Ramones- Ramones (FULL ALBUM REACTION & REVIEW)

[@manhattenman6075]

WIRE - Pink Flag is a MUST full length punk rock album its only 35 minutes long 21 songs which are mostly short but its a masterpiece of an album. Underrated yet SO influencal.

[@heathcornbeef]

Hell yeah 👍

[@RossoRosa62]

I’ve been waiting for someone to recommend Wire too

[@hotblackdesiato3022]

12XU !!! The whole album is incredible.

[@ijustneedmyself]

You've got my vote!! There's absolutely no excuse not to do the entire album.

[@GhostSound2]

I would recommend you checking out their live album It's Alive. It was released in 1977 and it had the songs from all three albums released before that performed with very infectious energy and tighter performances. I would say their debut album has some amazing songs,but they sound much better on that live album to me

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Nothing compares to their live shows

[@Kevvinm]

I still have my gem records import of that album. The whole show is on KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/epi5p4p3rsSqq68

[@hotblackdesiato3022]

IMO one of the greatest live albums ever.

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

Great reaction!!! This album changed my life, and rescued my spirit from the awfulness of the mid 1970s..this album is ground zero for what we call punk rock.... Can't wait for your reaction to their second, third and fourth albums, because those albums are the heart of the Ramones' legacy and why they are in the rock hall of fame.... I think you once reacted to a song from late in their career called "Poison Heart"... the name Blitzkrieg Bop is a spoof on dance names like the Lindy Hop... what people missed about the Ramones when they first came out, is that the wrote great melodies... people missed this because the instrumentation was so heavy and revolutionary at the time... but they were basically writing Herman's Hermits and early Beatle songs but with the heavy instrumentation of Iggy & The Stooges... this is very evident with this cover of Judy is a Punk by a group called the New Picadilly's who play it the way it would have been played in 1964.. and the beauty of the melody comes through.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jPXnt7itRggNU .... and the bass line from I Don't Wanna Go Down To the Basement, and Loudmouth, is very influenced by David Bowie's "Hang on to Yourself".... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYnXd2igfrl6npY .... Red Hot Chili Peppers did an interesting cover of "Havana Affair".... 53rd and 3rd, and Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World, are the songs that take this album to the genius level... there was video on youtube (since taken down) of the Ramones singing Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World on a German TV show called Musikladen.... them singing that song on German TV is practically the punkest thing that ever happened...and the Ramones weren't Nazi's... Joey and Tommy were jewish..... the second album, Leave Home, came out pretty soon after, and the sound is a little cleaner and deeper, and is actually my favourite Ramones album

[@JustJP]

Ty so much for all the info Pontiac!

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

I think "Blitzkrieg Bop" is about kids dancing and having fun. I think the band used the word "blitzkrieg" to describe a lightning fast dance.

[@farnleytyas4235]

The guitar is all played on the down-stroke, and the drummer plays quarter beats on the cymbal all the way through. Just try that for a few minutes. Then imagine playing an entire gig at breakneck speed with barely a gap between songs apart from Dee Dee shouting 1-2-3-4. Much more difficult than it sounds.

[@kenl2091]

Um... I'm not sure that Ramones intended anyone to look for hidden depths in the music or lyrics. When they sing 'Now I wanna sniff some glue' that's what their personas actually meant. You can believe Wikipedia that these were pseudonyms but I prefer to think that they were just a group of delinquent 'bruddas' hanging around 53rd and 3rd with stolen instruments. Consider 53 my favourite number if you wish.

[@12thJupiter]

Let’s Dance is a cover of a 1959 song by Chris Montez, hence the organ/different sound. We fans call them the Ramones (with the The) no worries. Since you mentioned Blondie/Debbie Harry a great whole album for a reaction video is Parallel Lines. Thanks for your vids! Hope you’re doing well!

[@coy0te9]

Was Joey Ramone inspired by early rock n roll? Yes! He hired Phil Spector to produce a Ramones album, End of the Century , and produced an album by Ronnie Spector, Phil's ex-wife and lead singer of The Ronettes.

