Judy Is a Punk
Ramonkeys Lyrics


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Jackie is a punk,
Judy is a runt
They both went down to Berlin,
joined the ice capades.

And oh, I don't know why
Oh, I don't know why
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah

Second verse, same as the first,

Jackie is a punk,
Judy is a runt
They both went down to Berlin,
joined the ice capades.

And oh, I don't know why
Oh, I don't know why
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah

Third verse, different from the first,

Jackie is a punk,
Judy is a runt,
They both went down to Frisco,
Joined the SLA.

And oh, I don't know why,
Oh, I don't know why
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah
Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah




Perhaps they'll die,
Oh yeah!

Overall Meaning

The Ramones' song "Judy Is a Punk" is a fast-paced and high-energy punk rock classic that showcases the band's signature sound. The song starts off with the lines "Jackie is a punk, Judy is a runt, they both went down to Berlin, joined the ice capades." These lines present a snapshot of two rebel characters who abandon their mundane lives and head to Berlin to join the ice capades, possibly in pursuit of a more exciting existence. The song's refrain "Oh yeah, perhaps they'll die" suggests the high stakes of their daring decision and the risk of tragedy that comes with such a bold move.


The second verse of the song simply repeats the first, but the third verse introduces a new twist to the story. Jackie and Judy have apparently left Berlin and traveled to San Francisco to join the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a notorious radical group that was responsible for the kidnapping of Patty Hearst in the 1970s. This turn of events adds another layer of intrigue to the lives of these two punk characters, suggesting that their rebellious streak runs deep, and they are willing to risk everything in the pursuit of their ideals.


Overall, "Judy Is a Punk" is a celebration of anti-establishment attitudes, youthful energy, and the excitement of taking risks. The song's simple lyrics convey a sense of urgency and recklessness that defined the punk scene of the 1970s, making it an enduring classic of the genre.


Line by Line Meaning

Jackie is a punk,
Jackie is a rebellious person,


Judy is a runt
Judy is short and weak,


They both went down to Berlin,
They went to Berlin where there was a lot of excitement,


joined the ice capades.
They joined the entertainment group that performs on ice,


And oh, I don't know why
The artist doesn't know why they did what they did,


Oh, I don't know why
The singer still doesn't know why,


Perhaps they'll die,
There is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah
The artist acknowledges this possibility,


Perhaps they'll die,
Again, there is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah
Once more, the artist acknowledges this possibility,


Perhaps they'll die,
Yet again, there is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah
Again, the artist acknowledges this possibility,


Perhaps they'll die,
One more time, there is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah
The singer continues to acknowledge this possibility,


Second verse, same as the first,
The second verse is similar to the first,


They both went down to Berlin,
Again, they went to Berlin,


joined the ice capades.
Again, they joined the entertainment group that performs on ice,


Third verse, different from the first,
The third verse is different from the first two,


They both went down to Frisco,
This time, they went to San Francisco,


Joined the SLA.
They joined the radical organization the SLA (Symbionese Liberation Army),


And oh, I don't know why,
As before, the artist doesn't know why they did what they did,


Oh, I don't know why
The artist still doesn't know why,


Perhaps they'll die,
Again, there is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah
The artist acknowledges this possibility,


Perhaps they'll die,
Again, there is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah
The singer acknowledges this possibility,


Perhaps they'll die,
Again, there is a possibility they will die,


Oh yeah!
The artist emphasizes this possibility,




Contributed by Ella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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