Ramones

I Wanna Be Sedated

Road to Ruin (1978)

"I Wanna Be Sedated" is one of the most iconic songs by the Ramones, released as part of their album Road to Ruin on September 22, 1978. The track is celebrated for its infectious energy, catchy melody, and deadpan lyrics, capturing both the exhaustion of constant touring and a universal desire to escape boredom and chaos.

Song Details

Band Lineup (on this track)

• Joey Ramone: Vocals
• Johnny Ramone: Guitar
• Dee Dee Ramone: Bass, keyboards, backing vocals
• Marky Ramone: Drums, tambourine

Background and Writing

• Written by Joey Ramone in 1977 while on tour in London during the Christmas holidays, the song was inspired by the sense of isolation and frustration the band experienced — nothing to do, nowhere to go, stuck watching old movies in a hotel room, far from the action they expected in a new city12.
• The song was recorded between May and July 1978 at Mediasound Studio, New York.

Meaning and Legacy

• The lyrics reflect both a literal and metaphorical desire for sedation: the grind of relentless touring, boredom, and a general urge to escape daily monotony.
• Over time, "I Wanna Be Sedated" became a punk-pop anthem, resonating with listeners who felt fed up with routine or craved excitement2.
• Its simplicity—built on just a handful of chords—and memorable, singalong chorus ("Ba ba baba, baba ba baba, I wanna be sedated…") helped cement it as a classic in the punk genre2.
• The song was later included as the opening track on the compilation Ramones Mania (1988), gaining a resurgence with an official music video directed by Bill Fishman. The quirky video features the Ramones calmly eating cereal at a table as bizarre chaos erupts around them, underlining the track’s theme of detachment and overload2.

Notable Facts

• The song is frequently cited as one of the Ramones' best, featuring on film soundtracks, commercials, and “greatest punk songs” lists.
• It is a staple at sports events and remains a favorite cover for artists across genres.
• "I Wanna Be Sedated" helped introduce a wider audience to the Ramones and punk rock outside their underground fanbase, especially through its inclusion in the movie Times Square soundtrack (1980)12.

Lyrics Snapshot

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go
I wanna be sedated
Nothin' to do, nowhere to go, oh
I wanna be sedated...

Summary Table

"I Wanna Be Sedated" endures as a punk classic—direct and relatable, with just the right mix of humor and disaffection, perfectly distilling the Ramones' spirit for generations of fans12.