[@artrock101]

As great and important and seminal as this album is, my favorite Ramones album is their 2nd album, 'Leave Home'. It's not a giant leap away from the debut but it's just a little bit stronger, a little more well rounded, and stands as the ultimate Ramones statement, to me. I doubt you'll do another album reaction to it, but you should definitely check it out on your own time at some point.

[@artrock101]

p.s. Dee Dee grew up in Germany (and has a German mother), which is why there are a lot of lyrical references to it. Dee Dee and Joey were the main songwriters.

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

I agree completely.... I refer to Leave Home as the punk "Rubber Soul"

[@hugomontoya9029]

"Second verse, same as the first" is lifted directly from one of Herman's Hermits songs ca 1965. Wish I could remember which one, but it was one of their key hits.

[@blitztim6416]

Henry the 8th

[@mattjohn4731]

Excellent reaction! Your analysis is strong. Ramones (I'm a huge fan) were funny. Not only did they lack any keyboards normally, but they even lacked Any guitar solos by Johnny. His bag of tricks was narrow but apropos. Eventually producers insisted on lead guitar and Ramones had their buddy Walter Lure on numerous tracks. Apparently he was on a huge number. He used to play with Johnny Thunders

[@jasonwebb71]

Regarding your comment about Kurt Cobain dating a "zine girl", I believe you're referring to Tobi Vail, who was (and still is) the drummer in the band Bikini Kill. Incidentally, Bikini Kill have been playing some reunion shows over the past few months. You should check them out.

[@richg0404]

I'm so happy to see you reacting to a complete Ramones album. And their debut is of course a great starting place. I was in my mid teens when this stuff was coming out and loved the different sound. It's funny to hear you trying to analyze the lyrics of Ramones' songs. Sure I'm sure they were tying to convey some kind of message but we never cared. Yup I knew what a blitzkrieg was but I never even though about how it fit into the song. I had assumed it was just a lightning fast dance. Beat on a Brat being about domestic abuse? sure it was but it was just catchy and fun. Anyway, another great reaction Justin, Keep up the great work.

[@Richarddraper]

53 I remember first hearing this when my older sister played it for me. Never quite heard anything like it before and loved it right away. I still do.

[@hotblackdesiato3022]

I put my full comments on the Patreon page, so again thanks for this!

[@maruad7577]

I already listened on Patreon and left my comments there. An upbeat way to start a Sunday.

[@lifespanofafry1534]

Have a fun Sunday!

[@maruad7577]

@@lifespanofafry1534 I will try but a split tooth is definitely putting a damper on it. Dentist can't deal with it until Wednesday so I best get used to it.

[@CaptainCrunch230]

The Ramones like them or love them- they were one of the most influential bands of the 20th century. Every punk/metal/grunge band in the 80s and 90s name dropped the Ramones. This record was the definition of economy: recorded in 7 days for $6400. The album cover shoot was less than a hour and cost Sire $125. Definitely one of the best debut albums if not the BEST debut album.

[@verrilli]

No sense in analyzing the lyrics. They're just inane and that was the original charm of the band - just raw guitars and drums played by downtrodden kids from Queens.

[@ioiniipiailiaitinii559]

36:44 The cat

[@JimmyStone54321]

lol

[@verrilli]

You should react to the live performance video, "Live at the Rainbow 1977" in order to get the full experience.

[@ijustneedmyself]

I went through a Ramones phase in my early 20s. Having said that, I haven't listened to a full album of theirs in years or even their songs really, if I'm honest. The novelty wears off quickly. I'm glad you checked them out though because I do think they were a good, fun band that's worth a listen.

[@edwardsighamony]

I think you need to pick up a couple of books on Punk. I'd suggest Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain or England's Dreaming by Jon Savage. They're fun, easy reads. Maybe see if they're available as audiobooks.

[@musicaddict5076]

Was lucky enough to see them live at City Gardens in NJ. They played everything twice as fast live. Legendary stuff.

[@aderyncoch3346]

A classic album. "I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You" is probably my favourite track. I love those "ooo ooo ooo"s and I'm and glad you do too. I also love the guitar break in "Havana Affair".

