7. Blitzkrieg Bop (Hey Ho, Lets Go!) - The Ramones (1976)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElX7x_qNUYQ The Ramones most famous song is something of an anomaly in the bands discography. Possessing a deeper meaning than the vignettes of teenaged hustling and drug consumption that make up the majority of their back catalogue, Blitzkrieg Bop can be seen to be about the brainwashing of youth perpetrated by Nazi Fascists in 1930s Germany. Theyre forming in a straight line describes the gathering of young, malleable brains that propaganda could be imposed onto, destroying any trace of free thought, resulting in the kids... losing their minds. Although many have interpreted it as a simple ode to sweaty, back-seat sex. Each to their own. Played at break-neck speed with surf drums and a searing guitar riff courtesy of Johnny Ramone, the songs repetitive nature and unassailably catchy hook was the New York outfits attempt to create their own chant song in homage to their girl-group and teenage heartthrob heroes. How very UNpunk you could argue. But if punk was about having confidence in your art and not giving a s**t about the needless opinions of observers, then Id say the Ramones got it spot on.
Dan Owens
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A 22 year old English Literature graduate from Birmingham. I am passionate about music, literature and football, in particular, my beloved Aston Villa. Lover of words and consumer of art, music is the very air that I breathe.
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