Joey Ramone – Don’t Worry About Me - released Feb. 19, 2002
I never bought this CD, but I did download it, because I love The Ramones and always thought Joey had an awesome voice. I also felt the need to hear his touching gift to the world before he left us. This CD is a testament to his greatest to a songwriter and a singer. He escapes the Ramones silliness mode for most if, sometimes dipping back to it. The music has a punk sound, but not as much as The Ramones, even poppier than them.
1.
What a Wonderful World (2:23)
A great cover of a classic Louis Armstrong song. This was the first I heard from the album, and I really liked it. It is a good way to start off the album. Joey wasn’t bitter about dieing. He loved the world and loved everyone. He wasn’t ready to go I’m sure, but he wasn’t mad that he couldn’t go on longer. To him it truly was a wonderful world. The guitar for this song is simple, as are the other instruments, it is a focus on Joey and he makes it that way. A very good song, I love it. 5/5
2.
Stop Thinking About It (2:57)
This song has a heavier pace to it. I believe this song is about Joey telling himself to stop thinking about how crazy the world is today. He states how love won’t last forever, but we should stop thinking about that. If it is over move on, if it isn’t, then forget that it may not last. This is my inference of course; there aren’t many lyrics sites with the lyrics to this album. 4/5
3.
Mr. Punchy (3:58)
This song has a very Ramones-esque sound to it. It has the musical sound, simple guitar, simple drums, and simple bass. The lyrics are humorous. The gist of it is “I’m Mr. Punch la la la la la la ooh ee oh. This really shows his Ramones roots, and it’s good to see him not straying to far away. Second voices add more lyrics, still funny. I like this song because it reminds me of the Ramones. 5/5
4.
Maria Bartiromo (3:58)
Odd he sings a song about a news anchor. He seems to have a crush on her. He talks about how he watches her every night. I can’t help but not take this seriously and Joey is just making a sarcastic joke that I don’t get. Still quite funny that he writes this song. The music on the track is good, very pop-punk. I can dig it. 4/5
5.
Spirit in my House (2:02)
This song has a very heavy pop-punk riff. Joey sings about a spirit in house (obviously) He also has demons in his head. This might be about memories coming back to him and maybe haunting him as his days end. Bad memories more than likely. 4/5
6.
Venting (It’s a Different World Today) (3:17)
This is just what the song title suggests it is. It is a vent by Mr. Ramone. He is venting on the horrible state of society. He talks about kids shooting kids and uses the lyrics “reality today is stranger than fiction” The messed up world really bugs him he says. The chorus is simple, just like any Ramone song. I really like the music that goes with the vent and I really like Joey’s wording. He goes from metaphorical to straight up truth. He was truly brilliant. This is probably the song that he curses the most in. I don’t understand either Joey, it’s a different world today, especially with out you. 5/5
7.
Like a Drug I Never Did Before (2:14)
Song starts off with a good riff, very good. I wonder who his guitarist was for this album. The song seems to be about some kids trying out a new drug. He repeats the song title for most of the song, so there isn’t a lot to the song. 3/5
8.
Searching for Something (4:12)
This song has a very Beatles like song. It’s a love song. He has fallen in love with a girl and he wants her to know, the typical tribute song. This girl he who has fallen love with is loved by everyone, which is probably ragging on him. He is searching for something, probably something to impress this girl. The lyrics go one describing the beauty of the girl and Joey’s devotion. A good song, not great, but good. 4/5
9.
I Get Knocked Down (But I’ll Get Up) (3:42)
This is probably one of my favorite songs from the album. His anti-cancer song, even though prior songs suggest he is okay with dieing, this song says otherwise. The lyrics “I want my life / I want my life / it really sucks / it really sucks” really show how much eh did not want to die. It describes his stay in the hospital, sitting and watching TV, taking drugs to forget the pain he is. This song truly shows his suffering. The music almost hides the sadness Joey feels, very upbeat. He got knocked down, and he thought he was going to get up, and I truly wished he had made it. 5/5
10.
1969 (3:40)
A cover of an Iggy Pop song, I haven’t heard the original, so I can’t judge it on that. The music and lyrics have a sound that you can tell is Iggy if you have listened to him though. Has the 70s proto-punk sound to it, very much 70s rock influenced. Joey really pulls off this almost tribute to one of originators of punk, and one of his bigger influences. He uses his signature whine a lot as well, it fits the song. This is one of the only of the songs with a guitar solo in it, and it’s a very good one. The solo keeps going even as Joey starts sinning again. It sort of overpowers him though, ruins the song a bit. 4/5
11.
Don’t Worry About Me (3:55)
The title track and a very good one. Yet another about his treatments and going through cancer. At least that’s what I think it is about, it may just be another love song. Probably a love song now that I listen to the lyrics now. He describes how she caught his looks. He repeats the song title for the chorus, adding in a little oh hoh hoh that sounds kind of like Elvis, must be how deep he makes his voice for it. He wants to the girl, but she always lies and is always complaining. That would make me not like a girl either. 5/5
So that’s Joey Ramone’s solo album, released after his death, and is a good reminder of how great he really is. He wrote great songs, always simple, but not too simple that they are bad. He is truly missed by all his fans. We won’t worry about you Joey, we won’t.
Overall album rating: 4/5
