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Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated Meaning and Review


Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated Is A Change of Pace

"I Wanna Be Sedated" by The Ramones offers a marked contrast to the raw intensity of "Blitzkrieg Bop." While still undeniably a Ramones track, it features a slower, mid-tempo pace with a catchy, repetitive guitar melody. This simplicity continues in its straightforward verse-chorus-verse structure, providing an instantly familiar framework.


Frustration, Humor, and Universal Appeal

The lyrics are where "I Wanna Be Sedated" really shines. Exaggerated and humorous, they convey the overwhelming desire to escape a relentless and chaotic lifestyle.  The iconic "I Wanna Be Sedated" refrain serves as both a comedic punchline and a surprisingly relatable sentiment. Beneath the humor lies genuine frustration with an overstimulating world, perhaps even hinting at social commentary.



An Enduring Anthem

This combination of a catchy singalong chorus and its reflection of universal boredom makes "I Wanna Be Sedated" a true anthem. The song's enduring popularity in pop culture is a testament to its lasting appeal.  It also reveals a softer, more melodic side to the Ramones while still retaining their signature energy and attitude.


Listen to Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated 


Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated Lyrics Meaning

The meaning of the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" lyrics is a humorous exaggeration of extreme boredom and the desire for escapism. The song paints a picture of a mind so overwhelmed by tedium that the speaker expresses a comical desire for drastic measures, yearning for a mental shutdown through sedation.


Core Theme: Desperate Boredom & Escapism

The central theme of the song is extreme boredom and the desire to escape it by any means necessary, even through extreme sedation. The constant repetition of "I wanna be sedated" underscores this overwhelming drive to mentally shut down.


Exaggeration for Effect

The lyrics are deliberately exaggerated for a humorous and dramatic effect. The speaker isn't facing a literal life-or-death scenario but is humorously portraying their boredom as so intense that it feels like an emergency.


Touring Burnout

The song's context is important.  Joey Ramone wrote "I Wanna Be Sedated" while the Ramones were on a grueling tour schedule, particularly during a long stint in England where they found themselves with nothing to do. The lyrics reflect the monotony and frustration of constant travel and performances.

Potential Meanings

While the song is primarily focused on the humorously extreme desire to escape boredom, a few  possible deeper themes emerge:


  • Sensory overload: The repeated mentions of being unable to control fingers, brain, and toes, could refer to the constant stimulation and lack of personal space on tour.

  • Social Commentary: You could interpret a hint of social commentary in the song, a frustration with the modern world's relentless pace and lack of downtime.

  • Mental Health: While likely not the intended meaning, some listeners might relate the desire to be sedated to struggles with anxiety or overwhelming thoughts.


"I Wanna Be Sedated" works because it takes a universal feeling of boredom or the need for a break and turns it into an absurdist anthem. While its core message is simple, it resonates because it humorously amplifies an experience many people can identify with.


Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated Lyrics 

[Chorus]

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go

I wanna be sedated

Nothin' to do, nowhere to go-o-oh

I wanna be sedated

[Verse 1]


Just get me to the airport, put me on a plane

Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go insane

I can't control my fingers, I can't control my brain

Oh no-o-o-o-o


[Chorus]

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go

I wanna be sedated

Nothin' to do, nowhere to go-o-oh

I wanna be sedated


[Verse 2]

Just put me in a wheelchair, get me on a plane

Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go insane

I can't control my fingers, I can't control my brain

Oh no-o-o-o-o


[Instrumental Break]


[Chorus]

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go

I wanna be sedated

Nothin' to do, nowhere to go-o-oh

I wanna be sedated


[Verse 3]

Just put me in a wheelchair, get me to the show

Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go loco

I can't control my fingers, I can't control my toes

Oh no-o-o-o-o


[Chorus]

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go

I wanna be sedated

Nothin' to do, nowhere to go-o-oh

I wanna be sedated


[Verse 4]

Just put me in a wheelchair, get me to the show

Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go loco

I can't control my fingers, I can't control my toes

Oh no-o-o-o-o


[Chorus]

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go

I wanna be sedated

Nothin' to do, nowhere to go-o-oh

I wanna be sedated

[Verse 4]

Just put me in a wheelchair, get me to the show

Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go loco

I can't control my fingers, I can't control my toes

Oh no-o-o-o-o


[Outro]

Bam bam, ba-bam, ba-bam bam ba-bam

I wanna be sedated

Bam bam, ba-bam, ba-bam bam ba-bam

I wanna be sedated

Bam bam, ba-bam, ba-bam bam ba-bam

I wanna be sedated

Bam bam, ba-bam, ba-bam bam ba-bam

I wanna be sedated





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