Joey Ramone--Don't Worry About Me
Sanctuary 2002
I thought writing the review for this Joey Ramone CD, Don't Worry About Me, would be tough. In a way, it is. I mean, this guy (along with Iggy Pop) is (no "was" about it) the greatest frontman of all time--the guy who inspired me most and who I loved above all others. His death has affected me so deeply that, even after all this time has passed since he took leave, I cannot make it through this CD without crying. In a way, that's what makes writing about this album so much easier than I thought it would be. You see, the lion's share of those tears come from the fact that Don't Worry About Me is a complete triumph which exemplifies everything Joey Ramone's music has always stood for--raw power, innocence, truth, hope, and the fighting spirit.
Musically, it's a blessing that this record wound up being Joey's swan song instead of the Ramones final album, Adios Amigos. As much as I love that band and like that album, the truth is all the behind-the-scenes tension going on within the group at the time comes through in the music and saps a bit of its power (though, it should be said Adios Amigos is still a Ramones album which makes it better than 99% of everything else, at the very least). Conversely, Don't Worry About Me is a full steam ahead powerhouse with all pistons firing just right. This is thanks in large part to a great backing band which includes Adny Shernoff from the Dictators, The Damned's Captain Sensible (on one track--a cover of The Stooges "1969"), and for half of the tracks, Marky Ramone manning the drum throne. The fact that the rock is so on the mark here, in the face of truly dire circumstances, gives it all an even greater power.
That being said, the lyrics really tell the tale, here. Even in his poor condition, the man still had the presence of mind to write yet another beautifully fun, innocent love song in the form of "Maria Bartiromo" (his subject matter for this song is also more proof that Joey always had impeccable taste). This one is a true classic and destined to be the most covered song from the album. However, the real gift of this material is also the part that's hardest to bear---the truth about where he was at physically and mentally towards the end. The final lines of "Like A Drug I Never Did Before" touch on the tortures Joey experienced from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) while "I Got Knocked Down (But I'll Get Up)" takes you right into the hospital room with him and doesn't sugarcoat the situation at all. As painful as a lot of it is to hear, it really is a beautiful, caring gesture on his part--Joey Ramone has always been very giving as a lyricist, but the material on Don't Worry About Me takes that giving to a new level. It makes for a special, often sad, and always reverent listen.
Don't Worry About Me is a great album for all of the reasons stated here--not just because Joey is gone. Knowing that this album can stand alongside the Ramones great and essential back catalog and be just as great and essential certainly helps ease the pain of his loss, to a degree. Make no mistake about it, this is an album worthy of Joey Ramone's greatness.
A few days ago, we lost another one of the brothers, Joey. I hope you're both together now in a place free of pain and animosity, sharing a pizza and a laugh. Thank you for providing me with the blessing of hope when there was none is sight, for magnifying joy when it was present and making the good times great, and for making every musical dream I ever had as a very young boy tangible, helping guide my fingertips to the power. You will always be loved. God bless you, kind sir. Hail, hail rock and roll!
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