Ramones: 15 Best Songs (That Weren't From The Original Lineup)
Giving Marky, Richie, and C.J. their due.
Depending on who you ask, the Ramones are the band that first ignited the punk rock movement some four decades ago. From 1976 to late 1977, the group's original lineup of Joey (vocals), Johnny (guitar), Tommy (drums), and Dee Dee (bass) set the rock scene on fire with their eponymous debut album, its sequel Leave Home, and the especially great Rocket to Russia.
However, despite the fact that the Ramones would go on to release eleven more albums with different members, those first three records are still considered the group's be-all and end-all by many fans. (To that end, the Ramones' fanbase is somewhat similar to that of Metallica.)
Sure, the band's original lineup was absolutely fantastic, but to say that the Ramones' legacy begins in the spring of '76 and ends in the winter of '77 does a massive disservice to some of the great work they did all the way through to the '90s.
Marky Ramone (the Ramones' drummer from 1978-1983 and 1987-1996), Richie Ramone (their drummer from 1983-1987), and C.J. Ramone (their bassist from 1989 to 1996) were a part of some genuinely fantastic and, at times, iconic Ramones tracks during their respective stints with the band.
The fact that there aren't nearly as many Ramones t-shirts with their names on them as there are for the original lineup is honestly a massive shame, all things considered.
15. I Wanna Be Sedated
Album: Road to Ruin (1978)
Lineup: Joey, Johnny, Marky, Dee Dee
Arguably the Ramones' single-most popular song aside from Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Sedated was the crown jewel of Road to Ruin, the band's fourth studio album and first to feature Marky Ramone on drums.
The song's instrumental is simple, but foot-tappingly memorable, as well as instantly recognizable. Speaking of which, let's not forget those famous lyrics that are complimented by an especially catchy chorus.
The increase in speed as the song progresses is as subtle as it is effective, increasing the energy of the song while also playing to its theme of the restlessness that comes with life on the road.
Since its release in 1978, I Wanna Be Sedated has become a hallmark of the Ramones' catalog, demonstrating they would continue to go strong, even following their initial three-album boom.