Ramones: 15 Best Songs (That Weren't From The Original Lineup)
2. Danger Zone
Album: Too Tough to Die (1984)
Lineup: Joey, Johnny, Richie, Dee Dee
As mentioned before, 1984's Too Tough to Die is easily one of the single-best albums the Ramones ever put out. And arguably the best song featured on the record is the hard-hitting Danger Zone. (And no, it's not a Kenny Loggins cover.)
Right out of the gate, the brazen instrumental track sets the song's fast, energetic, and at times, anxious tone. The vocals only amplify this, as Joey's articulation of the lyrics grows more and more erratic as time goes on, which, given the subject matter of living life in the big city with reckless abandon, feels very deliberate.
In other words, if you've ever wondered what it would sound like for a punk rock song to capture the feel of a cinematic car chase, this is the track for you.
A big part of the reason why Too Tough to Die is such a great album is because it was through this release that the Ramones reminded everyone that they were the godfathers of American punk rock and that they weren't done yet. And arguably no song on the record better represents this than Danger Zone.