# Was Bonzo Goes To Bitburg an anti-Reagan Song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2004, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117 "2004-09-20T11:26:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/1 "2004-09-20T11:26:08Z")
I had always assumed that _Bonzo Goes To Bitburg_ was an anti-Reagan song but in a [recent article](http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/16/obit.ramone.ap/index.html) on Johnny Ramone’s death his political leanings were described > [@cnn.com](#): > > the guitarist was politically conservative – the late Ronald Reagan was Ramone’s favorite president Now it’s possible his views weren’t shared by the rest of the group, but if Reagan was his favorite president I would imagine it would take quite a bit of arm-twisting to get him to perform an anti-Reagan song. So, what’s the deal? Have I just been misinterpreting the song all these years? Can someone provide and alternate interpretation? [Lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/ramones,-the/113780.html) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/2 "2004-09-20T12:01:07Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > I had always assumed that _Bonzo Goes To Bitburg_ was an anti-Reagan song but in a [recent article](http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/16/obit.ramone.ap/index.html) on Johnny Ramone’s death his political leanings were described > > Now it’s possible his views weren’t shared by the rest of the group, but if Reagan was his favorite president I would imagine it would take quite a bit of arm-twisting to get him to perform an anti-Reagan song. So, what’s the deal? Have I just been misinterpreting the song all these years? Can someone provide and alternate interpretation? > > [Lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/ramones,-the/113780.html) Well, I liked Reagan, too, but I still thought laying a wreath at Bitburg was dumb and insensitive. And sice at least some of the Ramones were Jewish, I assume they’d feel the same way. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/3 "2004-09-20T14:00:50Z")
> [@](#): > > [The _Guardian_](http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1306053,00.html) > The rest of the band penned Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, an attack on the then-president Ronald Reagan. When the guitarist found out what the song was about - some time after having recorded it - he refused to perform it on stage. Other articles you get by searching news.google include one that claims he tried to stop Dee Dee from writing it, so who knows. But clearly the song was an attack on Reagan. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/4 "2004-09-20T15:15:34Z")
The song was a direct attack on Reagan. Great song by the way. As soon as he learned what it was about Johnny refused to play it live (which is why it is very difficult to find a live version). It was from the albulm Animal Boy which is one of my favourite Ramones records. ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/5 "2004-09-20T16:21:44Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > The song was a direct attack on Reagan… As soon as he learned what it was about Johnny refused to play it live (which is why it is very difficult to find a live version)… This, of course, begs the question: with a title like “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg”, how could he have **not** known it was an anti-Reagan song? ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/6 "2004-09-20T18:21:52Z")
It remains one of my favorite songs. Now, is anyone going to write a cute anti-Bush song? ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/7 "2004-09-20T18:38:07Z")
Perhaps he did but was persuaded to play it anyway. People can change their minds you know. The Ramones were constantly fighting which was probably good for their music. Animal Boy has some great songs on it. Worth picking up as it is a very underrated album. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/8 "2004-09-20T19:53:22Z")
Keep in mind the name was changed to “My Brain is Hanging Upside Down” and the Bonzo part usually appears in paranthesis (See “Ramonesmania” or “Hey Ho” compilations for an example. From [the allmusic album review](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4791FDA46AE7120C69D314BCBBB22AB5F8863E38F162F451BDFBA3C549E3A58C40BEDD0B5FDF36AB679B0FD2EA45E43D0C0EA50F6D8672D5DF0&sql=10:be5ibks96akx~T1): > [@](#): > > Of note, the album does contain one of the band’s most clearly political statements in first single “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg,” written about President Ronald Reagan’s ill-advised visit to Germany’s Bitburg cemetery, the site of many Nazi graves. Interestingly, the song was later re-titled “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down” prior to the album’s release after vehement protests from guitarist Johnny Ramone, a fervid conservative. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/9 "2004-09-21T01:02:20Z")
Thank you for posting that review. I entirely disagree with the review but it made for some good reading. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/10 "2004-09-21T02:28:42Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > Now, is anyone going to write a cute anti-Bush song? I’m counting on the Dixie Chicks, but in the meantime I’ll give it a try. George, George, George of the Bungle Screwing you and me Bomb it to debris! Bomb it to debris! George, George, George of the Bungle Ruling by decree Bomb it to debris! Bomb it to debris! When things get thick He wiggles out slick With the help of his friend, A dick named Dick! Then he’ll lie some more And start a war While Colin and Condoleeza Play the whore! George, George, George of the Bungle Screwing you and me! Bomb it to debris! Bomb it to debris! OK, first try, needs work. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/11 "2004-09-21T15:34:34Z")
Correction to my previous post: On the Ramones Mania compilation, the song is listed simply as “Bonzo Goes To Bitburg”. The alternate title does appear on the “Hey Ho” compilation. I don’t know how it appears on the original “Animal Boy” release. And to reiterate the answer to the OP, the Ramones Mania liner notes describe the song as > [@](#): > > graphic evidece of the Ramones’ growing maturity, in the form of the politically active “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg”, a song that takes dead aim at a certain actor-turned-President we all know. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/12 "2004-09-21T16:16:18Z")
I believe it was called Bonzo Goes to Bitburg on the album. It’s back in Ireland so I’ll have to wait until I get back home. As for the Dixie Chicks…hijack here but what really bothered me about these marginally talented country hucksters wasn’t what they said but their reaction to their fans reaction to what they said (there’s a mouthful). Freedom of speach goes both ways and there is ofter a price for that freedom. They weren’t censored they were just criticized by a section of their fans. That’s the way it works ladies. Stop playing the martyr and have the courage of your convictions to stand behind your comments and not whine when people disagree with you. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bonzo-goes-to-bitburg-an-anti-reagan-song/265117/13 "2004-09-22T18:10:07Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > It remains one of my favorite songs. Now, is anyone going to write a cute anti-Bush song? In the 'punk_ish_ vein, I’d recommend the 1st of the 2 [Rock Against Bush](http://www.punkvoter.com/) CDs. In the hip-hop vein, there’s the [War (If It Feels Good, Do It)](http://www.alternativetentacles.com/product.php?product=717&sd=pQILhpVbzJKVgSCBdbw) compilation. I just got a copy thru Alternative Tentacles last week, and in my opinion, it barely reaches the rating of listenable. W’s Dad got ribbed a few times. The best tracks that come to mind are:[ul] [li]A Thousand Points of Light (Was Not Was)'s: “Read My Lips”[/li][li]Steinsky & Mass Media’s: “It’s Up To You” and [/li][li]Beth Watson’s: “Waiting at the Border” (Which falls into the cute category)[/ul][/li] Minor hijack: Something I’ve asked before - Was John Fogerty’s “Old Man Down The Road” a refernce to Reagan?