Let's Go!

the anticipation was staggering before a punk show
rifling through the closet for that perfect outfit
a faded Misfits tee
and my black leather jacket

but the shows were always a disappointment
as the girls would only talk to the bands
and the bands didn't talk to the fans 
and the fans didn't talk to the fans

i wound up against the wall
never listening to the music as much as
i was lamenting not being the one playing it

and when the vocalists would rant between songs
posture during their sets
it always made me realize why i loved Joey Ramone
so much

stoic and strong at the front of the stage
he stood by his mic like it was his partner in a storm
and they weren't going to let anything happen to each other

showmanship is overrated
attitude is overrated
punk rock is overrated

The Ramones were more than that
more than rock stars
more than gods
they
were the reason i got into this music
and came to these shows

and when i would look around
at any given show of another band
all i could think was that
"nobody is The Ramones"