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)
Personality Crisis -- Looking
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And her friends don't want another speech
Hoping for a better day to hear what she's got to say
All about that
Personality crisis you got it while it was hot
But now frustration and heartache is what you got
(That's why they talk about Personality)
But now your tryin' to be some no you got to do some
Want to be someone who cow wow wows
But you think about the times you did they took every ounce
When it sure got to be a shame when you start to scream and shout
You got to contradict all those times you were butterflyin' about
(You were butterflyin')
All about that personality crisis you got it while it was hot
But now frustration and heartache is what you got
Break
And your a prima ballerina on a spring afternoon
Change on into the wolfman howlin' at the moon hooww!
All about that personality crisis you got it while it was hot
But now frustration and heartache is what you got
Now with all the crossin' fingers that mother nature says
Your mirrors get jammed up with all your friends
That personality everything starts to blend
Personality when your mind starts to blend
Personality impression of a friend,
Of a friend, of a friend, of a friend, of a friend
Personality wonderin' how celebrities ever met
(Look and find out on television)
Personality crisis you got it while it was hot
Frustration and heartache is all you got, don't you worry
Personality crisis please don't cry
It's just a personality crisis, please don't stop
Because you walk a personality
Talk a personality
"Personality Crisis" by New York Dolls is a song that addresses the issue of identity and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The first verse describes the frustration of the singer who can't take it anymore and wants to express her views but is unable to do so due to the fear of being judged or misunderstood by her friends. The second verse talks about the pressure to be someone else and the consequences of sacrificing one's true self to fit in. The chorus explains that the personality crisis was in vogue at one time but now it's just a source of frustration and heartache for the singer.
The song's bridge describes the singer's conflicting personas, from a prima ballerina to a wolfman, highlighting the complexity of her personality. The song suggests that embracing one's true self and rejecting societal pressures to conform is the key to overcoming the personality crisis. The repetition of the phrase "personality crisis" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of this issue and its impact on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we can't take it this week
We can't handle the stress this week
And her friends don't want another speech
Her friends are tired of listening to her talk
Hoping for a better day to hear what she's got to say
They are waiting for a better day to listen to her thoughts
All about that Personality Crisis
The song is about a personality crisis
You got it while it was hot
You were popular when you had a certain personality
But now frustration and heartache is what you got
But now you are unhappy and in pain
(That's why they talk about Personality)
That's why people discuss personality crises
But now your tryin' to be some no you got to do some
Now you're trying to be someone, but you have to work for it
Want to be someone who cow wow wows
You want to be someone impressive and attention-grabbing
But you think about the times you did they took every ounce
But when you were like that before, it took too much out of you
When it sure got to be a shame when you start to scream and shout
It's embarrassing when you get so upset that you start to yell
You got to contradict all those times you were butterflyin' about
Now you have to be different and contradict your previous behavior
All about that Personality Crisis
The song is still talking about a personality crisis
Break
This is a brief break in the music
And your a prima ballerina on a spring afternoon
You feel like a beautiful and talented dancer
Change on into the wolfman howlin' at the moon hooww!
