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)
Something Else
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 "Something Else" is a classic tale of unrequited love and aspirations for a better life, told through the lens of a young man watching the objects of his affection from afar. The singer watches as the girl of his dreams and the car he desires both seem unattainable due to his lack of status and resources. However, he refuses to give up on his dreams, and eventually he is able to buy the car and win the girl's heart.
The song is an anthem of hope and determination, with its driving beat and catchy, infectious chorus. It captures the spirit of youthful ambition and optimism, as well as the pain of rejection and the struggle to overcome societal obstacles.
The lyrics also speak to the larger themes of class and status in American society, as the singer is acutely aware of his lower social standing and lack of resources compared to the older men the girl is dating. The car becomes a symbol of upward mobility and the American Dream, as the singer dreams of someday being able to afford it and impress the girl.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh-look-ah there
Oh, look over there
There she comes
There's the girl I've been wanting
Here comes that girl again
I've seen her before but she doesn't know me
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 I walk by
She goes with older guys from out of my class
She's dating guys who are richer and more popular than me
But that can't stop me from-ah thinkin' to myself
But that won't stop me from dreaming
She's sure fine lookin' man
She is really beautiful
She's somethin' else
She is amazing
Hey look-ah there
Look over there
Across the street
On the other side of the road
There's a car made just for me
I have my eyes on a particular car
To own that car would be a luxury
Having that car would be a real treat
But right now I can't afford the gas
But I don't have enough money to fill up the tank
A brand new convertible is out of my class
I can't afford a new car
That car's fine lookin' man
That car is really nice
It's somethin' else
It's incredible
Hey look-ah here
Look over here
Just wait and see
Just you wait and see
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 buy that car that I've had my eye on
Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' round
I'll get that girl and we'll go for a ride
The town will be all shocked with my white top down
People will be surprised when they see me driving my convertible with the top down
I'll keep right on and dreamin' and-ah thinkin' to myself
I'll keep on dreaming and imagining
When it all comes true, man
When it all comes true
Wow! That's somethin' else
That's amazing
Look-ah here
Look over here
What's all this?
What's happening?
Never thought I'd do this before
I never expected to do this
But here I am ah-knockin' on her door
But now I'm knocking on her door
My car's out front and it's all mine
I parked my car outside and it's mine
Just a '41 Ford not a '59
It's an old '41 Ford, not a new '59
I got that girl and I'm-ah thinkin' to myself
I got that girl and I'm imagining
She's sure fine lookin' man
She is really beautiful
Wow! She's somethin' else
She is amazing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Cochran, Shari K. Sheeley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
antonio berti
Dolls meets Eddie Cochran. great... do you remember the Sid Vicious version?
David
@blakeburwell2002 I guess :)
blakeburwell2002
@David yeah ig it would've been Sid's childhood music
David
@blakeburwell2002
Not at all. Eddie Cochran was an icon in UK during the 60s (more successful and recognized in Europe than in his own homeland USA).
Also do not forget he covered 'Come on everybody' by Eddie too.
blakeburwell2002
Bet this is where Sid first heard the song
Fernando Veiss
Gigantes los Dolls!!!
David
Ciertamente!!!