“I Don’t Want To Be Buried, Cover Me Instead”: Covers of the Ramones’ Song ‘PET SEMATARY’

While the Ramones were referenced in Stephen King’s 1983 novel of Pet Sematary and King was a huge fan of the iconic group, it was interesting to hear that they would create a new song (while also contributing “Sheena is a Punk Rocker”) for the 1989 film adaptation to play during the end credits. Director Mary Lambert or Author Stephen King (the source varies) approached the Ramones to write an original song to tie into the film. The song was nominated for the now-defunct Razzie Award for Worst Original Song in 1989 but it also became one of the most popular songs for the group. It peaked at number four on Billboard‘s “Modern Rock Tracks” list and would be covered by fans of the film, the genre and the Ramones in general. With the 2019 adaptation in theaters which has a cover version of the Ramones track by Starcrawler, here are some of the best or unique covers of the iconic song that you at least hear every Halloween.

[AdSense-A]

Before we get started, I think it’s important to talk about the original song. My memories are fond as an eight-year-old whose mom was a fan of the Ramones and actually hearing the song out of context. While it was later in their career and different from the fast, pop sounding rock songs that I knew, I was a fan of the song – even if it is a bit odd after watching such a bleak movie. It was different from their previous material as it wasn’t just them jamming on power chords at a fast, upbeat pace. There was an arpeggio riff that seemed relatively new but also familiar to the style of something like “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” with higher strings being hit like some 60’s “everything is fine” melody. Most of the time when the Ramones played it live, they played the “power chord” version (which is also adapted in some of the covers).

READ: Our Review for the 2019 adaptation of ‘PET SEMATARY’

Here’s a video of Joey and Johnny Ramone playing the song on Letterman with Paul Shaffer playing keys:

Here’s the music video for the song as well:

Also, here’s some footage from an MTV segment from them making the video:

THE COVERS

If you scroll down to the bottom of this page, I have put together a YouTube playlist of all the songs that are available on YouTube + a few other covers.

Starcrawler

This is the song plays during the credits of the new adaptation. If I’m honest, it’s not the worst cover but it ain’t all too great either. It pretty much is a fuzzy rock version that sleepily gets through the song.

Groovie Ghoulies

Groovie Ghoulies are a perfect fit to cover this one. They steep themselves in horror movies but play with a bubblegum pop attitude similar to the Ramones. Groovie Ghoulies also make the decision of taking the power chord option and ditch some of the melody for a lean straightforward tribute.

Muncie Girls

This British band covered the song on a split with the band Sandlotkids in 2013 and decide to keep it pretty much the same as the studio recording from the Ramones – keeping the arpeggio structure on the guitar.

Yasmin Gate From Dirty Princess

To switch stuff up, here is an electro-bossa version of the song that, no lie, is kinda fun because it’s different.

Papas da Língua

Speaking of different, how about a reggae version of the song. Yep, never knew it existed until a few weeks ago.

Helalyn Flowers

This is definitely not something I would listen to on the regular but some people might like it. This female-fronted, electro angsty version of the song is at least different (not as different as the previous entries) as some of the more faithful musical covers.

Plain White T’s

While these guys are also a band I am not really into, it’s a pretty decent cover for fans of this type of rock. Plus, it was a music video for Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie.

The Creepshow

This Canadian rockabilly band had their cover on their second album, Run for Your Life, which features artwork from Gary Pullin. As a fan of Rue Morgue at the time and a member of their online message board called the Rue Mortuary, I became aware of this band as sort of an offshoot of The Matadors. In the YouTube playlist below, you will notice a band called Xeros who premiered their cover today – in an unofficial promotion of the new film who seem to follow the arrangement (cutting out the first chorus) much like The Creepshow does.

The Nighted Nations

The version is one I stumbled across on YouTube that I kinda dig albeit it being veeeeery emo. It’s somber like the story and while it may be a bit much, it has a slower tempo than the rest of the covers.

8-Bit Misfits

While this doesn’t have a YouTube video, I embedded the Spotify version. It’s fun to listen to and is more of a bonus after all these “serious” covers.

I’ve included some other covers in a YouTube playlist which I will embed below. Enjoy the tunes!