Favorite Punk Songs #1 - "We're a Happy Family"
@teamfreak16 (43685)
Denver, Colorado
June 4, 2016 2:14pm CST
#1 on my Favorite Punk Songs series takes us to New York, birthplace of legendary, Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame punk group the Ramones.
The Ramones formed in 1974, with all members taking the last name "Ramone." They were part of the famous CBGB scene, which also produced Blondie and Talking Heads. Their 3rd album, 1977's Rocket to Russia, contains my favorite punk song, "We're a Happy Family."
For one thing, "We're a Happy Family" is the pure buzz saw attack that made the band so influential in the punk world. The other reason would be that the song is hilarious, with lyrics about a dysfunctional family living in Queens. I still crack up whenever I hear it.
According to Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain's punk book Please Kill Me, the Ramones pretty much couldn't stand each other and wouldn't even speak to each other on the tour bus. Luckily, they still managed to put out some classic punk, including my all-time favorite punk tune.
R.I.P. Joey, Jonny, Dee Dee, and Tommy.
We're a happy family We're a happy family We're a happy family Me mom and daddy ( 2X ) Sitting here in Queens Eating refried beans We're in all the magazines...
7 people like this
7 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Jun 16
Alfredo, we are going to turn you into a punk yet! Get you a Mohawk hairpiece and some temp tats and leather outfit!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Jun 16
That's why I do these, for fun. I'm glad you take the time to . Most people don't.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jun 16
@JohnRoberts - Don't forget the safety pins!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Jun 16
The Ramones, yeah! This song is 2:40. That's a long epic for them. Amazing what they could do with 3 chords. Suddenly I feel the urge to go to the Blitzkrieg Bop with Sheena.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Jun 16
They definitely influenced the whole punk thing on saying what you need to say and ending it.
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
5 Jun 16
I figured this would be the band. Just did not know what song it would be. Great choice.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
5 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 I should, I will think about it. I have a hard time ranking them in an objective way. lol
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jun 16
Thanks! It's been my favorite punk tune since the first time I heard it. You should do one, you would come up with some good stuff.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jun 16
@crossbones27 - That's the hard part. I'm getting a feeling that people think I should have ranked "You Oughta Know" higher than #9 on my breakup songs thing, even though there are songs that I just like better.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
4 Jun 16
What happened to each of them Scott do you know?
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
4 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 So sad thanks for the info..loved them but did not know about their deaths.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
4 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 RIP all of them. Didnt Joan Jet do some of their stuff too Scott?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Jun 16
@TiarasOceanView - I think so. I'd have to look it up to be sure.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86940)
• United States
5 Jun 16
The Clash may have been The Only Band That Matters, but the Ramones certainly gave them a run for the money. I have a lot of friends who are jealous because I got to see both bands (not at the same concert, mind you).
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86940)
• United States
5 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 -- I gave eight bucks. And to rub it in a little more, a reggae band opened for them. :::running::::
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jun 16
I would have given anything to have seen The Clash.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jun 16
@FourWalls - I've seen Jewel. Does that make up for it? I thought not!
1 person likes this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
5 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 
At the opposite end of the spectrum, I think my version of hell would involve Lawrence Welk music.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, I think my version of hell would involve Lawrence Welk music.1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Jun 16
I understand. Punk is definitely not for everyone.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
5 Jun 16
I know the Ramones are considered very influential. One discussion show I watched put them right up there with The Beatles as far as influence. I never got into Puck Rock. I was a little older, and didn't hear it a lot during that time period. Those lyrics are interesting though. I should look them up and read them. The pace is so fast, sometimes it's a little hard to make out everything they are saying.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jun 16
They pretty much influenced the entire genre, and probably some bands that aren't punk as well.
1 person likes this