But you can also feel like a completely different person, like a werewolf howling at the moon
Now with all the crossin' fingers that mother nature says
Now they are hoping that Mother Nature will come through for them
Your mirrors get jammed up with all your friends
Your life becomes cluttered with friendships
That personality everything starts to blend
All the different aspects of your personality start to mix together
Personality when your mind starts to blend
You start to feel like you are losing your sense of self
Personality impression of a friend,
Your friends' opinions start to shape your personality
Of a friend, of a friend, of a friend, of a friend
Even the opinions of your friends' friends can affect you
Personality wonderin' how celebrities ever met
You start to think about how famous people even become friends
(Look and find out on television)
You might try to learn about their friendships by watching TV
Personality Crisis
The song returns to discussing the personality crisis
Frustration and heartache is all you got, don't you worry
You might feel frustrated and heartbroken, but it's okay
Personality crisis please don't cry
The song reassures you not to cry about the personality crisis
It's just a personality crisis, please don't stop
It's just a temporary crisis and you shouldn't give up
Because you walk a personality
Your personality is important and affects how you present yourself
Talk a personality
Your personality affects how you communicate and interact with others
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, JOHNNY THUNDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@slint69
Whoah, yeah, yeah, yeah, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Well, we can't take it this week
And her friends don't want another speech
Hoping for a better day
To hear what she's got to say
All about that personality crisis, you got it while it was hot
But now, frustration and heartache is what you got
(That's why they talk about personality)
(Personality)
But now, your tryin' to be something, now, you got to do something
Wanna be someone who counts
But you think about the times you did, they took every ounce
When it sure got to be a shame when you start to scream and shout
You got to contradict all those times you butterflyin' about
(You were butterflyin')
About that personality crisis you got it while it was hot
It's always hot you know it's frustration and heartache is what you got
(I've gotta talk about personality)
And you're a prima ballerina on a spring afternoon
Change on into the wolfman howlin', at the moon, hooowww
About that personality crisis, you got it while it was hot
It's always hot you know it's frustration and heartache is what you got
(That's why they always talk about personality)
Now, with all the crossin' fingers that mother nature says
Your mirrors getting jammed up with all your friends
That personality, everything is starting to blend (?)
Personality, when your mind starts to blend
Got so much personality, impression of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend
Personality, wonderin' how celebrities ever mend
(Lookin' fine on television)
Personality crisis, you got it while it was hot
It's always hot you know it's frustration and heartache is all that you got
Ohh, don't you worry
Personality crisis, please don't cry
It's just a personality crisis, please, don't stop
Because you walk a personality
Talk a personality
@sheeehan111
Personality Crisis Lyrics
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New York dolls at the Don Kirshner's rock concert
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Huuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuu
Yeah yeah yeah
No No No Noo
No No Noo
Noo Noo
Well we can't take it this week
And her friends don't want another speech
Hoping for a better day to hear what she's got to say
All about that
Personality crisis you got it while it was hot
But frustration and heartache that’s what you’v got
(I’ve got to tell you about the personality)
Yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Now you’r tryin' to be something now you got to do something
Want to be someone who cow wow wows
But you’r thinkin’ about the times you did they took every ounce
When it sure got to be a shame when you start to scream and shout
You got to contradict all the time you’r butterflyin' about
(You were butterflyin')
about that personality crisis you got it while it was hot
and no way tuching no but now frustration and heartache that’s what you got
(I’ve got to tell you about the personality)
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
B r e a k
And you're a prima ballerina on a Spring afternoon
Change on into the wolfman, you’r howlin' at the moon, hooowww
Personality crisis you got it while it was hot
And no way touching no but frustration and heartache that’s what you’v got
The personality
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Now with all the crossin' fingers that mother nature says
Your mirrors get jammed up with all your friends
That personality everything is starting to blend
Ha ha not like one
Personality when your mind starts to blend
That’s a pers..
Personality impression of a friend,
Of a friend, of a friend, of a friend, of a friend
Personality wonder how celebrities ever met
(Look and find out on television)
Personality crisis you got it while it was hot
And no way touching no but frustration, heartache that’s all what you’v got, but don't you worry
Personality crisis please don't cry
It's just a personality crisis, please don't stop
Because you walk a personality
Talk a personality
Yehaaa Whaaw
@frankiegault1196
Their music always sounded as if it was about to fall apart at any second. Takes a lot of skill to play like that. They were brilliant.
@Artaud1957
"Their music always sounded as if it was about to fall apart at any second." That really sums it up quite well. That is the essence of real rock and roll. They were indeed brilliant.
@tomasnavarro5792
@Artaud1957 k 0:01
@JohnnyThunders-yv6yy
That's what makes them so great
@gregtuco1
Good description!
@lockandloadlikehell
There was a reason i- and most everyone else- ignored them at the Crue concert
I ignored Poison, too
@buckdraper303
Their debut album is one of the THE classic rock albums of all time. I highly recommend it!
@On_Dust
And Johnny Thunder's debut L.A.M.F. is probably the best solo debut record ever.
@destroyrebuild
These guys, The Stooges, MC5, and then the Ramones. Punk was born in America and immigrated to the UK.
@sirkkunyyssonen5294
Nancy Spungen was american