My Back Pages
Ramones Lyrics


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Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.




Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Overall Meaning

The Ramones's version of Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages" takes on a different meaning from the original. The lyrics reflect the singer's change from an older, more idealistic self to a younger, more cynical one. The lines "Crimson flames tied through my ears/Rollin' high and mighty traps/Pounced with fire on flaming roads/Using ideas as my maps" describe the singer's youthful, passionate persona. He sees himself as a fiery rebel, guided by his idealistic views. The refrain "Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now" is a statement of the singer's disillusionment with his former self.


In the second verse, the singer addresses the issue of prejudice and the notion of black and white. He refers to himself as having been "half-wracked," or partially insane, and having just woken up from a dream. He strives to see the world in a more nuanced way, rejecting simplistic ideas of good and evil. In the third verse, he adopts a more combative stance, declaring that he will "aim his hand/At the mongrel dogs who teach." He is willing to take on anyone who he feels has oppressed him, including those who have tried to influence him in the past.


Overall, "My Back Pages" is a song about growing up and rejecting the ideologies of youth. The singer has learned that the world is not as simple as he once thought, and that his youthful ideals were naive. The refrain of the song sums up this change, as the singer declares that he is now "younger than that," meaning that he is no longer weighed down by the baggage of his past beliefs.


Line by Line Meaning

Crimson flames tied through my ears
I am so passionate about something that it feels like a physical sensation, like fiery flames burning inside me.


Rollin' high and mighty traps
I am feeling confident and powerful, but there are also obstacles and challenges that could trap me.


Pounced with fire on flaming roads
I am charging forward with intensity and energy, on a path that is full of danger and risk.


Using ideas as my maps
I am guided by my own beliefs and principles, not by any external authority or rules.


"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
I feel like I am on the brink of some important change or transition, and I am ready to face it head-on.


Proud 'neath heated brow.
I am full of confidence and pride, even though I may be sweating and working hard.


Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
I am expressing my own biases and judgments, even though I am only halfway sure of myself.


"Rip down all hate," I screamed
I am passionate about opposing intolerance and bigotry, and I am not afraid to speak out against it.


Lies that life is black and white
I used to think that everything was either good or bad, right or wrong, but I now realize that reality is more complex and nuanced.


Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
My thoughts and ideas are coming from deep within my own mind, even if they may not always be based on reality.


Romantic facts of musketeers
I have a romanticized vision of chivalry and heroism, like the classic stories of the Three Musketeers.


Foundationed deep, somehow.
These idealistic beliefs are rooted in my core, even if they may not always be rational or realistic.


In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
I am ready to take action, to fight for what I believe in, like a soldier in battle.


At the mongrel dogs who teach
I am opposing those who I see as corrupt or immoral, who are leading others astray.


Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
I am not afraid of becoming like the very people I am fighting against, because I am fighting for a just cause.


In the instant that I preach
As soon as I start preaching or proselytizing, there is a danger that I may become hypocritical or preachy.


My pathway led by confusion boats
My journey through life is often fraught with confusion and uncertainty, like navigating a maze or maze-like canal.


Mutiny from stern to bow.
There is chaos and rebellion happening all around me, like a mutiny on a ship.


Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
I was vigilant and protective, even when facing intangible or theoretical dangers.


Too noble to neglect
I felt that it was my duty and responsibility to stay true to my values, no matter what the cost.


Deceived me into thinking
However, I now realize that this nobility and righteousness may have been a deception or illusion.


I had something to protect
I was clinging to a sense of purpose or mission, even if it was misguided or misplaced.


Good and bad, I define these terms
I am now taking a more nuanced and complex view of morality, and realizing that it is not always clear what is right or wrong.


Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Despite this complexity, I am still confident and sure of myself, even if I don't have all the answers.


Ah, but I was so much older then,
Looking back on my past, I realize that I was more naive and idealistic in my youth.


I'm younger than that now.
However, I have also grown and learned from my experiences, and now have a better understanding of the world and myself.




Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Racheal Plymale


on I Wanna Be Sedated (Live)

My Alltime favorite band!!!!!!!!! Joey Ramone was yummmy!!!!!

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