''We're a Happy Family: A Tribute to Ramones'' is a 2003
tribute album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records c ...
to the
Ramones by various artists. It started when
Johnny Ramone was presented with the idea of a tribute album and was asked if he wanted to participate, to which he agreed, as long as he would have full control over the project. He was able to get
Rob Zombie as a co-producer, and call upon high profile bands to participate. Rob Zombie also did the cover artwork, and
Stephen King, a Ramones fan, wrote the liner notes.
One of the last things Johnny Ramone did was oversee the album. He advised all the chosen bands to make the songs their own. Ramone liked the
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk ...
' cover of "
Havana Affair
''Ramones'' is the debut studio album by American punk rock band The Ramones, released on April 23, 1976, by Sire Records. After ''Hit Parader'' editor Lisa Robinson saw the band at a gig in New York City, she wrote about them in an article ...
" so much that he chose to open the album with it.
The Ataris
The Ataris are an American punk rock band from Anderson, Indiana. Formed in 1996, they released five studio albums between 1997 and 2007. Their best-selling album is ''So Long, Astoria'' (2003), which was certified gold. Their high-charting s ...
' cover of "
Rock N' Roll High School" is as a bonus CD single sold along with the physical album.
Reception
''We're a Happy Family'', wrote
Jaan Uhelszki in ''
Mojo
Mojo may refer to:
* Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in voodoo
Arts, entertainment and media Film and television
* MOJO HD, an American television network
* ''Mojo'' (play), by Jez Butterworth, made into a 1997 film
* ' ...
'', "doesn't send you running to dig out ''
Rocket to Russia
''Rocket to Russia'' is the third studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones, and was released on November 4, 1977, through Sire Records. Its origins date back to the summer of 1977, when "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" was released as ...
'' in disgust. Instead, it's edifying to see their trademark minimalist sound transmuted in the hands of their most high profile fans.… Kiss get the best-in-show nod for their anthemic 'Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?', which sounds ripped right off an early
Slade
Slade are an English rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The ''British Hit Singles ...
album."
Track listing
#"
Havana Affair
''Ramones'' is the debut studio album by American punk rock band The Ramones, released on April 23, 1976, by Sire Records. After ''Hit Parader'' editor Lisa Robinson saw the band at a gig in New York City, she wrote about them in an article ...
" (''
Ramones'', 1976) –
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk ...
#* The song was later released as a bonus track on the iTunes version of ''
Stadium Arcadium'', but as of 2010 has been removed from iTunes entirely. It was, however, later re-released digitally on the iTunes ''
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP
''Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP'' is EP compilation by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 2012 through iTunes as a digital-only download. The band first announced the EP through their website on April 19, 2012 with the ...
''.
#"
Blitzkrieg Bop
Blitzkrieg Bop is a song by American punk rock band, Ramones, released in February 1976 as their debut single in the United States. It appeared as the opening track on the band's debut album, ''Ramones'', released two months later.
The song, w ...
" (''Ramones'', 1976) –
Rob Zombie
#* The song later appeared on Rob Zombie's greatest hits album ''
Past, Present & Future''.
#"I Believe in Miracles" (''
Brain Drain'', 1989) –
Eddie Vedder &
Zeke
Zeke is a masculine given name and nickname, sometimes a shortened form (hypocorism) of Ezekiel, which may refer to:
People
* Caleb Bailey (nickname "Zeke", 1898-1957), US Marine Corps brigadier general and athlete
* Zeke Bella (1930–2013), Ame ...
#"53rd & 3rd" (''Ramones'', 1976) –
Metallica
#* Five more Ramones covers from the same sessions were released on different editions of the "
St. Anger" single.
#"
Beat on the Brat
''Ramones'' is the debut studio album by American punk rock band The Ramones, released on April 23, 1976, by Sire Records. After ''Hit Parader'' editor Lisa Robinson saw the band at a gig in New York City, she wrote about them in an article an ...
" (''Ramones'', 1976) –
U2
#"
Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?
"Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones', released as the second single and opening track from the band's fifth studio album '' End of the Century'' (1980). It was released on May 16, 1980. Produced by ...
" (''
End of the Century
''End of the Century'' is the fifth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, released on February 4, 1980, through Sire Records. The album was the band's first to be produced by Phil Spector, though he had offered the band his assis ...
'', 1980) –
KISS
A kiss is the touch or pressing of one's lips against another person or an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, ...
#* The song later appeared on the single-disc edition of ''
Alive IV''.
#"
The KKK Took My Baby Away
"The KKK Took My Baby Away" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones, released in 1981 through Sire Records. It was written by front man and lead vocalist Joey Ramone and appears on the band's sixth studio album ''Pleasant Dreams'' (1981).
