They released an album together, Kill City (released in 1977).
Williamson also produced Iggy Pop's 'New Values' album in 1979.
No Sense of Crime
Iggy Pop & James Williamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sister!
Child of mine.
We are the sweeter kind.
Drugs and death!
Are our place in time.
Running blind.
Good and bad.
Lies be done.
Makes us so catchy.
It makes us cry!
Yeah we're gonna feel good inside!
We're gonna feel good.
Good inside.
Cry to me.
Cry to me baby.
Cause your mine.
Baby cry.
Run and cry.
Gifts and pain.
Sees them crawl.
Now if there funny.
Kids and dames.
Sees them crawl.
They never cared at all.
Looks like they've got no sense of crime.
Honey.
Looks like she's got no sense of crime.
Crooks and dares, hopeless in time.
The song "No Sense of Crime" by Iggy Pop and James Williamson is an intense and emotional reflection on the dark side of life. The song begins with a chorus of "Hey! Hey! Sister! Child of mine. We are the sweeter kind." This line immediately sets the mood for the rest of the song, as it is both ominous and comforting at the same time. The first verse of the song describes the relationship between drugs and death, and how they are part of the human experience. The line "Breathless and running blind" suggests that people are drawn to dangerous behavior even at the risk of their own safety.
The second verse of the song explores the idea of good and bad, and how lies can be deceptive. Iggy Pop sings, "Lies be done. Makes us so catchy. It makes us cry!" This line suggests that even though we know that lying is wrong, it can be hard to resist the temptation to deceive others. The chorus is repeated, with the addition of the line "Yeah we're gonna feel good inside! We're gonna feel good. Good inside." This line is a hopeful and optimistic message, suggesting that even though life is full of darkness, we can still find joy and comfort.
Overall, "No Sense of Crime" is a powerful and emotionally complex song that touches on themes of danger, deception, and the search for meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey! Hey!
Introducing the energetic tone of the song
Sister!
Addressing a female companion affectionately
Child of mine.
Emphasizing a familial bond with the companion
We are the sweeter kind.
Characterizing themselves as kind and amicable
Drugs and death!
Acknowledging the negative aspects of life
Are our place in time.
Implying that such negativity is ubiquitous
Breathless and running blind.
Describing a frenzied sense of chaos
Running blind.
Reinforcing the sense of chaos and confusion
Good and bad.
Acknowledging the moral ambiguity of life
Lies be done.
Highlighting the prevalence of dishonesty
Makes us so catchy.
Suggesting that duplicity is intriguing
It makes us cry!
Alluding to the emotional impact of deceit
Yeah we're gonna feel good inside!
Expressing a sense of optimism and positivity
We're gonna feel good.
Reasserting the optimistic outlook
Good inside.
Suggesting that goodness comes from within oneself
Cry to me.
Encouraging emotional openness
Cry to me baby.
Addressing a female companion in a caring manner
Cause your mine.
Asserting ownership and affection
Baby cry.
Reiterating the importance of emotional expression
Run and cry.
Further emphasizing emotional release
Gifts and pain.
Juxtaposing positive and negative experiences
Sees them crawl.
Implying a sense of condescension or disgust
Now if there funny.
Suggesting that such experiences are ludicrous
Kids and dames.
Referring to younger females in a somewhat derogatory manner
Sees them crawl.
Repeating the sense of disdain
They never cared at all.
Implying that these individuals lack empathy
Looks like they've got no sense of crime.
Suggesting that their lack of empathy is criminal
Honey.
Addressing a female companion affectionately
Looks like she's got no sense of crime.
Reasserting the previous sentiment
Crooks and dares, hopeless in time.
Describing a sense of futility and immorality
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IGGY POP, J. OSTERBERG, J. WILLIAMSON, JAMES WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind