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 Start Me Talking
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna talk to Fanny May
I gotta tell her what I heard
Her boyfriend say
But don't you start me talkin'
I'll tell ev'rything I know
I'm breakin' this signifyin'
Jackie's wife two dollars
Gonna get some '?'
Because she stepped out on the street, you know
Ol' George slaps her face
He knocks her down
And gonna blackeen her eye
So when she gets back home
Tells her husband a lie
Don't you start me talkin'
'Cause I'll tell ev'rything I know
I'm breakin' this signifyin'
Because somebody's gotta go
She borrowed some money
Ran on down the beauty shop
You know when she honked the horn
You know she began to stop and said
Come get my baby
Goin' down around the block
I'm goin' down the beauty shop
And get my hair styled
Don't you start me talkin'
'Cause I'll tell ev'rything I know
I'm breakin' this signifyin'
Because somebody's gotta go
An' I ain't goin' no further, no!
She borrowed some money
Ran on down the beauty shop
You know when she honked that horn
I said that she began to stop and said
Come get my baby
Bring 'im down around the block
I'm screamin' down the beauty shop
And get my hair styled
Don't you start me talkin'
I'll tell ev'rything I know
I'm breakin' this signifyin'
Because somebody's gotta go
The New York Dolls's song "Don’t Start Me Talkin’" is a cover of a blues classic by Sonny Boy Williamson II. The lyrics detail rumors and gossip being spread around a neighborhood, with the singer heading down to Rosie's to pass on some information they overheard about Fanny May's boyfriend. However, the singer warns not to get them started on talking, as they will reveal everything they know, ultimately leading to someone's downfall.
This song touches on themes of the power of gossip and the consequences of spreading rumors. The cautionary tale seems to suggest that one should be careful not to get too involved in the drama and chatter of others, lest they themselves become a victim of it.
The New York Dolls's version of "Don’t Start Me Talkin’" features their trademark sound of punk rock meets glam rock, complete with pounding drums and distorted guitar riffs. The edgy, raw sound and snarling vocals add a rebellious edge to the already powerful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Goin' down to Rosie's
Heading to Rosie's (a place), probably a bar
Gonna talk to Fanny May
Planning to speak with Fanny May, possibly to ask for advice
I gotta tell her what I heard
There's something important he needs to share with Fanny May
Her boyfriend say
Something that Fanny May's boyfriend said
But don't you start me talkin'
Don't provoke him to gossiping
I'll tell ev'rything I know
He knows a lot of secrets and he's willing to spill them
I'm breakin' this signifyin'
He's putting an end to the rumors or gossip that's going around
Because somebody's gotta go
He wants to stop the drama and conflict by ending it
Jackie's wife two dollars
Jackie's wife asked for some money (two dollars)
Gonna get some '?'
She's going to buy something (it's unclear what)
Because she stepped out on the street, you know
Implying that Jackie's wife is engaging in prostitution
Ol' George slaps her face
George hits Jackie's wife on the face
He knocks her down
George knocks Jackie's wife to the ground
And gonna blackeen her eye
George is going to give her a black eye
So when she gets back home
After being beaten, she returns to her house
Tells her husband a lie
She lies about why she has a black eye
She borrowed some money
She took some money from someone
Ran on down the beauty shop
She ran to a beauty salon
You know when she honked the horn
She signaled someone (possibly her baby's father) with a car horn
You know she began to stop and said
She stopped her car and said something
Come get my baby
She wants someone to pick up her baby
Goin' down around the block
She's going around the block (possibly to meet someone)
I'm goin' down the beauty shop
She's going to the beauty shop to get her hair done
Don't you start me talkin'
He's warning others not to make him gossip
'Cause I'll tell ev'rything I know
He has a lot of information and he won't hesitate to share it
And I ain't goin' no further, no!
He's not going to say more, he's done talking
Bring 'im down around the block
She's asking someone to bring her baby around the block
I'm screamin' down the beauty shop
She's excited to get her hair done at the beauty shop
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind