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)
Subway Train
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why my life's, been cursed, poisoned, condemned
When I been tryin' every night
To hold ya near me
But I'm a-telling you
It ain't easy
Ever since I been ridin'
You can hear the whistle blowin'
Ya might think I'm insane
And now your friends
They're fillin' up my car
But you're so busy readin' Suzy Says
Ya can't look now
You didn't see your lovers
They're all dressed in rags
Ya know ya had us pushin' up poses
Just tryin' get your fare
'Cause we was all ridin'
Right on the subway train
And you can hear the captain shoutin'
He thinks I've gone insane
'Cause I keep on ridin'
Keep on ridin'
'Cause I keep on
Ridin', ridin', ridin'
Keep on ridin', yeah
You stop and you stare
As I'm leavin' my favorite place
We have no regards
You can't even find a trace
Ya gotta get on back to daddy
That is all it's gonna be
He got the poison black arts of the pimps
But don't ya st- st-
I seen 'em travel
Right on the subway train
And you can hear th captain shou-ou-tin'
He thinks we've all gone insane
'Cause we keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Keep on ridin'
'Cause we keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Keep on ridin'
I see the train gettin' on an open track
Well I'm a-hopin' it's gonna bring my baby back
'Cause I guess I said
Dinah wontcha blow
Dinah wontcha blow your horn
Dinah wontcha blow
Dinah wontcha blow your horn
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
I know whoa, whoa, whoa
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
I just know
I keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
The New York Dolls’ song “Subway Train” tells the story of a man who is determined to hold his lover close to him, even though obstacles and distractions keep getting in the way. The lyrics portray a sense of frustration and confusion as the singer grapples with the chaos of his life, suggesting that his relationship with his lover is a rare source of stability in an otherwise turbulent world. The subway train becomes a metaphor for the twists and turns of life, as the singer keeps riding it even when others around him think he’s insane.
The chorus of the song repeats the line “Keep on ridin’, ridin’, ridin’,” emphasizing the singer’s persistence and determination. The verse about the lovers dressed in rags and pushing up poses suggests that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get by, even if it means sacrificing their dignity. The lines about the captain shouting and thinking that they’ve all gone insane add to the sense of chaos and confusion, suggesting that the subway train represents a kind of escape or release from the pressures of everyday life.
Overall, “Subway Train” is a powerful portrait of a man struggling to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems intent on dragging him down. With its gritty imagery and raw intensity, the song captures the energy and recklessness of the New York Dolls’ music while also tapping into deeper themes of love, longing, and survival.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't ever understand
I am unable to comprehend why my life has been cursed, poisoned, and condemned.
Why my life's, been cursed, poisoned, condemned
I am unsure as to why my life has been plagued with misfortune and treated unfairly.
When I been tryin' every night
Despite my struggles, I have been making a consistent effort every night.
To hold ya near me
To keep you close to me and nurture our relationship.
But I'm a-telling you
I am here to tell you honestly.
It ain't easy
What I am going through is difficult.
Ever since I been ridin'
Since I have started riding on the subway train,
Right on the subway train
While traveling on the subway train,
You can hear the whistle blowin'
The train's whistle can be heard in the background.
Ya might think I'm insane
People may perceive me as crazy because of my actions.
And now your friends
The people you associate with,
They're fillin' up my car
Are filling up the train car I am on.
But you're so busy readin' Suzy Says
You are too preoccupied reading a magazine called Suzy Says.
Ya can't look now
You cannot turn your attention to what is currently occurring.
You didn't see your lovers
You did not notice your romantic interests.
They're all dressed in rags
They are all wearing poor quality clothing.
Ya know ya had us pushin' up poses
You had put us up to pretending and showing off.
Just tryin' get your fare
We were only trying to get your attention and affection.
'Cause we was all ridin'
Because all of us were riding on the subway train,
And you can hear the captain shoutin'
The subway train operator's voice is audible as he yells in the background.
He thinks I've gone insane
The train operator assumes that I have lost my mind.
'Cause I keep on ridin'
Because I continue to ride the subway train over and over again.
Keep on ridin'
I cannot stop riding the subway train.
You stop and you stare
You pause and look at me as I am leaving my favorite place.
As I'm leavin' my favorite place
As I am departing from somewhere that I love.
We have no regards
We do not hold any concerns or respect for the situation.
You can't even find a trace
No indication or clue can be found.
Ya gotta get on back to daddy
You must return to your authority figure, likely your father.
That is all it's gonna be
That is the only option and outcome available.
He got the poison black arts of the pimps
He possesses the manipulative and controlling methods used by pimps.
But don't ya st- st-
Don't stutter or hesitate.
I seen 'em travel
I have witnessed them travel,
And you can hear th captain shou-ou-tin'
The train operator can be heard shouting in the distance.
He thinks we've all gone insane
The train operator believes that all people riding the train are crazy.
Keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
We will continue to ride the subway train perpetually and incessantly.
I see the train gettin' on an open track
I observe the train running on a wide, clear path.
Well I'm a-hopin' it's gonna bring my baby back
I am expecting my loved one, my 'baby,' to return on the train.
