His hometown is Queens, New York. Ward replaced original band-member Dee Dee Ramone, though Dee Dee continued to write songs for the group. C.J. sang many well-known Ramones songs, and gave the band a young image as well as major shot in the arm musically. He was an ex-Marine and Ramones fan before he joined the band, being a Dee Dee Ramone fan in particular. Ward ended up playing with Dee Dee in a band called The Ramainz (also known as The Remains), which featured the two men alongside Marky Ramone and Barbara Zampini (Dee Dee's wife, also called "Barbara Ramone"). He has also played with the punk groups Los Gusanos and Bad Chopper.
When C.J. joined, he became a breath of fresh air into a band which, by the mid-80s, had slowed down and lost much of their onstage energy and presence. Johnny Ramone remarked he was happy to see Dee Dee replaced by the younger C.J. because, by the time of his leaving the group, Dee Dee had become "annoying" and had troubles with drug use (even doing things such as showing up to a gig dressed as a skinhead). The former Ramones bassist, songwriter, and sometime singer would end up dying of a drug overdose several years later.
Johnny also stated he knew immediately when C.J. auditioned that he was right, commenting that he "had the right look". When the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the original Ramones drummer, Tommy Ramone, credited C.J. with "keeping the band young". CJ also had the idea for the band to cover Tom Waits' "I Don't Want to Grow Up" on the album ¡Adios Amigos!, with the band's version of the tune becoming a fan favorite among their collection of songs.
C.J. was the youngest member of the group, by nine years. His first show with the guys was on September 30, 1989, in Leicester, England, and he played with the band until they retired on August 6, 1996. He married to Ramone's niece, Chessa, with whom he has two children.
This Town
C.J. Ramone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over the river
I gave you my coat
When I felt you shiver
Only two ways
Out of this town
One is that bridge
The other's in the ground
For all your looking nothing seen
I'll get a job
Working at the plant
The very next day
A new trans am
You're knocked up
Ready to drop
Just in time
For the next layoff
Take another cruise down Queen
For all the looking nothing seen
No happy endings in this song
When your choices turned out wrong
The snow fell low
Over the river
I gave you my coat
When I felt you shiver
The song "This Town" by C.J. Ramone is a poignant depiction of a hard life lived in a small town with limited opportunities. The lyrics tell of the bleakness and hopelessness of the situation, with the snow falling low over the river setting the tone. C.J. Ramone narrates a story of trying to escape the monotony of the town through two options; one is to cross the bridge, and the other is to descend to the ground.
The singer's life only seems to revolve around the town and its desolate existence, with the repeated phrase "Take another cruise down Queen, for all your looking nothing seen" underscoring the fact that despite looking elsewhere for something better, there is never any change or growth.
The song's themes revolve around lack of opportunities, poverty, and facing the harsh realities of life. Despite the bleak reality, there's a sense of solidarity and compassion offered. The singer gave the person they were with their coat when they felt them shiver, indicating the act of empathy in a town where they are all struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
The snow fell low
Snow fell lightly covering the grounds.
Over the river
The snow covered both land and river.
I gave you my coat
I selflessly offered my coat to keep you from cold.
When I felt you shiver
I noticed the effect of cold on you and knew you needed to be kept warm.
Only two ways
There are only two choices available.
Out of this town
The choices will influence one's stay in the current town.
One is that bridge
The first choice is to cross that bridge to the unknown.
The other's in the ground
The second choice is to settle down in the town for good and ultimately being buried there.
Take another cruise down Queen
Driving down Queen repeatedly for a change of scenery.
For all your looking nothing seen
Despite the search for something new, no progress is made.
I'll get a job
I'll seek employment.
Working at the plant
I'll take the job at the local factory.
The very next day
I secured the factory job immediately.
A new trans am
I was able to acquire a new car after the job offer.
You're knocked up
You're unexpectedly pregnant.
Ready to drop
You're close to giving birth.
Just in time
Right in time for something else happening.
For the next layoff
Right in time to get out of a job prior to another round of layoffs.
No happy endings in this song
The song does not have a fairy tale ending.
When your choices turned out wrong
When one's choices lead to a negative outcome.
The snow fell low
The snow falling continues to be an ongoing theme.
Over the river
The snow covering both land and river is emphasized once more.
I gave you my coat
The scenario where I gave away my coat to keep someone from cold is repeated.
When I felt you shiver
The reason for giving away the coat was because the person was cold.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Gerald Fillion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Salazar
To me, the best song of this record. Lyrics any?
Judy Wykle
Nice song.
EK DECAY
legend
Rodrigo Estevam Lima
All is very well, C.J. is here