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)
Who Are the Mystery Girls?
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's the one that wants to take 'em home and make 'em crawl right through the years
Oh baby
Who's the one that wants to slam it in the door and try to keep it
Like a mystery girl
Who's the one that wants to kick it on the floor and try to beat it like a scattered rug
I'm talkin' 'bout love
'Cause I want to know
(who are the mystery girls)
So why don't cha tell me
(who are the mystery girls)
Who's the mystery girls
(who are the mystery girls)
So Who's the one that wants to smoke obsessively and tell 'em where she can roam
Who's the one that's wants to mill out in the street and leave 'em shouting "yankee go home"
See'mon tell me
Who's the one that wants to slam it in the door and try to hide it
She's a mystery girl
Who's the one that wants to kick it on the floor and try to treat it like a scattered rug
I'm talkin' 'bout love
(who are the mystery girls)
'Cause I want to know
(who are the mystery girls)
What do ya know about love
(who are the mystery girls)
Who's the mystery girls
(who are the mystery girls)
So who's the one that wants to tell 'em what's wrong and tell 'em what don't belong
I don't know what's goin' on but I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN LONGIN' FOR SOME
Who's the one that wants to slam it in the door and try to hide it
Like a mystery girl
Who's the one that wants to kick it on the floor and try to beat it like a scattered rug
I'm talkin' 'bout love
(who are the mystery girls)
'Cause I want to know
(who are the mystery girls)
So why don't cha tell me
(who are the mystery girls)
Who's the mystery girls
(who are the mystery girls)
The New York Dolls' song "Who Are the Mystery Girls?" is a frenzied, frantic and quite possibly drug-fueled ode to the titular girls who remain shrouded in secrecy. The lyrics are mostly made up of questions about who these girls are and what drives them, and the general chaos of the song seems to reflect the Dolls' own confusion and fascination. The song is heavily driven by the guitar riff and melody, paired with the high-energy vocals of lead singer David Johansen.
Some of the lyrics suggest a sexual interest in these mystery girls, with the desire to bring them home and take them in ways both rough and gentle. The repeated assertion that the Dolls are "talking about love" adds to the confusion, as it's not clear whether the love is romantic, sexual, or something else entirely. The lines about smoking and roaming suggest a carefree, rebellious lifestyle that these mystery girls embody.
It's worth noting that the New York Dolls were a highly influential proto-punk/glam rock group that formed in the early 1970s, and "Who Are the Mystery Girls?" is representative of their high-energy, often chaotic sound. The song, like much of their work, was ahead of its time and has continued to influence punk, rock, and alternative music to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's the one that wants to take her home and make 'em say they want to stay a year
Who is the person who desires to bring her home and have her desire to stay for an entire year?
Who's the one that wants to take 'em home and make 'em crawl right through the years
Who is the person who wishes to bring them home and have them crawl through each year?
Who's the one that wants to slam it in the door and try to keep it
Who is the person who aspires to slam it in the door and attempt to maintain it?
Like a mystery girl
Just like a girl who is full of secrets and unknowns.
Who's the one that wants to kick it on the floor and try to beat it like a scattered rug
Who is the person who aims to beat it on the ground like a disorganized rug?
I'm talkin' 'bout love
I am speaking of love.
(who are the mystery girls)
Who are these girls who are so mysterious?
'Cause I want to know
Because I desire to know.
So why don't cha tell me
So, why don't you tell me?
Who's the mystery girls
Who exactly are these girls who are shrouded in mystery?
So Who's the one that wants to smoke obsessively and tell 'em where she can roam
So, who is the person that consumes cigarettes compulsively and dictates where she can wander?
Who's the one that's wants to mill out in the street and leave 'em shouting "yankee go home"
Who is the person that wants to walk through the street and leave others yelling 'yankee go home'?
See'mon tell me
Come on, tell me.
Who's the one that wants to slam it in the door and try to hide it
Who is the person who desires to forcefully close the door and try to conceal it?
She's a mystery girl
She is a girl who shrouds herself in mystery.
Who's the one that wants to kick it on the floor and try to treat it like a scattered rug
Who is the person who aims to pound it on the ground like a disorganized rug?
What do ya know about love
What do you understand about love?
(who are the mystery girls)
Who are these girls who are so cryptic?
So who's the one that wants to tell 'em what's wrong and tell 'em what don't belong
So, who is the person who desires to tell them what is incorrect and what does not belong?
I don't know what's goin' on but I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN LONGIN' FOR SOME
I am unsure of what is happening, but I know that I have been yearning for it.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind