David Johansen is widely known as the lead singer of the flamboyant hard rock band The New York Dolls. He is also a prolific solo artist and musical collaborator, as well as television and movie actor. In addition to his solo work and recordings with the New York Dolls, this artist is also known as Buster Poindexter and has performed blues music with a group named The Harry Smiths.
For many years, this reviewer has been a big fan of David Johansen’s music, particularly the solo work that he released in the late 1970s and 1980’s. Presented here, is an article which offers one music fan’s reviews of ten top songs by David Johansen, without delving into any of his work as Buster Poindexter or with The Harry Smiths.
Frenchette..(From the 1978 David Johansen album)
A truly classic David Johansen song, Frenchette offers a perspective on life that only Mr Johansen could provide. Only this artist could exclaim that he ‘gets all the love he needs in a luncheonette’ and make it sound sensible.
A remarkable piece of music, Frenchette is pretty, yet raw, cosmopolitan and intense, in a lighthearted way. In this song, David Johansen states that he can’t get the kind of love that he wants, or needs, so his answer to the situation is to exclaim “Let’s just dance”.
In Style..(From the 1979 In Style album)
It’s almost as if you’re there on the streets of Greenwich Village or the lower east side upon hearing this top David Johansen song. A song of hope and acceptance, In Style is the title track from his second album.
This rocker displays a sense of urgency and features big, bold guitar parts, spot on drumming and a very good melody with a catchy refrain. In the refrain, David sings that he is going to get ‘there’ on time and in style, but then “I’m gonna be there in a while,” displaying a sense of humility.
Funky But Chic..(From the 1978 David Johansen album)
It’s hard to keep various parts of the body from shimmying and shaking when this down and dirty song starts.With an incredibly catchy refrain of “Funky, Funky but chic”, this David Johansen song can’t help but sound fresh and vital, no matter how old it is.
I’m a Lover..(From the 1978 David Johansen album)
A great representation of David Johansen’s overall style, musically, lyrically and vocally, I’m a Lover starts gently and quietly, but builds into a rousing number. In this song, David is affirming his love for a woman, in his own inimitable way.
When he proclaims how he is ‘funky and they say he’s no good and you can ask almost any girl in his neighborhood’, you can bet money it’s true.
You Touched Me Too..(From the 1979 In Style album)
A bright and catchy melody propels this top David Johansen song. As with so many of his songs, this song conjures up images of New York City, particularly the night life there.
In a clear and emotive voice, Mr Johansen sings of moving into the city and getting drunk down at the club until “the first time I saw you”. This top song manages to be both melancholy and uplifting simultaneously.
Stranded In The Jungle..(From the 1982 Live It Up album)
Great jungle sound effects, driving drums, urgent guitar licks and top – rate vocals are all part of this brilliant remake of the 1956 Cadets song. A wonderfully humorous departure from much of David Johansen’s other work, this song is a fun romp that is a good example of his musical and vocal versatility.
Personality Crisis..((From the 1982 Live It Up album)
This fast paced, hard driving David Johansen song is directed at someone who wants to ‘cow wow wow’. He is so eloquent that even on songs that are not flattering in nature, David can make his words sound bitingly ambiguous.
A wonderful example of the visual imagery Mr Johansen’s songs consistently provide, this work offers a musical canvas, whereupon the artist creates a movie of sorts.
She Knew She Was Falling In Love..(From the 1979 In Style album)
Big, booming drums and a fat, funky and chunky bass line bounce and bop with a calypso like beat in this David Johansen song. A real reggae ska feel is present in this song, with impassioned vocals that are full of island like imagery, to this reviewer.
As with many of Mr Johansen’s works, this song possesses a timeless quality and with the right promotion, could be a huge hit song, especially in clubs, today .
Bohemian Love Pad..(From the 1982 Live It Up album)
What a great title for a rock song. Straight – on, simple, thrusting rythym and snarling guitar chords power this anthemic party on song. Again displaying his proclivity for creating musical imagery, in this song David Johansen sings of cockroach traffic, drinking too much beer and broken records on the floor. When this song starts, the party begins.
Flamingo Road..(From the 1979 In Style album)
Flamingo Road is a mid tempo soliloquy wherein David Johansen speaks of a woman who offers up her soul and moves to Flamingo Road. With a chorus of “Don’t it get cold….when the north wind starts to blow” and “But now you’re up on Flamingo Road”, this song is biting, somewhat sad and full of twisted high society imagery.
Almost anthem like in presentation, Flamingo Road is a sonic tour de force, that in this reviewer’s opinion, is one of David Johansen’s greatest works.
Sources :
Personal experience with owning the artist’s albums
The album covers
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