This is in response to Khalid’s Radiohead List (and in some ironic way, Mike’s Digg bans Top 10 Lists post). I decided to do the Ramones so other people could relate and comment on it. So here goes:

10. Judy Is A Punk

If I was writing my senior paper on the Ramones, this song would be the thesis statement. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that this was the first song to have the word “punk” in the title, and if true, that just further solidifies my thesis. I feel this song defines the Ramones’ style: simple and straightforward. All it has are power chords, catchy lyrics, and a basic backbeat. The only thing fancy is a solo, but don’t worry; it’s just “ooh”s so we’ll let it slide. EE-YAY-EE!

 

9. Oh, Oh, I Love Her So

This song was chosen to represent Joey’s influence on the band. He was considered the “hippy” of the band since he favored the more slower and ballad-sounding songs. This includes writing such songs as “I Wanna Be Well”, “You’re Gonna Kill That Girl”, and “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”.

 

8. Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio?

This was the Ramones’ attitude against trends in mainstream rock. They were disgusted with the 20 minute long jazz odysseys, the psychedelic new age crap, and music that they considered was “for adults”. They were taking it back. This attitude was also reflected with their covers, which included Chris Montez, The Rivieras, and Bobby Freeman/Cliff Richards.

 

7. Wart Hog

I feel this song represents Richie Ramone. Not only does he do the backup vocals to this, but I feel he represents the Ramones playing faster and trying a more “hardcore punk” sound. Also, this shows that the Ramones didn’t care what they wrote about; they wrote about “taboo” things such as drugs. On the “Too Tough to Die” album, the lyrics were omitted in the CD because the record company felt it was too offensive. Pretty ironic if you actually know the lyrics.

 

6. Pinhead

This song further illustrates how the Ramones didn’t really care what they wrote about: they had a very tongue-in-cheek attitude. Pinhead was written after a show was canceled and the band went to see the movie “Freaks“. And who can forget seeing someone dressed up in a pinhead costume or Joey holding a “GABBA GABBA HEY!” sign?

 

5. Rockaway Beach

Just as “Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio” represents 50s and 60s rock, this song represents the surf influence to the Ramones’ music. Also, I think this song is a small homage to Freddy Cannon’s Palisades Park, which they later covered.

 

4. Teenage Lobotomy

Here’s another “silly” Ramones song about drugs. It was a toss up between this one or “Carbona Not Glue“, but this one is more well known. Also because LOBOTOMY! LOBOTOMY! LOBOTOMY! LOBOTOMY! DA DA-DA-DA-dun DA DA-DA-DA-dun.

 

3. The KKK Took My Baby Away

There was an infamous grudge between Joey and Johnny and supposedly, this song was written from that. Even though Joey and Johnny hated each other, they stayed together as a band. From the “End of the Century” documentary, Johnny says something along the lines (and I’m paraphrasing) of “…he was a Ramone. If someone offended him, or threw something at him, I would defend him. It’s insulting a Ramone. It’s insulting THE Ramones.” This song represents their integrity as a band.

 

2. Sheena is a Punk Rocker

This song should’ve been a huge hit. It is American rock defined. It’s also probably the most covered Ramones song. Ok, maybe the second most…

 

1. Blitzkrieg Bop

HEY! HO! LET’S GO! ’nuff said.