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
It's Not Enough
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can give me that
You can give me this
You can give me that
It's not enough
Money so green
So casually seen
It's not enough
It's not enough
Every town I go in
Every street I walk down
I can get anything I want
I just lay my cards down
I can count on diamonds
Rubies as well
Oh, big deal, baby
I still feel like hell
It's not enough
It's not enough
The Heartbreakers' song "It's Not Enough" is a powerful commentary on the emptiness of material possessions and how they fail to provide true satisfaction. The chorus repeats "You can give me this, you can give me that, it's not enough" to emphasize the idea that the things someone can give you don't hold substantial meaning or value. Throughout the verses, the lyrics give examples of different things that money can buy - diamonds, rubies, a welcome in any town - but the repeated refrain hints that regardless of what someone has, it's simply not enough to fill the void that they feel inside.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is struggling with feelings of dissatisfaction and emptiness, despite being surrounded by lavish displays of wealth. The line "Money so green, so casually seen" suggests that money has lost its luster and no longer holds any real meaning in the singer's life. The repetition of "It's not enough" is almost a desperate plea for something more substantial to fulfill them - something that isn't just a fleeting material possession.
"It's Not Enough" is a powerful and poignant critique of the idea that money can buy happiness. The lyrics suggest that true fulfillment and satisfaction come from within, and that no amount of wealth or possessions can provide that. Instead, the song encourages listeners to focus on finding meaning and purpose in their lives beyond simply accumulating more and more things.
Line by Line Meaning
You can give me this
You may offer me things
You can give me that
Or maybe offer me other things
You can give me this
Again, some more variety of things
You can give me that
Yet more things may come my way
It's not enough
But none of these things satisfy me completely
Money so green
Money is everywhere
So casually seen
Seen around frequently, not a novelty
It don't bother me
Money doesn't impress me
It's not enough
Money cannot buy me happiness or contentedness
It's not enough
I need something more than just materialistic things
Every town I go in
Wherever I am
Every street I walk down
Whatever I do
I can get anything I want
I may acquire whatever luxuries I desire
I just lay my cards down
I make my moves confidently and with ease
I can count on diamonds
Diamonds are not rare, they are not enough
Rubies as well
Even rubies, which are rare and expensive, cannot make up for what I'm missing
Oh, big deal, baby
I'm not impressed
I still feel like hell
I still feel empty and incomplete
It's not enough
None of these material things can fully satisfy me or fill the void I feel
It's not enough
I need something more meaningful or deeper than just possessions
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETE TOWNSHEND, RACHEL MARY FULLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ChrisPCrock
You can give me this
You can give me that
You can give me this
You can give me that
It's not enough
Money's so green
So casually seen
It don't bother me
It's not enough
It's not enough
Every town I go in
Every street I walk down
I can get anything I want
I just lay my cards down
I can count on diamonds
Rubys as well
Oh big deal babyI still feel like hell
It's not enough
It's not enough
Oh you can take it
Every town I go in
Every street I walk down
I can get anything I want
I just lay my cards down
I can count on diamonds
Rubys as well
Oh big deal baby
I still feel like hell
It's not enough
@thekween9037
This one strikes a chord with your heart if you've been there. Fucking amazing.
@martinjusid2284
Amazing song. Guitar solo makes me treamble
@warshipsatin8764
been where? rich?
@soulbrother5435
RIP Johnny, Walter, Billy, Jerry
@longtail4711
JT and his band deserved so much better. Such criminally underrated talent, and they've been ripped off all over the place ever since as a testament. RIP Johnny Thunders. I was only a few months old when this album was released.
@martinjusid2284
So true. But Johnny keeped on playing AND he Will never be forgotten
@warshipsatin8764
for a bunch of junkies who had no ambition and didnt get along, id say they did fine. anyone who knows rock n roll knows how great they are and consider this record a classic
@Iggloo88
That second guitar solo is just pure heart. It never leaves me. RIP Walter Lure.
@RSidd
That guitar never fails to deliver!
@frankspade1848
What sucks is when you've lived this song. but still a great song.