"Danny Says" | ||||
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Song by Ramones | ||||
from the album End of the Century | ||||
Released | February 4, 1980 | |||
Recorded | May 1979 | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 3:05 | |||
Label | Sire | |||
Songwriter(s) | Joey Ramone | |||
Producer(s) | Phil Spector | |||
End of the Century track listing | ||||
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"Danny Says" is a ballad written by Joey Ramone. The song was originally released as the third track on the Ramones' 1980 album, End of the Century. The 2002 Expanded Edition CD of the album includes a demo version of "Danny Says" among the bonus tracks. The song has since been covered and released by the Foo Fighters and Tom Waits.
"Danny Says" is a love song written by singer Joey Ramone at the Tropicana Hotel in Los Angeles when the Ramones were staying there for the recording of End of the Century. The "Danny" alluded to in the title is the Ramones' manager Danny Fields.
The romantic inspiration for the song is believed to be Linda Daniele, Joey's girlfriend at the time. Linda later ended her romantic involvement with Joey to instead begin a relationship with and eventually marry the band's guitarist Johnny Ramone. Although this virtually ended dialog between the two bandmates, both remained in the Ramones until the band split up in 1996.
At the time Joey was rooming with Arturo Vega in room 100 B of the Tropicana Hotel. Hence the line in the song, "Hanging out in 100 B".
The lyrics include a reference to the late 1960s television series Get Smart ("Watching Get Smart on TV").
Another reference in the song is to Christmas, reflecting the difference at that time of year between where the band were recording in Los Angeles and the Ramones' home town of New York City - "It ain't Christmas if there ain't no snow".
The lyrics also refer to a character named Sheena ("Listening to Sheena on the radio"). "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" is a track on the 1977 Ramones album Rocket to Russia.
Johnny later commented on working with Phil Spector on the recording of the album, "It really worked when he got to a slower song like 'Danny Says'—the production really worked tremendously. For the harder stuff, it didn't work as well." When Joey was later asked what were his favorite Ramones songs he was quoted as replying, "'Danny Says" was always a favorite".