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 Sold My Heart To The Junkman
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa yeah
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
Whoa yeah
(yes I did yes I did yes I did)
And I'll never fall in love again
I give my heart to you
You brought it back to me
All broken and busted
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
I sold my heart to the junkman
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
And I'll never fall in love again
(now I'll never fall in love again)
You took my heart because you
Thought you could use it
Just like a little toy
You battered and bruised it
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
I sold my heart to the junkman
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
And I'll never fall in love again
(now I'll never fall in love again)
And like a little drama
In a simple matter
Love played a leading part
(yes he did yes he did)
We planned a happy ending
But now I'm left with a broken heart
I threw my pride aside and
Said we'll be friends dear
Two jobs I cannot have
For this is the ending
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
I sold my heart to the junkman
(i sold my heart to the junkman)
And I'll never fall in love again
(now I'll never fall in love again)
I sold my heart to the junkman yeah
I sold my heart to the junkman yeah
Yes I did yes I did yes I did
I sold my heart to the junkman yeah
I sold my heart to the junkman yeah
I sold my heart to the junkman yeah
The New York Dolls’ song “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman” tells a story of heartbreak and betrayal within a romantic relationship. The song starts off with repeated “whoas” to set the tone and prepare the listener for the emotional lyrics that follow. The first verse describes the singer’s trust in a woman they loved and gave their heart to, but when they received it back from her, it was “broken and busted.” This heartbreak led to the singer “selling” their heart to the junkman, indicating that they no longer have faith in love and will be guarding their heart from future pain.
The second verse continues with the metaphor of heartbreak as a physical injury. The singer accuses their partner of using their heart like a “little toy” and leaving it “battered and bruised.” The chorus repeats the line “I sold my heart to the junkman” emphasizing the singer’s willingness to close themselves off to love in order to avoid further pain. The final verse describes the ending of the relationship and the singer’s attempts to reconcile with their partner, but ultimately their heart is too damaged to continue.
Overall, “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman” is a raw and emotional song about the pain of betrayal in a romantic relationship, and the fear and mistrust that can result.
Line by Line Meaning
I sold my heart to the junkman
I gave my heart to someone I trusted but they returned it in ruins, so I sold it to the junkman and vowed never to love again.
And I'll never fall in love again
As a result of having my heart broken, I have given up on ever falling in love again.
You brought it back to me / All broken and busted
You returned my heart to me in a severely damaged state, leaving me feeling hurt and betrayed.
Thought you could use it / Just like a little toy / You battered and bruised it
You took my heart with the intention of using it for your own pleasure, but instead you mistreated and damaged it.
Love played a leading part / We planned a happy ending / But now I'm left with a broken heart
Our love story was supposed to have a happy ending, but instead it caused me pain and left me heartbroken.
Two jobs I cannot have / For this is the ending
Our relationship has come to an end and it has caused me so much pain that I cannot focus on anything else.
I sold my heart to the junkman yeah / Yes I did yes I did yes I did
I sold my heart to the junkman because it was so damaged by my past love, and I will never give it away again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind