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)
I Ain't Got Nothin'
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all my money is spent
Try as I may, I don't know where it went
All the good times
And all the fun that I had
Just can't remember when I felt so bad
It don't make no sense
And it seems so odd
I ain't got nothing
After the fall
I ain't got nothing
I got no one to call
I ain't got nothing
Feeling so small
I ain't got nothing
Nothing, nothing at all
This is not how
The end should have come
Who could imagine this when I was young?
Where is everybody?
It's not the way I wanted it to be
But the path I took
They've all outgrown
The party's over
I'm all alone
I ain't got nothing
After the fall
I ain't got nothing
Feeling so small
I ain't got nothing
I got no one to call
I ain't got nothing
Nothing, I got nothing at all
All the magic
I swore that I knew
Just disappeared, it hasn't left a clue
No one's talking
On my behalf
Here in the silence as I force a laugh
There was a time
I could of cried
Even my feelings have crawled up and died
I ain't got nothing
After the fall
I ain't got nothing
Feeling so small
I ain't got nothing
Against the wall
Now ain't that something?
Nothing, I got nothing at all
The New York Dolls song "I Ain't Got Nothin'" explores the feeling of isolation and loss after experiencing a significant fall from grace. The singer begins by acknowledging that they've hit rock bottom and can't seem to remember how they got there. Despite all of the good times and fun that they once had, they're now left feeling small and hopeless. They question whether or not there's a higher power responsible for their situation, feeling mystified by the inexplicable nature of their predicament.
The singer reminisces about their youth and how they never could have imagined ending up in this situation. They wonder where everyone else went, why nobody seems to care about their plight, and feel disillusioned with the path they took to arrive at this point in their life. They feel as though they've been left behind while everyone else has moved on to bigger and better things, resigned to the fact that the party is over and they're all alone.
The nostalgia the singer feels for a time when they used to believe in magic and the unspoken solidarity of friends makes an appearance in the bridge of the song. They lament the loss of their ability to feel deeply, even their emotions seemingly having given up on them. The song ends with the singer realizing just how alone they are, standing against a wall and confirming that they have absolutely nothing to their name.
Line by Line Meaning
When I come down
When the excitement and high of the situation come down, leaving me feeling low
And all my money is spent
When I have spent all my money with nothing to show for it
Try as I may, I don't know where it went
Despite my best effort, I can't account for where my money went
All the good times
All the moments of happiness and joy
And all the fun that I had
All the enjoyable experiences that I had
Just can't remember when I felt so bad
I can't recall feeling as low as I am now
It don't make no sense
It's illogical and confusing
And it seems so odd
It's strange and unexpected
And it makes me wonder if there's a God
This situation is so hopeless that I am questioning the existence of a higher power
I ain't got nothing
I have nothing left
After the fall
After reaching a low point
I got no one to call
I have no one to reach out to
Feeling so small
Feeling powerless and insignificant
Nothing, nothing at all
Completely empty and devoid of anything
This is not how
This is not the way things were supposed to be
The end should have come
If this is the end, it should have been different
Who could imagine this when I was young?
This situation is so far from what I anticipated when I was younger
Where is everybody?
Where are all the people I used to know?
It's not the way I wanted it to be
This situation is not what I had hoped for
But the path I took
The choices I made in the past
They've all outgrown
The people I used to know have moved on from me
The party's over
The fun times are over
I'm all alone
I am completely isolated and without companionship
Against the wall
Feeling trapped and cornered
Now ain't that something?
Isn't it ironic?
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CLARENCE HENRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind