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)
Punishing World
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got so involved, forgot we're all the same
Appears so real and it does it so well
Some of us in heaven, some are in hell
On the edge of our seat, don't know where it's gonna go
'Til we're all throwin' bombs, screamin' "On with the show!"
In a
Incredibly
Punishing world
Vortex of defensiveness in which I quip
Escaping conflicted, the conflict I try to escape
Try to find some comfort, what I find instead
Like changing my position on a cement bed
A mess of anxiety that lusts and loathes
Livin' in terror of debt, and in the misery I know
In a
Punishing world
Incredibly
Punishing world
Subterfuge, Orwellian doublespeak
A consciously awarin' little ego-freak
So much bullshit everywhere I go
Amazing how many things there are that aren't so
In a
Punishing world
Incredibly
Punishing world
Punishing world
Punishing world
Instead of compassion, lots of love and joy
A vast competition, compulsion to destroy
Further from line I get in spirit and mind
Selfishness makes stronger all the ties that bind
I laboriously make em with my words and thoughts
'Til they're impossible to break
I'm stuck, I'm done
In a
Punishing world
Incredibly
Punishing world
It's a punishing world
Punishing world
Such a punishing world
Punishing world
What a bummer
Punishing world
All summer
Punishing world
Man it's a punishing world
Punishing world
Yeah, a punishing world
Punishing world
It's a punishing
The New York Dolls' song "Punishing World" explores the idea that the universe is a dramatic game in which we are all players. The lyrics suggest that we have become so invested in this game that we have forgotten that we are all the same. The song describes the various ways in which we struggle to find comfort in a world that is punishing and competitive, leading to anxiety, selfishness, and misery. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the song's title, driving home the idea that this is a world that can be difficult to live in.
Line by Line Meaning
Universe is drama and it plays this game
The universe is like a play, with all of us acting out our roles
Got so involved, forgot we're all the same
We've become so immersed in this game that we've forgotten we're all equal
Appears so real and it does it so well
The game seems incredibly lifelike and convincing
Some of us in heaven, some are in hell
Some people seem to be doing very well, while others are struggling
On the edge of our seat, don't know where it's gonna go
We're all waiting with bated breath, unsure of what's going to happen next
'Til we're all throwin' bombs, screamin' "On with the show!"
Eventually, we get so caught up in the drama that we start fighting and cheering on the chaos
Vortex of defensiveness in which I quip
I'm caught up in the cycle of feeling defensive and making snarky comments
Escaping conflicted, the conflict I try to escape
I'm trying to get out of situations that make me feel uneasy, but it's not working
Try to find some comfort, what I find instead
I'm searching for relief, but instead I find more stress and discomfort
Like changing my position on a cement bed
It feels like trying to find a comfortable spot on a hard, unyielding surface
A mess of anxiety that lusts and loathes
My feelings of anxiety make it hard for me to find joy and happiness
Livin' in terror of debt, and in the misery I know
I'm afraid of being in debt and I'm living in misery
Subterfuge, Orwellian doublespeak
There's a lot of deception and manipulation happening, like in George Orwell's 1984
A consciously awarin' little ego-freak
I'm feeling very self-aware but also consumed by my ego
So much bullshit everywhere I go
Everywhere I look, there seems to be lies and deception
Amazing how many things there are that aren't so
It's shocking how many things we're led to believe that simply aren't true
Instead of compassion, lots of love and joy
Instead of focusing on love and positive feelings, we're all competing and trying to destroy each other
A vast competition, compulsion to destroy
We're all consumed by a need to win at all costs, even if it means destroying others
Further from line I get in spirit and mind
The more I focus on competition and negativity, the further I get from my true self
Selfishness makes stronger all the ties that bind
My selfishness is making it harder for me to connect with others
I laboriously make em with my words and thoughts
I'm working hard to create connections, using my words and thoughts
'Til they're impossible to break
I'm trying to make my connections so strong that they can never be broken
I'm stuck, I'm done
I feel trapped and unable to make progress
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN KOONIN, BRIAN D. DELANEY, DAVID JOHANSEN, SAMI LAURI TAKAMAKI, STEVEN J. CONTE, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind