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)
Lonely Planet Boy
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so hard
And it's a lonely planet joy, when
The song from from the other boys, that's when
I'm a lonely planet boy
I'm tryin', baby, for your love
Oh, you pick me up
You're out and drivin' in your car
When I tell you where I'm goin'
Always tellin' me it's to far
But how could you be drivin'
Down by my home
When ya know, I ain't got one
And I'm, I'm so all alone
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, it's a lonely planet joy, when
When the song from your other boys, that's when
I'm a lonely planet boy
I'm tryin', I'm cryin'
Baby, for your love
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, it's so lonely
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, can't you hear me callin'
I'm a thousand miles away
And I don't want to stay
I'm thinkin' words I gotta say
'Cause I want to be there witcha
And I know what to bring
I remember, from the days
You got over, everythin'
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, it's such a lonely planet joy
When the song from your other boys, that's when
I'm a lonely planet boy
I'm tryin', oh I'm cryin'
Can't ya see I'm dyin'
Baby, for your love
Whoa, whoa, yeah
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Now you're a little runaway
The lyrics of New York Dolls's song “Lonely Planet Boy" describe a feeling of loneliness and longing for love. The opening lines of the song, "It's hard, it's so hard," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer goes on to say that it's a "lonely planet joy" when he hears a song from "other boys," suggesting that he feels a sense of camaraderie with other men who are also seeking love and companionship.
The singer then addresses a person they are romantically interested in, saying that they always tell him that where he's going is "too far" when he mentions it to them. They wonder how this person can be driving near their home when they are so alone themselves. The singer is crying and trying to win their love, expressing that they are willing to go great lengths to be with them.
The chorus, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah, oh, it's such a lonely planet joy," repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the theme of loneliness and desperation. The final verse describes the singer as a "little runaway," suggesting they may be running from their own sense of loneliness and seeking comfort and love elsewhere.
Overall, "Lonely Planet Boy" is a story of unrequited love and a sense of disconnection from the world around oneself. The lyrics express a longing for companionship and a sense of hopelessness in finding it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's hard
Life is difficult
It's so hard
Life is extremely difficult
And it's a lonely planet joy, when
Being alone on this planet brings a strange kind of pleasure
The song from from the other boys, that's when
But hearing the song from other guys reminds me of my loneliness
I'm a lonely planet boy
I am a loner on this planet
I'm tryin', baby, for your love
I am making an effort to win your love
Oh, you pick me up
You give me a lift in your car
You're out and drivin' in your car
You are cruising around in your car
When I tell you where I'm goin'
When I tell you my destination
Always tellin' me it's to far
You always say it's too far
But how could you be drivin'
But how could you be driving
Down by my home
Near my home
When ya know, I ain't got one
When you know I don't have a home
And I'm, I'm so all alone
And I am so lonely
Oh, it's so lonely
Oh, it is very lonely
Oh, can't you hear me callin'
Oh, can't you hear me calling out to you
I'm a thousand miles away
I am very far away
And I don't want to stay
And I don't want to remain so far away from you
I'm thinkin' words I gotta say
I am thinking about what I need to say to you
'Cause I want to be there witcha
Because I want to be there with you
And I know what to bring
And I know what to bring with me
I remember, from the days
I still remember from the old times
You got over, everythin'
You managed to get over everything
Now you're a little runaway
But now you are running away from me
Oh, it's such a lonely planet joy
Oh, it is a strange pleasure to be alone on this planet
I'm tryin', oh I'm cryin'
I am trying hard, and I am also crying
Can't ya see I'm dyin'
Can't you see that I am slowly dying without you
Baby, for your love
Because I want your love, baby
Whoa, whoa, yeah
Expressing emotions
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Expressing emotions
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JerryAntoine417
It's hard
It's so hard
And it's a lonely planet joy, when
The song from from the other boys, that's when
I'm a lonely planet boy
I'm tryin', baby, for your love
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, you pick me up
You're out and drivin' in your car
When I tell you where I'm goin'
Always tellin' me it's to far
But how could you be drivin'
Down by my home
When ya know, I ain't got one
And I'm, I'm so all alone
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, it's a lonely planet joy, when
When the song from your other boys, that's when
I'm a lonely planet boy
I'm tryin', I'm cryin'
Baby, for your love
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, it's so lonely
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, can't you hear me callin'
I'm a thousand miles away
And I don't want to stay
I'm thinkin' words I gotta say
'Cause I want to be there witcha
And I know what to bring
I remember, from the days
You got over, everythin'
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, it's such a lonely planet joy
When the song from your other boys, that's when
I'm a lonely planet boy
I'm tryin', oh I'm cryin'
Can't ya see I'm dyin'
Baby, for your love
Whoa, whoa, yeah
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Now you're a little runaway
@JohnnyThunders-yv6yy
When I first heard this song I felt like crying. The way David sings on this track is something completely different from the rest of album and I love it
@solasvegious5674
Such a lovely song, haunting in its emotionality. The only "ballad" on debut album. David's emoting makes the pain he's expressing so visceral. Beautiful, very unique sound. A biography on David states he wrote the lyrics in a journal when he was age 15.
@jonsantos9816
I remember when I was a teenager and this album in a record store, I said to myself "I have to buy this " it's totally outrageous &outlandish, My father asked me if I was gay ,I told that I wasn't, but then again he thought Alice Cooper was a female country western singer ( he like alot of parents they just didn't get it).Hey it's only Rock and Roll, but I like it !
@internetsummoner
Rock on my dude 🤘🏼👌🏼
@leahflower9924
lol
@jeffsims8270
Jagger agrees!
@jeffsims8270
Hey, so do I
@lord-dark-coffee
This is for my dear friend who passed away 26 years ago. He was a big fan of New York Dolls and I still miss the way he made me laugh
@dankryskalla8490
50 years old today! Incredible.
@jayare5483
I love the cover of this album.... R.I.P. Johnny Thunders...💙💙💙💙