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
Hope You Never
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope you never get your heart broken
I hope you never fall in love
With somebody like you
I hope you never give a damn
Hope you never lose your perspective
I hope you never fall in love
I wish you well
I wish you everything and more
Forgive my ignorance
I was starting to ramble on and on
Starting to ramble on and on
I hope you never need no one
Hope you treasure your independence
I hope you never fall in love
With somebody like you
I wish you well
I wish you everything and more
Forgive my ignorance
I was starting to ramble on and on
Starting to ramble on and on
I hope you never give a damn
Hope you never get your heart broken
I hope you never fall in love
With somebody like you
I hope you never fall in love
With somebody like you
The Heartbreakers' song "Hope You Never" is a poignant and bitter-sweet message to someone the singer has left behind. The lyrics reveal a sense of regret and remorse, as they wish the person they've left behind all the best, while also expressing a desire that this person never experiences the pain and hurt that comes with falling in love and relationships.
The chorus, "I hope you never fall in love, hope you never get your heart broken," is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the overarching message of the song. By wishing this pain on the person, the singer is revealing their own emotional wounds and the hurt that they experienced in their own relationship with the person.
The verses, "I hope you never give a damn, hope you never lose your perspective," and "I hope you never need no one, hope you treasure your independence," express a similar sentiment. The singer is wishing the person all the best in life, while also expressing their own regret and sense of loss.
Overall, "Hope You Never" is a beautifully written, emotionally charged song that speaks to the universal experience of love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope you never fall in love
I wish for you to never experience the intense emotions that come with love
Hope you never get your heart broken
I hope you never have to experience the pain of having your heart shattered
With somebody like you
Especially not with someone possessing qualities similar to yours
I hope you never give a damn
I hope you never become emotionally invested in anyone
Hope you never lose your perspective
I hope you always maintain rational thinking and don't let emotions cloud your judgement
I wish you well
Despite my previous remarks, I genuinely wish you happiness and success
I wish you everything and more
I want only the best for you
Forgive my ignorance
I apologize for any offense my previous statements may have caused
I was starting to ramble on and on
I may have gotten carried away and said too much
I hope you never need no one
I hope you always remain self-sufficient and never have to rely on anyone else
Hope you treasure your independence
I hope you appreciate the freedom and autonomy that comes with being independent
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joss63
You can't hide genius. A man who knows how to deliver a feeling perfectly in a song.
@cindysmith7160
2 bad no one is 4 real anymore it is hard 2 make friendr and more
@mbankslje0nk
You got to love TP! He is so sincere and vulnerable in what he revealed to us in his songs!! What to know who Tom Petty was just listen to his songs! He shared himself to all of us!
@wiscofish3648
I really wish I could have seen him live. I'm only 19, so I wasn't able to drive myself to any of his concerts. His songs will forever resonate with me. R.I.P to a great man.
@AZstratguy96
"Starting to ramble on and on" Oh my god that part is so great! Awesome song, one of Petty's greats.
@keylargo7647
Amazing, this man was so great and seems to sing to each of us
@danreed2709
Tom is the sound track of life!
@gasparmarty
Hits me like a landslide, with a freshly broken heart :( Somehow this was the first song I thought about when he said NO, after many times saying yes....
@dantemiller2729
This and the other song, “ Walls” are definitely my favorite Tom Petty Songs. I heard these songs in jr. High and to this day I think they’re my favorite songs written by him.
@FlaSoulgirl
Great song!