Ramones: 15 Best Songs (That Weren't From The Original Lineup)
10. The KKK Took My Baby Away
Album: Pleasant Dreams (1981)
Lineup: Joey, Johnny, Marky, Dee Dee
Of all the songs the Ramones released in their time, few encapsulate the essence of the original punk rock movement quite like The KKK Took My Baby Away. Written by Joey Ramone, this track is politically charged, it strikes the perfect balance between raw and catchy, and its exact inspiration is shrouded in a fair bit of mystery.
Depending on who you ask, this track was either inspired by an anecdote in which Joey's parents forced him to end a relationship with his African-American girlfriend, a dig at openly right-leaning bandmate Johnny for stealing Joey's girlfriend, or Joey venting about a bizarre experience in a mental institution.
Ultimately, the uncertainty is what makes The KKK Took My Baby Away such a fun and unique song to return to and analyze. What's more is that, on the surface, it's still just a great track that shows Joey at some of his vocal best, prominently features the Ramones' ability to effectively change tempo mid-song, and takes the time to denounce discrimination.