[@patrickmcgrath4837]

Hi Justin for a completely different side of the Ramones , check out the song DANNY SAYS ..from their album end of the century Phil Spector produced .Tom Waits covered Danny says for a compilation ,.. great channel jp keep rockin 🤘

[@VEETEEARR]

112 is my favorite number as it's Beef Chow Mein at my local Chinese Takeaway. I imagine this will appear to be quite random to some.

[@blitztim6416]

Sadly all original members have passed away. There is a great scene in the movie CBGB involving the Ramones. Asked the name of their songs they name several beginning with 'I don't wanna'. Ask if they have any songs about things they wanna do, they huddle up and return to say 'Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue'.

[@brianoneil9662]

Back in the day you heard about this album from other people. Little press coverage, no radio play. A friend would walk up to you and say "You gotta hear this!" And you looked at them on the album cover and went "Okay, yeah!"

[@bryanforis1839]

Great album great live band great like 👍 watch them live great in concert

[@heathcornbeef]

It's not just fun and awesome 1976 brother this is ground Zero THE BIG BANG

[@Kevvinm]

JP you’re accurate about The Beach Boys influence. It’s even more obvious on their third album, my favorite, Rocket to Russia. You may be familiar with their song Pet Cemetery, it’s the title track from the original Steven King movie. My favorite number is 11.

[@antipyrene]

Ramones first laid one of the foundations of what would seen as punk rock, then went on to invent punk pop

[@stephendennis5911]

Excellent choice thanks jp

[@stuntmankrocmcginty4896]

I usually put "The" in front of the name as well. Same with Talking Heads and Pixies. Also, the "second verse, same as the first" is something they got from the Herman's Hermits song I'm Henry The 8th I am. They were influenced a lot by bubblegum bands of the 60s like them. And The Beatles of course. I think the first Nirvana album was made for something like $600, for context. They were definitely not on a major label at the time, like The Ramones. The first Black Sabbath album was recorded very quickly as well. Sometimes you don't need a lot of time, just catch that lightning in a bottle. Let's Dance was a cover song. Not a big deal to not look that one up, it was another example of their 60s pop influences. The next album had a more metalish sound, the next one a bit more surf punk. The next one actually had an acoustic song and guitar solo. The next one was produced by Phil Spector and had some strings. But in the 80s and early 90s they weren't really experimenting even that much. Too Tough To Die, from 84, is sort of a response to hard-core punk bands like Black Flag. Probably my next favorite album after the first 3. And Dee Dee has some nice vocals on it. They didn't progress much or have much success. Influenced a lot of people though. Glad you mentioned the last song, too. I wasn't there, but I imagine people at the time might not have thought they were making fun of nazis. Or known the lead singer was Jewish. Maybe my favorite song by them is The KKK Took My Baby Away. Another example of using humor and a catchy tune to talk about a serious topic.

[@frugalseverin2282]

Thanks so much for making that available to us. The Ramones are one group that stayed true to their sound, not going to hear a lot of guitar solos or keyboard work. Other punk bands evolved into new wave but not them. They changed drummers a few times and Tommy took over production.

[@jfergs.3302]

'Stayed true to their sound', hahaha, one way of putting it. I think it's more the case they plateaued at their sound cos they weren't proficient enough to progress beyond bashing out those same 3 chords 😀

[@silgen]

14 tracks, longest song 2:35, prog rock this is not! And even though I'm a huge prog rock fan, I love this and love the Ramones.

[@SpaceCattttt]

It's not punk rock, either. This is puberty pop for Americans...

[@noseeyou]

@@SpaceCattttt I guess in the same way that Chuck Berry was simple, The Beatles were shrill, Little Richard was too loud, The Kinks were annoying... push off.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@noseeyou Chuck Berry invented rock 'n roll. The Beatles broke all the rules. Little Richard was a great songwriter and entertainer until he found Jesus. And the Kinks are overrated. The Ramones? Snotty posers with nothing to say. They could've said ANYTHING, but they knew that singing about high school bullshit was the only way to sell their crappy songs to the kids. Not that it helped...

