Ramones: 15 Best Songs (That Weren't From The Original Lineup)
1. I Wanna Live
Album: Halfway to Sanity (1987)
Lineup: Joey, Johnny, Richie, Dee Dee
You will never find a Ramones song more beautiful, poignant, or melodious than I Wanna Live. You simply won't (Okay, Garden of Serenity is a close second, but the point stands.) This certainly isn't the only song the Ramones have put out that tackles the issue of mental health, but it is almost certainly the most down-to-Earth, as well as the most poignant.
It's incredibly difficult not to get invested as Joey Ramone's familiar voice details the struggle of suicidal thoughts and near-impossible not to feel a surge of triumph when the chorus kicks in, echoing the drive to overcome such a dark place of one's mind.
The imagery and articulation on display is nothing short of stunning, with the line of "as I execute my killers" being a legitimately genius lyric.
As is to be expected from the Ramones, the instrumental track in I Wanna Live is also exceptionally enjoyable to listen to, be it the silvery opening riff, the surge of energy from the entire band as the chorus begins, or the delightful bridge as the track enters its final third.
The Ramones released countless great songs well after their supposed "glory days" came to a close. However, I Wanna Live is arguably the one that best captures the sheer musical talent that was on display throughout the seminal group's two-decade-long career.