Rock 'n' Roll High School (song)
"Rock 'n' Roll High School" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones, from the soundtrack album Rock 'n' Roll High School. The single did not chart in the U.S. but peaked at number 67 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
| "Rock 'n' Roll High School" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Ramones | ||||
| from the album Rock 'n' Roll High School and End of the Century | ||||
| B-side | "Do You Wanna Dance?" | |||
| Released | June 1, 1979 | |||
| Recorded | November 1978 | |||
| Studio | Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, California | |||
| Genre | Punk rock, rock and roll | |||
| Length | 2:20 (Rock 'n' Roll High School & Single version) 2:38 (End of the Century version) | |||
| Label | Sire | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone[1] | |||
| Producer(s) | Version 1 - Ed Stasium Version 2 - Ed Stasium, Phil Spector | |||
| The Ramones singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Rock 'n' Roll High School" on YouTube | ||||
There are three versions of the song. The first was recorded in early 1979 by Ed Stasium and was intended for the Rock 'n' Roll High School soundtrack. This version opens with an extended drum beat first, with Joey eventually singing the opening line, "Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock 'n' Roll High School." This is also the version they usually performed live. This version was not issued until the 1988 compilation album Ramones Mania.
The second version is a slight remix of the Ed Stasium version by producer Phil Spector, who producde The Ramones' next album End of the Century. This version features Spector's Wall of Sound mixing technique and was the version featured on the Rock 'n' Roll High School soundtrack album and accompanying 7" single.
The third version is a complete re-recording by Phil Spector for the End of the Century album. This version opens with a long, sustained guitar chord and has a slightly different arrangement. This version was featured in the music video for the song.
In the music video, drummer Marky Ramone, dressed in drag, plays the role of the female teacher. Also three of the band members' girlfriends/wives can be seen; Dee Dee's first wife Vera Boldis, Johnny's then-girlfriend Roxy and Joey's then-girlfriend (who became involved with and married bandmate Johnny) Linda Ramone. The only time the Spector-produced version was played was on The Sha Na Na Show, where the band mimed the song.[3]
The Ramones performed the song on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1980.[4]
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1979–1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 41 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] | 7 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7] | 8 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[9] | 67 |
References
- Ramone, Marky; Herschlag, Richard (2015). Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life As a Ramone. Atria Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1451687781.
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 449–450. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- Ramones 2015, p. 167.
- The Old Grey Whistle Test (DVD). Warner Home Video. 2003.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 246. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Ramones – Rock 'n' Roll High School" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- "Ramones – Rock 'n' Roll High School" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- "Jaaroverzichten 1980". Ultratop. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1980". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1980". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved September 23, 2021.