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)
You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory / Lonely Planet Boy
New York Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so hard
And it's a lonely planet joy
When the song from from the other boys
That's when I'm a lonely planet boy
And I'm tryin', Baby for your love
Oh, you pick me up
Your outta drivin' in your car
When I tell you where I'm goin
You're always tellin' me it's to far
But how could you be drivin'
Down by my home
When ya know, I ain't got one
And I'm, I'm so all alone
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh it's a lonely planet joy
When the song from your other boys
That's when I'm a lonely planet boy
And I'm tryin', I'm cryin',
Baby for your love
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh, It's so lonely
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh can't you hear me callin'
I'm a thousand miles away
And I don't want to stay
I'm thinkin' words I gotta say
Cause I want to be there witcha
And I know what to bring
I remember, from the days
You got over, everythin'
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Oh it's a lonely planet joy
When the song from your other boys
That's when I'm a lonely planet boy
And I'm tryin', I'm cryin',
Can't ya see I'm dyin'
Baby, for your love
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Now you are lonely
The New York Dolls' song "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory" is a melancholic ballad that expresses the feeling of loneliness and heartbreak. The song starts with the singer acknowledging how difficult it is to deal with the pain of lost love. He talks about being a "lonely planet boy" when he listens to songs from other artists and reflects on his own loneliness.
The second verse talks about the girl he loves driving him around, but never taking him home. He questions her actions because he does not have a home and feels alone. The chorus repeats the idea that he is a "lonely planet boy" trying and crying for her love. He wonders if she can hear him calling from a thousand miles away and wants to be with her again.
The song's lyrics are layered with metaphors and images that explore the theme of loneliness. The phrase "you can't put your arms around a memory" adds to the sense of loss and longing. Overall, the song paints a picture of someone who is going through a difficult time and is searching for a way to reconnect with the person they love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's hard,
Life is difficult,
It's so hard
It's especially difficult
And it's a lonely planet joy
It's a strange kind of happiness, one that is lonely
When the song from from the other boys
When I hear a song played by someone other than myself
That's when I'm a lonely planet boy
That's when I feel alone and isolated
And I'm tryin', Baby for your love
I'm trying my best to win your love
Oh, you pick me up
You give me a ride or make me feel better
Your outta drivin' in your car
You're driving your car without a clear destination
When I tell you where I'm goin
When I share my plans with you
You're always tellin' me it's to far
You always say that my plans or destinations are too far away
But how could you be drivin'
But I wonder how you can be driving
Down by my home
Near my house
When ya know, I ain't got one
When you know that I don't have a home
And I'm, I'm so all alone
I'm feeling incredibly lonely
Oh can't you hear me callin'
Can't you hear me trying to reach out to you
I'm a thousand miles away
I'm geographically far away from you
And I don't want to stay
And I don't want to be away from you
I'm thinkin' words I gotta say
I'm thinking about the things I need to say to you
Cause I want to be there witcha
Because I want to be there with you
And I know what to bring
And I know what to bring with me when I come to you
I remember, from the days
I have memories of the past when things were better between us
You got over, everythin'
You managed to move on from everything that happened
And I'm tryin', I'm cryin',
I'm trying my best, I'm emotional
Can't ya see I'm dyin'
Can't you see that not being with you is killing me inside
Baby, for your love
Because I love you so much
Now you are lonely
Now you are feeling lonely like I used to
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samthunders3611
@Ąłexaņder Jüng ; Arvíđ Àtsinçh Jerry died from Meningitis.
The antibiotics gave him.a stroke then 2 more he was in the hospital 3 months I think out of it Wired tubed up wasted away. He had a challenging immune system with HIV..
John.had Lymphoma probably a symptom from HIV that was close to killing him before his strange death in New Orleans
Im.very sad about Sylvain He was a good man
Very loving loyal to John to.the end and the DOLLS
Read his book..Ain't no Bones in Ice Cream
Jerry Nolans book stranded un the Jungle written about &m by Curt Weiss will fill.in.a lot of blanks for you
And
Nina Antonia's book.anout John
IN COLD BLOODits a very good read
@joefronti6901
Dolls were the original and best punk band ever.Got to meet them back in 1973 at KKKKaty's in Boston.Johnny Thunders told my younger brother to hold on to the girl he had just met out on the dance floor.We got invited backstage because my older brother had bought their first album,and we liked it so much we knew the lyrics and were singing along with them.68 years old and I still love the Doll's music.
@therespectedlex9794
I saw them in Liverpool, at the Academy, in 2006, and they were very good. t
Two bands, Towers of London and 'Vagabond' in support. All impressive in it's own right. No Arthur Kane by then, as he died two years before.
@Factory_Muff
Cool Joey! You’re a year older than my mom. Cute Maspeth Queens chick. She loved NY Dolls too . Wish I could have seen them too. RIP Johnny, Syl, Jerry and Artie!
@jeffh8999
soooo did he hold??? damn dude leaving us hangin lol
@joefront1969
@@jeffh8999 No,after that night I don't think he ever saw her again.
@SweetDennyD
Rest in peace, Sylvain, Sylvain. 😥💔
@RossBayCult
R.I.P. to Johnny, Arthur, Billy, Jerry, Sylvain. Basically the band. Enjoy your time while you’re here folks. Life goes fast.
@gynat5968
It sure fuckin do...
@roozterooz
You didn't just do it for Johnny Thunders, you did it for all of us who never had the chance. Thanks Syl Killer David
@therespectedlex9794
Changed the words a little. Great and poignant, RIP Sylvain.