Johnny Thunders (vocals/guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums) had quit the New Yo… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Thunders (vocals/guitar) and Jerry Nolan (drums) had quit the New York Dolls, and that same week Richard Hell (vocals/bass) was forced out of Television. The trio joined forces, and after a few shows added Walter Lure (vocals/guitar), who had played with a group called the Demons.

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

Born Too Loose
The Heartbreakers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

That's the way it goes
The city is so cold
And I'm, I'm so sold
That's why I know

I said hit it!
Born to lose
Born to lose

Born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose

Nothing to do
I've nothing to say
Only one thing that I want
It's the only way

I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose

Living in a jungle
It ain't so hard
Living in the city
It'll eat out, eat out your heart

I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to

I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose
I said hit it!
Born to lose

Baby I'm born to lose
Baby I'm born to lose

Overall Meaning

The Heartbreakers' "Born Too Loose" is a song about living in a harsh and unforgiving city where the only certainty is failure. The chorus repeats the phrase "Born to lose" to emphasize the sense of inevitability and helplessness that comes with living in this kind of environment. The singer of the song is resigned to his fate, recognizing that he has nothing to lose because he was born into a life where success is unattainable. The verses describe the boredom and hopelessness of this existence, with references to the harshness of the city and the lack of anything to do or say.

The repetition of the phrase "I said hit it!" throughout the song adds an aggressive and defiant tone, as if the singer is trying to fight back against the forces that are keeping him down. The song captures the frustration and anger of people who are trapped in a system that doesn't work for them.

Line by Line Meaning

That's the way it goes
The world is unpredictable and uncertain

The city is so cold
Urban life can be harsh and unfeeling

And I'm, I'm so sold
I have given myself up completely to this way of life

That's why I know
This is my reality and I've accepted it

Born to lose
I was destined to fail and face disappointment

Baby I'm born to lose
This is an inherent part of who I am

Nothing to do
There is no purpose or meaning to my existence

I've nothing to say
There is no message or significance in my words

Only one thing that I want
My only desire is to live fast and recklessly

It's the only way
This is the path that I have chosen and must follow

Living in a jungle
Life is akin to a savage wilderness