In 1976, Hell either was kicked out of the Heartbreakers or quit the group, depending on whom you believe, and was replaced by Billy Rath, who, according to legend, was a gigolo. Hell went on to form his own band, The Voidoids.
Arriving for a European tour just as the UK punk scene was building momentum, the Heartbreakers developed a following playing in and around London. The band's members and image were widely associated with drug use, specifically, heroin. The Sex Pistols invited them to open for them on the ill-fated Anarchy Tour. They shortly signed with Track Records. Their debut--and only--studio album, L.A.M.F., featured all the Heartbreakers' popular live songs. The release of the album put a huge strain on the band, because of anger among some band members over the poor quality of the mix. Several of the members of the band left at this point. The band reformed in 1979 for a few farewell shows at Max’s Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix sitting in for Nolan. The resulting live album Live at Max's Kansas City '79 is considered a punk classic. The Heartbreakers' song, London Boys, is a swipe at the Sex Pistols, in response to the Pistols' New York, a put-down of the New York Dolls.
The band re-formed occasionally to play at New York clubs until the death of Johnny Thunders in 1991. Jerry Nolan died a few months later, in 1992. Live shows often consisted of songs performed with the New York Dolls or taken from Johnny Thunders' solo career. Richard Hell rarely plays music live, concentrating instead on writing and spoken-word performances. Billy Rath's whereabouts are currently unknown, leading to various rumors such as that he died or became a priest. Walter Lure still performs about once a month with his band the Waldos, performing mostly Heartbreakers songs
All By Myself
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just want to get to you
I don't want to see you there
I just want to get you there
All by myself, all by myself
All by myself, not everybody else
I don't need no wedding hall
Forget your friends and what they do
Got to get inside of you
All by myself, all by myself
All by myself, not everybody else
I don't need society
To open up my flies for me
I don't need no audience
To shoot you with my common sense
All by myself, all by myself
All by myself, not everybody else
I don't think you understand
What's that dripping in your hand
All the things you thought you'd do
You finally met your Waterloo
All by myself, all by myself
All by myself, not everybody else
All by myself, all by myself
All by myself, not everybody else
The Heartbreakers's song "All By Myself" is a raw and powerful expression of longing, desire, and frustration. The lyrics convey the singer's intense desire for the object of their affection, while at the same time expressing a sense of alienation and isolation. The repetition of the phrase "All by myself" emphasizes the singer's feelings of loneliness and separation from others.
The singer rejects the conventions of society and traditional relationships, declaring that they don't need a wedding hall or an audience to open up their life. Instead, the singer asserts their desire to "get inside of you," indicating a deep physical and emotional connection. At the same time, the singer is aware of a certain futility in their longing, acknowledging that "All the things you thought you'd do, you finally met your Waterloo," suggesting that the object of their affection may be unattainable or unable to reciprocate their feelings.
The song is notable for its stripped-down, punk-influenced sound, featuring raw and gritty guitar work and a driving rhythm section. The lyrics, similarly, are straightforward and unfiltered, expressing the singer's feelings with raw emotional intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to talk too much
I prefer to take action rather than wasting time speaking
I just want to get to you
My only desire is to reach you
I don't want to see you there
I don't care about the surroundings or the people around you
I just want to get you there
I want to take you to a place where we can be alone
All by myself
I want to be alone with you
Not everybody else
I don't care about anyone else but you
I don't need no wedding hall
I don't need a marriage ceremony to be with you
I just watch your roller ball
I am fascinated by your life and want to be a part of it
Forget your friends and what they do
Your friends and their actions are not relevant to me
I got to get inside of you
I want to know you intimately
I don't need society
I don't need society's approval or validation
To open up my life for me
I am capable of living my life on my own terms
I don't need no audience
I don't need anyone to witness my actions
To shoot you in my cunning sense
To outsmart and win you over
I don't think you understand
I believe you are unaware of what is happening
What's that dripping in your hand
What substance are you holding that is dripping?
All the things you thought you do
All the things you thought you were in control of
You finally met your Waterloo
You have met the point of defeat or failure
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rath, Jerry Nolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind