Rock Out With This Epic Blitzkrieg Bop Chords And Guitar Lesson (The Ramones)

Hey ho, let's go!

Ready to unleash an epic punk rock guitar sound?

Well if so, this song might be just what you're looking for.  

It’s got a high-energy riff and unforgettable chant. Below I’m going to break down the guitar techniques and gear that brought this iconic track to life.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this "Blitzkrieg Bop" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Blitzkrieg Bop? 

"Blitzkrieg Bop" was written by the punk rock band the Ramones. It was first released in February 1976 as their debut single and opening track of their self-titled debut album. 

The song was primarily written by drummer Tommy Ramone, with bassist Dee Dee Ramone contributing to the lyrics. It was originally titled "Animal Hop".  But the song's name was later changed to "Blitzkrieg Bop," referencing the German World War II tactic "blitzkrieg," meaning "lightning war." 

With the iconic chant "Hey! Ho! Let's go!", the lyrics paint the scene of the excitement and energy of kids going to a rock concert. This chant was inspired by the Bay City Rollers' song "Saturday Night," which begins with a similar chant. 

Tommy Ramone wanted the Ramones to have a catchy sing-along that would engage audiences in their live shows.

"Blitzkrieg Bop" was recorded in January 1976 at Plaza Sound Studio in New York City. The song's high-energy, and simple chord structure became a defining feature of the punk rock genre.  

Despite its initial lack of commercial success, the song has received significant recognition over time. It was ranked number 92 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" and placed at number 18 on their 2008 list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time." 

The song's "big dumb chant" ("Hey! Ho! Let's go!") has become a global phenomenon as a rallying cry at sporting events. 

The song has also been featured in popular media, such as the film "National Lampoon's Vacation," where it is used during a memorable car scene. 

In 2024, the New York Post highlighted the Ramones' enduring legacy 50 years after their first performance at CBGB's, noting that their influence and recognition continue to grow. CBGB, short for "Country, Bluegrass, and Blues", was a legendary music club located at 315 Bowery in Manhattan, New York City. Despite its name, the venue became synonymous with the rise of punk rock and new wave music in the 1970s and 1980s, and played a pivotal role in shaping those genres.

"Blitzkrieg Bop" still remains a timeless anthem that captures the raw energy and spirit of punk rock. 

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Blitzkrieg Bop?

The tuning for "Blitzkrieg Bop”, as recorded by The Ramones is standard tuning.

Johnny Ramone kept things simple.

Standard tuning for a guitar is spelled out as EADGBE. 

Here are the strings:

• E (6th string, lowest pitch) 
• A (5th string) 
• D (4th string) 
• G (3rd string) 
• B (2nd string) 
• E (1st string, highest pitch) 

Let’s next take a look at the…

Blitzkrieg Bop Chords

To play “Blitzkrieg Bop” on guitar you only need to know 4 chords they are A, D, E, and B. While all of these chords could be played as open position chords except B. In this rhythm guitar style I would play them as bar chords. Let’s take a look at a few ways these can be played on the fretboard.   

A can be played as a bar chord in 5th position like this:

D is played in 5th position as well but shifts the root note on the bar chord to the 5th string like this:

E is played the same way as D but just shifted up 2 frets like this:

Finally, B is played like the A shape but shifted up 2 frets like this:

At the end of the day, there are 4 chords… but only two grips for guitar players.

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard and want to learn it faster and in the simplest way. Then get your hands on my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:  

All right, now that you know the "Blitzkrieg Bop" chords, let’s next talk about…

What key is Blitzkrieg Bop in?

"Blitzkrieg Bop" as recorded by The Ramones is in the key of A major. All the chords (A, D, E, and B) fit the diatonic scale of A major – except for the B major chord. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they relate.

The A major scale is built using the notes: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#

It’s a seven-tone scale and can be played in the 4th position on guitar like this:

A Major (I):

The A major chord is built on the 1st scale degree of the A major scale. This is the tonic chord, meaning it serves as the home chord and gives the sense of resolution and rest. 

D Major (IV):

The D major chord is built on the 4th scale degree of the A major scale. This is the subdominant chord, which typically leads away from the tonic and provides a sense of movement or tension. The IV chord is often used to create progressions that resolve back to the tonic (I).

E Major (V):

The E major chord is built on the 5th scale degree of the A major scale. This is the dominant chord, and it plays a crucial role in establishing tension that wants to resolve typically back to one. This move, (V) back to (I), creates a strong sense of closure.

B Major (Secondary Dominant or V/V):

The B major chord is a bit trickier. In the key of A major, B is not diatonic, because it is built on the 2nd scale degree (B major instead of B minor). However, B major can be viewed as a secondary dominant (V/V). This means that the B major chord temporarily tonicizes the V chord, which in the key of A is E major. This creates a sense of tension that comes only in the bridge section of the song.

A - D - E (I - IV - V):

The most common chord progression in many popular songs is the I - IV - V progression. In the key of A major, this would be A - D - E. This is exactly what is used in “Blitzkrieg Bop”. 

So that’s the theory, but all that info doesn’t mean a thing without a good…

Blitzkrieg Bop Strumming Pattern

The main underlying feel for “Blitzkrieg Bop” is a driving 8th-note rock rhythm. In 4/4 time, there are 8 eighth notes per measure. Each quarter note is divided into two equal parts.

Counting eighth notes out loud would sound like this:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

"1, 2, 3, 4" are the main beats. "&" represents the halfway point between each beat.

When counted out loud, it sounds like:

"One-and, Two-and, Three-and, Four-and."

Johnny Ramone, the legendary guitarist of the Ramones, was known for his fast and relentless strumming style. This played a huge role in shaping the band's sound.  

What was his secret?

Downstrokes Only 

Johnny famously used primarily downstrokes. This gave the music a choppy, aggressive, and driving feel. It brings out the raw energy of punk rock. However, it takes time to build up the stamina to do this.

Here’s an example of a strumming pattern in the style of “Blitzkrieg Bop”: 

Blitzkrieg Bop Guitar Sound

Johnny Ramones’ guitar sound was distorted but not overly saturated. You could still hear the chords and it cut through the mix, without losing definition. He didn’t use excessive reverb or delay. It was a very simple and upfront sound. A great way to recreate this sound would be to use a Mosrite guitar and plug it into a Marshall Plexi amp. 

Conclusion

There ya have it – insider tips on the unique guitar style of Johnny Ramone. Try to keep those 8th note downstrums cranking like a maching, and if you want to learn songs faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:    

Jon MacLennan