| Among premier punk/rock magazine Creem's predictions for 1977 was the claim that the Ramones would make three US No. 1 singles but that none would chart. Well, "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" and "Do You Wanna Dance" did make the 80s on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Rockaway Beach" went all the way to No. 66, but the point basically stands: Two-minute blasts of power chords, speedy tempos, and praise of fun in the sun weren't where it was at for radio in the year Journey hired Steve Perry. Rocket to Russia, the home of those semi-hits, is still many fans' favourite Ramones long-player, thanks not only to those near misses but also to the fervor of "Cretin Hop", the scene celebration of "Ramona", and the anthemic pout of "I Don't Care". They did, though--they really, really did. --Rickey Wright |
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