Rocket to Russia
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Rocket to Russia is the third album by American Punk group The Ramones, released in 1977. In 2003, the album was ranked number 105 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
History
Rocket to Russia is one of the most popular albums by American punk rockers the Ramones. Released on November 4 1977 (see 1977 in music), the album incorporates surf rock and other influences. Rocket to Russia includes one of The Ramones' signature songs, "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker". The album was recorded in late August at Media Sound studios in Midtown New York City. The cost of recording Rocket to Russia was significantly higher than the band's two previous records at roughly $25,000. At the request of guitarist Johnny, Punk Magazine editor and illustrator John Holmstrom produced the sleeve art, a cartoon-ish view of the world from a rocketship with a pinhead, an emblem of the band, grabbing onto it. In 1978, the album peaked at #49 on Billboard Music Charts pop albums chart.In 2001, Rhino Records relreleased the album. In addition to remastering the tracks from the original album, it included alternate versions of album tracks as well as a b-side.
Songs
"Rockaway Beach" was penned by bassist Dee Dee Ramone. It is in the style of the Beach Boys and other early rock 'n' roll. It was written about Rockaway Beach, Queens where he liked to spend his time. Johnny Ramone claims that Dee Dee was the only real beachgoer in the group[[Citing sources citation needed]]. Released in 1977, it was the Ramones highest charting single in their career. The song hit #66 on the Billboard Hot 100."Sheena is a Punk Rocker" was written by lead singer Joey Ramone. Like "Rockaway Beach," it is one of their more popular and enduring songs[[Citing sources citation needed]], showing the bands' surf rock influences, and was arguably one of the first songs to reference punk rock in the title (the earlier "Judy is a Punk" most likely meant the term in a somewhat different light)[[Citing sources citation needed]].
- [Sheena Is a Punk Rocker] ([file info])
- *
- * Problems listening to the file? See [Media helpmedia help].
"Surfin' Bird" is a cover of the original song by The Trashmen.
"I Don't Care" is a song that was originally recorded as a demo for their first album, Ramones. It was one of the very first songs the group ever wrote.
Track listing
All songs written by the Ramones except where indicated.- "Cretin Hop" – 1:56
- "Rockaway Beach" (Dee Dee Ramone) – 2:06
- "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" (Joey Ramone) – 2:49
- "Locket Love" – 2:11
- "I Don't Care" (Joey Ramone) – 1:39
- "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" (Joey Ramone) – 2:49
- "We're a Happy Family" – 2:31
- "Teenage Lobotomy" – 2:01
- "Do You Wanna Dance?" (Bobby Freeman) – 1:55
- "I Wanna Be Well" – 2:28
- "I Can't Give You Anything" – 2:01
- "Ramona" – 2:37
- "Surfin' Bird" (Carl White / Alfred Frazier / John Harris / Turner Wilson) – 2:37
- "Why Is It Always This Way?" – 2:15
Rhino bonus tracks
- "Needles & Pins (early version)" (Sonny Bono / Jack Nitzsche) – 2:24
- "Slug (demo)" (Joey Ramone) – 2:23
- "It’s a Long Way Back to Germany (UK B-side)" – 2:22
- "I Don’t Care (single version)" – 1:40
- "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker (single version)" – 2:48
Personnel
- Joey Ramone – vocals
- Johnny Ramone – guitar
- Dee Dee Ramone – bass guitar
- Tommy Ramone – drums, producer
- Tony Bongiovi – producer
- Ed Stasium – engineer
- Don Berman – assistant engineer
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Danny Fields – photography
- John Holmstrom – artwork
| Ramones |
|---|
| Joey Ramone | Johnny Ramone | Dee Dee Ramone | Tommy Ramone | Marky Ramone | Richie Ramone | Elvis Ramone | C.J. Ramone |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: Ramones | Leave Home | Rocket to Russia | Road to Ruin | End of the Century | Pleasant Dreams | Subterranean Jungle | Too Tough to Die | Animal Boy | Halfway to Sanity | Brain Drain | Mondo Bizarro | Acid Eaters | Adios Amigos |
| Live albums: It's Alive | Loco Live | Greatest Hits Live | We're Outta Here | NYC 1978 |
| Compilations: Ramones Mania | All The Stuff (And More!) Volume 1 | All The Stuff (And More!) Volume 2 | ' | ' We're a Happy Family (tribute) | Weird Tales of the Ramones |
| Films |
| Rock 'n' Roll High School | Lifestyles of the Ramones | Ramones - Around the World | Ramones Raw | |
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