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
Why Don't I
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strange voice on the telephone
Tellin' me I better leave you 'lone
Why won't somebody say what's goin' on
Oh, oh, I think I've been through this before
Looks like I've been fooled again
Looks like I'm the fool again
You never said you had no longer to
I need to know 'bout it if you do
Ah two is one, I might as well be three
It's good to see you think so much of me
Looks like I've been fooled again
Looks like I'm the fool again
I don't like it, I don't like it
No
Look out
You never said you had no longer to
I need to know 'bout it if you do
If two is one, I might as well be three
It's good to see you think so much of me
It's like I'm the fool again
Looks like I'm the fool again
I don't like it, I don't like it
I don't like it, I don't like it
Ow
Look out
I don't like it, I don't like it
Look out
Uh, I don't, I don't like you
Eh, gotcha getcha getcha look out
Say, I don't like it
I don't, I don't, I don't
The Heartbreakers' song "Why Don't I" talks about the confusion and frustration that the singer is feeling in their relationship. They receive a strange call, possibly from someone warning them to stay away from their partner, without any explanation as to why. The singer wonders why nobody will tell them what's going on and expresses their suspicion that they've been fooled before.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer feels like a fool, and they call out their partner for not being honest with them about their intentions or feelings. The lines "If two is one, I might as well be three / It's good to see you think so much of me" suggest that the partner may be involved with someone else, and the singer is being treated as an afterthought. Overall, the tone of the song is one of resentment and hurt, as the singer realizes that their relationship is not what they thought it was.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey
Attention grabbing opening
Strange voice on the telephone
Narration of receiving a mysterious call
Tellin' me I better leave you 'lone
Order given to leave someone alone
Why won't somebody say what's goin' on
Questioning lack of communication about the situation
Oh, oh, I think I've been through this before
Realization of similar past experiences
Looks like I've been fooled again
Admitting to being tricked in the past
Looks like I'm the fool again
Acknowledging being made a fool of
I don't like it, I don't like it
Expressing dislike for the current situation
You never said you had no longer to
Accusation of not being informed about changes
I need to know 'bout it if you do
Demand for clarity
Ah two is one, I might as well be three
Feeling like an unnecessary addition
It's good to see you think so much of me
Sarcasm in response to feeling unimportant
No
Concluding word of disagreement
Look out
Warning of possible danger
I don't like it, I don't like it
Repetition of earlier expression of dislike
Uh, I don't, I don't like you
Angrily disliking someone
Eh, gotcha getcha getcha look out
Urging others to be cautious
Say, I don't like it
Restating dislike for emphasis
I don't, I don't, I don't
Final repetition of expression of dislike
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mikemaslanek
What a great recording; been looking for it for years.
ildibildi53
This is such a beautiful tune.
Charles Larocco
These are the REAL Heartbreakers, and number 1 in my book! Bobby Evans and his great group, have to be the most under-rated group ever! Bobby if you're still out there, I would love to talk to you. charlie
Anthony MrDooWop Moss
This is just Beautiful Doo-wop 🎙🎶🎙🎙🎙🎸🎙😎
Tommie Shider
I'm still waiting for a Robert Evans - Heartbreakers CD. Does it exist??