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

No Reason
The Heartbreakers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All I'm wanting is to see you
And to hold you once again
And see the sun color your hair
And see the tall grass blow in the wind

Overcome me bitter sweetness
Put me under a magic spell
Overcome me all my sadness

Lead me on and wish me well
There's no reason to cry
There's no reason to cry
It's alright

So overtake me my sweet lover
Let me kiss your honey lips
Could be the only thing that's real
Could be when you get sad your memory slips
There's no reason to cry

There's no reason to cry
It's alright

Overall Meaning

The Heartbreakers' song No Reason is a heartbreaking love ballad that speaks to the emotions of a person longing for their love. The singer expresses their desperate desire to see and hold their lover once again, reminiscing about the sun coloring their hair and the tall grass blowing in the wind. The bitter-sweetness of the memories put the singer under a magic spell, as they plead to be led on and wished well. The chorus affirms that there is no reason to cry, and that it is alright.

The lyrics of No Reason are simple, yet powerful, evoking a sense of nostalgia and heartache. The singer is yearning for their lover's touch and the comfort of their presence. The chorus serves as a comfort, reminding them that their sadness is unwarranted, and that they will be okay. However, it is clear that the pain of not being with their love still lingers. The lines "Could be when you get sad your memory slips" hint at the possibility that their lover may be struggling with the same emotions, making the separation all the more difficult.

Line by Line Meaning

All I'm wanting is to see you
I yearn to lay my eyes on you once more

And to hold you once again
I long to feel your warmth and embrace

And see the sun color your hair
Witnessing the sun's glow on your hair brings me joy

And see the tall grass blow in the wind
Watching the wind sway the grass reminds me of our carefree times

Overcome me bitter sweetness
I am consumed by both happiness and sadness at the same time

Put me under a magic spell
Make me believe in the impossible

Overcome me all my sadness
Take away my sorrow and replace it with joy

Lead me on and wish me well
Guide me towards happiness and good fortune

There's no reason to cry
No justification to shed tears

It's alright
Everything is going to be okay

So overtake me my sweet lover
Take over my emotions, my beloved