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The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)


Around my house you might find my kids humming this tune as if it were a classic song like Blue Christmas or Silent Night. To them, The Ramones are great Christmas singers; right up there with Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee.

 Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) first appeared as a b-side to I Wanna Live in 1987.  The single failed to chart in the U.S. and U.K. However, the Ramones released Merry Christmas again in 1989 as the third single from The Ramones' Brain Drain. This would be the final record to feature Dee Dee. The video, depicting a holiday meltdown with people speaking in an authentic Long Island vernacular (maybe?), features Dee Dee's replacement, C.J. on bass.

Here's to a non-violent, peaceful and perhaps humorous holiday!



Further Listening: This year, Steven Van Zandt released a cover of the song with a 15 piece band and a new third verse. Check it out:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-steven-van-zandts-video-for-ramones-merry-christmas-w514553

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