Cretin Hop

Album: Rocket To Russia (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Joey Ramone (from Hey! Ho! Let's Go! The Ramones Anthology by David Fricke): "'Cretin Hop' came from when we were in St. Paul, Minnesota. We went some place to eat and there were just all these cretins all over the place. And there was a Cretin Avenue, where we drove into the city." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Katie - Goulburn
  • The Ramones bucked the trends of the '70s with simplistic rock songs, often about freaks and deviants. It didn't make them rich, but it appealed to core group of fans that fell in with this culture. This being the disco era, songs like "Cretin Hop" were completely at odds with what was getting airplay. The Ramones were later rewarded for their skewed view and stewardship of their genre when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

Comments: 5

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganChunk is my roadie.
  • Chunk from New Hope MnCretin is a Catholic High School, and you need money to bring your kid there.
  • Zero from The Abyss, NjFor those that don't know a cretin is a person who is physically deformed from a congenial thyroid deficiency or it also be used as a derogatory term for a stupid or unintelligent person.

    This song rocks.
  • Gabriel from Saint Sebastian, Puerto RicoI don't thinks it's a PARODY... more like a tribute or "copied in a good way", they where huge Beatles fans
  • Kendall from Thomasville, GaI think the part "4,5,6,7, all good cretins go to heaven" is a parody of the Beatles song You Never Give Me Your Money where Paul says "1,2,3,4,5,6,7, all good children go to heaven" 21 times I think.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.