"Pet Sematary" is a single by American punk rock band Ramones, from their 1989 album Brain Drain. The song, originally written for the Stephen King1989 film adaptation of the same name, became one of the Ramones' biggest radio hits and was a staple of their concerts during the 1990s.[2] The song plays over the film’s credits.[3]
King, a huge Ramones fan, invited the Ramones to his Bangor, Maine home as they played in New England. During the visit, he handed Dee Dee Ramone a copy of his Pet Sematary novel, and the bassist retreated to the basement. One hour later, Dee Dee returned with the lyrics to "Pet Sematary". Shortly afterwards, drummer Marky Ramone said that Dee Dee's attitude that day showed that he could achieve his plans to leave the band and attempt a career at hip hop music. He likened Dee Dee to King, saying that both wrote things people could relate to because they "penetrated to the curiosity, fears, and insecurities carried around with them and couldn't put into words."[4]
Producer Daniel Rey became a co-writer by assisting with the structure of the song, while producer Jean Beauvoir of the Plasmatics helped give the song a more commercial style fit for radio play and film inclusion. As "Pet Sematary" sounded closer to the rock ballads of the period, it was a struggle for Johnny Ramone to play the arpeggios and chords, despite Dee Dee's guidance.[4]
The music video for "Pet Sematary" was filmed at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in the eponymous New York village. Shot on a cold night in January 1989, the video features black and white shots of the Ramones walking through the graveyard, as well as color footage of the band and various others miming to the song alongside an open grave. The video ends with the band playing on a hydraulic platform placed inside the open grave, which is gradually lowered until a group of undertakers covers the grave with a headstone that reads "The Ramones".[4] It was the last video featuring Dee Dee Ramone, who would depart the band and be replaced with C. J. Ramone. The video features cameos by Debbie Harry and Chris SteinofBlondie, as well as members of the Dead Boys.[5]
An alternate edit of the video features the aforementioned scenes interspersed with scenes from the film, with the opening footage of the band walking through the graveyard now appearing in color.[6] This version was briefly shown during an episode of Beavis and Butt-head, named "Good Credit".
An instrumental cover of the song is featured on the eponymous debut album by Ramonetures (2000).[10]
From May to July 2001 Rammstein played a cover of the song as a tribute to Joey Ramone. Most of the vocals are sung by the band's keyboardist, Christian Lorenz. The third and background verses are sung by Zak Tell, singer of Clawfinger. Rarely Till Lindemann, Rammstein's lead singer, would sing in place of Zak Tell.[11]
Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms recorded a cover of the song in October 2020 together with Paul Masson of Great American Canyon Band and drummer Andy Herrin. Wilson's son Grey performed the guitar solos. The group billed themselves as "Robin Wilson and the Last Rites".[19]
