Trash Looking For A Kiss Personality Crisis New York Dolls

Trash Album: New York Dolls (1973)
Looking For A Kiss Album: New York Dolls (1973)
Personality Crisis Album: New York Dolls (1973)
by New York Dolls

"Trash" is the debut single by New York Dolls. It was recorded for their 1973 self-titled album and released as a double A-side with the song "Personality Crisis" in July 1973. The song is a quintessential Dolls track: raw, defiant, and catchy as hell.

Amid the gritty sidewalks and flashing neon of a down-and-dirty New York, the New York Dolls crafted a tale of love both tender and tough in "Trash." Lead singer David Johansen's enigmatic lyrics weave a story of affection in unconventional corners, replacing "life" with suggestive whispers of "knife," "night," and "lights." This ambiguity, paired with the band's flamboyant style, transformed their trashy life into something sexier and more romantic.
Johansen wrote "Trash" with guitarist Sylvain Sylvain.

"I co-wrote 'Trash' with Syl, so they tell me!" Johansen told Uncut magazine. "I don't remember exactly but I always had a notebook so I could write things down, little tidbits. So I had this idea for 'Trash' and he started playing this thing: 'dang – adang – adang, dang – adang – adang – ding – ding – ding–ding wah!' I thought, 'Oh that would fit this idea,' it was one of those deals. Usually the first thing time we play something it's just about getting ideas and then I'll go home and write the words. That's how it worked then, anyway, Syl and I have done a lot of different techniques over the years."
Todd Rundgren produced "Trash" and also contributed background vocals. He also produced albums for artists like Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf, and Cheap Trick. Rundgren is also a successful solo artist and a member of the band Utopia.

Trash did not chart upon its release but became a staple in the punk rock genre over time.

The New York Dolls remade Trash for their 2009 album Cause I Sez So in a reggae style reflecting the band's evolution.

Looking For A Kiss is about heroin, which is indicated in lyrics of the last verse: "When everyone goes to your house, they shoot up in your room." At the end of the song, you can hear, "I'm looking for a fix" being shouted instead of "Looking for a kiss."

Looking For A Kiss was written by New York Dolls lead singer David Johansen and included on the group's self-titled debut album, which was produced by Todd Rundgren. The Dolls made a mark on the East Coast punk scene but never had anything resembling a hit; they broke up in 1976 after just two albums. Johansen, though, landed on the charts in 1987 under the guise of Buster Poindexter with a party song called "Hot Hot Hot."

The Dolls regrouped in 2004 for a one-off show in England, but found there was renewed interest in their music and kept at it, releasing three more albums before calling it quits for good in 2011.

"Personality Crisis" is the lead track from the New York Dolls' self-titled debut album. It was written by Dolls lead singer David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders. An early demo version of it appears on the 1981 collection Lipstick Killers – The Mercer Street Sessions 1972.

Mercury Records originally released "Personality Crisis" in 1973 as a double A-side single with "Trash" to coincide with the album's release. Promo singles of "Personality Crisis" were also distributed to radio stations. Following the band's break-up, it was rereleased by Bellaphon Records as a double A-side with "Looking for a Kiss" in 1978. In 1982, a 12" single of "Personality Crisis" & "Looking For A Kiss" b/w "Subway Train" & "Bad Girl" was released by Kamera Records. The same track listing appeared on the See For Miles Records CD single released in 1990.

"Personality Crisis" is the closing track on David Johansen's 1982 live album, Live It Up. It is the only New York Dolls original on the album.

Sonic Youth recorded "Personality Crisis" with Kim Gordon on lead vocals in July 1990. It was first released as a write-in offer promo 7" single in the November 1990 issue of Sassy Magazine, then included on the 1993 Whores Moaning e.p. and later added to the Deluxe Edition bonus disc of Dirty.

Teenage Fanclub featuring Donna Matthews of Elastica cover the song for the soundtrack to the 1998 Todd Haynes ode to glam rock, Velvet Goldmine.

Scott Weiland included it on his 2011 album A Compilation of Scott Weiland Cover Songs.

Todd Rundgren included "Personality Crisis" in a 2011 collection of covers of songs that he'd produced, entitled (re)Production.

Rockhead covers Personality Crisis on the various artist collection, Sin City: Dirty Rock Anthems inspired by the Sin City comic books.