The 30 Best Ramones Songs, from Blitzkrieg Bop to I Wanna Be Sedated

What is the Ramones' most famous song?

"Blitzkrieg Bop", the 1976 debut single with its famous chant, is the Ramones' most famous song, heard today in sports arenas, films and commercials. "I Wanna Be Sedated", "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", "Rockaway Beach" and "Pet Sematary" are their other best-known songs.

The Ramones' biggest songs

1. "Blitzkrieg Bop", 1976: the debut single and the anthem of punk rock.
2. "I Wanna Be Sedated", 1978: a cheerful-sounding song about losing your mind on tour.
3. "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", 1977: a surf-pop tribute to a new kind of girl.
4. "Rockaway Beach", 1977: a Beach Boys-style love letter to a Queens beach and their biggest US single.
5. "Pet Sematary", 1989: the title song of the Stephen King film and a modern rock radio hit.
6. "Judy Is a Punk", 1976: a short, sharp story song from the debut.
7. "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", 1976: a sweet, girl-group-inspired love song.
8. "Beat on the Brat", 1976: a gleefully silly early classic.
9. "Teenage Lobotomy", 1977: a fast, funny standout from Rocket to Russia.
10. "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?", 1980: a nostalgic song produced by Phil Spector.

Songs from Ramones (1976) and Leave Home (1977)

11. "53rd and 3rd", 1976: a dark story song written by Dee Dee Ramone.
12. "Let's Dance", 1976: their cover of the Chris Montez rock and roll hit.
13. "Pinhead", 1977: the song behind their famous crowd chant and their Pinhead mascot.
14. "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment", 1977: a two-minute blast from Leave Home.
15. "Swallow My Pride", 1977: a catchy, melodic single.

Songs from Rocket to Russia (1977) and Road to Ruin (1978)

16. "Cretin Hop", 1977: a goofy dance-craze song.
17. "Do You Wanna Dance?", 1977: a punk version of the Bobby Freeman classic.
18. "Surfin' Bird", 1977: their wild cover of the Trashmen's novelty hit.
19. "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow", 1977: a rare slow, heartfelt song.
20. "I Just Want to Have Something to Do", 1978: a catchy song of restless boredom.
21. "Don't Come Close", 1978: a country-tinged pop single.

Songs from End of the Century (1980) and the 80s

22. "Rock 'n' Roll High School", 1979: the title song of the cult film they starred in.
23. "Baby, I Love You", 1980: a lush Ronettes cover and their biggest UK hit.
24. "Danny Says", 1980: a tender song about life on the road.
25. "The KKK Took My Baby Away", 1981: a catchy song from Pleasant Dreams.
26. "Psycho Therapy", 1983: a harder, faster single from Subterranean Jungle.
27. "Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La)", 1984: a melodic single from Too Tough to Die.
28. "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg", 1985: a political protest song and a college radio favorite.

Songs from the 90s

29. "Poison Heart", 1992: a top ten alternative radio hit from Mondo Bizarro.
30. "I Don't Want to Grow Up", 1995: their cover of the Tom Waits song from their final album.

Who were the Ramones?

The Ramones formed in Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. Singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone, bassist Dee Dee Ramone and drummer Tommy Ramone were not related; they all took the surname Ramone as a stage name. Playing short, loud, fast songs at CBGB in Manhattan, they stripped rock down to its essentials, and their 1976 debut album became the blueprint for punk. Later drummers included Marky Ramone and Richie Ramone, and C.J. Ramone joined on bass in 1989. They played 2,263 concerts before retiring in 1996 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, in their first year of eligibility.

The Ramones' sound

The Ramones' sound was built on a few simple rules. Johnny Ramone played almost entirely with fast downstrokes on his guitar, creating a relentless buzzsaw wall of sound. Dee Dee shouted a quick count-off before nearly every song, and the band played them back to back with barely a pause, so a whole concert could fly by in about an hour. Joey Ramone sang like a 60s pop crooner, inspired by girl groups and the Beach Boys, which gave even their fastest songs sweet, catchy melodies.

Rock 'n' Roll High School

In 1979 the band starred in Rock 'n' Roll High School, a comedy produced by Roger Corman in which a Ramones-obsessed student, played by P.J. Soles, leads a rebellion against her strict principal. The film became a cult classic, and its title song remains one of their best-known tracks.

How the Ramones inspired punk

When the Ramones played London on July 4, 1976, members of future British punk bands were in the crowd, and the shows helped spark the UK punk explosion. Their simple formula, short songs with buzzsaw guitar and pop melodies, influenced the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Green Day, Nirvana and countless garage bands, and their eagle-crest logo T-shirt became one of the most recognizable designs in rock.

Phil Spector and End of the Century

For their fifth album, End of the Century, the Ramones worked with legendary producer Phil Spector, who had produced the Ronettes. The sessions were famously difficult, and Johnny Ramone felt the album was too polished, but it became their highest-charting album in the US and the UK, with "Baby, I Love You" and "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?".

The end of the band

The Ramones played their final show in 1996. Within a few years all four original members had died: Joey in 2001, Dee Dee in 2002, Johnny in 2004 and Tommy in 2014. Their songs are more popular now than ever, and "Blitzkrieg Bop" has become a staple at baseball and football games around the world.

Ramones albums to start with

• Ramones (1976): the debut that started punk.
• Leave Home (1977): just as fast and even catchier.
• Rocket to Russia (1977): their best-loved album, with "Sheena" and "Rockaway Beach".
• Road to Ruin (1978): with "I Wanna Be Sedated".
• Ramones Mania (1988): the classic collection of their hits.

Ramones songs for a party, a road trip or a game day

For a party or a road trip, play "Blitzkrieg Bop", "Rockaway Beach", "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Do You Wanna Dance?". At the ballpark, "Blitzkrieg Bop" is the classic crowd chant, and "Rock 'n' Roll High School" is a perfect pick for the last day of school. For more, see our walk-up songs and road trip songs.

Ramones songs for a wedding

For a punk-rock couple, "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", "Baby, I Love You" and "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" are sweet first dance choices, and "Do You Wanna Dance?" gets everyone on the floor. For more, see our rock wedding songs.

A two-minute punk anthem about them

The Ramones proved that a great song can be short, simple and full of heart. A personalized rock song can do the same for someone you love: their name, their best stories and the memories only you two share. It makes a great birthday gift for a punk fan.

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