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)
Human Being
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go ahead, find yourself a saint
Go ahead now
Try to find a boy
Who's gonna be what I ain't
Now what you need is
A plastic doll with a fresh coat of paint
And always acts so quaint
Said yeah yeah yeah
With your new friend
You're really making a scene
And I see you bouncing around
From machine to machine
And you know
They're never real, they're
Never what they seem
And you can try to generate some warmth
And you see just what I mean
I said yeah yeah yeah
And If I'm acting like a king
Well that's cause
I'm a human being
And if I want too many things
Don't you know that I'm a human being
And if I've got to dream
Baby baby baby yeah
I'm a human being
And when it gets a bit obscene (wooah)
I'm a human being
And I've just got to go around
With my head hung down
Just like a human, babe,
An unknown human being
And I can hold my head so high
'Cause I'm a human, a riff raff human being
Why won't you give me a little sip
Why don't you try me on a drag of that cigarette
Why don't you try to give me something that
I will never ever forget
But now don't you blow it all
On a million dollar bet
Because you're liable to lose it
On the best lovin' you've had yet
I'm beggin' yeah yeah oh yeah
And If I'm acting like a king
Well that's cause I'm a human being
I want too many things
Don't you know that I'm a human being
And if I've got to dream I said well,
I'm a human being
And when it gets a bit obscene (wooah)
I'm a human being
And I've got to go around
With my head hung down
Just like a human, babe
An unknown human being
And I can hold my head so high
'Cause I'm a human, a riff raff human being
In fact I'm talking about the human race
You're trying to cover up the big disgrace
I said yeah yeah yeah,
Oh see'mon see'mon see'mon
Yeah, yeah, oh yeah
Well I may think that this whole scene is
Just a too appalling for me
Or I may be the type who's just a mad about
Every little thing that I see
Well I can color that with mystery
Or make it just what I want it to be
While I'm blowing my change on the fan magazines
With all the Hollywood refugees, screaming
Yeah yeah, oh yeah
And If I'm acting like a king
I said well, I'm a human being
And if I want too many things
Don't you know that I'm a human being
And if I've got to dream
Baby baby, I'm a human being
And when it gets a bit obscene (wooah)
I'm a human being
And I've got to go around With my head hung down
Just like a human being
We're all just human being
And I can hold my head so high
'Cause I'm a human, a first class human being
I'm a human being
I'm a human being
I'm a human being
I'm a human being
The New York Dolls' song "Human Being" speaks to the experience of being human in a world that often requires us to conform to certain societal expectations. The opening lyrics urge those who don't like the singer's behavior to find a saint or a boy who will be what he isn't. The following verse paints a picture of a plastic doll that can sit through madness and always act quaint, an impossible standard that the singer refuses to conform to. The chorus emphasizes that the singer is a human being and that it's natural to want many things, dream, and even act like a king at times. The song concludes with the repetition of the phrase "I'm a human being," emphasizing the singer's humanity and the humanity of all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Well if you don't like it
If you have an issue with me, you can leave
Go ahead, find yourself a saint
You can go search for someone who is perfect if my humanity bothers you
Go ahead now
Do what you will
Try to find a boy
Attempt to locate a person who fits your ideal
Who's gonna be what I ain't
But I can only be me
Now what you need is
For your standard, you require
A plastic doll with a fresh coat of paint
A fake, polished individual
Who's gonna sit through the madness
Someone who can handle craziness without complaint
And always acts so quaint
And pretends to be well-mannered and proper
Said yeah yeah yeah
Repeated affirmation
With your new friend
With your latest acquaintance
You're really making a scene
You are attracting attention
And I see you bouncing around
I observe you jumping from one thing to another
From machine to machine
From one device to another
And you know
You are aware
They're never real, they're
These things are never genuine, they are
Never what they seem
Never how they appear
And you can try to generate some warmth
Despite that fact, you might attempt to create some good vibes
And you see just what I mean
And then you will understand what I am saying
And If I'm acting like a king
If it appears that I am arrogant
Well that's cause
It is due to the fact
I'm a human being
That I am only human
And if I want too many things
If I am very ambitious
Don't you know that I'm a human being
It is because I am a typical person
And if I've got to dream
And if I have to dare to imagine great things
Baby baby baby yeah
I embrace my humanity regardless
And when it gets a bit obscene (wooah)
And even when it becomes a bit much
I'm a human being
I remain human
And I've just got to go around
And I simply have to continue
With my head hung down
Feeling ashamed
Just like a human, babe,
Just like all of us
An unknown human being
An anonymous individual
And I can hold my head so high
But also lift my head up proudly
'Cause I'm a human, a riff raff human being
Because I am human, even if I am not deemed important by others
Why won't you give me a little sip
Can I have a small sip of your drink?
Why don't you try me on a drag of that cigarette
Can I try smoking from that cigarette?
Why don't you try to give me something that
Or maybe you could give me something
I will never ever forget
That I will cherish always
But now don't you blow it all
But do not waste everything
On a million dollar bet
On an improbable gamble
Because you're liable to lose it
Because the chances of failure are high
On the best lovin' you've had yet
On the most memorable love you have ever experienced
I'm beggin' yeah yeah oh yeah
I am pleading with you
In fact I'm talking about the human race
Actually, I am referring to everyone
You're trying to cover up the big disgrace
And how we attempt to hide our collective shame
I said yeah yeah yeah, Oh see'mon see'mon see'mon
Exasperated affirmation
Well I may think that this whole scene is
My opinion could be that this entire environment is
Just a too appalling for me
Too unpleasant for my taste
Or I may be the type who's just a mad about
Or perhaps I could be the type who is obsessed with
Every little thing that I see
Every minute detail that I come across
Well I can color that with mystery
I can add an air of mystique to that
Or make it just what I want it to be
Or I could shape it into what I desire
While I'm blowing my change on the fan magazines
While I am wasting my money on celebrity publications
With all the Hollywood refugees, screaming
With all the people from the movie industry, shouting
Yeah yeah, oh yeah
Agreement
And If I'm acting like a king
And if it looks like I am acting superior
I said well, I'm a human being
Actually, I am only human
And if I want too many things
And if my desires are too numerous
Don't you know that I'm a human being
It is due to the fact that I am a typical person
And if I've got to dream
And if I have to imagine great things
Baby baby, I'm a human being
Regardless, I am still human
And when it gets a bit obscene (wooah)
And even when things get a little inappropriate
I'm a human being
I remain human
And I've got to go around
And I have to continue with my life
With my head hung down
Feeling embarrassed or demoralized
Just like a human being
Just like everyone else
We're all just human being
We are all just typical people
And I can hold my head so high
But I can also lift my head up proudly
'Cause I'm a human, a first class human being
Because I am human, a high-quality person like all of us
I'm a human being
I am human
I'm a human being
I am human
I'm a human being
I am human
I'm a human being
I am human
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, JOHNNY THUNDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind