The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later spawned the Ramones, Blondie, Television and Talking Heads."
Frankenstein
The New York Dolls Lyrics
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Who can expound all the children this time?
Could they ever, could they ever
Expect such a Frankenstein, a Frankenstein
I remember when you were jam-jammin'
You were better than any of them
There was never nothing you would ever understand
But you know who was there to be your master
He's always makin' his plans
When those plans, they don't fit your style
You get a feeling of your own ordeal
That's when he starts calling you out
And you just don't know what to do
So now you come around here
And you're trying to take over the town
Just because of back home, baby
How he puts you down
Oh, baby, how he puts you down
I know they put you down
So now, you're off starting 'round here
Bitterness at your demans
In a place where they don't expect nothing
You're trying not to dirty your hands
When asking you as a person
Is it a crime, is it a crime
For you to fall in love with Frankenstein?
Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Wrong, baby, don't you want a friend?
'Cause you're trying to be so selective
You never realize the whole time
Who's the one you're loving
Misunderstood like a Frankenstein
And down, down, down, just off the desk
Like Frankenstein, like Frankenstein
So now you're telling me
What everytime you can get on home
Well, don't you know this place, it is my home
So where am I gonna go?
You know, when you don't expect nothing
No, you're not alone, you know you're not alone
'Cause something must have happened over Manhattan
Who can expound all the children this time?
Could they ever, could they ever
Expect such a Frankenstein?
A Frankenstein, Frankenstein
And oh, his shoes are too big
And oh, his jacket's too small
I'll show you a Frankenstein, Frankenstein [?]
We're asking you as a person
Is it a crime, is it a crime
For you to fall in love in with Frankenstein?
Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Oh, baby, don't you want a friend?
Well, Frankenstein, oh, Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, frankenstein
You're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
You're gonna get it from Frankenstein
That's right, you're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
You're gonnna get it when Frankenstein gets home
I'm gonna shout about
I'm gonna scream about, I'm gonna shout about it, bitch about it, scream about it
Gonna get it, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, Frankenstein
Frankenstein
I've gotta ask you one question
Do you think that you could make it with Frankenstein?
The New York Dolls song "Frankenstein" is a complex exploration of the themes of alienation, identity, and the search for love and acceptance. The song seems to be sung from the perspective of someone who feels like a Frankenstein's monster, misunderstood and rejected by society. The opening lines suggest that something strange has happened in Manhattan that has affected "all the children," implying that there has been some kind of social upheaval that has left people feeling disconnected and disillusioned. The lyrics go on to describe the singer's own struggles with feeling like an outcast, and his frustration with a master who tries to control him and shape him into something he's not.
One of the key images in the song is that of Frankenstein's monster itself. The lyrics repeatedly ask if it is a "crime" to love Frankenstein, or suggest that the singer himself is like the creature, misunderstood and feared by others. The lines "Oh, his shoes are too big / And oh, his jacket's too small" suggest that the singer is trying to fit into a world that doesn't quite fit him, and that he feels like a misfit in his own skin.
Line by Line Meaning
Something must have happened over Manhattan
Something strange must have occured in Manhattan
Who can expound all the children this time?
Who can understand the behavior of these young people?
Could they ever, could they ever
Is it possible, is it possible
Expect such a Frankenstein, a Frankenstein
To encounter someone so bizarre, like Frankenstein
I remember when you were jam-jammin'
I remember when you were playing music well
You were better than any of them
You were better than the other musicians
There was never nothing you would ever understand
There was never anything you could comprehend
But you know who was there to be your master
You had someone controlling you
Making his demented plans
This person was making crazy plans
He's always makin' his plans
This person is always making strange plans
When those plans, they don't fit your style
When those plans don't match your preferences
You get a feeling of your own ordeal
You start experiencing your own problems
That's when he starts calling you out
That's when this person starts blaming you
And you just don't know what to do
And you are confused and don't know what to do
So now you come around here
So now you come here
And you're trying to take over the town
And you are attempting to dominate the area
Just because of back home, baby
Just because of what happened in your past
How he puts you down
How he belittles you
Oh, baby, how he puts you down
Oh, how this person puts you down
I know they put you down
I know these people talk down to you
So now, you're off starting 'round here
So now, you are wandering around here
Bitterness at your demans
You are resentful about your requests
In a place where they don't expect nothing
In a place where nothing is expected
You're trying not to dirty your hands
You are trying not to get involved
When asking you as a person
When someone asks you as a person
Is it a crime, is it a crime
Is it wrong, is it wrong
For you to fall in love with Frankenstein?
To love someone so strange like Frankenstein?
Is it wrong, could it be wrong
Is it bad, could it be bad
Wrong, baby, don't you want a friend?
Wrong, don't you want a friend?
You never realize the whole time
All this time, you never recognized
Who's the one you're loving
The identity of who you love
Misunderstood like a Frankenstein
Misunderstood like someone as bizarre as Frankenstein
And down, down, down, just off the desk
And down, down, down, just off the desk
Like Frankenstein, like Frankenstein
Like Frankenstein, like Frankenstein
So now you're telling me
Now you are telling me
What everytime you can get on home
Every time you can go home
Well, don't you know this place, it is my home
Don't you know that this place is my home?
So where am I gonna go?
So where am I supposed to go?
No, you're not alone, you know you're not alone
You are not alone, you know that
Frankenstein, frankenstein
Frankenstein, Frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, frankenstein
My name is Frankenstein, Frankenstein
You're gonna get it, you're gonna get it
You are going to understand
You're gonna get it from Frankenstein
Frankenstein is going to make you understand
I'm gonna shout about
I'm going to shout
I'm gonna scream about, I'm gonna shout about it, bitch about it, scream about it
I'm going to express my frustration and anger
Gonna get it, Frankenstein
I'm going to make you understand, Frankenstein
I've gotta ask you one question
I have to ask you one thing
Do you think that you could make it with Frankenstein?
Do you think you could have a relationship with someone as strange as Frankenstein?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JOHANSEN, SYLVAIN MIZRAHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind