Sheena Is a Punk Rocker

"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" is a song by the punk rock group the Ramones. Written by Joey Ramone, it is one of the Ramones' most popular songs, evidence of Joey's early 1960s surf rock and bubblegum pop influences. It first appeared in May 1977 as a single in the UK where it charted at #22.[1] In the US, it was released as a single in July 1977, and reached #81, and appeared on copies of the second issue of the band's 1977 album Leave Home (replacing the track "Carbona Not Glue"). The track, as well as its B-side "I Don't Care", was remixed and re-released for their third LP Rocket to Russia.

"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker"
Single by the Ramones
from the album Rocket to Russia
B-side"I Don't Care"
ReleasedMay 1977[1]
RecordedApril 1977
Genre
Length2:49
LabelSire
Songwriter(s)Joey Ramone
Producer(s)Tony Bongiovi, Tommy Ramone
The Ramones singles chronology
"I Remember You"
(1977)		 "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker"
(1977)		 "Swallow My Pride"
(1977)
Audio sample
"Sheena is a Punk Rocker"
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Background

The "Sheena" referred to in the title is in fact the comic book character Sheena, Queen of the Jungle; the idea being that punk rock music would appeal to a savage jungle girl brought to civilization. Joey Ramone said of the track, "To me 'Sheena' was the first surf/punk rock teenage rebellion song. I combined Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, with the primalness of punk rock. Then Sheena is brought into the modern day."

The song is notable for being one of the first to explicitly refer to "punk rock" in its title and lyrics in terms of a subculture.

Reception

The song was ranked at No. 5 among the top "Tracks of the Year" for 1977 by NME;[5] it is ranked #461 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time[6] and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.[7]

Cover versions

Charts
Chart (1977) Peak
position
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] 20

References
  1. "The UK version of Sheena Is A Punk Rocker". Ramones on Vinyl. May 24, 2014. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  2. Bradley, Michael (March 15, 2016). "The 10 best punk rock singles, by The Undertones' Michael Bradley". TeamRock. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  3. "Ramones - Rocket to Russia". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  4. Carafelli, Carl (October 17, 2017). "The Ramones: Power Pop Hall of Fame". Boppin’ (Like the Hip Folks Do). Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  5. "Albums and Tracks of the Year". NME. 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  6. "500 Greatest Songs of All Time: Ramones, 'Sheena Is a Punk Rocker'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  7. "500 Songs That Shaped Rock". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  8. "The Complete Studio Recordings". Swedishcharts. 1977. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
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