Joey grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, feeling optimistic about the future but just a hairs breath above poverty. His mother, Charlotte, encouraged an interest in music in both Joey and his brother Mitchell Hyman a/k/a Mickey Leigh. Charlotte spelled Joey's birth name 'Jeffry' without the 'e' as she wanted to make him different. Joey was a fan of The Who and other such poppy rock bands (particularly "oldies" groups). Also inspired by the DIY-based loose, anarchic garage rock groups such as The Stooges, Joey took up drums at 13, playing throughout his teen years while also dabbling in vocals. Joey was originally the drummer for the Ramones, with Dee Dee Ramone handling the singing. Upon Tommy Ramone's suggestion that some particular parts of the band didn't work, he became the vocalist. Joey and his bandmates attended Forest Hills High School.
He was said to be the "heart and soul" of the Ramones, and his favorite songs they had performed were often the ballads and love songs. C.J. Ramone called Joey the "hippie of the group". Among punk rock fans, and underground music fans in general, Joey became a counter-cultural icon. After the heyday of the Ramones in the mid-70s, they remained only an underground act throughout the 80s and 90s, but their influence among rock music has been immense.
Joey was distinctive due to his towering height of 6 ft 6 in (1,98m), ectomorphic form, and long shock of black hair that almost completely obscured his face. Joey was known to have suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Joey was born sterile, so he never fathered any children. He also never married. Friends and family have credited him as being an extremely friendly, jovial, and caring person.
Joey did not speak to guitarist Johnny Ramone for many years. The animosity began when Johnny "stole" Joey's girlfriend Linda, whom Johnny later married. They were also strongly averse to each other's politics as well, Joey being a left-leaning liberal while Johnny was a staunch conservative. The pair never made up with each other.
Joey died of lymphoma on April 15, 2001. He apparently had had the disease for a long time; he was sighted at a New York City cancer clinic that specializes in lymphoma in the mid 1990s. His passing was a sad shock to many, and seemed to signal the end of a generation. Countless memorials, both by fans and the rockers he influenced, followed.
Joey co-penned and recorded the song "Meatball Sandwich" with Youth Gone Mad. For a short time before his death, he took the role of manager and producer for the punk rock group The Independents. His solo album Don't Worry About Me was released in 2002, and it featured the popular single "What a Wonderful World", his cover of the Louis Armstrong classic. In addition, this album featured a song entitled "Maria Bartiromo" in tribute to the popular CNBC anchor, which Joey had a crush on.
On November 30, 2003, Joey Ramone Place was officially named a new street in New York City. It is located alongside the block where the Ramones got their start at CBGB. His birthday is annually celebrated by rock and roll nightclubs, hosted in New York City by his brother. In January 2007, Joey Ramone's mother, Charlotte Lesher, passed away as well, mourned by Ramones fans across the world.
What a Wonderful World
Joey Ramone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see them bloom for me and you
And I say to myself
What wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
Bright sunny days, dark sacred nights
And I think to myselfWhat a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow are so pretty in the skies
Are also on the faces of people walking by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do?
They're really saying
I love you
I see babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
And I say to myself
What a wonderful world
Joey Ramone's interpretation of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is a sentimental and hopeful tribute to the beauty of life. The song begins with an observation of the natural world, trees and roses and how they bloom for everyone to witness, implying the idea that the world is full of wonders available for everyone to see. The second verse highlights the beauty of the skies, blue with white clouds, calling out the difference between bright, sunny days and dark nights and how both are equally sacred.
The third verse of the song is where the real magic happens - the "colors of the rainbow" in the sky aren’t just pretty visuals, but they’re also present in the faces of the people walking by. Joey Ramone points out the simple and most crucial things in life, the significance of human connections, and how a mere 'how do you do' expression can be a mark of love. The last lines of the song state the sadness in the fact that each person's time is limited, as he watches babies cry, and he is aware that they will learn much more than he ever will.
