, now f… Read Full Bio ↴The New York Dolls were a rock group formed in New York City in 1971, now famous as a proto-punk band. Though they found limited success during their initial run, the New York Dolls prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era, particularly among other NYC bands such as the Ramones. And, even later; the Dolls' over-the-top crossdressing and sexual tone influenced the look of many glam metal groups, especially that of early Mötley Crüe and Poison, and their shambling and sloppy but highly energetic playing style set the tone for many later rock n roll bands.

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)

Babylon
New York Dolls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

See'mon boys
When I woke up this morning
Boys I was gone
My girlfriend asked me
Where do I come from
Put my face up in the mirror
Just to clock my where's
First thing I know I gotta get outta here

[Chorus]
(On back to) Babylon
(I gotta get away, to) Babylon
(So I can't stay) Babylon
(Cause it's too much fun) Babylon

I gotta run, I can't look back
I gotta get back, I get down to Babylon
(I'm going to Babylon)

I was driving you tonight
And boys I was gone
The coppers asked me
Where do I come from
One looks at my cards
One checks my id
With this junk on my face
It's easy to see

[Chorus]

I gotta run, I can't look back
I gotta get back, I get down
I gotta get around to Babylon

Let's go to Babylon boys
Two girls for every boy

Well a Babylon girl ain't got no past
The Babylon girl got's to talk so fast
The Babylon men gonna be a boy
With the Babylon girl out looking for a joy
(In) Babylon
(I gotta get away, to) Babylon
(Begging I can't stay) Babylon
(Having to much fun) Babylon

I gotta run, I can't look back
I gotta get back, I get down
I won't be safe, child nobody's safe til they're in Babylon
(I'm going to Babylon)

She's been massaging all day but she's thinking 'bout you daddy
Thinking bout you daddy til they all go away
And when she up there dancing she's just trying make a buck
Trying make some money gonna give you all a look

[Chorus: x2]

I gotta run, I can't look back
I gotta get back, I get down

I won't be safe, I won't be free, til I hit babylon
(I'm going to Babylon)

Overall Meaning

The New York Dolls' song "Babylon" is a classic rock track with catchy instrumentals and intriguing lyrics. The song begins with the singer waking up and feeling like he needs to get away from his current situation, highlighted by the chorus' repeated line of "I gotta get away to Babylon." The lyrics are infused with a sense of urgency and a desire to escape to a place that seems to offer freedom and fun.

As the song continues, the singer shares his experiences with the police and his desire to return to Babylon, where there are "two girls for every boy" and the atmosphere is hedonistic and exciting. The verses are interspersed with the chorus, building momentum and energy into the song.

At the end of the song, the singer describes a woman who is trying to make money as a dancer but is thinking about "you daddy" (presumably a love interest) while doing so. This adds a layer of desperation and longing to the song, tying back to the theme of escape and finding something better in Babylon.

Overall, "Babylon" is a powerful and evocative song that captures the desire to escape and find something better, even if it means leaving everything else behind.

Line by Line Meaning

See'mon boys
Hey guys, let's go

When I woke up this morning
After sleeping, upon waking up

Boys I was gone
I didn't feel great

My girlfriend asked me
My female companion inquired

Where do I come from
About my place of origin

Put my face up in the mirror
Examined myself in the mirror

Just to clock my where's
Just to register my situation

First thing I know I gotta get outta here
I need to evacuate as soon as possible

I gotta run, I can't look back
I have to flee without hesitation

I gotta get back, I get down to Babylon
I need to return to Babylon

I was driving you tonight
I was the designated driver that evening

And boys I was gone
And I wasn't feeling good

The coppers asked me
The police inquired

One looks at my cards
One examined my ID

One checks my id
Another verified my identification

With this junk on my face
With makeup covering my face

It's easy to see
It's obvious

Let's go to Babylon boys
Let's go to Babylon, guys

Two girls for every boy
There are two female potential companions for every male

Well a Babylon girl ain't got no past
A Babylon girl has no history

The Babylon girl got's to talk so fast
A Babylon girl must speak quickly

The Babylon men gonna be a boy
The Babylonian men will be youthful

With the Babylon girl out looking for a joy
While looking for pleasure with the Babylonian girl

She's been massaging all day but she's thinking 'bout you daddy
She's been working hard but you're on her mind, daddy

Thinking bout you daddy til they all go away
Thinking of you, daddy, until others leave

And when she up there dancing she's just trying make a buck
And when she dances, she's trying to earn money

Trying make some money gonna give you all a look
Trying to make money and show off

I won't be safe, child nobody's safe til they're in Babylon
No one is safe until they're in Babylon

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, JOHNNY THUNDERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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