I Wanna Be Sedated
Encyclopedia
"I Wanna Be Sedated" is a song by the American punk rock
band the Ramones
. It is one of the band's best known songs. It was originally released on their fourth album, Road to Ruin
, in September 1978 and was the b-side of the UK single "She's the One" released on January 10, 1979. The song was later released as a single in the Netherlands in 1979, then in the U.S. in 1980
by RSO Records
from the Times Square
soundtrack album.
. In an interview about the song, Joey explains the chorus:
for the song, directed by Bill Fishman, was released in September, 1988 (ten years after the song was originally released) to promote the compilation album Ramones Mania
. The iconic video features the Ramones sitting at a table, nonchalantly reading and eating Corn Flakes
. Meanwhile, the background room erupts into a meeting place for nun
s, acrobats
, ballerina
s, monster
s, cheerleaders, clown
s, doctors
, fetish nurse
s, and smoking schoolgirl
s. The film is intentionally sped up to show the excitement of the background and the soporific nature of the band.
One of the video's characters is a young Courtney Love
.
's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In 1999, National Public Radio included the song in the "NPR 100", in which NPR's music editors sought to compile the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
. It is one of the band's best known songs. It was originally released on their fourth album, Road to Ruin
Road to Ruin (Ramones album)
Road to Ruin is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on September 22, 1978 through Sire Records...
, in September 1978 and was the b-side of the UK single "She's the One" released on January 10, 1979. The song was later released as a single in the Netherlands in 1979, then in the U.S. in 1980
1980 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.-January–March:*January 1**Cliff Richard is appointed an MBE by Elizabeth II.**The Zorros audition drummer Greg Pedley....
by RSO Records
RSO Records
RSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
from the Times Square
Times Square (soundtrack)
Times Square: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a 1980 soundtrack album of mostly New Wave and punk music, from the film of the same name...
soundtrack album.
History
"I Wanna Be Sedated" was written by Joey RamoneJoey Ramone
Joey Ramone was an American vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist in the punk rock band the Ramones. Joey Ramone's image, voice and tenure as frontman of the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.-Early life:Joey Ramone was born Jeffry Hyman to parents Noel and Charlotte Hyman...
. In an interview about the song, Joey explains the chorus:
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song, directed by Bill Fishman, was released in September, 1988 (ten years after the song was originally released) to promote the compilation album Ramones Mania
Ramones Mania
-Personnel:* Joey Ramone – lead vocals* Johnny Ramone – guitar* Dee Dee Ramone – bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Wart Hog"* Marky Ramone - drums* Tommy Ramone - drums* Richie Ramone - drums, backing vocals on "Wart Hog"-Charts:Album Billboard...
. The iconic video features the Ramones sitting at a table, nonchalantly reading and eating Corn Flakes
Corn flakes
Corn flakes are a popular breakfast cereal originally manufactured by Kellogg's through the treatment of maize. A patent for the product was filed on May 31, 1895, and issued on April 14, 1896.-History:...
. Meanwhile, the background room erupts into a meeting place for nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s, acrobats
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
, ballerina
Ballerina
A ballerina is a title used to describe a principal female professional ballet dancer in a large company; the male equivalent to this title is danseur or ballerino...
s, monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
s, cheerleaders, clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
s, doctors
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, fetish nurse
Fetish fashion
Fetish fashion is any style or appearance in the form of atype of clothing or accessory, created to be extreme or provocative. These styles are not usually worn by the majority of people on any regular basis. They are usually made of materials such as leather, latex or synthetic rubber or plastic,...
s, and smoking schoolgirl
Schoolgirl
A schoolgirl is a girl attending either primary or secondary school, generally aged between four and eighteen years old.-Academic performance:This has led in some countries to calls for greater equality for education in the school system...
s. The film is intentionally sped up to show the excitement of the background and the soporific nature of the band.
One of the video's characters is a young Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
.
Reception
"I Wanna Be Sedated" was number 145 on the Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In 1999, National Public Radio included the song in the "NPR 100", in which NPR's music editors sought to compile the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century.
Cover versions
- The OffspringThe OffspringThe Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
covered the song for the Ramones tribute album We're a Happy FamilyWe're a Happy FamilyWe're a Happy Family: A Tribute to Ramones is a tribute album to the Ramones by various artists. It started when Johnny Ramone was confronted 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...
. The band also performed the song in the film Idle HandsIdle HandsIdle Hands is a 1999 horror comedy 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...
