THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

707-Ramones-Don’t Come Close.

1978-Number 39 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. ‘1-2-3-4!’

The Ramones (see also best songs 102) were formed in 1974, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States, by Jeffrey Hyman, (1951-2001) who was a guitarist, and went by the stage name of ‘Joey Ramone,’ he died of lymphoma, at the age of 49. John Cummings, (1948-2004) was also a guitarist with the group, who went by the stage name of ‘Johnny Ramone,’ he died after a five year battle with prostrate cancer, at the age of 55. Douglas Colvin, (1951-2002) played bass, and went by the stage name of ‘Dee Dee Ramone,’ he died of a Heroin overdose, at the age of 50, and the other founding member was Thomas Erdelyi, (1949-2014) who was the groups drummer, and took the stage name ‘Tommy Ramone, he died of bile duct cancer, at the age of 65. These four are considered, along with Marc Bell, (Marky Ramone) who replaced Erdelyi on drums in 1978, as the classic line up, in total there have been eight different members, with Richard Reinhardt, (Richie Ramone) being the groups drummer between 1983-1987, Clem Burke, (Elvis Ramone) (see also best songs 402) was the groups drummer for part of 1987, and Christopher Ward, (C. J. Ramone) who played bass between 1989-1996. Although none of the group members were related, they all used the same surname ‘Ramone,’ which was inspired by Paul McCartney, who used the the name ‘Paul Ramon,’ when touring with an early incarnation of the ‘Beatles,’ in Scotland in 1960.

The Ramones are considered by many music critics to be one of the most influential groups of all time, with some placing them second in importance only to the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-157-141-80-51-10 and 5.) On both sides of the Atlantic, they are considered as the main forerunners in what was to become known as ‘Punk Rock,’ with British groups such as the Sex Pistols, (see also best songs 967-323 ans 27) and The Clash, (see also best songs 867-638 and 294) both acknowledging their influence on them, while in America their influence was just as great on bands, including Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s, and Bad Religion.

‘Don’t Come Close’ was the first of four singles released from ‘Road to Ruin,’ which was the fourth studio Album released by the Ramones, from September 1978. ‘Don’t Come Close’ which was written by Dee Dee Ramone, (Douglas Colvin) and produced by Tommy Ramone, under his real name Thomas Erdelyi, along with Ed Stasium, was the second longest track on the Album at 2.44. ‘Road to Ruin’ was the first Ramones Album to feature new drummer Marky Ramone, who replaced Tommy Ramone, who had grown tired of continuous touring, and the groups lack of commercial success, but he stayed with the band to be co-producer.

‘Road to Ruin’ was a marked change in the musical style of the Ramones, whereas previously they had been out and out ‘Punk Rock,’ with the majority of their songs barely approaching the two minute mark, this Album was more ‘Heavy Metal’ based, with guitar solos, and 1960’s style ballads. The songs on ‘Road to Ruin’ are considered by some music critics as an attempt to get the band more airplay. The Album did not sell as well as the group had hoped, peaking at only Number 103 on the American Billboard 200 Album chart. Many of the groups fan base felt that the Ramones had sold out with their more commercial sound, but over the years many have mellowed, and now see the Album in a more favourable light.

‘Don’t Come Close,’ along with it’s parent Album ‘Road to Ruin,’ was co-produced by Ed Stasium, who was born in New Jersey, United States. Stasium began his music career in 1970 fronting the band ‘Brandywine,’ and appearing on their only Album called ‘Aged.’ In 1973 he started work as a recording engineer, and was the engineer on ‘Midnight Train to Georgia,’ by Gladys Knight and the Pips (see also best songs 667.) His first production work with the Ramones was on their second studio Album ‘Leave Home’ in 1977, he would go on to work with the group on a five further of their Albums. It was in the latter half of the 1980’s where Stasium had his greatest successes, with Album productions including, ‘ Living Colour’s, ‘Vivid’, (1988) Soul Asylum’s, ‘Hang Time,’ (1988) and Julian Cope’s, ‘Saint Julian’ (1987.)

You know it’s generally known, you got everything at home. Kisses out of desperation, bring you more aggravation. And you don’t come close, you don’t come close, you don’t come close.