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".
Run Like a Villain
Iggy Pop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He shot a missile in the sky
It functioned just as advertised
Until the fire made him cry
Look into it later when the dust is clearing off the crater
Run like a villain, let the good times roll
Run like a villain to the sugar bowl
To a saccharine suburb in the mush
I've got some loving arms around me
Darker than the tombs of Egypt
Dumber than the crudest fiction
Buried in a melting coffin
Nights like this appeal to me!
Tracy got an Afghan, pedigreed
Prescription shades and designer jeans
A Sony Walkman on her head
All she wants is to be fed
Run, run, run, 'cause you're soft
Run, run, but don't get lost
The shining moon, the dead oak tree
Nights like this appeal to me
I've got some loving arms around me
The shining moon, the dead oak tree
Nights like this appeal to me
I've got some loving arms around me
Trying to steal a moment of pleasantry
In this zombie birdhouse
Run, run, run
Run like a villain, let the good times roll
Run like a villain to save your soul
It can't be done, I already know
So I run like a villain to the sugar bowl
'Cause who you are, nobody knows
Who you are, nobody knows
Rings on your fingersa nd bells on your toes
The song "Run Like a Villain" by Iggy Pop is a punk rock song with vague, seemingly nonsensical lyrics. The first verse tells the story of a man named Big Dick who shoots a missile into the sky that works perfectly until it explodes and hurts him. The chorus of the song, "Run like a villain, let the good times roll, run like a villain to the sugar bowl, run like a villain because you can't adjust to a saccharine suburb in the mush," encourages the listener to embrace their rebellious side and avoid conforming to mainstream society. The second verse describes a woman named Tracy who is materialistic and only cares about being fed. The bridge of the song repeats the phrase "nights like this appeal to me" before the chorus repeats again.
Overall, the song seems to be about embracing a life of mischief and going against the norm. The lyrics may be intentionally obscure to encourage individual interpretation and allow the song to speak to a variety of listeners. Despite the song's rebellious themes, it has a catchy melody and upbeat rhythm that make it quite fun to listen to.
Line by Line Meaning
Big dick is a thumbs-up guy
A man with confidence and prowess is impressive to others.
He shot a missile in the sky
He accomplished something significant and attention-worthy.
It functioned just as advertised
The missile achieved its intended purpose.
Until the fire made him cry
The aftermath of the missile's launch caused unexpected negative consequences.
Look into it later when the dust is clearing off the crater
Delay investigating the fallout of a situation until emotions have subsided.
Run like a villain, let the good times roll
Embrace your wild side and indulge in pleasure.
Run like a villain to the sugar bowl
Seek out an environment with sweet and enjoyable experiences.
Run like a villain, 'cause you can't adjust
Avoid conforming to a bland and uninspiring existence.
To a saccharine suburb in the mush
Reject an artificially sweetened and mundane lifestyle.
I've got some loving arms around me
I am comforted by the embrace of someone who cares for me.
Darker than the tombs of Egypt
Describing the magnitude of the situation as a place of death and decay.
Dumber than the crudest fiction
The events are so ridiculous that they seem like a poorly written story.
Buried in a melting coffin
Feeling trapped and suffocating in a negative situation that is slowly deteriorating.
Nights like this appeal to me!
Finding comfort in the dark and unconventional moments.
Tracy got an Afghan, pedigreed
Tracy owns a valuable and prestigious dog breed.
Prescription shades and designer jeans
Tracy spends a lot of money on trendy fashion items.
A Sony Walkman on her head
Tracy is using outdated technology.
All she wants is to be fed
Tracy is only interested in satisfying her own desires.
Run, run, run, 'cause you're soft
Run away from the situation because you lack toughness and resilience.
Run, run, but don't get lost
Act with urgency, but be careful not to lose yourself or your morals in the process.
The shining moon, the dead oak tree
Describing the beauty of nature, even in moments of death and decay.
Trying to steal a moment of pleasantry
Attempting to find happiness and enjoyment in a challenging situation.
In this zombie birdhouse
Being trapped in a monotonous and lifeless existence.
Run like a villain to save your soul
Act recklessly and dangerously in order to feel alive and free.
It can't be done, I already know
The prospect of maintaining independence and vitality in society seems hopeless.
'Cause who you are, nobody knows
It's difficult to truly know oneself or others.
Rings on your fingers and bells on your toes
Decorations and appearance don’t define who you are as a person.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Iggy Pop, Robert Duprey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jayC1168
Iggy Pop and Ian Curtis have the best baritone voices I’ve ever heard. So deep, manic, and commanding. Iggy is a fine songwriter as well.
@alanensalanens
Iggies baritone is actually good. Ian Curtis' is pretty bad but I do like it.
@Galaxyngc7331
Oh and Peter Murphy
@Aleprofessor100
Também Andrew Eldritch.
@user-fx1er1en1z
This album is sooo underrated. At least its perfection of A side songs is epic.
I've been listening these songs for 30 years. (An over 50 year old Japanese guy)
@Sincopare
Agree
@MaartenFlikweert
a cool Japanese guy you can add
@joelouis-arena4061
Masterpiece from beginning 👍
@azevbn326
This song and this album were incredibly ahead of their time in 1982. Masterpiece
@blueshorecreative3146
A classic - if only the album was recorded with more real drums and bass up in the mix. OMG.
Probably for lack of money. Sad.