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)

Frankenstein
New York Dolls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Something must have happened over Manhattan
Who can expound all the children this time?
Could they ever, could they ever
Expect such a Frankenstein, a Frankenstein
I remember when you were jam-jammin'
You were better than any of them
There was never nothing you would ever understand
But you know who was there to be your master

Making his demented plans
He's always makin' his plans
When those plans, they don't fit your style
You get a feeling of your own ordeal
That's when he starts calling you out
And you just don't know what to do
So now you come around here
And you're trying to take over the town
Just because of back home, baby
How he puts you down
Oh, baby, how he puts you down
I know they put you down

So now, you're off starting 'round here
Bitterness at your demans
In a place where they don't expect nothing
You're trying not to dirty your hands
When asking you as a person
Is it a crime, is it a crime
For you to fall in love with Frankenstein?
Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Wrong, baby, don't you want a friend?
'Cause you're trying to be so selective
You never realize the whole time
Who's the one you're loving
Misunderstood like a Frankenstein
And down, down, down, just off the desk
Like Frankenstein, like Frankenstein

So now you're telling me
What everytime you can get on home
Well, don't you know this place, it is my home
So where am I gonna go?
You know, when you don't expect nothing
No, you're not alone, you know you're not alone
'Cause something must have happened over Manhattan
Who can expound all the children this time?
Could they ever, could they ever
Expect such a Frankenstein?
A Frankenstein, Frankenstein

And oh, his shoes are too big
And oh, his jacket's too small
I'll show you a Frankenstein, Frankenstein [?]
We're asking you as a person
Is it a crime, is it a crime
For you to fall in love in with Frankenstein?
Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Oh, baby, don't you want a friend?
Well, Frankenstein, oh, Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
You're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
You're gonna get it from Frankenstein
That's right, you're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
You're gonnna get it when Frankenstein gets home
I'm gonna shout about
I'm gonna scream about, I'm gonna shout about it, bitch about it, scream about it
Gonna get it, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein

I've gotta ask you one question
Do you think that you could make it with Frankenstein?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to New York Dolls' song "Frankenstein" are about feeling like an outsider and being misunderstood. The singer is talking about someone who has been put down by others and struggled to fit in. They compare this person to Frankenstein, as they feel like they are misunderstood and rejected by society. The song suggests that it is okay to be different and to love whoever you want, even if others see it as strange or wrong. The lyrics also touch on the theme of personal freedom and individuality.

The song was released in 1973 on the New York Dolls' self-titled debut album. It was written by the band's lead singer, David Johansen, and their guitarist, Johnny Thunders. "Frankenstein" is one of the most popular songs from the album and has become a fan favorite over the years.

Line by Line Meaning

Something must have happened over Manhattan
Something strange must have occurred in Manhattan

Who can expound all the children this time?
Who can explain the confusion to the children this time?

Could they ever, could they ever
Can they possibly, can they possibly

Expect such a Frankenstein, a Frankenstein
Anticipate something like Frankenstein, something strange and monstrous

I remember when you were jam-jammin'
I remember when you were playing music with enthusiasm

You were better than any of them
You were more talented than any of the other musicians

There was never nothing you would ever understand
There was nothing that you were unable to comprehend

But you know who was there to be your master
But you know who was in control of you

Making his demented plans
Crafting his crazy schemes

He's always makin' his plans
He's always coming up with new plans

When those plans, they don't fit your style
When those plans don't suit your tastes

You get a feeling of your own ordeal
You feel like you're going through a difficult experience

That's when he starts calling you out
That's when he starts to criticize and blame you

And you just don't know what to do
And you're uncertain about how to respond

So now you come around here
So now you're back in this place

And you're trying to take over the town
And you're attempting to assert your influence over the area

Just because of back home, baby
Just because of your past experiences

How he puts you down
How he criticizes and belittles you

Oh, baby, how he puts you down
Oh, how he puts you down, baby

I know they put you down
I know they criticize and demean you

So now, you're off starting 'round here
So now, you're moving around this area

Bitterness at your demans
Feeling resentful about your requests not being met

In a place where they don't expect nothing
In a place where they don't anticipate much

You're trying not to dirty your hands
You're trying to avoid getting involved in dirty work

When asking you as a person
When asking you about yourself

Is it a crime, is it a crime
Is it a crime?

For you to fall in love with Frankenstein?
For you to be attracted to someone monstrous and misunderstood like Frankenstein?

Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Is it incorrect, could it be incorrect

Wrong, baby, don't you want a friend?
Incorrect, don't you want a friend?

'Cause you're trying to be so selective
Because you're being so cautious

You never realize the whole time
You never realize all along

Who's the one you're loving
Who you are really loving

Misunderstood like a Frankenstein
Misunderstood like the misunderstood monster Frankenstein

And down, down, down, just off the desk
Down, down, down, away from everything else

Like Frankenstein, like Frankenstein
Like the creature Frankenstein

So now you're telling me
So now you're confessing to me

What everytime you can go on home
That you want to go home every time

Well, don't you know this place, it is my home
Well, don't you know that this place is my home

So where am I gonna go?
So where am I supposed to go?

You know, when you don't expect nothing
You know, when you don't anticipate anything

No, you're not alone, you know you're not alone
No, you're not alone, you know that you have companions

'Cause something must have happened over Manhattan
Because something peculiar must have occurred in Manhattan

Who can expound all the children this time?
Who can explain the situation to the children this time?

Could they ever, could they ever
Can they possibly, can they possibly

Expect such a Frankenstein?
Anticipate something so monstrous?

A Frankenstein, Frankenstein
A creature like Frankenstein

And oh, his shoes are too big
And oh, his shoes are too big

And oh, his jacket's too small
And oh, his jacket's too small

I'll show you a Frankenstein, Frankenstein
I'll demonstrate a creature like Frankenstein

We're asking you as a person
We're asking you as person

Is it a crime, is it a crime
Is it a crime?

For you to fall in love in with Frankenstein?
For you to be attracted to someone monstrous and misunderstood like Frankenstein?

Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Is it incorrect, could it be incorrect

Oh, baby, don't you want a friend?
Oh, don't you want a friend, baby?

Well, Frankenstein, oh, Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Well, Frankenstein, oh, Frankenstein, Frankenstein

Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein

My name is Frankenstein, frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, Frankenstein

Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein

You're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
You're going to receive a punishment

You're gonna get it from Frankenstein
You're going to receive punishment from Frankenstein

That's right, you're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
That's right, you're going to receive a punishment

You're gonnna get it when Frankenstein gets home
You're going to receive the punishment when Frankenstein returns home

I'm gonna shout about
I'm going to express myself loudly

I'm gonna scream about it, bitch about it, scream about it
I'm going to complain about it, express my anger and frustration vocally

Gonna get it, Frankenstein
Going to receive punishment, Frankenstein

Frankenstein, Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein, Frankenstein

Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein

My name is Frankenstein, Frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, Frankenstein

Frankenstein
Frankenstein

I've gotta ask you one question
I have to ask you one thing

Do you think that you could make it with Frankenstein?
Do you think you could have a romantic relationship with someone monstrous and misunderstood like Frankenstein?

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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