'Cause I guess I said
Because I presume, based on what I have said.
Dinah wontcha blow
Dinah, please play your instrument and make a loud noise.
Dinah wontcha blow your horn
Dinah, please sound your horn to signify my loved one's arrival.
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Somebody is cooking with Dinah, likely a reference to the children's song 'I've Been Working on the Railroad'.
I know whoa, whoa, whoa
I am certain, very certain.
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
I repeated my statement about someone being in the kitchen with Dinah.
I just know
I have a strong feeling or intuition about something.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, JOHNNY THUNDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ernestodelaserna9494
I didn't experience this music as it happened, but this song speaks to me on a level that is just as deeply nostalgic as if I was a Queens teenager in 1973. Like all classic art it is capable of taking you in, transporting you to another time and place and in this case letting you watch that drama on the subway train firsthand as it gets on down the lonely tracks. Here's the lyrics:
I can't ever understand
Why my life been cursed, poisoned, condemned
When I been trying every night to hold you near me
But I'm a telling you, it ain't easy
Ever since I been riding
Right on a subway train
You can hear the whistle blowin
You might think I'm insane
And now your friends they're filling up my car
But you're so busy reading Suzie Says
You can't look now
You didn't see your lovers they're all dressed in rags
You know you had us pushing up posies just tryin to get your fare
We was all riding right on a subway train
And you could hear the captain shouting
He thinks I'm gone insane
Cuz I keep on ridin', keep on ridin', cuz I keep on ridin, ridin, ridin, keep on ridin yeah
You stop and you stare as I'm leaving my favorite space
We have no regards, you can't even find a trace
You got to get on back to Daddy
That's all it's gonna be
He's got the poison black art of the pens
But don't you stick it, stick it
I've seen enough drama right on a subway train
And you could hear the captain shou-wouting
He thinks we've all gone insane
Cuz we keep on ridin', ridin', ridin', keep on ridin', cuz we keep on ridin, ridin, ridin, keep on ridin
See the train gettin down the lonely track
But I'm hoping it's gonna bring my baby back
That's why I got to say Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow your horn
Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow your horn
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah I know-wo-oh-oh
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah I just know
Cuz we all on ridin', ridin', ridin',
@matiasmerlos8903
I can't ever understand
Why my life's, been cursed, poisoned, condemned
When I been tryin' every night
To hold ya near me
But I'm a-telling you
It ain't easy
Ever since I been ridin'
Right on the subway train
You can hear the whistle blowin'
Ya might think I'm insane
And now your friends
They're fillin' up my car
But you're so busy readin' Suzy Says
Ya can't look now
You didn't see your lovers
They're all dressed in rags
Ya know ya had us pushin' up poses
Just tryin' get your fare
'Cause we was all ridin'
Right on the subway train
And you can hear the captain shoutin'
He thinks I've gone insane
'Cause I keep on ridin'
Keep on ridin'
'Cause I keep on
Ridin', ridin', ridin'
Keep on ridin', yeah
You stop and you stare
As I'm leavin' my favorite place
We have no regards
You can't even find a trace
Ya gotta get on back to daddy
That is all it's gonna be
He got the poison black arts of the pimps
But don't ya st- st-
I seen 'em travel
Right on the subway train
And you can hear th captain shou-ou-tin'
He thinks we've all gone insane
'Cause we keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Keep on ridin'
'Cause we keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
Keep on ridin'
I see the train gettin' on an open track
Well I'm a-hopin' it's gonna bring my baby back
'Cause I guess I said
Dinah wontcha blow
Dinah wontcha blow your horn
Dinah wontcha blow
Dinah wontcha blow your horn
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
I know whoa, whoa, whoa
I said someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
I just know
I keep on ridin', ridin', ridin'
@Jamthecoolerator
This song just keeps getting better and better every time I hear it.
@breemystic
Everytime I see someone post "I'm 14 and I love the Dolls" or "I'm 16 and I love the Velvet Underground," it gives me hope that today's youth are looking past radio crap to find real music. Kudos to you guys!!
@tyranonaut5469
Pure decadence. One of Johnny Thunders greatest solos. Sounds EXACTLY like a train.
@AshleeisLegit
THE RIFF IS SO GOOOOOOOD
@charleshultquist9233
Thunder's guitar and the production!
@gadfly1955
I am damn near a senior citizen now, but in the early 70's the NYDs were awesome! I think they pretty much define "punk before punk".
@brettstuart6887
This song is a masterpiece.
Pure genius.
@easyace4985
@rubydartz Years ago, I remember hearing "Subway Train" piped into the speakers on a New York subway. The conductor turned out to be a Dolls fan. There was also one A train conductor I remember who liked to hit Duke Ellington's "Take the A Train" to greet passengers climbing aboard at various stops . . .
@davereeves1775
Johnny Thunders asking the musical question: "what if you turned every knob on a twin reverb to 10?"
@dbeat.cooper
Mannnn, I was watching some live stuff from them and they had a grip of solid amps that changed from time to time. Ampeg V4 (not surprising), Sunn Model T, Marshall JMP. They knew what was up.