Don't Worry About Me

Last updated
Don't Worry About Me
JoeyRamone-DontWorryAboutMe.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2002
Recorded2000–2001
Studio
Genre Punk rock
Length34:49
Label Sanctuary
Producer Daniel Rey
Joey Ramone chronology
Don't Worry About Me
(2002)
...Ya Know?
(2012)
Singles from Don't Worry About Me
  1. "What a Wonderful World"
    Released: 2002
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Robert Christgau B+ [2]
Entertainment Weekly A− [3]
Punknews.orgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Spin 8/10 [6]

Don't Worry About Me is the debut album released by Joey Ramone as a solo artist. [7] [8] It was released posthumously on February 19, 2002, by Sanctuary Records, [9] less than a year after his death. The album was produced by Daniel Rey, who also did most of the guitar work. [5] Rey had previously produced three of the Ramones' albums, between 1987 and 1995.

Contents

The album includes two covers: "What a Wonderful World," originally performed by Louis Armstrong, and "1969," originally performed by the Stooges. [10] "What a Wonderful World" was used for the ending credits of Michael Moore's film Bowling for Columbine .[ citation needed ] It also appeared on the soundtrack to Freaky Friday .

A DualDisc version of the album was released on November 19, 2002. It included the album in the DVD-Audio format, which is in 5.1 surround sound, as well as the music video for "What a Wonderful World" (directed by Debbie Harry) and other material.

Don't Worry About Me peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200. [11]

Critical reception

The Austin Chronicle wrote that "though Ramones neophytes would be best served by starting at the beginning, Don't Worry About Me is a must for card-carrying superfans." [12] Entertainment Weekly called the album "a testament to the uplifting power of rock." [3] Now wrote that it "boasts better songwriting and playing than the last few Ramones albums, with Joey singing strong, free of any ironic or goofy pose." [13] Wired wrote that "pointless guitar solos are evident on several tracks, but Joey's goofy teenage romanticism still manages to carry the day." [14]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Joey Ramone; except where indicated.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."What a Wonderful World" Bob Thiele, George David Weiss 2:23
2."Stop Thinking About It"Ramone, Andy Shernoff 2:57
3."Mr. Punchy" 2:35
4."Maria Bartiromo" 3:58
5."Spirit in My House" 2:02
6."Venting (It's a Different World Today)" 3:17
7."Like a Drug I Never Did Before" 2:04
8."Searching for Something"Ramone, Al Maddy4:12
9."I Got Knocked Down (But I'll Get Up)" 3:42
10."1969" Dave Alexander, James "Iggy Pop" Osterberg, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton 3:40
11."Don't Worry About Me" 3:55

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [15]

"What a Wonderful World"
"Stop Thinking About It"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Funaro – drums
"Mr. Punchy"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Marky Ramone – drums
  • Veronica Kofman – backing vocals
  • Helen Love – backing vocals
  • Captain Sensible – backing vocals
"Maria Bartiromo"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Marky Ramone – drums
"Spirit in My House"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Joe McGinty – keyboards
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Funaro – drums
"Venting (It's a Different World Today)"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Marky Ramone – drums
"Like a Drug I Never Did Before"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Marky Ramone – drums
"Searching for Something"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Al Maddy – guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Marky Ramone – drums
"I Got Knocked Down (But I'll Get Up)"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Joe McGinty – keyboards
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Funaro – drums
"1969"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Daniel Rey – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jerry Only – bass
  • Dr. Chud – drums
"Don't Worry About Me"
  • Joey Ramone – lead vocals
  • Mickey Leigh – guitar, backing vocals
  • Joe McGinty – keyboards
  • Andy Shernoff – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Funaro – drums
Technical

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References

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  6. "Reviews". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. March 27, 2002 via Google Books.
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  8. Maerz, Jennifer (February 24, 2002). "Joey Ramone's 'Worry': Rest Assured" via www.washingtonpost.com.
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  10. "Punk Rock Revolutionary: The Legacy of Joey Ramone". Los Angeles Times. February 13, 2002.
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  13. Perlich, Tim (February 28, 2002). "JOEY RAMONE".
  14. Poet, j. "Music". Wired via www.wired.com.
  15. "Joey Ramone - Don't Worry About Me". Discogs. Retrieved March 14, 2022.