I Wanna Be a NY Ranger
Encyclopedia
"I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" is the eighth single
by the horror punk
band the Misfits. It was written by John Cafiero
and originally intended to be performed by the Ramones
for a promotional campaign for the New York Rangers
and Madison Square Garden
. However, the Ramones retired in 1996 and Cafiero instead presented the song to the Misfits, who recorded it with Cafiero singing lead vocals. A condensed 30-second version with then-Misfits singer Michale Graves
on vocals appeared later that year on the Short Music for Short People
compilation.
team. The song is a punk rock
interpolation of the military cadence
"Airborne Ranger", inspired by the simplicity of older Ramones songs such as "Beat on the Brat". However, the Ramones retired in 1996 before the project came to fruition. Cafiero had by then made an association with the Misfits, directing the music video
s for their songs "American Psycho" and "Dig Up Her Bones
" from their 1997 album American Psycho
. He presented "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" to them, and the song was recorded in May 1998 at Proedge, the band's machine
shop and rehearsal studio in Vernon Township, New Jersey
. It was tracked live to tape with Cafiero providing the vocals in place of regular singer Michale Graves
, and was mixed
by drummer
Dr. Chud
at Creepy Attic Studios in Lodi
.
Approximately 100 promotional CD
copies of the single were produced in connection with a campaign for the Rangers and Madison Square Garden
. Beckett Hockey Monthly wrote a review of the song, calling it "classic 'Fits, a minute and a half of hook-laden power punk perfect for revving up a crowd." The song was also the subject of a two-page article in the April 2002 issue of Hit Parader
, for which Jerry Only
and Cafiero were invited to the Rangers locker room at Madison Square garden for a photo shoot and interview along with members of the team. However, the Rangers' marketing department objected to the use of the word "danger" in the lyrics: "I wanna be a New York Ranger / I wanna live a life of danger". Cafiero and the Misfits refused to alter the lyrics, and as a result ownership of the song was never signed over.
"I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" was released at a time when Michale Graves was rumored to have quit the Misfits to attend hockey camp, having been a longtime fan of the sport and an amateur league player. Although the song had been written several years earlier, Graves' absence from the recording, along with the ironic subject matter of the song, further fueled these rumors. Graves soon dispelled the rumors and returned to the band, who recorded a condensed 30-second version of the song with Graves on vocals, titled "NY Ranger", for the Short Music for Short People
compilation album
. The full-length version with Cafiero was released two years later on the Misfits compilation album Cuts from the Crypt
at the request of the band's label Roadrunner Records
.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by the horror punk
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...
band the Misfits. It was written by John Cafiero
John Cafiero
John Cafiero is an American punk rock musician, film director and film producer. He is best known as the frontman for the punk supergroup Osaka Popstar, whose debut album was released the summer 2006...
and originally intended to be performed by the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
for a promotional campaign for the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
and Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. However, the Ramones retired in 1996 and Cafiero instead presented the song to the Misfits, who recorded it with Cafiero singing lead vocals. A condensed 30-second version with then-Misfits singer Michale Graves
Michale Graves
Michael Emanuel , better known by his stage name Michale Graves, is an American singer and songwriter, singing for the late 1990s re-incarnation of The Misfits from 1995 to 1998 and again from late 1998 until late 2000. Graves grew up in Dumont, New Jersey...
on vocals appeared later that year on the Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
compilation.
Background
John Cafiero had originally written "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" with the intention for it to be recorded by the Ramones as an anthem for the New York Rangers ice hockeyIce hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team. The song is a punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
interpolation of the military cadence
Military cadence
In the armed services, a military cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching...
"Airborne Ranger", inspired by the simplicity of older Ramones songs such as "Beat on the Brat". However, the Ramones retired in 1996 before the project came to fruition. Cafiero had by then made an association with the Misfits, directing the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s for their songs "American Psycho" and "Dig Up Her Bones
Dig Up Her Bones
"Dig Up Her Bones" is the seventh single by the horror punk band the Misfits. It was the first single released by the re-formed lineup of the band, after the original incarnation broke up in 1983...
" from their 1997 album American Psycho
American Psycho (album)
American Psycho is an album by the Misfits. Released May 13, 1997, it was the first to be recorded and released without founder and leader Glenn Danzig...
. He presented "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" to them, and the song was recorded in May 1998 at Proedge, the band's machine
Machining
Conventional machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, in which a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physical remove material to achieve a desired...
shop and rehearsal studio in Vernon Township, New Jersey
Vernon Township, New Jersey
-Communities and neighborhoods:Communities and neighborhoods in Vernon Township include the following sections:*Vernon Village "Town Center"*Vernon Valley a.k.a...
. It was tracked live to tape with Cafiero providing the vocals in place of regular singer Michale Graves
Michale Graves
Michael Emanuel , better known by his stage name Michale Graves, is an American singer and songwriter, singing for the late 1990s re-incarnation of The Misfits from 1995 to 1998 and again from late 1998 until late 2000. Graves grew up in Dumont, New Jersey...
, and was mixed
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
by drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Dr. Chud
Dr. Chud
Dr. C.H.U.D. is an American rock drummer and singer.-Life and career:...
at Creepy Attic Studios in Lodi
Lodi, New Jersey
Lodi is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 24,136. The borough of Lodi is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law.Lodi owes its name to the Italian city of Lodi...
.
Approximately 100 promotional CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
copies of the single were produced in connection with a campaign for the Rangers and Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. Beckett Hockey Monthly wrote a review of the song, calling it "classic 'Fits, a minute and a half of hook-laden power punk perfect for revving up a crowd." The song was also the subject of a two-page article in the April 2002 issue of Hit Parader
Hit Parader
Hit Parader is an American music magazine focusing on the genres of hard rock, pop, and heavy metal.The magazine was originally started as a pop song lyric magazine by Charlton Publications in 1942. Charlton sold off the magazine before the company went under in 1991...
, for which Jerry Only
Jerry Only
Jerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
and Cafiero were invited to the Rangers locker room at Madison Square garden for a photo shoot and interview along with members of the team. However, the Rangers' marketing department objected to the use of the word "danger" in the lyrics: "I wanna be a New York Ranger / I wanna live a life of danger". Cafiero and the Misfits refused to alter the lyrics, and as a result ownership of the song was never signed over.
"I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" was released at a time when Michale Graves was rumored to have quit the Misfits to attend hockey camp, having been a longtime fan of the sport and an amateur league player. Although the song had been written several years earlier, Graves' absence from the recording, along with the ironic subject matter of the song, further fueled these rumors. Graves soon dispelled the rumors and returned to the band, who recorded a condensed 30-second version of the song with Graves on vocals, titled "NY Ranger", for the Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
. The full-length version with Cafiero was released two years later on the Misfits compilation album Cuts from the Crypt
Cuts from the Crypt
- Band :* Michale Graves – vocals* Jerry Only – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Monster Mash"* Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein – guitar* Dr. Chud – drums- Additional musicians :* John Cafiero – vocals on "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger"...
at the request of the band's label Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
.
Track listing
Band
- Doyle Wolfgang von FrankensteinDoyle Wolfgang von FrankensteinDoyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein , is an American guitarist best known for his material with the horror punk band the Misfits.-Life and career:...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Jerry OnlyJerry OnlyJerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Dr. ChudDr. ChudDr. C.H.U.D. is an American rock drummer and singer.-Life and career:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....