Remembering Dee Dee

As today would have been the birthday of Dee Dee Ramone I thought it would be a good excuse to reflect on some of the great songs that he wrote for The Ramones. Even after he had left the band he was still writing songs for the band.

His solo career was a bit patchy in places and he never really achieved the kind of respect that he had when he played with The Ramones, and in fact some of his musical output was but a cartoon parody of music he had written for The Ramones. Anyway, we won't go into that any further. He is best remembered as a member of The Ramones and one of their chief songwriters and that's the way I like to remember him.

So without further ado let's turn our attention to the songs that turned a lot of people's lives upside down from the moment they heard the first "1-2-3-4" come from the mouth of Dee Dee. Click on the links to enjoy the music. All songs written by Dee Dee unless otherwise noted. This is by no means a comprehensive list but they are basically the ones I love the most.

Blitzkreig Bop (co-written with Tommy).

53rd and 3rd.

Today Your Love Tomorrow The World.

Glad To See You Go (Co-written with Joey).

Now I Wanna Be A Good Boy.

Rockaway Beach.

Rock and Roll High School (Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee).

Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio.

You Sound Like You're Sick.

Come On Now.

Outsider.

Highest Trails Above.

Somebody Like Me.

Too Tough To Die.

Howling At The Moon.

Something To Believe In (Co-written with Jan Beauvoir).

I Wanna Live (Co-written with Daniel Rey).

I Believe in Miracles (Co-written with Daniel Rey).*

Pet Cemetary (Co-written with Daniel Rey).*

* Appeared on the 'Brain Drain' album which was the last Ramones studio album that Dee Dee appeared on.

Despite Dee Dee's departure from the band he continued to contribute songs to The Ramones. These next three, from 'Mondo Bizzaro', according to the liner notes were signed over to the band after they bailed Dee Dee out of jail! Not totally sure on the truth of that at all.

Poison Heart (Co-written with Daniel Rey).

Strength to Endure (Co-written with Daniel Rey).

Main Man (Co-written with Daniel Rey).

On the final Ramones album 'Adios Amigos' Dee Dee contributed to six of the 13 tracks.

The Crusher (Co-written with Daniel Rey).

Take The Pain Away (Co-written with Daniel Rey).

Born To Die In Berlin (Co-written with John Carco).

Bonus

Dee Dee Ramone Solo

Zonked! (Full Album).

Hop Around (Full Album).

I Hate Freaks Like You (Full Album).

Greatest and Latest (Full Album).

Standing in the Spotlight (Full Album - released under the name Dee Dee King).