Various Artists - I Only Wrote This Song For You - A Tribute To Johnny Thunders

RELEASE DATE 27th FEBRUARY 2026

This heartfelt tribute album to the legendary Johnny Thunders, I Only Wrote This Song For You, is being issued as a gatefold 2LP limited edition pressed on Red & Pink Vinyl and a special edition 2CD Clamshell box. Each featuring three bonus tracks, in addition to the original 18 tracks. Featured artists include fellow New York Dolls David Johansen, Arthur Kane and Sylvain Sylvain, The Ramones, Wayne Kramer with Chad Smith, The Sex pistols Glen Matlock, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Marc Almond, The Waterboys and many more performing an array of Johnny's finest compositions.

Both formats limited to 500 copies only

2CD clamshell box

Vinyl 2LP Gatefold with Johnny Thunders art print

Compiled by Thunder’s former drummer Chris Musto, who played with Johnny during the period between December 1987 and April 1991, the album is a loving tribute to the legendary New York guitarist and singer. Thunders blazed a trail of real rock n’ roll, first with the New York Dolls and then The Heartbreakers, and many other musicians, until his tragic passing in 1991. Leaving the tales of sex, drugs and rock n’roll that dominate his story aside, it’s the catalogue of songs he left behind that have lived to tell the tale. These are songs that still resonate strongly today, stories and sounds from the dangerous razor edge of rock n’roll, crafted by a man that was authentic in every way.

 
“When I played drums with Johnny it was always evident to me what a great natural songwriter he was, along with the fact that he was famously a unique and hugely iconic guitar player,” explains Musto. “Many of these songs were never realised fully on record and only played live, especially in his last band that I was a part of, The Oddballs. I have always felt that these songs needed to see the light of day and with these versions here everyone has paid tribute to that brilliance and in turn making his songwriting genius evident.
“I am proud of this record and especially proud of all the heartfelt contributions. Many of the artists here have now left us but they have left us with an enduring legacy and a small part of that huge legacy is here on this record. I would like to pay tribute to them all.”

Record One Red Vinyl
Side One
1. Patti Palladin with Paul Cook, Steve Jones & Chrissie Hynde - Leave Me Alone (Chatterbox)
2. Wayne Kramer with Chad Smith - Children Are People Too
3. David Johansen - Some Hearts
4. Arthur Kane - On Cold Blood (Not In Vain)
5. Sylvain Sylvain - Society Makes Me Sad
Side Two
1. The Waterboys Taking You Up Avenue D
2. Michael Monroe - Disappointed In You
3. Alison Gordy With Blonde And Blue - Just Another Girl
4. Los Lobos - Alone In A Crowd
5. The Montecristos (Neal X, Glen Matlock, Chris Musto)  Pirate Love

Record Two Pink Vinyl
Side One
1. The Ramones - I Love You
2. Walter Lure And The Waldos - Let Go
3. Michael Monroe - So Alone
4. Bones Of The City - MIA
5. Steve Dior And The Filthy Lucre - Can't Kick
6. Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Personality Crisis
Side Two
1. The Screwballs, featuring Jayne County, Marco Pirroni, Glen Matlock, Lol Tolhurst, JC Carroll - Help The Homeless
2. Willy DeVille - You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory
3. Glen Matlock And The Philistines - Little Bit Of Whore
4. Die Toten Hosen - Diary Of A Lover
5. Marc Almond - Hurt Me