. - Operation IvyOperation IvyOperation Ivy was the eighth series of American nuclear tests, coming after Tumbler-Snapper and before Upshot-Knothole. Its purpose was to help upgrade the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons in response to the Soviet nuclear weapons program...
covered the song in their Ramones EPRamones EPRamones is an EP by the American hardcore punk/ska punk band Operation Ivy. The one-sided 12" vinyl bootleg, featuring covers of six Ramones songs, was pressed in a limited run of 300 copies, hand numbered, by an obscure German label, Metropolis Records, and was released in 1987...
. - Tyson Ritter of the All-American Rejects covered the song for the UK series Rock SchoolRock SchoolRock School is a British reality TV series starring Gene Simmons , in which he has a short time to turn a class of school children into a fully fledged rock band, at the end of which they must perform in a supporting slot for a leading rock band.Rock School is made by British production company...
. - Shonen KnifeShonen KnifeShonen Knife, written in Japanese characters as 少年ナイフ, which transliterates as Shōnen Naifu, literally "Boy Knife," is an all-female Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka, Japan, in 1981...
has recorded a version of the song for the 1995 Japanese re-release of Burning FarmBurning FarmBurning Farm is the first album by Shonen Knife. It is almost entirely in Japanese, with only "Twist Barbie" on the original release in English. The Japanese 8" vinyl had eight songs...
. - Juliana HatfieldJuliana HatfieldJuliana Hatfield , is an American guitarist/singer-songwriter and author from the Boston area, formerly of the indie rock bands Blake Babies and Some Girls. She currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
's band Blake BabiesBlake BabiesBlake Babies was an alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The three primary members were John Strohm, Freda Love , and Juliana Hatfield, with Evan Dando, Andrew Mayer, Seth White, Anthony DeLuca , and Mike Leahy each also performing as members of the band at...
recorded a cover for their 2002 EP EpilogueEpilogue (Blake Babies album)Epilogue is an EP recording by the Blake Babies, released in 2002 . This is the final release from the band before their break up.-Track listing:#"Walk A Thin Line" - 3:16...
. - moe.Moe.moe. is an American jam band, formed at the University at Buffalo in 1989. The band members are: Rob Derhak , Al Schnier , Chuck Garvey , Vinnie Amico , and Jim Loughlin ....
covered the song on their live album Warts and AllWarts and AllWarts and All is an album series of live recorded shows by the American jam band moe.As of mid-2007, there are SIX volumes.-Warts and All series:*Volume 1: Recorded live on February 28, 2001 at the Scranton Cultural Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania....
. - The heavy metal band ViperViper (band)Viper is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in 1985 initially highly influenced by Iron Maiden and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, later developing a very particular sound.-Biography:...
covered the song on the album Maniacs in JapanManiacs in JapanManiacs in Japan is a live album by Brazilian heavy metal band Viper. It is a recording of a concert in Club Cittá, Tokyo, on 18 April 1993...
. - The Bones covered the song on their album Partners in Crime vol. 1.
- The parody/lounge/performance art troupe The Swinging Erudites recorded a "jazz" version of the song in 1984
- Brazilian rock singer Rita LeeRita LeeRita Lee Jones Carvalho , simply known as Rita Lee, is a Brazilian rock singer and composer. Lee continues to be a popular figure in Brazilian entertainment, where she is also known for being an animal rights activist and a vegetarian...
covered this song in her 2004 album MTV Ao Vivo (MTV LiveMTV LiveMTV Live was a U.S. television series that aired from 1997 to 1998 on MTV, featuring interviews with celebrity guests, live musical performances, news coverage, and music video premieres.-Series run:...
). - Donut KingsDonut KingsDonut Kings is a U.S. rock band formed in 1986.-Band history:The Donut Kings formed in 1986 with Nate Crowell , Rikk Desgres , and Pat Butler . In the fall of that year they released First Bite, their first record. The band was based mixing straight ahead pop music, with the silly, comical, novelty...
covered this song in her 1999 album FAPLUNK but changed the lyrics to make it a Christmas song. - The instrumental version by Belgian electroband Neven features in the movie "I could never be your woman" by Amy HeckerlingAmy HeckerlingAmy Heckerling is an American film director, one of the few female directors to have produced multiple box-office hits.-Early life:...
. - The AdictsThe AdictsThe Adicts are an English punk band from Ipswich, Suffolk, England. One of the more popular punk rock bands in the 1980s, they were often in the indie charts at that time. Their song "Viva La Revolution" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground. It was also featured in a commercial...
also covered the song for their 1982 album Sound of Music. - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band covered it on his second night Boston April 22, 2009, after it was requested by an audience member.
