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)
Nobody Got No Bizness
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hi everybody! I'm David Jo and the Dolls!
We're from New York City!
And we like our Philly soul Chicago-style!
Check it out!
Invested with virtues no other band possess
Retreating here, advancing there
Nobody got no bizness
Bizness like we do
Come on baby, won't you watch our style
It's kickin' like a mule
Who's got the noise
When you gotta move
Gotta be a rock and roll band
That's really in the groove
Bizness, bizness
Nobody's got no bizness
Replacing defunct religions
And the earthly caress
Offering the modern crowd an absolute
Worthy of its nothingness
We like to shingaling
And Latin boogaloo
Everybody swaggerjackin' us
Cause you can't learn this at school
Nobody got no bizness
Bizness like we do
It don't matter what you're putting down
You could do it too
Whose love is radical
When you've gotta move
Gotta be a rock and roll band
That's really in the groove, yeah!
Bizness, bizness (that's right)
Nobody's got no bizness
Bizness, bizness (give me some bizness)
Nobody's got no bizness (ah yeah yeah yeah)
Let's get radiant, uh-huh
You in with the in part of the out crowd, now
Ain't nobody got no bizness
Bizness like we do
Come on baby, just watch our style
It's kickin' like a mule
Who's got the chaos
When you gotta move
Gotta be a rock and roll band
That's really in the groove
Bizness, bizness (yeah yeah yeah)
Nobody's got no bizness
Bizness, bizness (uh huh, yeah yeah)
Nobody's got no bizness
Bizness, bizness (that's right)
Nobody's got no bizness
Bizness, bizness (Bizness, yeah)
If we don't come back, just call us on the Ouija board.
"Nobody Got No Bizness" is a song by New York Dolls from their 1974 album "Too Much Too Soon." While this song isn't one of their best-known tracks, it's still a quintessential Dolls tune that captures the band's punkish, high-energy sound.
The lyrics carry a typical Dolls rebellion, declaring that nobody has the business they have, and that wherever they go, they will take the lead in musical chaos. The lines "We like to shingaling and Latin boogaloo. Everybody swaggerjackin' us because you can't learn this at school" show how exploration for new sound and influences characterized the band's music style. They wanted their music to represent a counterculture to mainstream, and in defiance of the norm, the Dolls managed to turn heads by crossing genres and styles.
The lyrics also seem to subtly mock organized religion and its traditions in lines such as "replacing defunct religions," and "worthy of its nothingness." In doing so, they suggest that rock music could do what the mainstream faith couldn't, which adds to the theme of countercultural rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Invested with virtues no other band possess
We have qualities that make us unique from other bands.
Retreating here, advancing there
We move forward and backward in our music style.
Encircling this earthly mess
We are surrounded by chaos and confusion like the rest of the world.
Nobody got no bizness
No one else has the skills or expertise that we possess.
Bizness like we do
The way we do things is unmatched.
Come on baby, won't you watch our style
Please observe our music and see how unique our style is.
It's kickin' like a mule
Our music is lively and spirited.
Who's got the noise
Who else is making such loud and rousing sounds.
When you gotta move
When you need to get up and dance.
Gotta be a rock and roll band
You need to listen to rock and roll to get in the groove.
That's really in the groove
To really get into the music and feel the rhythm.
Replacing defunct religions
Our music is taking over where traditional religions have failed.
And the earthly caress
Our music offers excitement and joy on this earth.
Offering the modern crowd an absolute
We provide something new and distinct for modern listeners.
Worthy of its nothingness
Our music makes even the most mundane moments worth celebrating.
We like to shingaling
We enjoy dancing and the specific moves that come with it.
And Latin boogaloo
We are fans of Latin-inspired beats and rhythms.
Everybody swaggerjackin' us
Everyone is copying our moves and style.
Cause you can't learn this at school
Our unique style cannot be taught in any educational institution.
It don't matter what you're putting down
No matter what you're listening to, you can still appreciate our music.
You could do it too
Others can attempt to copy our style but won't do it as well as us.
Whose love is radical
Who else has such extreme passion and love for music.
Let's get radiant, uh-huh
Let's put on a great performance and shine.
You in with the in part of the out crowd, now
You are now part of our group and can enjoy our unique style.
Ain't nobody got no bizness
No one else can compete with us or do what we do.
Who's got the chaos
Who else can create such intense and exciting music.
Bizness, bizness (yeah yeah yeah)
No one else can do business like we do.
If we don't come back, just call us on the Ouija board.
Even if we're gone, people will still remember our unique style and music.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRIAN DELANCY, DAVID JOHANSEN, SAMI YAFFA, STEVE CONTE, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind