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)
Don’t Mess With Cupid
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You tried to spend it like a dollar
You got the nice string but you know your yo yo is just the wrong color
That' why I'm telling you
Don't you mess with cupid
Cupid's not stupid
Don't you mess with cupid
Cupid's not stupid man
Then I'm just a walk on there's nothing more
You just don't ever seem to realize that I'm a man full grown
Don't you mess with cupid
Cupid's not stupid
Don't you mess with cupid
Cupid's not stupid man
Now when I'm looking for you you're never home
And like a lamp you turn it off and on
Just like a shade when you dim the lights
If it's on I can't do nothing right
Don't you mess with cupid
Cupid's not stupid
Don't you mess with cupid
Cupid's not stupid man
The New York Dolls' song, "Don't Mess With Cupid," is a warning to a lover who has undervalued and disrespected the singer's affection for them. The first verse warns the lover that they cannot treat the singer's love like currency and expect it to always be available for use. The second line in particular references the idea of spending a coin like a dollar, suggesting that the lover has not recognized the value of the singer's feelings for them. The next line is a clever metaphor, comparing the lover to a yo-yo with a string that is the wrong color. This implies that the lover is attractive but ultimately not the right fit for the singer. Finally, the chorus warns the lover not to mess with Cupid, suggesting that this is not simply a matter of an unrequited romance, but a war with the gods of love themselves.
The second verse finds the singer frustrated with the lover's lack of commitment and inconsistency. When the singer looks for the lover, they are never home, and their behavior is as unpredictable as a light switch. The simile that compares the lover to a lamp also implies that they hold the power in the relationship, turning the singer on and off as they please. The final lines reiterate the chorus that Cupid's arrows are not to be trifled with, and that the singer must have their own dignity and self-worth respected.
Line by Line Meaning
You must have thought my love was just a coin because
You believed I had no value, that my love wasn't sincere
You tried to spend it like a dollar
You didn't value my love and treated it as cheap and disposable
You got the nice string but you know your yo yo is just the wrong color
You may look good on the surface, but your true colors reveal your insincerity
That' why I'm telling you
I'm warning you about the consequences of playing with love
Don't you mess with cupid
Don't play with love or try to manipulate it
Cupid's not stupid
Love is not something to be taken for granted or underestimated; it has its own intelligence
Don't you mess with cupid
Don't try to control or cheat the power of love
Cupid's not stupid man
Love will always find a way and cannot be fooled or tricked
You thought my love was just a walk across the lawn
You believed that my love was easy to acquire and superficial
Then I'm just a walk on there's nothing more
You don't see the depth of my love or the effort it takes to maintain it
You just don't ever seem to realize that I'm a man full grown
You underestimate my maturity and my ability to understand love and its complexities
Now when I'm looking for you you're never home
You are avoiding me and not putting in the effort to maintain our relationship
And like a lamp you turn it off and on
You are inconsistent and unpredictable in your behavior towards me
Just like a shade when you dim the lights
You are trying to create a false and manipulative environment in our relationship
If it's on I can't do nothing right
Your inconsistency and manipulation makes it impossible for me to maintain a healthy relationship with you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE FLOYD, STEVE CROPPER, WILLIA DEAN PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind