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
you can't put your arms around a memory
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the smart boys know why
It doesn't mean I didn't try
I just never know why
Feel so cold and all alone
'Cause, baby, you're not at home
And when I'm home
Big deal, I'm still alone
Feel so restless, I am
Beat my head against a pole
Try to knock some sense
Down in my bones
And even though they don't show
The scars aren't so old
And when they go
They let you know
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try, don't try
You're just a bastard kid
And you got no name
'Cause you're living with me
We're one and the same
And even though they don't show
They scars aren't so old
And when they go
They let you know
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try, don't try
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try, don't try
"You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" is a powerful song about being unable to escape the pain of the past. The lyrics speak to a sense of loss and loneliness embodied in the refrain, "You can't put your arms around a memory, don't try, don't try." The singer is haunted by memories of a former lover or relationship and is struggling to come to grips with the fact that it's over. There's a sense of desperation in the lines, "Feel so restless, I am / Beat my head against a pole / Try to knock some sense / Down in my bones," suggesting the singer is trying to find some way to move on from the pain. Yet, as the refrain reminds us, memories can't be physically held or embraced, and the singer seems trapped by their past experiences.
The song also acknowledges the frustration of feeling like an outsider, with lines such as "You're just a bastard kid / And you got no name" speaking to a sense of alienation from mainstream society. This sense of marginalization is further emphasized by the repetition of the refrain, as if to say that even though we can't escape our memories, we're also unable to fully connect with those around us.
Overall, "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" is a haunting and deeply evocative song that speaks to the complexity of human emotion and the challenges of grappling with loss.
Line by Line Meaning
It doesn't pay to try
Trying won't always lead to success
All the smart boys know why
Smart people know that trying doesn't always guarantee success
It doesn't mean I didn't try
Even though I wasn't successful, I still tried
I just never know why
I don't understand why my efforts weren't successful
Feel so cold and all alone
I feel lonely and lost without you
'Cause, baby, you're not at home
Your absence is causing my loneliness
And when I'm home
Even though I'm home, I feel as if I'm not at home
Big deal, I'm still alone
Being home doesn't change the fact that I'm lonely
Feel so restless, I am
I'm feeling agitated and uneasy
Beat my head against a pole
Engaging in self-harm or destructive behavior
Try to knock some sense
Attempting to regain my composure
Down in my bones
Trying to settle my emotions
And even though they don't show
Although I'm not displaying them outwardly
The scars aren't so old
My emotional wounds are still fresh
And when they go
As soon as these wounds start to heal
They let you know
My emotional pain becomes more apparent
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't physically hold or touch a memory
Don't try, don't try
Don't attempt to hold on to past memories
You're just a bastard kid
You're an illegitimate child, considered an outcast
And you got no name
The lack of a proper name serves as a reminder of your outcast status
'Cause you're living with me
Your living situation is a reflection of my own problems
We're one and the same
We share a common feeling of being lost and outcast
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Genzale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@4f52
It doesn't pay to try,
All the smart boys know why,
It doesn't mean I didn't try,
I just never know why.
Feel so cold and all alone,
Cause baby, you're not at home.
And when I'm home
Big deal, I'm still alone.
Feel so restless, I am,
Beat my head against a pole
Try to knock some sense,
Down in my bones.
And even though they don't show,
The scars aren't so old
And when they go,
They let you know
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try, don't try
You're just a bastard kid,
And you got no name
Cause you're living with me,
We're one and the same
And even though they don't show,
They scars aren't so old
And when they go,
They let you know
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try, don't try
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
You can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try, don't try
@TomAndrews91
Whoever came up with the track list for The Sopranos deserves a lot of praise. The show has introduced me to so many fantastic songs like this one. When I hear this I think of Tony and the rest of the crew standing outside Satriale's.
@robertgillen979
I've heard Micheal Imperioli had alot to do with the songs picked for the show.
@bensims7501
Too right Tom. The sopranos introduced me to load a tunes I should have heard of us didn't all different genres too.
@blistabliss
Haha I already loved this song but thats why I'm back here! What a great soundtrack.
@dabbs041
Woke up this morning
@shrodingerscat4191
Here, here brother!
@mocksock69
johnny thunders is painfully underrated, he was so talented.
@RiskGrave
"It doesn't pay to try, all the smart boys know why. Doesn't mean I didn't try, I just never know why." Johnny pretty much just summed up my last 23 years with that lyric...RIP <3
@karljesaitis3656
Me too brother
@RiskGrave
@@karljesaitis3656 I’m 33 now. Trying is paying off. Keep trying, brother🙏