I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones (1978) 3/2/23

When The Ramones came on the scene in the 1970s, they quickly head-banged their way to the forefront of the punk rock movement.

Offering more than just screaming and screeching, The Ramones created clever songs that caught your attention--mostly in a FUN way!

Although they never charted with anything higher than #68 during the decade, The Ramones were influential (and fun) enough to score three "Great Songs" that made Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the "Top 500 Songs of All Time."

I've already highlighted 1976's "Blitzkrieg Bop" and 19'77's "Sheena is a Punk Rocker," and today, I'm highlighting 1978's "I Wanna Be Sedated."

The song was inspired by two things: an accident--and boredom.

First, Joey Ramone scalded himself with hot water--so badly, he had to be hospitalized (and sedated). Then, while on tour, the group ended up in London on Christmas. Everything was closed, so they just sat around watching old movies on TV, bored to tears. (In effect: sedated!)

The finished song was (and is) classic punk--done in just two takes.

(Trivia: In his guitar solo, Johnny Ramone played the same note 65 times in a row!)

"I Wanna Be Sedated" has been used in several films, including "Daddy Daycare," and a long list of TV shows from "Gilmore Girls" and "The West Wing," to "South Park" and "Cold Case."

In 1988, The Ramones made a video for the song that's a masterpiece in showing why you might NEED to be sedated.

In the end, punk may not be your cup of rock, but at least The Ramones tried to make it fun...and succeeded: "I Wanna Be Sedated" is a "Great Punk Song of 1978." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm51ihfi1p4

Tomorrow: Out of tune, but into the Top 10... Coming soon: Great Songs of the '80s!