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
Too Much Junkie Business
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
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You buy some for your sister and you take yours off the top
Run into the bathroom, fixing up a shot
Tie it up, shoot it up, bang your head and throw it up
Too much junkie business
Too much junkie business
Too much junkie business
Your life becomes as sickening as that mess you call your face
The pig you call your girlfriend is dead from shooting mace
Climbing up the walls, you're shooting all my balls
Wrap it up, call it art, now your record makes the chart
Too much junkie business
Too much junkie business
Too much junkie business
I don't wanna fuck around with you
Too much junk, too much junk
Too much junk, too much junk
Too much junk, too much junk
I don't wanna see her hanging out with you
Well you're the coolest thing in town, with your face right on the ground
Friends went through your pockets as the coffin went down
You overdosed at last, spike stuck in your head
Now you're dead… dead! dead! dead!
Too much junkie business
Too much junkie business
Too much junkie business
I don't wanna fuck around with you
Too much junk, too much junk
Too much junk, in your head
The Heartbreakers' song "Too Much Junkie Business" tells the story of a person addicted to drugs, referring to their life as "sickening" and their face as a "mess." The lyrics describe the person's routine of going to the drug dealer to buy drugs, taking some for themselves and giving some to their sister. They then go to the bathroom to prepare the drugs and shoot up. The chorus reinforces the message that this lifestyle is not something to be desired, with the phrase "Too much junkie business, I don't wanna fuck around with you" repeated several times.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that the addiction has taken a toll not just on the person, but on their relationships as well. The "pig" they call their girlfriend has died from using mace and they have become increasingly erratic, even "shooting all my balls" and "climbing up the walls." The song ends on a somber note, as the person ultimately overdoses and dies with a "spike stuck in their head."
The lyrics of "Too Much Junkie Business" are a stark portrayal of the destructive nature of drug addiction. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the message that this lifestyle should not be glamorized or romanticized. The story told in the song is tragically common, and serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who might be tempted to follow a similar path.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you run down to the corner baby, see what you can cop
You go down to the corner to buy drugs
You buy some for your sister and you take yours off the top
You buy drugs for your sister and keep some for yourself
Run into the bathroom, fixing up a shot
You go to the bathroom to prepare a syringe with drugs
Tie it up, shoot it up, bang your head and throw it up
You inject the drugs, get high, and vomit
Too much junkie business
There's too much drug use and its consequences
I don't wanna fuck around with you
I don't want to associate with you
Your life becomes as sickening as that mess you call your face
Your life is as disgusting as your drug-addled appearance
The pig you call your girlfriend is dead from shooting mace
Your girlfriend died from drug overdose
Climbing up the walls, you're shooting all my balls
You're acting crazy and causing trouble
Wrap it up, call it art, now your record makes the chart
You make a record talking about your drug use and sell it as art
Too much junk, too much junk
There's too much drug use and its consequences
I don't wanna see her hanging out with you
I don't want to see my friend associating with you
Well you're the coolest thing in town, with your face right on the ground
You think you're cool but you're actually a drug addict
Friends went through your pockets as the coffin went down
Your friends stole from your pockets when you died
You overdosed at last, spike stuck in your head
You died of drug overdose with a needle stuck in your head
Now you're dead… dead! dead! dead!
You're dead due to your drug addiction
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN GENZALE, WALTER LURE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pillihpzelaznog2017
As somebody who lost most of his friends to drugs it really hits you another way.. a real rocker
@kaydsc
i know its a totally different language when youve been strung out and thru it
@rodeoruz
Just love the guitar riff/slides on this! Great song, great singer, great guitar playing and great darn everything.
@scottbellina
RIP Walter Lure
@warshipsatin8764
"climbin up the walls, shootin old mothballs" lmao what a classic line
@s.plissken_91
Would have worked in Trainspotting haha
@gregpiazza7150
Walter Lure wrote all their best songs. Definitely the most underappreciated punk musician of that era...
......and he still rocks hard
@cmp1868
Totally agree! Walter wrote killer tunes and his voice was the best. He and John together were a perfect compliment to one another.
@murraypassarieu9115
He died today. RIP!
@rasecbarravino3490
@@murraypassarieu9115 he's playimg a gig with johnny,Jerry, and Billy in rock heaven