[@noseeyou]

@@SpaceCattttt The fact that you used 'posers' and 'overrated' to describe those two bands indicates you don't understand the language very well. Too absurd, otherwise.

[@sphericalharmony1603]

Hugely influential album. I've never listened to the entire album before. It does sound a bit repetitive after a while and, to be honest, I prefer some of the bands that followed them, but when it first came out this must have sounded really fresh and new. I think I like the whole album listen (or a separate video for each album side) for albums I'm already familiar with. For albums that I don't know, the single track approach seems to give more time to digest the music. My favourite number is 12.56637...... 😄

[@timfeeley714-25]

Texas Chain Letter Massacre by the Pajama Slave Dancers is pretty good. Sniffing glue, especially model glue, was a thing and a problem in the late sixties and early seventies until they changed the glue, it wasn't as good, but it didn't get you high. 3 is the perfect number, it has a beginning, a middle and an end.

[@nobrains6107]

Saw at them at London's Roundhouse on their first UK tour. They headlined, supported by The Saints and - wait for it - Talking Heads :)

[@patrickmcgrath4837]

Hi Justin , nice reaction this album was for me was a complete treasure , I revisit the album often , so influential to faster and heavier bands too , Metallica covered many of their songs , ..today your love ,cretin hop , and one of my favourites ... commando ...!! The song. let's dances. is an old cover version of a hit song , Ramones would cover old songs in their later albums like " baby I love you '..Joey was an underrated vocalist he covered . Oh what a wonderful world . U2 recorded a tribute to Joey ....the miracle ( of Joey Ramone)..the chorus goes ...I woke up at the moment when the miracle occurred, heard a song that made sense out of our world , everything I ever lost now has been returned, the most beautiful sound I ever heard . !!! rest in peace Joey Ramone .and to Johnny dee Dee marky

[@richg0404]

I forgot to comment earlier that my favorite number is 16. No real reason.

[@edmundherrera3055]

1 2 3 4!

[@thirdcoast5755]

A lot of the Ramones songs always seemed to me like parodies on the trash culture of the 70s - midnight cult movies, Mad magazine, 50s sci-fi shows on TV, true crime stories and comic book Nazis. This was before the internet, of course. Then, some of the songs were just based on their lives, like 53rd and 3rd, and Glue.

[@stephendennis5911]

My favourite song from this album would be number one blitreig bop

[@joeschmoe487]

How many artists can you name that invented an entire genre of music? The Ramones aren't just a band they're a thesis statement that rock should be fast exciting catchy fun and unpretentious the way it was originally meant to be.

[@fuckamericanidiot]

What genre is that?

[@gmantramp404]

If it's supposed to be fast and exciting why did they write slow shitty love ballads then?? Pretty contradictory 👎👎

[@a.k.1740]

Justin, a full album reaction for the Ramones and just two tracks for The Damned ? I'm hallucinating ! Please do a full album reaction for The Damned, not especially for their debut album but for The Black Album recorded in 1980, that's really something else !!! P.S. It's not like I don't like the Ramones, I have their first ten albums (plus their live album It's Alive) and I saw them live in the 80s as well but to me The Damned are infinitely superiors, especially The Black Album and Strawberries (the latter released in 1982).

[@murreygellmann7708]

I'd have to agree... The steps from Damned Damned Damned to Strawberries are amazing.. . To go from "I Fall" to "Curtain Call" in 4 years? Yes please review "Black Album"....its quite a ride

[@a.k.1740]

@@murreygellmann7708 Thank you for confirming my point of view! Ok The Ramones are not bad but hey, you just have to hear one of their tracks and you know that the rest of their discography is pretty identical whereas with The Damned it's quite a musical journey.

[@jfergs.3302]

I heartily agree, and endorse this recommendation for the Black Album. Though as it's a double, maybe over a weekend 🙂

[@a.k.1740]

@@jfergs.3302 Thanks for your support ! As a vinyl studio album, The Black Album counts for 3 sides, the fourth being devoted to the live at Shepperton in front of the members of the Damned fan club. Would Justin do this live side ? It's not a format he uses on his channel in general, but he could make an exception, especially since this side in concert deserves it ! (and it counterbalances well the first three more painstaking studio sides).

