Thursday, September 22, 2016

SONGWRITING 000: Rocket To Russia (a song I tried to write for The Ramones)

Songwriting 000 collects some of my sporadic attempts to write pop song lyrics. This ain't an easy task when you have less musical acumen than, say, Spiro Agnew, but we do what we can. I figure I need to get good (or at least passable) at this someday, if only so I can use the name Carlgems Records as my publishing company.


Started writing this in my head after my second Ramones concert (July 6th, 1979), but never wrote it down until now.

"This one's called 'Rocket To Russia.' Take it, Dee Dee!"

"1-2-3-4!"

ROCKET TO RUSSIA
lyrics by Carl Cafarelli

Workin' for the government
Decidin' how your money's spent
But the cold war's gettin' too hot

Moscow's got a bomb
And I can't be cool and calm
Soviets are takin' a shot

I spent all my money on a rocket to Russia
It crash-landed fast, and I wound up in Prussia
German girls can stalk
"Ve have vays to make you talk!"
I fell in love behind enemy lines

The President's mad
The Russkies have been had
The rocket blew up in their faces

And here in Germany
My frauleins and me
Are on the run from the Master Races

I spent all my money on a rocket to Russia
It crash-landed fast, and I wound up in Prussia
German girls can stalk
"Ve have vays to make you talk!"
I fell in love behind enemy lines

I'm a double agent, baby
You can't catch me
I'll blaze a trail past the Siegfreid Line
With my frauleins at my side
I won't ever need to hide
We'll hitch a V2 to Hollywood and Vine

HEY!

Back in the States
No one dictates
What my frauleins and I are gonna do

We keep our eyes on the skies
So there's no surprise
If Uncle Sam tries to take us out, too

I spent all my money on a rocket to Russia
It crash-landed fast, and I wound up in Prussia
German girls can stalk
"Ve have vays to make you talk!"
I fell in love behind enemy lines
I fell in love behind enemy lines
I fell in love behind enemy lines

It's great ta be back in Schenectady, and it's great to see you all here. Take it, Dee Dee!

1-2-3-4!

 

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