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
So alone
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't break your girlish fears
I try to get close, I couldn't get near
If I tell you too much, baby, I'll get smeared
Said red light, green light
You never stop
Always trying to word me out
I'll just tell you what you wanna hear
If I tell you too much, baby, I'll get smeared
Seems like every time
I try to love somebody
It's that same old story
I try so hard
I give it everything I got
But in the end
I'm the one who's
I'm so all alone
I'm so alone
I'm so all alone
I'm so alone
The Heartbreakers's song So Alone is about a person who is looking for love but is constantly rejected. The person is willing to tell the potential partner what they want to hear to avoid breaking their "girlish fears." However, the person is unable to get close to them despite their attempts. The lyrics depict the frustration of constantly trying to pursue love, but never being able to achieve it.
The chorus expresses the person's feelings of loneliness and defeat. They have tried to love somebody, given everything they have, but always end up alone. The repetition of "I'm so all alone" emphasizes the sense of isolation and hopelessness.
The whole song is a portrayal of someone struggling with the agony of unrequited love. They are unable to get through someone's guards, despite their efforts to break through them. In the end, they are left feeling rejected and isolated, despite all the effort that they have put in.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'll just tell you what you wanna hear
I will say what you want to hear, even if it's not the truth
I won't break your girlish fears
I will not be the one to make you scared or anxious
I try to get close, I couldn't get near
I attempted to get closer to you, but it seems impossible
If I tell you too much, baby, I'll get smeared
If I reveal too much of myself, I may be judged or criticized
Said red light, green light, you never stop
You keep changing your mind, and it's frustrating
Always trying to word me out, now I know what you're bopping about
You're always trying to figure me out, but now I see what you're trying to do
Seems like every time I try to love somebody
Every time I attempt to develop feelings for someone
It's that same old story
It always ends up being the same situation
I try so hard, I give it everything I got
I put in a lot of effort and give my all
But in the end, I'm the one who's
However, eventually I am the one who is
I'm so all alone, I'm so alone, I'm so all alone, I'm so alone
I feel incredibly lonely and isolated
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY THUNDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind