The irony of writing an uplifting pop tune only days before he fell

seriously ill is hardly lost on former

Ramones singer Joey Ramone.

"I wrote it right before I ended up in the hospital," Ramone said about

his first crack at a solo track, a

song entitled "Don't Worry About Me." Ramone said he penned the track

not long before he ended up

in the intensive care unit of a New York hospital last month, suffering

from an undisclosed illness.

"Like, I wrote that song sort-of in response to people telling me they

were worried about what I would

do after the Ramones," said Ramone, who parted ways with the other three

members of the seminal

New York punk band in 1997 after a 22-year career. "And I finished it,

and then I ended up in the

hospital. It was definitely ironic. But I guess it works both ways."

Ramone, who said he's still recuperating at home and feeling better,

hasn't yet begun work on a

full-fledged solo album. But he added that the experience of writing the

new track whet his appetite.

"People have been asking for it, but who knows? I'm just trying to get

well now and keep a positive

attitude."

While he said he is appreciative of all the fan support and concern

shown in the wake of his serious

illness, Ramone explained that he is reluctant to discuss the specifics

of his condition for now. "I'm just

trying to get well, you know?" he said. "And I just don't want any

negativity in my life right now, but

I'm glad people are concerned, that's nice."

Prior to his illness, the lanky mop-topped Ramone had spent time in the

studio with longtime producer

Daniel Rey, co-producing four tracks with idol Ronnie "Be My Baby"

Spector as well as the upcoming

album from his pals in the horror-ska band the Independents.

Color="#720418">[Mon., Feb.

16, 1998, 9 a.m. PST]