The Ramones recorded “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” which became their first UK chart hit in 1977.
Written by lead vocalist Joey Ramone, the song was released in the United Kingdom in May 1977 and reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. It later reached number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving the New York band one of its earliest mainstream successes.
The song combines punk energy with the Ramones’ affection for early-1960s surf rock, bubblegum pop and teenage-rebellion themes. Its title character draws on Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, a comic-book heroine, while the lyrics explicitly connect her with punk culture.
“ Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” appeared on the Ramones’ third studio album, Rocket to Russia, released in 1977. It is sometimes confused with “Rockaway Beach,” another Ramones song from the same period, but “Sheena” is the track associated with their first UK chart breakthrough.