- The electropunk band The Nazis from Mars covered the song on their self-titled album.
- The New York Dolls perform the song live in concert.
- The band 'Ricochet' performed the song at the Dripstone Day Talent Quest 2009.
- Vince NeilVince NeilVincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
covered this song on the B-side of the single Sister of PainSister of Pain"Sister of Pain" is a song by Vince Neil. It was the single from his debut album, Exposed. The song was released in 1993.-Track listing:# "Sister of Pain"# "Blondes "# "I Wanna Be Sedated"...
. - The Young@HeartYoung@HeartYoung@Heart is an entertainment group created by and for the elderly, comprised at present of people at least 70 years of age. Some have prior professional theater or music experience, others have performed at amateur level, and some have no experience whatsoever...
chorus covered this song on in 2008. - The song was covered by Texas "country-billy" band Two Tons of SteelTwo Tons of SteelTwo Tons of Steel is a "rockabilly"/Texas Country band from San Antonio, Texas.The band has performed live at Gruene Hall, and has appeared in the IMAX film Texas: The Big Picture...
on their album, Vegas. - The Go-Go'sThe Go-Go'sThe Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
covered this song in their DVD Live Go-Go's in Central Park. - the French band BlACk/LiSt covered this song in 2011
Popular culture
- The song appears on the soundtrack to the 1980 movie Times SquareTimes Square (film)Times Square is a 1980 film starring Trini Alvarado, Robin Johnson, and Tim Curry. The plot of the film essentially embodies a punk rock ethic - misunderstood youth forming a band and, through music, articulating their frustrations toward adult authority, personified in the film as parents, the...
. - On the show My So-Called LifeMy So-Called LifeMy So-Called Life is an American teen drama television series created by Winnie Holzman and produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz. It originally aired on ABC from August 25, 1994, to January 26, 1995 and was distributed by The Bedford Falls Company with ABC Productions. Set at the...
, Rayanne makes a disastrous debut as the singer of a band while covering this song. Just before she is to come in, she panics and races off the stage, leaving Jordan to take over. - The song is featured on the trailer and the soundtrack for the comedy Scary MovieScary MovieScary Movie is a 2000 comedy-parody film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, as part of Warner Bros. Entertainment. It is an American dark comedy which heavily parodies the horror, slasher, and mystery genres...
. - The song makes an appearance on the soundtrack featured in Burnout 3: TakedownBurnout 3: TakedownBurnout 3: Takedown is the third game in the Burnout series of video games. Released on September 7, 2004, developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts , the game drew critical acclaim and a large fanbase.A GameCube version was planned but was scrapped during development...
. - The song is featured in the 2005 music video game Guitar Hero (as a cover), as well as Jam Sessions 2 and Rock Band 3Rock Band 3Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
(as a master recording), five years later. - Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a big fan of the Ramones. This song is featured in the episode Crush. Spike 'tricks' Buffy into a date, and hums a few bars of it then asks her if she likes the Ramones.
- The song is featured in a episode of FastlaneFastlane (TV series)Fastlane is an American action/crime drama series that was broadcast on Fox from 2002 to 2003. On August 14, 2005 G4 began rebroadcasting the complete series. After finishing its initial run on the network, Fastlane stopped airing on G4...
. - The video has appeared on Beavis & Butt-head. It is extremely well received by the two and they say hardly anything the whole video out of enjoyment of the song so much.
- The all girl-band Lo-Ball make a probable reference to this song in one of their own, 'Rock Star'- "You know I wanna be sedated/ With twenty-twenty-four hours to go".
- An episode from the third season of EntourageEntourage (TV series)Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
is named after the song; in it, an old-school Hollywood producer pitches a script about the Ramones to EEric MurphyEric "E." Murphy is a fictional character on the comedy-drama television series Entourage. He is played by Kevin Connolly.-Fictional character biography:...
. - The song was featured in the 1996 film CarpoolCarpool (film)Carpool is a 1996 comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring David Paymer and Tom Arnold.-Plot:Workaholic advertising executive of Bauer & Cole, Daniel Miller , has an important business meeting, but finds himself having to drive the neighborhood carpool for his sons, Bucky Miller and...
. - In the final episode of TitusTitus (TV series)Titus is an American dark comedy sitcom that debuted on Fox in 2000. The series was created by its star, Christopher Titus, Jack Kenny, and Brian Hargrove...
, "Insanity Genetic Part 2", the song is used in a montage depicting Christopher's self-destructive behavior.