7. The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iymtpePP8I8 From the album: Ramones (1976) It seems prescient to include the Ramones breakthrough singe just a short while after the sad death of Tommy Ramone. An instant Punk Rock anthem,"Blitzkrieg Bop" was The Ramones debut single, written by Tommy and Dee Dee Ramone, and also the track that kicks off their debut album with its ingeniously catchy "hey, ho, let's go" refrain lending itself perfectly to the New Yorkers mantra. Always ready to party and have a great time, The Ramones music was forceful, fast and fun and "Blitzkrieg Bop" was a bouncy, 2 minute slice of Punk-Pop heaven (they practically invented the sub genre in one fell swoop) that felt like the military blitzkrieg they were reproducing; the musical equivalent of a short, fast, powerful attack that's over in an instant but sure does leave an impression. "Blitzkrieg Bop" may utilise the same three chords for the majority of its duration but it's this joyous simplicity which is the backbone of The Ramones appeal. Rock is entitled to be this basic when it is played with such conviction and unbridled energy, any shortcomings easily overshadowed by pure passion and commitment. The main ingredients may be buzz-saw chords and lots of shouting but in one fell swoop The Ramones practically established and popularised an entire genre.
Christopher Jennings
Contributor
I love Heavy Metal, and generally anything that involves a guitar and loud noises, so I figured it was about time I put all the useless information in my head to good use and start writing a few things. Most of the time I'll be writing nonsense but occasionally I may surprise myself and appear half-way knowledgable.....but you can be the judge of that. Thanks for your fleeting attention!
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Christopher