The Ramones are streaming a rough mix demo of “Why Is It Always This Way?” – featuring alternate lyrics – as a preview to the November 24 release of an expanded 40th anniversary reissue of their 1977 album, “Rocket To Russia.”
The track is included on a disc of bonus material from sessions at New York’s Power Station as part of a 3CD Deluxe Edition that also delivers the record’s original mix alongside a new 40th anniversary one by the album's original engineer/mixer, Ed Stasium, and a third disc that presents a complete unreleased concert recording of the band’s December 19, 1977 show at the Apollo Centre in Glasgow, Scotland - just days before the group recorded the classic live album, “It’s Alive”, in London, UK.
The Deluxe Edition will be produced in a limited and numbered edition and comes packaged in a 12 x 12 hardcover book. Along with the music, the set also features stories about the band by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, details about making the album by Stasium, and extensive liner notes by renowned music writer and co-founder of Creem Magazine, Jaan Uhelszki.
The New York band’s third album – and last to feature their original lineup – included classic singles like “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” and “Rockaway Beach” while peaking at No. 49 on the US Billboard 200.
The Deluxe Edition will be produced in a limited and numbered edition and comes packaged in a 12 x 12 hardcover book. Along with the music, the set also features stories about the band by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, details about making the album by Stasium, and extensive liner notes by renowned music writer and co-founder of Creem Magazine, Jaan Uhelszki.
“Rocket To Russia” is the latest expanded 40th anniversary reissue of a Ramones project, following their groundbreaking 1976 self-titled debut album and 1977’s “Leave Home.”
The Ramones
“Rocket To Russia” 40th anniversary Deluxe Edition
Release date: November 24
Disc One: Original Album
Remastered Original Mixes
01. “Cretin Hop”
02. “Rockaway Beach”
03. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow”
04. “Locket Love”
05. “I Don’t Care”
06. “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”
07. “We’re A Happy Family”
08. “Teenage Lobotomy”
09. “Do You Wanna Dance?”
10. “I Wanna Be Well”
11. “I Can’t Give You Anything”
12. “Ramona”
13. “Surfin’ Bird”
14. “Why Is It Always This Way?”
40th Anniversary Tracking Mix
01. “Cretin Hop”
02. “Rockaway Beach”
03. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow”
04. “Locket Love”
05. “I Don’t Care” – Version 2
06. “It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – Version 1
07. “We’re A Happy Family”
08. “Teenage Lobotomy”
09. “Do You Wanna Dance?”
10. “I Wanna Be Well”
11. “I Can’t Give You Anything”
12. “Ramona”
13. “Surfin’ Bird”
14. “Why Is It Always This Way?”
Disc Two: Bonus Material
Mediasound/Power Station Rough Mixes
01. “Why Is It Always This Way?” – Mediasound Rough, Alternate Lyrics *
02. “Rockaway Beach” – Power Station Rough *
03. “I Wanna Be Well” – Power Station Rough *
04. “Locket Love” – Power Station Rough *
05. “I Can’t Give You Anything” – Power Station Rough *
06. “Cretin Hop” – Power Station Rough *
07. “Happy Family” – Power Station Rough *
08. “Ramona” – Mediasound Rough, Alternate Lyrics *
09. “Do You Wanna Dance?” – Mediasound Rough *
10. “Teenage Lobotomy” – Mediasound Rough *
11. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” – Mediasound Rough *
12. “I Don’t Care” – Version 2, Mediasound Rough *
40th Anniversary Extras
01. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” – Acoustic Version *
02. “It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – Version 1-Dee Dee Vocal *
03. “Ramona” – Sweet Little Ramona Pop Mix *
04. “Surfin’ Bird” – Alternate Vocal *
05. “Teenage Lobotomy” – Backing Track *
06. “We’re A Happy Family” – At Home With The Family *
07. “Cretin Hop” – Backing Track *
08. “Needles And Pins” – Demo Version *
09. “Babysitter” – B-Side Version
10. “It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – B-Side Version
11. Joey RTR Radio Spot Promo *
12. “We’re A Happy Family” – Joey & Dee Dee Dialogue *
Disc Three: Live at Apollo Centre, Glasgow, Scotland (December 19, 1977)
01. “Rockaway Beach” *
02. “Teenage Lobotomy” *
03. “Blitzkrieg Bop” *
04. “I Wanna Be Well” *
05. “Glad To See You Go” *
06. “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” *
07. “You’re Gonna Kill That Girl” *
08. “I Don’t Care” *
09. “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” *
10. “Carbona Not Glue” *
11. “Commando” *
12. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” *
13. “Surfin’ Bird” *
14. “Cretin Hop” *
15. “Listen To My Heart” *
16. “California Sun” *
17. “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You” *
18. “Pinhead” *
19. “Do You Wanna Dance?” *
20. “Chain Saw” *
21. “Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World” *
22. “Now I Wanna Be A Good Boy” *
23. “Judy Is A Punk” *
24. “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” *
25. “We’re A Happy Family” *
* Previously unreleased
See also:
AUDIO: Ramones preview Rocket To Russia 40th anniversary reissue
Ramones announce expanded Rocket To Russia 40th anniversary reissue
AUDIO: Ramones preview Leave Home expanded 40th anniversary reissue
Ramones update New York street naming ceremony plans
Search The Ramones at hennemusic
