Ramones: 15 Best Songs (That Weren't From The Original Lineup)
5. Pet Sematary
Album: Brain Drain (1989)
Lineup: Joey, Johnny, Marky, Dee Dee
Released by the Ramones on the album Brain Drain in 1989, Pet Sematary was a song written to accompany the film of the same name (which came out one month later), both of which were based on the novel by Stephen King. As a matter of fact, the first draft of the song was actually written by Dee Dee Ramone in King's basement.
The song itself is incredibly atmospheric, with Joey's vocal style definitely lending itself to the somber subject matter inspired by King's text. While the verses are structurally very similar, each does a fantastic job at painting a unique picture, not to mention the stellar chorus, which arguably defined the Ramones' sound during the late '80s.
The time-tested instrumental trio of Johnny, Marky, and Dee Dee also did wonders for this track, with the opening riff being as infectious as it is easily recognizable. Additionally, the rest of the instrumental track beautifully accompanies, and in fact amplifies, the solemn tone of Joey's vocals.
In fact, if we're being completely honest, the Ramones' Pet Sematary is arguably a better adaptation of the classic Stephen King book than the film it accompanied.