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)
Puss n' Boots
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like you're ten feet tall
Go ahead
Lickity split
Better move quick
Better not slip
Better get hip
Lookin' for a hoot
I'm gonna shout,
Where'd you get those boots!
Just like Puss 'n' Boots
I hope you don't get shot for tryin'
Oh baby, shot for tryin'
Oh little rhinestone target
Has to change his name
Cause all the boys and girls
Think that you're too easy game
Don't you know the shoes
Is makin' him lame
Shut him up boss
Keep the change
Just like Puss 'n' Boots
I hope you don't get shot for tryin'
Get shot for tryin' Shot for tryin'
There's just one thing
That I'm trying to say
Sometimes you got to get away some place
And now you're walkin'
Just like you're ten feet tall
Oh, Boy girl that's just all
Just like Puss 'n' Boots
I hope you don't get shot for tryin'
Baby shot for tryin'
If all you want to do is save your face
And what you gonna do after this place
I'm screamin' help help help
Full of grace, now what I say
Little rhinestone target
Has to change his name
All the boys and girls
Think he's too easy game
Don't you know the boots
Are makin' him lame
I'm screamin' shut him up boss
Keep the change
Just like Puss 'n' Boots
I hope you don't get shot for tryin'
Baby shot for tryin'
Well this is one thing that I'm tryin' to say
sometimes you got to get away some way
Until you're walkin' just like you're ten foot tall
Boy girl that should be all
Just like you're ten foot tall
I sure hope you don't fall oh,
When you're ten foot tall
Go ahead now
Making that split
Better move quick
Better not slip
Better get hip
I done plead the fifth
Going for a hoot
I thought I'd shout
Hey where did you get those boots
Just like Puss 'n' Boots
I hope you don't get shot!
The New York Dolls' song "Puss 'N' Boots" is a rock and roll classic that tells the story of a rhinestone-wearing target who is looking for a good time while wearing a pair of coveted boots. The song describes the character walking like they're ten feet tall in the boots, but warns them to be careful as they may end up getting shot for trying to live life on the edge. The lyrics also suggest that the boots may be causing the character to be lame, which raises questions about whether the risk of wearing the boots is worth it.
The lines "sometimes you got to get away some place" and "I hope you don't fall" suggest that the character is living on the edge and trying to escape from their everyday life. The song paints a picture of reckless abandon and encourages listeners to take risks, but also suggests that they should be aware of potential consequences.
The use of Puss 'N' Boots as a title of the song is interesting because it references the character from the famous fairytale who wears boots and takes risks to get ahead. The urban dictionary defines the term "puss n boots" as a person who is always dressed well or in flashy clothing, just like the character in the song. Additionally, the song was one of the first glam rock tracks, which served as a bridge between the punk and new wave movements that emerged in the late 1970s.
Line by Line Meaning
And now you're walkin', just like you're ten feet tall
You seem confident and self-assured as you walk.
Go ahead, Lickity split
Go ahead, quickly.
Better move quick, Better not slip
You need to hurry up and be careful not to fall.
Better get hip, I don't think it fits
You need to be with the trend so that you don't look out of place.
Lookin' for a hoot, I'm gonna shout, Where'd you get those boots!
Looking for fun, I'm going to ask where you got those fabulous boots!
Just like Puss 'n' Boots, I hope you don't get shot for tryin', Oh baby, shot for tryin'
Just like in the fairytale, I hope you don't get hurt for trying to impress.
Oh little rhinestone target, Has to change his name
The person who is trying to impress has to change their behavior or appearance.
Cause all the boys and girls, Think that you're too easy game
Because everyone thinks you are too easy to take advantage of.
Don't you know the shoes, Is makin' him lame
He is not walking properly because of those shoes.
Shut him up boss, Keep the change
Stop him from talking and keep the change.
There's just one thing, That I'm trying to say, Sometimes you got to get away some place
Sometimes you need to escape from things and go somewhere else.
Oh boy girl that's just all, Just like Puss 'n' Boots, I hope you don't get shot for tryin', Baby shot for tryin'
Oh boy or girl, that's all you need to know. Don't get hurt while trying to impress.
If all you want to do is save your face, And what you gonna do after this place
If you only care about saving your reputation, then what will you do after this event?
I'm screamin' help help help, Full of grace, now what I say
I'm shouting for help, but I'm still respectful.
Little rhinestone target, Has to change his name
The person who is trying to impress has to change their behavior or appearance.
All the boys and girls, Think he's too easy game
Everyone knows that he is easy to take advantage of.
Don't you know the boots, Are makin' him lame
He is not walking properly because of those boots.
I'm screamin' shut him up boss, Keep the change
I'm telling someone to stop him from talking and keep the change.
Well this is one thing that I'm tryin' to say, sometimes you got to get away some way
One important thing I want to convey is the need to escape sometimes.
Until you're walkin' just like you're ten foot tall, Boy girl that should be all
Until you're walking confidently, that's all that matters, boy or girl.
I sure hope you don't fall oh, When you're ten foot tall, Go ahead now
I hope you don't fall when you're walking so confidently. Go ahead now.
Making that split, Better move quick, Better not slip, Better get hip, I done plead the fifth, Going for a hoot, I thought I'd shout, Hey where did you get those boots
Hurry up, be careful not to fall, be fashionable, I refuse to answer that question, I'm looking for fun, let me compliment your boots.
Just like Puss 'n' Boots, I hope you don't get shot!
Just like in the fairytale, I hope you don't get hurt trying to impress.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind