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)
Somethin
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There she comes
Here comes that girl again
Wanted to date her since I don't know when
But she don't notice me when I pass
She goes with older guys from out of my class
But that can't stop me from-ah thinkin' to myself
She's sure fine lookin' man
Hey look-ah there
Across the street
There's a car made just for me
To own that car would be a luxury
But right now I can't afford the gas
A brand new convertible is out of my class
But that can't stop me from-ah thinkin' to myself
That car's fine lookin' man
It's somethin' else
Hey look-ah here
Just wait and see
Workin' hard and savin' my dough
I'll buy that car that I've be wanting so
Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' around
The town will be all shocked with my white top down
I'll keep right on and dreamin' and-ah thinkin' to myself
When it all comes true, man
Wow! That's somethin' else
Look-ah here
What's all this?
Never thought I'd do this before
But here I am ah-knockin' on her door
My car's out front and it's all mine
Just a '41 Ford not a '59
I got that girl and I'm-ah thinkin' to myself
She's sure fine lookin' man
Wow! She's somethin' else
The New York Dolls song "Somethin' Else" is a sweet and simple tribute to the perils of adolescence. It's a classic rock and roll song about wanting what you can't have, whether it's a gorgeous girl or a fancy car. The song begins with the singer admiring a girl from afar. He's wanted to date her for a long time, but she doesn't seem to notice him. She's with older guys who are out of his league. Despite this, he can't help but think that she's "somethin' else," meaning that she's incredibly attractive and desirable.
The second verse of the song is about a car that the singer covets. He sees it across the street and dreams of owning it someday. Unfortunately, he can't afford it right now. It's out of his league, just like the girl he desires. Nevertheless, he can't help but think that it's "somethin' else," meaning that it's incredibly impressive and attractive.
The third verse finds the singer dreaming about a future in which he owns both the car and the girl. He's working hard to save up enough money to buy the car, and he hopes that it will impress the girl enough to agree to go riding around with him. He imagines that the whole town will be shocked by his new ride, and he can't help but think that it will be "somethin' else" when it all comes true.
The final verse is the payoff. The singer has finally mustered up the courage to knock on the girl's door, and he's thrilled to find that she's just as interested in him as he is in her. He's got his car out front, and he can't help but think that both the girl and the car are "somethin' else." It's a simple and charming story, and the upbeat music perfectly captures the youthful spirit of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh-look-ah there
Hey, take a look over there
There she comes
The girl I've been wanting to date is approaching
Here comes that girl again
She's the girl I've been wanting to date
Wanted to date her since I don't know when
I've had a crush on her for a long time
But she don't notice me when I pass
She doesn't pay attention to me when we cross paths
She goes with older guys from out of my class
She dates men who are older and more prosperous than me
But that can't stop me from-ah thinkin' to myself
However, that doesn't prevent me from dreaming
She's sure fine lookin' man
She's an attractive woman
She's somethin' else
She's extraordinary
Hey look-ah there
Hey, take a look over there
Across the street
On the other side of the road
There's a car made just for me
I've found a car I really like
To own that car would be a luxury
It would be a great privilege to own that car
But right now I can't afford the gas
Unfortunately, I don't have enough money to put fuel in the car
A brand new convertible is out of my class
I can't afford a new convertible car
That car's fine lookin' man
That car looks really good
It's somethin' else
It's extraordinary
Hey look-ah here
Hey, look here
Just wait and see
Be patient, everything will be fine
Workin' hard and savin' my dough
I'm working hard and saving money
I'll buy that car that I've be wanting so
I'll purchase the car I really like
Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' around
If I get the girl, we'll go for a ride
The town will be all shocked with my white top down
Everyone will be surprised when we ride around with the top of the car down
When it all comes true, man
When my dreams come true
Wow! That's somethin' else
Wow! That's amazing
Look-ah here
Look here
What's all this?
What's happening here?
Never thought I'd do this before
I never expected to do this before
But here I am ah-knockin' on her door
But here I am knocking on her door
My car's out front and it's all mine
My car is parked outside and it belongs to me
Just a '41 Ford not a '59
It's not a new car, it's a 1941 Ford
I got that girl and I'm-ah thinkin' to myself
I have the girl I've been wanting and I'm dreaming
She's sure fine lookin' man
She's really attractive
Wow! She's somethin' else
Wow! She's extraordinary
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BOB COCHRAN, SHARI K SHEELEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MexItalian
That sounds nice well done.