Sitting here in Queens......eating refried beans... --from ‘We’re a Happy Family,’ by the Ramones
Okay, it’s time for me to do a ‘best-of’ list, methinks.
And what better to list than Ramones songs? I was going to do a top ten, but that was too conformist, so here are my top 15 Ramones songs, in the order that I love them right now.* I’ll explain a little bit about why, after each one. If you haven’t heard the Ramones, and you’re not terribly uptight, check them out :-)
•1.Blitzkreig Bop.......BECAUSE: Hey Ho, Let’s Go! It’s catchy.
•2.Rockaway Beach.........BECAUSE: This one reminds me of an old boyfriend who used to read me Henry Miller or Anais Nin while I made breakfast. Dont knock it till you’ve tried it. Also the chorus: Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach.......
•3.We’re a Happy Family.......BECAUSE: I can hardly quote lyrics from this one because they are so.......adult in nature? Not swear words, just punk rock, I guess. Look it up at www.azlyrics.com.
•4.Beat on the Brat...........BECAUSE: It’s just a fun silly song.
•5.Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment............BECAUSE: The chorus is fun to sing and the subject matter is absurd. Two of my favorite things.
•6.53rd & 3rd.........BECAUSE:Dee Dee wrote it, and if you think of Dee Dee’s early life, it sums it up pretty well.
•7.I Wanna be Sedated...........BECAUSE: The song ends with Ba-ba-bamp-ba, ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba, I wanna be sedated, and by the end of the song I’m usually jumping around, happier than a song should make me.
•8.Rock & Roll High School.........BECAUSE: I so so so so loved this movie, Joey made pizza look cool. He sings “I Wanna be Your Boyfriend” to P.J. Soles (the actress didn’t even know who he WAS!). Also, SUCH a rebellious, up-yours punk rock song!
•9.Teenage Lobotomy.................BECAUSE: Well, the title, for starters. Further, the opening shouts of Lah-Bah-Da-MEE! Lah-Bah-Da-MEE! Lah-Bah-Da-MEE! Just slay me every time.
•10. Glad to See You Go....................BECAUSE: The chorus. That’s why.
•11. Sheena is a Punk Rocker............BECAUSE: Punk Punk a Punk Rocker, Punk Punk a Punk Rocker....noooooooow......
•12. Wonderful World...............................BECAUSE: Haunting version of an old classic done punk style, yet with grace and respect.
•13. I Dont Want to go Down to the Basement...............BECAUSE: It’s got seven lines. And one of them is ‘Hey, Daddy-o,’ Kills me.....
•14. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue................BECAUSE: The title is funny. That’s why I like it. That sounds so stupid, but it’s true.
•15.Loudmouth....................BECAUSE: Listen to this: You’re a loudmouth, baby. You better shut it up. I’m gonna beat you up. ‘Cause you’re a loudmouth, baby. THATS THE WHOLE SONG. Listen to it, you’ll know what I mean.
That’s it. My first ‘Best Of’ column. Thanks for reading.
*I’ll love them just as much, but in a different order next time I think about it.
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