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".
Little Miss Emperor
Iggy Pop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're strung like wire
Your open arms they flinch
Joan Crawford style
Treated like a towel
Inside you howl
On some dark concrete
You've built an altar
That's quite complete
Your self control
Is damned amazing
You're trying hard
And I want you
Little miss emperor
You really want to grow
And you're alert, I know
But babies mostly drown
It's a company town
Cheat gods and joke
Attack your noble ghost
I saw the best minds
Of my generation
Learn how to crawl
Across our nation
Conformity falls
Like one wet blanket
Look how we live
And I want you
Little miss emperor
Little miss emperor
Trying to open doors
The lyrics to Iggy Pop's song Little Miss Emperor are about a person who is trying to mask their vulnerability by being strong and in control, but inside they are struggling and feeling overwhelmed. The opening lines, "You're not giving an inch, you're strung like wire," suggest that this person is tense and defensive, unwilling to let their guard down or show weakness. They are like an "altar that's quite complete," suggesting that they have constructed a facade of strength and independence that they are unable to let go of.
The lines, "Your self control is damned amazing, you're trying hard" suggest that this person is aware of their insecurity and is working hard to overcome it, but they are not always successful. The references to Joan Crawford and being "treated like a towel" further suggest that this person is struggling with issues of power and control in their relationships with others. They are trying to "open doors" and navigate the complex emotional landscape of their life, but it is not easy.
The references to "babies mostly drown" and "a company town" suggest that this person is aware of the dangers of vulnerability and dependence. They are trying to find a way to be strong and independent, but they are also aware that this can be a trap that leads to isolation and loneliness. The final lines, "Look how we live and I want you, little miss emperor" suggest that despite their struggles, the singer has empathy for this person and recognizes their efforts to overcome their insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
You're not giving an inch
You are not willing to compromise or give in.
You're strung like wire
You are tense and tightly wound.
Your open arms they flinch
Despite seeming welcoming, your actions show hesitation or fear.
Joan Crawford style
Your actions remind me of the old Hollywood starlet known for her fierce and dramatic performances.
Treated like a towel
You are being taken advantage of or used up by others.
Inside you howl
You are silently suffering or in emotional pain.
On some dark concrete
In a bleak and uninviting environment.
Midnight street
Late at night, when most people are asleep and the world is dark and quiet.
You've built an altar
You have created a physical or symbolic space where you give reverence to something or someone.
That's quite complete
Your altar is fully formed and well-established.
Your self control
Your ability to restrain yourself from doing something impulsive or harmful.
Is damned amazing
Your self control is impressive and admirable.
You're trying hard
You are putting forth a lot of effort and dedication.
And I want you
I am interested in you and want to get to know you better.
Little miss emperor
A nickname or title given to you, possibly to suggest a sense of entitlement or superiority.
You really want to grow
You have a desire to improve and develop yourself.
And you're alert, I know
You are aware and vigilant of your surroundings and situation.
But babies mostly drown
Inexperienced or naive individuals are highly vulnerable and prone to failure or danger.
It's a company town
The environment and society you are in is dominated by a particular company, organization, or industry.
Cheat gods and joke
You are mocking or disrespecting higher powers or authorities.
Attack your noble ghost
You are denying or rejecting your inner values, morals, or principles.
I saw the best minds
I witnessed individuals with exceptional intelligence, creativity, and potential.
Of my generation
Of the people around my age and within my demographic.
Learn how to crawl
These talented individuals were forced to humble themselves and start from the beginning.
Across our nation
Throughout the country as a whole, not just in one particular area or region.
Conformity falls
The act of everyone following the same norms and expectations is coming apart or losing its grip.
Like one wet blanket
Quickly and completely, like a soaked piece of fabric smothering a flame.
Look how we live
Observing the current societal state and lifestyle of the people around us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BOWIE, IGGY POP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bronek Wesoły
You're not giving an inch
You're strung like wire
Your open arms they flinch
Joan Crawford style
Treated like a towel
Inside you howl
On some dark concrete
Midnight street
You've built an altar
That's quite complete
Your self control
Is damned amazing
You're trying hard
And I want you
Little miss emperor
You really want to grow
And you're alert, I know
But babies mostly drown
It's a company town
Cheat gods and joke
Attack your noble ghost
I saw the best minds
Of my generation
Learn how to crawl
Across our nation
Conformity falls
Like one wet blanket
Look how we live
And I want you
Little miss emperor
Little miss emperor
Trying to open doors