I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement

Album: The Ramones (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Early on, the Ramones had a lot of songs that simply stated something they did or didn't want to do:

    "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend"

    "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue"

    "I Wanna Be Sedated"

    This song, written by guitarist Johnny Ramone and bass player Dee Dee Ramone, is about how they don't want to go down to the basement, since there's something down there.
  • This song was part of the band's unique live show for about a year before they recorded it for their first album. At clubs like CBGB, the Ramones would play loud and fast, going from one song to the next with a count-in but no other break. The songs were about two-minutes long (this one is a hearty 2:35), so they would pound through a set in about 30 minutes.

    And if you think the words are hard to understand on the studio recording, imagine what Joey Ramone sounded like in a club setting, where he made even less effort to enunciate. On this song in particular, his vocals were comically mushy.
  • According to the Obsever Music Monthly, the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious learnt to play the bass by listening to the Ramones' self-titled debut album and in particular this song. He applied this tune's bump and grind pattern to nearly every Pistols number that he played on.

Comments: 6

  • Alfie from FloridaThis song has Deedee Ramone written all over it, I'm surprised it wasn't his.
  • Wire Moonshot from WiremoonshotAre u guys mentally deficient? Lmao this song is about turning down the advances of the older gay men that cruised the area around CBGB’s. Where young boypunx gather chickenhawx will descend. As it was so shall it ever be. Because duh. Anyway, no bigotry intended. U do u. Just tellin it like it is.
  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganThomas The Tank Engine, what are you smoking, dude?
  • Thomas The Tank Engine from DunedinLittle know fact: this song was the inspiration for Celine Dion’s famous ballad “My heart will go on”
  • Bernie from Springfield, Pa"This song, written by lead singer Joey Ramone and bass player Dee Dee Ramone, is about how they don't want to go down to the basement, since there's something down there." LOL...
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjThis shows the Ramones' love for B-Horror movies.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.