Though his popularity has fluctuated through the years, many of Pop's songs have become well-known, including "Lust for Life", "The Passenger", "Real Wild Child", "Candy" (a duet with Kate Pierson of The B-52's), "China Girl", "Nightclubbing", "Search and Destroy" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog".
In 2010, The Stooges were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Pop was the lead singer of The Stooges, a late 1960s/early 1970s band that featured brothers Ron and Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander and was highly influential in the development of hard rock. The debut album was produced by the Velvet Underground's John Cale. The band's "I Wanna Be Your Dog" is a garage punk standard.
Raw Power was first released in1973, perhaps the first record that could truly be called punk. It was the confluence of The Stooges ages, hormones, creativity, ability, experience, tastes, lack of supervision, contempt for authority and ambition that has made Raw Power one of the most influential albums of all time.
The Stooges were infamous for performances in which Pop leapt off the stage (hence, the "stage dive"), smeared raw meat or peanut butter over his chest and cut himself with broken bottles. A glimpse of the vibrating intensity of Iggy live can be seen in the Ramones movie "End of the Century." Guitarist James Williamson became a key collaborator, a partnership documented on the 1978 album Kill City.
In 25 years as a solo artist, Pop's best-known songs have included the thumping Lust for Life, to be heard on the soundtrack of the find-a-vein, shoot-it-up movie Trainspotting, I'm Bored and The Passenger (the latter based on a poem written by Jim Morrison). David Bowie played a key role in reinvigorating Pop's post-Stooges career and was a collaborator on the albums Lust for Life and The Idiot. Iggy may be under-rated as a songwriter. Bowie and Tina Turner covered his "Tonight". Bowie also put out his own version of "China Girl," while Grace Jones covered the icey "Nightclubbing".
Baby
Iggy Pop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I'll sing you a lullaby
We're walking down the
Street of chance
Where the chance is always
Slim or none
And the intentions unjust
Baby there's nothing to see
I've already been
Down the street of chance
Baby you're so clean
Baby please stay clean
Baby you're so young
Baby please stay young
Baby, don't you cry
Baby, we've already cried
We want some we want some
All aboard for fun time
Fun
Baby baby we like your lips
Fun
Baby baby we like your pants
All aboard for fun time
Iggy Pop's song 'Baby' is a melancholic lullaby, sung to a baby by an adult who understands the world's trials and tribulations. The song begins by acknowledging the baby's innocence and vulnerability, encouraging them not to cry. Iggy promises to sing the baby a lullaby to soothe them to sleep. This display of affection is heartwarming, signifying the existence of a loving relationship between the adult and the baby.
The song's somber mood is then established as the verse progresses. "We're walking down the street of chance, where the chance is always slim or none, and the intentions unjust," Iggy sings. The street of chance sounds like a metaphor for life's journey, suggesting that this is a place of risk and unpredictability where odds are often stacked against an individual. The intentions unjust depict a corrupt society that makes it difficult for one to find success or happiness. The adult tells the baby there's nothing to see on this street, implying that they do not want the baby to grow up too soon, forcing the child to confront the harsh realities of the world.
The chorus, "Baby you're so clean, baby please stay clean," highlights the baby's innocence again. The adult wants the baby to stay pure and not let the world corrupt them. The baby's youthfulness is another aspect that is applauded, asking the baby to remain young and not grow too fast. The final refrain of "All aboard for fun time" beckons the baby to enjoy their youth while it lasts, for life is unpredictable, and one should seize every moment of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, don't you cry
I will comfort and soothe you, my darling
Baby, I'll sing you a lullaby
I will sing a sweet song to make you feel safe and relaxed
We're walking down the
Street of chance
Where the chance is always
Slim or none
And the intentions unjust
Life is uncertain and full of risks, but often the cards are stacked against us and people act unfairly
Baby there's nothing to see
I've already been
Down the street of chance
I have already experienced the harsh realities of life, so I will guide and protect you
Baby you're so clean
Baby please stay clean
Baby you're so young
Baby please stay young
You are innocent and pure, and I hope you can maintain your goodness and youthfulness
Baby, we've already cried
We have shed tears before, but we will persevere and find joy again
We want some we want some
All aboard for fun time
Fun
Let's have some excitement and pleasure, let's enjoy ourselves while we can
Baby baby we like your lips
Fun
Baby baby we like your pants
All aboard for fun time
We are attracted to your physical appearance, let's have some fun together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BOWIE, JAMES OSTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Kolkey
GREAT!! The entire album is amazing! Iggy rules!
Mrs. Nesbitt
I drank a beer to this song at midnight on my 23rd birthday.
Cruel Time
Same
Paul Griffith
Just had a dream Iggy Pop sang this to me. Weirdly best dream ever
Smizzman
Fucking Classic !!!!!!!!
Jon Sa Trinxa
LOVE IT
warhols25
nobody writes like this ever more
Ppp anil
let's write this way and otHERSsss
CreepyProstheesi
Best Iggy song
dropd26
@MordaciousFilms This was among Ian Curtis` favorite albums and i`m sure influenced him greatly (it was on the turntable when he died) and we all know that Joy Division sure had a hand in the post punk new wave scene.