The KKK Took My Baby Away

Album: Pleasant Dreams (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Legend has it that Johnny Ramone, the politically conservative member of the group, stole away Joey Ramone's girlfriend Linda, and Joey wrote this song about it. The KKK is a white supremacist organization in the United States, and Joey made the comparison for exaggerated dramatic effect. Johnny eventually married Linda, causing considerable strain on his relationship with Joey. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Janette - Las Vegas, NV
  • Marilyn Manson covered this on the Ramones tribute album We're A Happy Family. Other groups to record it include MXPX, The Dead Kennedys and The Ordinary Boys.

Comments: 8

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganSooooooo...I just googled "Marilyn Manson racist"...Hooo boy! My bad. Yeah, it MIGHT help if I did my research before posting and putting my idols on a pedestal. So "all apologies" as Mr. Cobain would say. I hope I didn't lose too much credibility, and maybe you dudes can learn from my errors. I know I will. Rock Hard and Ride Free, my friends!
  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganWTF dude, Marilyn Manson's not racist, bro! Where the H do you get your info? Just because he says the "N" word in Irresponsible Hate Anthem, I mean, I personally wouldn't use it me being white and all, but he was using it to symbolize the fact that everyone looks down on someone else, or no one is immune to the hate of at least one person, "Everybody's someone else's N----r. I know you are, so am I." And "Rock N' Roll N----r" wasn't even written by him, it was a Patti Smith song where she uses the word to convey a rebellious spirit who doesn't conform to society's standards.

    So, uh, anyway, great song. Much love to Jeffery "Joey Ramone" Hymann and Brian "Marilyn Manson" Warner.
  • JoshMarylin Manson being racist yet covering this has a lot of irony to it
  • Daniel from Toronto, On@V-Starr - lol. You thought wrong. It was by the Ramones.
  • V-starr from ??????, MiI thought The Misfits sang this song
  • Bianca Sanchez from Alburquerque, NmWhen i first song I thought it said "the gay gay gay took my baby away." but then i heard it right! haha
  • Dave from San Antonio, TxI still do not know how Joey could even look at this guy(Johnny) much less tour with him for another 2 decades!! Tougher than he looks i guess COOL SONG came out of thou!
  • Markus from Leipzig, GermanyThis was also covered by German punk rock band Die Ärzte. Their version is with completely German lyrics and is titled "Die Wikingjugend hat mein Mädchen entführt". (The mentioned "Wikinmgjugend" ("Viking youth") was a German youth organisation modeled after the infamous Hitler youth from the Third Reich; it was banned in the early Nineties in Germany.)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.