Line by Line Meaning
I see trees of green, red roses too
I observe the lush green trees and red roses blooming which signify the beauty of nature.
I see them bloom for me and you
I see the beauty of nature blooming for both of us, celebrating togetherness.
And I say to myself, what a wonderful world
I reflect on the beauty of nature and the people around me, realizing what an amazing world we live in.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
I see the clear blue skies with white fluffy clouds, which creates a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Bright sunny days, dark sacred nights
I witness the bright and happy days along with the serene and tranquil nights, discovering the balance of life.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I realize the joys of life in a world full of wonders.
The colors of the rainbow are so pretty in the skies
I see the vibrant colors of the rainbow painted across the sky, representing the beauty of diversity and individuality.
Are also on the faces of the people walking by
I notice the same colors of the rainbow on the faces of people, signifying that every individual is unique and beautiful in their way.
I see friends shaking hands saying
I observe friends warmly greeting each other with a handshake, representing respect and admiration for each other.
How do you do?
Friends use this greeting to show their kindness and welcome each other with open arms.
They're really saying I love you
This greeting is a way of expressing love and appreciation for each other.
I see babies cry, I watch them grow
I see babies making their first cry and growing into individuals with unique personalities and experiences.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
Babies will learn more than what I could ever imagine, showcasing how the future holds the unknown and incredible experiences.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I reflect on the joys of life and the beauty of individuality in a world full of wonders.
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I firmly believe and reaffirm the fact that the world we live in is full of mesmerizing experiences and joys.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PHIL RAMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ShobuIkosu
The Ramones - What A Wonderful World
I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom for me and you.
and I say to myself what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white.
Bright sunny days, Dark sacred nights,
and I think to myself what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow are so pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces of people walking by.
I see friends shaking hands sayin' "how do you do?".
They're really saying "I love you".
I see babies cry, I watch them grow,
they'll learn much more than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.
And I say to myself what a wonderful world.
@geraldinearguello6740
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying "how do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies crying
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself...
What a wonderful world
@Quiiique
I see trees of green, red roses too
i see them bloom for me and you
and i say to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
bright sunny days, dark sacred nights
and i think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow are so pretty in the skies
are also on the faces of the people walking by
i see friends shaking hands saying
how do you do?
they're really saying i love you
i see babies cry, i watch them grow
they'll learn much more than i'll ever know
and i think to myself, what a wonderful world
yes, i think to myself, what a wonderful world
@adisuraka3752
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I say to myself
What wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
Bright sunny days, dark sacred nights
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow are so pretty in the skies
Are also on the faces of people walking by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do?
They're really saying
I love you
I see babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
And I say to myself
What a wonderful world
@jhbbunch
Definition of punk. Dying of cancer, make a sincere video of "what a wonderful life.' No whining, no crying, just a thank you to the rest of us. Joey forever.
@HenriqueMinuzo
Joey Ramone foi diagnosticado com linfoma em 1994 e lutou contra a doença por cerca de sete anos. Em 2000, ele quebrou a bacia ao escorregar em uma calçada de gelo, o que agravou sua saúde. Joey faleceu em 15 de abril de 2001, aos 49 anos, devido a complicações do câncer, cujo tratamento foi prejudicado pela fratura.
@HonkyCat90
You wanna know why Joey Ramone's my hero? Cause people never managed to grind him down. They never stole his spirit. He never gave in. Never gave up and never sold out right til his last breath. And he's not dead. Guys like that. They live forever.
@OfficialMickeyLeigh
+Arnar Einarsson well said.
@crevice5369
Um where do you get this from?
@vollstaendingennamen
lmao, its from the x-files
@Alejandrohernandez-mr4mp
No
@54markl
The Ramones are the spirit of Rock and Roll, they are Deathless.
@ThorCarlton
Joey was dying when he recorded this and still sounded just as good as he did decades earlier. Such a great talent and great person.
@borntoclimb7116
A sad destiny