[@jfergs.3302]

@@a.k.1740 Your welcome, it is a great album(S). And if JP gets enough recommendations, i'm sure he could fit it in some way or other 🙂👍

[@CSMuffin]

First! 😁 Ramones debut is amazing!

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Hi Larry. One of the great debut albums. Up there with Led Zeppelin and Van Halen's debuts and others I don't remember at the moment. For me one of the most propulsive, energetic albums ever!

[@nomisnestral6956]

I wanna write a clever comment but mostly wanna sniff some glue.

[@jaybird4093]

For a quick album listen with revolutionary guitar playing, genre altering music, with great rhythm and musicianship, try Van Halen II. It’s just over 30 minutes.

[@murreygellmann7708]

"Leave Home".. the follow-up....adds more to the musical frame ...as does every release after....

[@lifespanofafry1534]

I still think it’s awesome that Joey Ramone is 6’6”!

[@airwindows]

Was

[@lifespanofafry1534]

Touché

[@heitorbassi]

08

[@TamperedSource]

44 lol

[@catlee3730]

3

[@lemming9984]

..out of 10?

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello my friend from aotearoa New Zealand hay you've heard of the big bang theory ah? I only did two years of highschool but i know it's wrong IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS NOTHING NO LIGHT NO SOUND JUST A DARK VOID OF NOTHINGNESS SUDDENLY OUT OF THE DARK VOID OF NOTHINGNESS A VOICE SCREAMED 1!2!!3!!4!!!! AND THERE WAS LIGHT THERE WAS SOUND THERE WAS THE MIGHTY MIGHTY RAMONES PRAISE BE DEE DEE JOEY JOHNNY TOMMY RAMONE

[@jonsmith9518]

Do yourself a favour and do a one and done full album listen of Marillion’s Misplaced Childhood. It’s gold.

[@jfergs.3302]

These guys hold almost legendary status in the punk realm, though i've never really known why. Short, incredibly basic tunes (I'm pretty sure none of them went to Julliard 🙂), that are all comparatively similar. So i'll drop a comment, but that's my lot. Very much of their/the time, and I've even got a few of their albums, but listen to them now! not on your nelly.

[@heathcornbeef]

Holy shit what happened to you Who did this to you? I THINK WE Might need to send you to a high security musical re education camp to mend your ways

[@a.k.1740]

@@heathcornbeef No, he is right! because I too have a lot of their albums and I even saw them in concert in the 80s, but the Ramones have nothing special, it's still just basic rock, it can be listened to once in a while but that's it.

[@heathcornbeef]

Bro here's my pick of band who's musical progression is off the planet THE CLASH!!!!

[@heathcornbeef]

@@a.k.1740 Ok you've just been sentenced to ten years in a Siberian Musical re education camp I'm sorry but it's for your own good COMMANDO

[@a.k.1740]

@@heathcornbeef It seems to me that your brain has been Ramonised too much. Take a rest !

[@murreygellmann7708]

Now picture Phil Spector producing them...

[@edwardsighamony]

Like on End of the Century?

[@SpaceCattttt]

Shit music. The worst you've ever reacted to. But it's good to listen to shit sometimes in order to appreciate the good stuff even more.

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

Really? Music doesn't have to be complicated to be enjoyable or fun. I love the Ramones music and also love prog rock.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@Jerry-sr9kq That's true, but the Ramones were sold as a punk band, yet, unlike real punk bands, they had nothing to say. I'm pretty sure most of their appeal comes from the way they looked.

[@lordbyron6293]

Pretty silly analysis. Fast, loud, raw ... just what Rock needed at the time. If they actually made shit music how do you explain the dozens of later bands citing the Ramones as their main influence?

[@Chabub]

In Belfast in the late 70's the only that 'brave' enough to turn up to play Belfast were The Ramones, The Stranglers, Rory Gallagher, and AC/DC. Cue my taste in music.

[@fuckamericanidiot]

Basement and Loudmouth are my faves. 53rd and 3rd too