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".
Repo Man
Iggy Pop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
down a river of useless flab it was such a beautiful day I heard a witchdoctor say, "I'll turn you into a toadstool" I'm looking for the joke with a microscope my muscle's twitching on your words if you're on the streets you lose your nerves divinity throws you a curve sticks you and then you go beserk abhoaring no inspiration. I'm looking for the joke with a microscope page out of a comic book a chicken hanging on a hook a river and a babbling brook a sermon and a teenage hook shaking my hand at your fake face a suicide a certain look a microphone a loose guitar people feeling near and far stupidity a mental scar put cruel into cruelty as life goes by you in a blurr an achoholic has gone far everything just goes to far I was pissing on the desert sands, when the desert whispered to me, "damn! isn't this a shame? things will never be the same..." I run this gas and oasis now I'm looking for the joke with a microscope I was a teenage dinosaur, stoned and obsolete I didn't get fucked and I didn't get kissed I got so fucking dense using my head for an ashtray now I'll tell you who I am I'm the repo-man and I'm looking for the joke looking for the joke I'm looking for the joke with a microscope
In "Repo Man," Iggy Pop describes a journey through a wasteland, a metaphorical journey through despair and confusion. The song is filled with surreal images that represent the strange and unsettling experiences of the singer. The first verse describes a river of "useless flab," suggesting a world that is wasteful and self-indulgent. The witchdoctor's threat to "turn you into a toadstool" reinforces the surreal and threatening imagery.
The second verse further develops the feeling of disorientation and confusion. The singer is "looking for the joke with a microscope," suggesting that he is searching for the meaning or purpose of his existence. The singer's muscle twitches on the words of others, indicating his hypersensitivity to his environment. His mention of "divinity" and a "curved" path suggest that his journey is guided by something beyond his control.
The final verse brings together the various themes of the song. The singer is "looking for the joke with a microscope" once again, but this time there is a sense of resolution. He is no longer a "teenage dinosaur," stoned and obsolete, but the "repo-man," a figure that takes back what has been lost or stolen. The singer's journey through despair and confusion has led him to a new realization of his identity and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I was riding on a concrete slab
I was moving through life feeling stuck and unfulfilled.
down a river of useless flab
I was surrounded by things and people that were not adding value to my life.
it was such a beautiful day
The physical beauty of the day was in sharp contrast to my emotional state.
I heard a witchdoctor say, "I'll turn you into a toadstool"
I am surrounded by people who prey on others' perceived vulnerability and weaknesses.
I'm looking for the joke with a microscope
I am searching for the hidden humor in life's struggles and difficulties.
my muscle's twitching on your words
Your words create physical and emotional reactions within me.
if you're on the streets you lose your nerves
Being in a vulnerable position can make you jumpy and stressed out.
divinity throws you a curve sticks you and then you go beserk
Life can take unexpected turns and can be extremely challenging.
abhoaring no inspiration.
I feel uninspired and directionless.
page out of a comic book
Life can feel surreal and absurd at times.
a chicken hanging on a hook
I feel like I am being controlled or manipulated by others.
a river and a babbling brook
Life can be both intense and peaceful at times.
a sermon and a teenage hook
The mix of religious and sexual imagery highlights the confusion and chaos of adolescence.
shaking my hand at your fake face
I see through your act and your superficial behavior.
a suicide a certain look
Death can seem like a viable escape from the hardships of life.
a microphone a loose guitar
Music is a powerful form of expression and can provide an outlet for emotions.
people feeling near and far
Human connections can be challenging but are ultimately important.
stupidity a mental scar
Living in a world of ignorance can be damaging to one's psyche.
put cruel into cruelty
The world can be a harsh and brutal place.
as life goes by you in a blurr
Time can seem to move quickly, and life can feel like it's slipping away.
an achoholic has gone far
Addiction can be a destructive force in one's life.
everything just goes to far
Things can spiral out of control easily and quickly.
I was pissing on the desert sands,
I was engaging in a meaningless and futile act in a vast and barren environment.
when the desert whispered to me, "damn! isn't this a shame? things will never be the same..."
I am aware that my actions and choices have consequences and can result in irreversible changes.
I run this gas and oasis now
I have taken control of my surroundings and am making the best of a difficult situation.
I was a teenage dinosaur, stoned and obsolete
I feel like a relic of a different time, outdated and out of touch with modern society.
I didn't get fucked and I didn't get kissed
I have been largely unsuccessful in love and relationships.
I got so fucking dense using my head for an ashtray
I have been self-destructive and careless with my own well-being.
now I'll tell you who I am
I am ready to reveal my true self and share my thoughts and feelings.
I'm the repo-man and I'm looking for the joke
I am a struggling outsider who is trying to find humor and meaning in the difficulties of life.
looking for the joke
I am constantly searching for a way to cope with the hardships of life and to find humor in the darkest moments.
I'm looking for the joke with a microscope
I am examining every detail of life in order to find the humor and positivity that exist even in the most difficult circumstances.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IGGY POP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hoot7959
PLATE OF SHRIMP,,,,,,,,,,
@dicknarcowitz
No explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of the cosmic unconsciousness.
@Teatimeted
"...you do a lot of acid in the sixties Miller?"
@mojoarmstretch7261
PLATE!!!
@mitchellbaker9434
No theme song ever fit a movie any better than this one.
@Devilsblood
Saw iggy perform this song live. I couldn't believe it.
@aboutdesouffle_
Saw him too in Lima - Perú (2016) and blew my mind. Hope someday he come back
@drengskap
One of the best films - and best film soundtracks - ever.
@jermaineguillory2694
The 80s were a great time for awesome movies and music, I miss it
@philtonge7522
Bloody Brilliant! I saw Repo Man on VHS in the UK back in 84/85 and it's just sublime!