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 Maxβs 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
Asshole
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she took back her love
And put it out into the sun
The birds did fly
When the heavens all went dry
And the cigarettes were smoking by themselves
She'll do anything
She'll do anything
To make you feel like an asshole
Call her name
She looks the same as you
With question-marks stretched across her skin
She dangles carrots
Makes you feel embarrassed
To be the fool you know you are
She'll do anything
She'll do anything
She'll do anything
To make you feel like an asshole
The Heartbreakers' song "Asshole" is about a person who has been left by their lover and is feeling like an asshole because of their behavior during the relationship. The lyrics talk about the moment when the person's lover decides to take back their love and put it out into the sun, which caused the person's brain to go black. The birds, which symbolize freedom and happiness, flew away when the heavens went dry, representing the feeling of emptiness and sadness that followed the breakup. The cigarettes smoking by themselves represent the person's loneliness and how they don't feel like they have anything to hold on to.
The chorus lyrics "She'll do anything to make you feel like an asshole" is directed towards the lover who left the person, who is now doing anything to make the person feel bad about themselves. The lover's behavior is making the person feel embarrassed and like a fool for their actions during the relationship. The last verse talks about the person's regret for their behavior and how they see their ex-lover as a mirror image of themselves, but with question-marks stretched across their skin, representing uncertainty and doubt.
Overall, "Asshole" is a song that explores the emotional aftermath of a breakup, particularly the feelings of regret, loneliness, and self-doubt that can arise. It also highlights the power struggles that can happen between two people after a relationship ends.
Line by Line Meaning
Your brains went black
You were consumed by darkness and confusion
When she took back her love
When she ended the relationship
And put it out into the sun
And made it public
The birds did fly
Nature reacted
When the heavens all went dry
When everything became arid and desolate
And the cigarettes were smoking by themselves
Even inanimate objects seemed affected
She'll do anything
She will go to any lengths
She'll do anything
She will go to any lengths
She'll do anything
She will go to any lengths
To make you feel like an asshole
To make you feel guilty and worthless
Call her name
Attempt to reach out to her
She looks the same as you
She appears unchanged
With question-marks stretched across her skin
With an air of uncertainty surrounding her
She dangles carrots
She teases and manipulates
Makes you feel embarrassed
Makes you feel foolish and humiliated
To be the fool you know you are
To be the one at fault in the situation
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevegatesrealtor1973
I never knew this cover existed! I miss Tom Petty.
@Anneriveira
I sure miss Tom. So happy we have his music to keep him alive in our hearts<3
@carlosibilla2044
What can you say he was the best
@eileenheard4444
One of my favorite Beck songs!!! Love this!
@jarikuukasjarvi8198
Tom, never forgotten...
@diggerthegroundhog8799
Never knew about this. Wow Tom did it justice.
@andrespandehra4902
I have to say that I have met many such women. The decisive factor is how you deal with it. A terrific text which of course does not only refer to one gender.
Thx Mr. Petty
@stefaniadiamondcut
The right one won't make you feel that way...that's how you know
@poppyallgood6918
I shudder to think of living in a world devoid of this YouTube comment. So thankful you KNEW it "really must" be said.
God bless you, brother. Keep fighting the good fight and stuff like that. Amen. Word.
@sundown2221
Narcissism sucks for both genders dealing with it