T. Donald Guarisco of Allmusic notes that the "entire album is pretty controversial in the world of Ramones fandom".
Dee Dee recalled hearing a song from the album on the radio, perhaps "I'm Affected": "I couldn't believe how awful it sounded. It was horrible. I hated "Baby, I Love You". I think that some of the worst crap I ever wrote went on that album."
On the other hand,
Kurt LoderKurt Loder is an American film critic, author, columnist, and television personality. He served in the 1980s as editor at Rolling Stone, during a tenure that Reason later called "legendary". He has contributed to articles in Reason, Esquire, Details, New York, and Time. He has also made cameos on...
, reviewing the album for
Rolling Stone, called it "Phil Spector's finest and most mature effort in years":
- He's created a setting that's rich and vibrant and surging with power, but it's the Ramones who are spotlighted, not their producer.... Throughout the album, Spector has set off Joey's deceptively skillful singing in a clear and often moving manner that may have even the Ramones' most ardent admirers shaking their heads in awe.
Songs
"
Danny Says"Danny Says" is a ballad written by Joey Ramone. The song was originally released as the third track on the Ramones 1980 album, End of the Century. The 2002 Expanded Edition CD of the album includes a demo version of "Danny Says" among the bonus tracks...
" was written by singer Joey Ramone about the emptiness of life on the road touring, and is one of their better known and more delicate ballads. The "Danny" alluded to in the title is the Ramones' manager,
Danny FieldsDanny Fields is an American journalist and author. As a music-industry executive in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, he was one of the most influential figures in the underground and punk rock scenes.- Early life :...
. "The Return of Jackie and Judy" is a follow-up to their well-known early song, "Judy Is a Punk", appearing on
Ramones, the band's debut album. The song elaborates on the two characters' lives. "
Baby, I Love You"Baby, I Love You" is a pop song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, produced by Spector, and originally recorded in 1963 by The Ronettes...
" is a cover of a song originally recorded by
The RonettesThe Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett ; her older sister, Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley...
in 1963, produced by Spector. "This Ain't Havana" is a follow-up to the song "Havana Affair", also on their debut album.
Remaster
The album was remastered and re-released by Rhino Records on August 20, 2002. This release included bonus tracks in the way of unreleased demos as well as "I Want You Around" from the
Rock 'n' Roll High SchoolRock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 musical comedy film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and featuring the Ramones.The film starred P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, and Clint Howard...
soundtrack.
Track listing
All songs credited to Ramones, except as noted.
- "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?
"Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" was the second single by American punk rock band the Ramones from their fifth studio album, End of the Century. It was released on May 16, 1980. This song and the album itself marked a complete change in the Ramones' sound...
" – 3:50
- "I'm Affected" – 2:51
- "Danny Says
"Danny Says" is a ballad written by Joey Ramone. The song was originally released as the third track on the Ramones 1980 album, End of the Century. The 2002 Expanded Edition CD of the album includes a demo version of "Danny Says" among the bonus tracks...
" – 3:06
- "Chinese Rock" (Dee Dee Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone was an American songwriter and musician, best known as founding member, bassist and main songwriter of the punk rock band the Ramones....
, Richard HellRichard Hell is a singer, songwriter, bass guitarist, and writer.Richard Hell was an innovator of punk music and fashion. He was one of the first to spike his hair and wear torn, cut and drawn-on shirts, often held together with safety pins...
) – 2:28
- "The Return of Jackie and Judy" – 3:12
- "Let's Go" – 2:31
- "Baby, I Love You
"Baby, I Love You" is a pop song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, produced by Spector, and originally recorded in 1963 by The Ronettes...
" (Phil SpectorPhillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
, Jeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, Ellie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
) – 3:47
- "I Can't Make It on Time" – 2:32
- "This Ain't Havana" – 2:18
- "Rock 'n' Roll High School
"Rock 'n' Roll High School" is a song by the punk rock group the Ramones from the soundtrack album Rock 'n' Roll High School. The single did not chart in the U.S. but peaked at number 67 on the UK Singles Chart....
" – 2:38
- "All the Way" – 2:29
- "High Risk Insurance" – 2:08
2002 Expanded Edition CD (Warner Archives/Rhino) bonus tracks
- "I Want You Around" (Soundtrack Version) – 3:05
- "Danny Says" (Demo) – 2:19
- "I'm Affected" (Demo) – 2:47
- "Please Don't Leave" (Demo) – 2:22
- "All the Way" (Demo) – 2:31
- "Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio?" (Demo) – 3:43
- "End of the Century Radio Promo" – 0:59
Personnel
- Joey Ramone
Joey Ramone was an American vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist in the punk rock band the Ramones. Joey Ramone's image, voice and tenure as frontman of the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.-Early life:Joey Ramone was born Jeffry Hyman to parents Noel and Charlotte Hyman...
– lead vocals
- Johnny Ramone
John William Cummings , better known by his stage name Johnny Ramone, was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being the guitarist for the punk rock band the Ramones. He was a founding member of the band, and remained a member throughout the band's entire career...
– guitar
- Dee Dee Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone was an American songwriter and musician, best known as founding member, bassist and main songwriter of the punk rock band the Ramones....
– bass, backing vocals
- Marky Ramone
Marky Ramone is an American musician. He is best known for being the drummer for the Ramones, but has also played in other notable bands like Dust, Wayne County and the Backstreet Boys, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, and the Misfits.Although he is not the original drummer , Marky is the only living...
– drums
- Steve Douglas
Steven Douglas Kreisman , better known as Steve Douglas, was an American saxophonist, flautist and clarinetist. Douglas is best known as a Los Angeles session musician, a member of The Wrecking Crew, who worked with Phil Spector, Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys...
– saxophone
- Barry Goldberg
Barry Goldberg is a blues and rock keyboardist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:As a teenager in Chicago, Goldberg sat in with Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, and Howlin' Wolf. He played keyboards in the band supporting Bob Dylan during his 1965 'electrified' appearance at the Newport Folk Festival...
– piano, organ
- Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
- drums