Sheena Is a Punk Rocker

"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker," the iconic track by the Ramones from their 1977 album Rocket to Russia, is a burst of surf-punk energy that captures the rebellious spirit of punk rock. Joey Ramone, the band’s frontman, wrote the song, drawing inspiration from the comic book character Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. He envisioned her as a wild, jungle girl transplanted to modern New York City, embracing punk’s raw, primal energy. In an interview, Joey shared, “To me ‘Sheena’ was the first surf/punk rock/teenage rebellion song. I combined Sheena, Queen of the Jungle with the primalness of punk rock.” The song’s catchy melody and bubblegum-pop roots made it one of the Ramones’ most beloved tracks, ranking number 461 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010 and earning a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

The song’s release history is a bit tangled, adding to its lore. Initially dropped as a single in the UK in May 1977, it hit number 22 on the UK Singles Chart before appearing in the US, where it peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was first included on the second issue of the Ramones’ album Leave Home, replacing the controversial track “Carbona Not Glue,” and later remixed for Rocket to Russia. The single’s B-side, “I Don’t Care,” also made the album. Fans on Reddit’s r/ramones have noted its cultural impact, though some associate it with a grim scene in Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, where the song plays during a tragic moment. Covers by bands like Shonen Knife, Rancid, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs show its lasting influence, with Shonen Knife’s version on their 2012 album Osaka Ramones paying playful homage.

Another fun tidbit comes from the Rocket to Russia album’s artwork. Illustrator John Holmstrom depicted Sheena on the inner sleeve, perched on a tree branch in a leopard-skin dress, spear in hand, straight out of the comic books. A fan on Ramones Heaven, a site run by Finnish journalist Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone, recalled discovering the song as a teen, browsing record stores without a player but captivated by the Ramones’ raw energy. Social media posts, like those from @PunkRockStory on X, celebrate the song’s role in defining punk, noting its release as a single alongside “Rockaway Beach” and “Do You Wanna Dance?” from the album, which dropped 46 years ago in 2023.

The Ramones, hailing from Queens, New York, formed in 1974 and are widely regarded as punk rock’s pioneers. The band—Joey (Jeffrey Hyman), Johnny (John Cummings), Dee Dee (Douglas Colvin), and Tommy (Thomas Erdelyi)—adopted the “Ramone” surname, inspired by Paul McCartney’s early pseudonym, Paul Ramon. They started playing in local venues like CBGB, where their fast, loud, and short songs stood out in the gritty New York scene. Despite limited commercial success, their influence on punk was seismic, performing 2,263 concerts over 22 years. Their self-titled debut, recorded for just $6,400, was a game-changer, with Joey later saying it “kicked off punk rock and started the whole thing.”

While the Ramones’ official website, ramones.com, offers a deep dive into their legacy, their social media presence keeps the spirit alive. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwbacks. Fans connect on sites like Ramones Heaven, which chronicles their history, and community spaces like Facebook’s Ramones Fan Club group, where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits sharing vinyl finds and gig stories.