Animal Boy is the ninth studio album by the Ramones, released through Sire Records on May 19, 1986. Due to conflicts within the group, the album features less of lead singer Joey Ramone, both in performing and writing, and less performing from guitarist Johnny Ramone. Bassist Dee Dee Ramone wrote and sang more on this album than on previous albums, and Richie Ramone became the first drummer to write songs for the band since Tommy Ramone, the band’s original drummer. Richie also wrote for Too Tough To Die (1984). The album spawned four singles, all of which charted on the UK Singles Chart, as well as other charts. In addition to singles, the band promoted their album using a music video for “Something to Believe In”, which parodied the contemporary benefit concerts Live Aid and Hands Across America.
Lyrical themes of the album range from band members’ frustrations with one another, themselves, and loved ones, to more politically themed songs—a rarity in Ramones music. “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)” saw the Ramones criticizing U.S. President Ronald Reagan for his controversial visit to a military cemetery in Bitburg, Germany, despite Johnny Ramone disagreeing with the song’s message. Critically, Animal Boy was not as acclaimed as its predecessor, Too Tough to Die, with some critics quick to point out that the band had strayed far from their original style and were experimenting with several genres by this point. However, the album charted in four different countries, including the United States and United Kingdom.
Tracklist:
Side One
- Somebody Put Something in My Drink (Richie Ramone)
- Animal Boy (Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone)
- Love Kills (D. Ramone)
- Apeman Hop (D. Ramone)
- She Belongs to Me (D. Ramone, Jean Beauvoir)
- Crummy Stuff (D. Ramone)
Side Two
- My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg) (Joey Ramone, D. Ramone, Beauvoir)
- Mental Hell (Joey Ramone)
- Eat That Rat (D. Ramone, Johnny Ramone)
- Freak of Nature (D. Ramone, Johnny Ramone)
- Hair of the Dog (Joey Ramone)
- Something to Believe In (D. Ramone, Beauvoir)
Ramones
Joey Ramone: lead vocals (tracks 1–2, 4–8, 10–12)
Johnny Ramone: guitar
Dee Dee Ramone: bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (tracks 3, 9)
Richie Ramone: drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
Walter Lure: additional guitar
Jean Beauvoir: additional guitar, keyboards and background vocals
Technical
Jean Beauvoir: producer, mixing
Jorge Esteban: engineer (Intergalactic)
Grant Gillett: assistant engineer (Intergalactic)
Anders Oredson: engineer (Polar), mixing
Bobby Cohen: engineer (track 7)
Ian Cooper: mastering
George DuBose: cover design, front photography
Paul O. Colliton: back photography
Joey Ramone (May 19, 1951 – April 15, 2001)
Johnny Ramone (October 8, 1948 – September 15, 2004)
Dee Dee Ramone (September 18, 1951 – June 5, 2002)
