The Soundtrack to I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE

I've created two soundtracks to I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE. I did this out of necessity because I wanted to have a soundtrack that you could to here, so I had to use the songs available from Project Playlist. You can scroll down to find that player and listen to it while you're reading or before or after or just whenever. You'll also find some of my thoughts on those songs below. But I also want you to know what is on my iTunes playlist for IWBYJR. This is the soundtrack I envisioned for the book and have given out to some lucky winners in contests in the past. It is as follows:

  • I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Sleater-Kinney
  • Don't Take Me For Granted by Social Distortion
  • Mono by Courtney Love
  • Gimme Danger by Iggy & The Stooges
  • She's Lost Control by Joy Division
  • 40 Boys In 40 Nights by The Donnas
  • Chemical Warfare by Dead Kennedys
  • Fuck And Run by Liz Phair
  • Wander Alone by Tiger Army
  • Death or Glory by The Clash
  • Ask The Angels by The Distillers
  • Mother by Babes In Toyland
  • I'm Not Dead by Pink
  • I Wanna Live by The Ramones
  • Rock & Roll Girl by The Muffs
  • New Wave by Against Me!
  • Kool Thing by Sonic Youth
  • Suddenly Cool by The Methadones
  • Another Shot Of Whisky by The Gits
  • Ragged Company by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
  • Don't Turn Away by Face To Face
  • Land by Patti Smith





    • The book is named for Sleater-Kinney's "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone," but it wasn't the song that originally inspired the book. The book actually went through a couple titles including "The Black Notebooks" and "All Roads Lead to Rock 'n Roll," but when I was looking for a new, catchier title, I looked towards songs and lyrics and if there is any song that perfectly sums up Emily Black, it's that one. I was more than thrilled when the publisher liked the title idea, too.
    "Don't Take Me For Granted" is actually the song I listened to over and over again while writing this book. "Gimme Danger" and "She's Lost Control" are both referenced in the book. "Ask the Angels" is another song that would be one of Emily's theme songs because of the line "Rock 'n Roll is what I'm born to be." Of course I looked for the Patti Smith version as Patti is a big influence for both Louisa and Emily, but I was only able to find the Distillers version. Not a big deal, it's an awesome rendition and I think Emily would totally hang out with the singer Brody Dalle. Another cover version I put on the mix is "The Man Who Sold The World." That Bowie album was the one that changed Louisa's life and Emily and She Laughs were totally inspired by Nirvana, another band that made it huge from a small town (and of course one of my biggest influences).
    There were also a few bands that I couldn't find my preferred song for so I put a substitute. Like I wanted "Rock 'n Roll Girl" by the Muffs. And I wanted Babes in Toyland "Mother" for Emily's angry at Louisa song. And then even though I prefer early Hole to Courtney Love's America's Sweetheart album, I think that "Mono" by her is a great song about women saving rock 'n roll. Then, I would have preferred "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth because A. Kim Gordon sings and B. it's another women in rock 'n roll song. So be sure to check out all of those songs too.
    Let's see what else to say about this mix. The Pixies are Regan's favorite band. "Caroline" by Concrete Blonde reminds me of Louisa. Then, we've got some other inspirational punk rock on there. And Pink. Yeah, Pink. She's a pop star, but she's bad ass and totally an inspiration of mine for Emily.