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)
Round and Round She Goes
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's go!
Go to the ? Friday night!
I'm not ? baby, I'm so excited!
The way she moves is out of sight,
Always ready to ignite!
Can we go round and round, round and round we go,
Yeah!
Put this record on a record machine
She's gonna spin like a dancing queen!
Round and round, round and round we go!
? sugar pray for our sin! ? or tambourine
Round and round like a fairest wheel,
Rocking off a junior ?
You should feel the way she feels,
A dancing ? on high heels!
There she goes
Round and round, round and round she goes!
Round and round and round and round we do it all!
Put this record on a record machine,
She's gonna spin it like a dancing queen!
She goes round and round, round and round she goes!
Round and round, round and round she goes!
Round and round, round and round she goes!
Put this record on a record machine,
She's gonna spin it like a dancing queen!
Round and round ? a rock 'n roll without her friends.
The way she stopped ?
She ain't clued and then transcends.
So put this record on a record machine,
And she's gonna dance it like a crazy queen!
Round and round, round and round she goes!
Round and round, round and round she goes!
Put this record on a record machine
She's gonna spin like a dancing queen!
The lyrics to the New York Dolls' song "Round and Round She Goes" describe the excitement and energy of a Friday night out on the town with a girl who loves to dance. The singer is clearly infatuated with this girl and is impressed by the way she moves on the dance floor, describing her as "out of sight" and "always ready to ignite." The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "round and round we go," which evokes the feeling of spinning around and losing oneself in the music and the moment. The lyrics also contain references to musical instruments like the tambourine and the organ, which add to the overall musicality of the song.
The song captures the spirit of the 1970s rock and roll scene, with its gritty, garage band sound and rebellious attitude. The New York Dolls were known for their flamboyant stage presence and gender-bending fashion sense, blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity in their music and image. "Round and Round She Goes" is a prime example of the Dolls' unique sound, combining elements of punk, glam, and hard rock into a frenetic, high-energy performance.
Overall, the lyrics to "Round and Round She Goes" paint a picture of youthful exuberance and the joy of living in the moment, embodying the spirit of rock and roll at its most raw and unbridled.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, one two three, four!
Counting off the band's entrance.
Go to the ? Friday night!
Suggesting that they go out on a Friday night, though the destination is unspecified.
I'm not ? baby, I'm so excited!
Expressing excitement, but also leaving out a word that was likely to be offensive, perhaps 'drunk' or 'high.'
The way she moves is out of sight, Always ready to ignite!
Praising a girl's dancing ability and saying that she's always ready to have a good time.
Can we go round and round, round and round we go, Round and round, round and round we go!
Asking if they can keep partying and dancing all night long.
Put this record on a record machine She's gonna spin like a dancing queen!
Suggesting that a girl is going to dance her heart out to the song when it plays on a jukebox or a record player.
Yeah!
An exclamation of excitement or agreement.
? sugar pray for our sin! ? or tambourine
Using vague metaphors to describe the party setting, perhaps meaning that they're praying for something sweet or that they want to hear music.
Round and round like a fairest wheel, Rocking off a junior ?
Describing the way a girl moves on the dance floor, feeling like she's spinning around joyfully and without care.
You should feel the way she feels, A dancing ? on high heels!
Encouraging others to enjoy the moment, dancing and feeling carefree like the girl on the dance floor.
There she goes
Watching a girl dance away into the night.
Round and round ? a rock 'n roll without her friends.
Saying that they can't imagine the party without the girl dancing freely in their midst, perhaps because she sets the mood for everyone else.
The way she stopped ? She ain't clued and then transcends.
Noting that the girl's dance moves seem to defy explanation, perhaps meaning that they're spontaneous and beyond categorization.
Put this record on a record machine, And she's gonna dance it like a crazy queen!
Repeating the earlier suggestion that the girl is going to dance ecstatically to the song when it plays nearby.
Round and round, round and round she goes!
Repeating the refrain that the girl is spinning in joyful abandon on the dance floor.
Put this record on a record machine, She's gonna spin like a dancing queen!
Repeating the earlier suggestion, this time emphasizing that the girl is going to dance like a 'queen' who owns the party.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind