 Rocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones , and was released on November 4 , 1977 , through Sire Records . Its origins date back to the summer of 1977 , when " Sheena Is a Punk Rocker " was released as a single . That summer was known as the peak of the punk rock genre , since many punk bands were offered recording contracts . The album 's recording began in August 1977 , and the band had a considerably larger budget with Sire allowing them $ 25 @,@ 000 and $ 30 @,@ 000 ; much of this money went toward the album 's production rather than recording . 