...
" (''
Pleasant Dreams
''Pleasant Dreams'' is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band the Ramones, released on July 20, 1981, through Sire Records. While the band members wanted Steve Lillywhite to produce, Sire chose Graham Gouldman in an attempt to gain ...
'', 1981) –
Marilyn Manson
#"I Just Want to Have Something to Do" (''
Road to Ruin'', 1978) –
Garbage
#* The song was later released as a B-side to their single "
Why Do You Love Me
"Why Do You Love Me" is a song by alternative rock band Garbage, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, ''Bleed Like Me'' (2005).
The single was the first taste of the band's change in musical direction, eschewing the elect ...
", and as a regional bonus track on their ''
Bleed Like Me'' album.
#"Outsider" (''
Subterranean Jungle
''Subterranean Jungle'' is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones, released by Sire Records on February 23, 1983. Overall, the album featured a return to a somewhat more hard punk rock style compared to the band's ...
'', 1983) –
Green Day
#* The song originally appeared as a B–side to the "
Warning" single, and later on the compilation album ''
Shenanigans''.
#"
Something to Believe In" (''
Animal Boy
''Animal Boy'' is the ninth studio album by American punk band Ramones, released through Sire Records on May 19, 1986. Due to conflicts within the group, the album features less of lead singer Joey Ramone, both in performing and writing, and le ...
'', 1986) –
The Pretenders
Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete ...
#"
Sheena Is a Punk Rocker
"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones, released in 1977 through Sire Records. Written by front man and lead vocalist Joey Ramone it appears on the band's third studio album '' Rocket to Russia'' (1977). The song ...
" (''
Rocket to Russia
''Rocket to Russia'' is the third studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones, and was released on November 4, 1977, through Sire Records. Its origins date back to the summer of 1977, when "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" was released as ...
'', 1977) –
Rancid
#"I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" (''Ramones'', 1976) –
Pete Yorn
Peter Joseph Yorn (born July 27, 1974) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He first gained international recognition after his debut record, '' Musicforthemorningafter'', was released to critical and commercial acclaim in 2001. He is ...
#"
I Wanna Be Sedated
"I Wanna Be Sedated" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones, originally released on the band's fourth studio album, '' Road to Ruin'' (1978), in September 1978. The B-side of the UK single "She's the One" was released on September 21, 19 ...
" (''Road to Ruin'', 1978) –
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guit ...
#* This song originally appeared on the soundtrack for ''
Idle Hands
''Idle Hands'' is a 1999 American teen black comedy horror film directed by Rodman Flender, written by Terri Hughes and Ron Milbauer, and starring Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson, Jessica Alba, and Vivica A. Fox. The main plot follows the ...
.''
#"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" (''Rocket to Russia'', 1977) –
Rooney Rooney may refer to:
People
*Wayne Rooney, English football manager and former player
*Rooney family, of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football franchise
*Rooney (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
* Rooney (given nam ...
#* Johnny Ramone wanted
Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley (born February 1, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter. She is the only child of singer and actor Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley, as well as the sole heir to her father's estate. Presley has developed a caree ...
to record the song for the tribute album. She later recorded it for her album ''
Now What ''Now What'' may refer to:
* ''Now What'' (Lisa Marie Presley album), a 2005 album by Lisa Marie Presley
* Now What (horse), racehorse
* "Now What?" (House), an episode of ''House''
* '' Now What?!'', a 2013 album by Deep Purple
* '' Now What?'' ...
''.
#"Return of Jackie & Judy" (''End of the Century'', 1980) –
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He worked primarily in jazz during ...
#* The song later appeared on Waits' box set album ''
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards''.
#"Daytime Dilemma (Dangers of Love)" (''
Too Tough to Die
''Too Tough to Die'' is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones. It was released on October 1, 1984, and is the first Ramones record to feature Richie Ramone on drums. With ex-member Tommy Ramone producing (credited ...
'', 1984) – Eddie Vedder & Zeke
#* This track is not listed on the track list of all editions.
#Silence – 0:10
#Silence – 0:10
#Silence – 0:10
#"Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World" (''Ramones'', 1976) –
John Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante (; born March 5, 1970) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers across three stints since 1988. He has released 11 solo albums and 7 EPs, ranging in style from acoustic guitar to e ...
(hidden track)
#* This bonus track is not available on all editions.
* Tracks 17–19 each contain 10 seconds of silence
Charts
References
External links
Album's official site(Archive, 23 Feb 2009)
{{Authority control
Albums produced by Rob Zombie
2003 compilation albums
Ramones tribute albums
Columbia Records compilation albums