Beat on the Brat
Ramones Lyrics

The Ramones’ “Beat on the Brat” is a punk rock anthem with a catchy, driving beat, featuring the repetition of the chorus “beat on the brat with a baseball bat.” The lyrics are a satirical commentary on suburban culture and parenting, where children are often spoiled and entitled. The first verse sets the tone of the song with a simple, monotonous rhythm - repeating “beat on the brat” twice, which is then followed by the phrase “with a baseball bat” driving home the central image of the song. The second verse is a reflection upon the frustration of dealing with a spoiled child who is constantly on your back, asking “what can you do?” and then repeating the question while emphasizing the lack of any real solution other than to “beat on the brat”. The song is ultimately an ironic commentary on parenthood - on one hand, it is a brutal satire of a generation of spoilt, over-privileged children and, on the other hand, a cry of frustration and angst from the parents towards their much-detested offspring.

One interesting fact about "Beat on the Brat" is that it was released as a single in 1977 and was included on the Ramones' debut album, "Ramones". The song, along with other tracks from the album, is considered one of the earliest examples of punk rock music. Another interesting fact about the song is that it was written by lead vocalist Joey Ramone, and the lyrics are said to be inspired by a New York City roughneck that he had encountered. It was also said that the song was written in the key of C to encourage more sing-alongs during live concerts.

The Ramones recorded “Beat on the Brat” at Plaza Sound Studios in New York and it was released on Sire Records. The song has since become a cult classic and has been covered by numerous bands, such as U2 and Marilyn Manson. The song featured on many television shows including: The Sopranos, The Simpsons, and The O.C.