Singer Iggy Pop and his wild onstage antics were often the focus of attention. The band had a shambling, energetic sound deliberately reminiscent of past garage rock groups. They sold very few records in their original incarnation and often performed to indifferent or hostile audiences. Nevertheless, the Stooges are often regarded as hugely influential both on then-nascent heavy metal movement and also on punk rock. As has been said about The Velvet Underground, the handful of people who did actually buy the Stooges' early records at the time ended up forming bands of their own and thus changed history. In fact, Velvet Underground member John Cale produced the original incarnation of their self-titled album. The 1969 album 'The Stooges' has received since its release critical acclaim from many reviewers over the years.
The Stooges drew their sound from a variety of influences. Examples include the often transgressive rock and roll artists The Doors, The MC5, The Rolling Stones, The Troggs, and The Who. As well, the band members enjoyed the work of jazz and soul artists such as Booker T and the MGs, James Brown, and Miles Davis (particularly 'Bitches Brew').
In 2003, Iggy, Scott, and Ron reformed The Stooges with Minutemen and fIREHOSE bassist Mike Watt filling in. The 2000s lineup played festivals around the world, and in 2006 recorded a new album with Steve Albini.
Founding member and guitarist Ron Asheton was found dead at his home in Ann Arbor, MI on January 6, 2009. Iggy Pop posted a message on his website stating "I am in shock. He was my best friend."
On June 22, 2016, Williamson made an official statement for the band saying that the Stooges are no more.
"The Stooges is over. Basically, everybody's dead except Iggy and I. So it would be sort-of ludicrous to try and tour as Iggy and the Stooges when there's only one Stooge in the band and then you have side guys. That doesn't make any sense to me."
Website: www.iggyandthestoogesmusic.com
1969
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All across the USA
It's another year
For me and you
Another year
With nothing to do
Last year I was 21
And now I'm gonna be 22
I say oh my and a boo hoo
And now I'm gonna be 22
I say oh my and a boo hoo
It's 1969 okay
All across the USA
It's another year
For me and you
Another year
With nothing to do
Another year
With nothing to do
It's 1969
The Stooges’ song “1969” is a rock and roll classic that depicts the feeling of aimlessness and discontent that define a generation’s experience with the end of the 60s. The song is a commentary on the perceived apathy and disillusionment of that time period. The song opens up with the year 1969 and talks about how it’s another year for him and you, suggesting that it’s just another year for the same old thing. The second line of the song “All across the USA” indicates that this apathy and ennui wasn’t limited to one particular location, but rather it was a general feeling across the country. The song continues to describe how last year (at 21), he didn’t have a lot of fun, and now that he’s going to be 22, he doesn't have anything either. The lines "I say oh my and a boo hoo" are an expression of sadness and frustration, indicating the singer’s feeling of being stuck in a rut.
The chorus “It’s another year for me and you, another year with nothing to do” perfectly captures the disillusionment and lack of progress many people felt during the late sixties. It addresses the frustration that young people at the time felt about their lack of options, opportunities and vision. The song’s lyrics are a biting yet realistic depiction of the hopelessness and lack of direction felt by the youth of America during that time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's 1969 okay
The singer acknowledges that the year is 1969 and that it doesn't hold any significant weight in their life.
All across the USA
The singer acknowledges that 1969 is a common year across the United States, affecting everyone similarly.
It's another year
The singer recognizes that a year has simply passed, and another one is beginning.
For me and you
The artist believes that 1969 will be experienced mutually by both themselves and the listener.
Another year
The artist reiterates that a year has passed with little significance.
With nothing to do
The singer says that there are no activities or events planned for the upcoming year.
Last year I was 21
The singer explains that they were 21 years old the previous year, insinuating that they were young.
I didn't have a lot of fun
The artist admits that the year wasn't exciting or enjoyable for them.
And now I'm gonna be 22
The artist accepts that they're going to turn 22 years old, which isn't very significant either.
I say oh my and a boo hoo
The artist is being sarcastic and exaggerating their reaction to turning 22, implying that it's not a big deal.
Another year
The singer reiterates again that another year has passed with no particular events or significance.
With nothing to do
The artist repeats that there's nothing planned or exciting happening in the upcoming year.
Another year
The singer reiterates again that another year has passed with little significance.
With nothing to do
The singer repeats that there are still no planned activities or events happening in the new year.
It's 1969
Finally, the singer concludes that it's still simply 1969.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Electrohippie
Well it's 1969 okay
All across the USA
It's another year
For me and you
Another year
With nothing to do
Last year I was 21
I didn't have a lot of fun
And now I'm gonna be 22
I say oh my and a boo hoo
And now I'm gonna be 22
I say oh my and a boo hoo
It's 1969 okay
All across the USA
It's another year
For me and you
Another year
With nothing to do
Another year
With nothing to do
It's 1969
I LOVE 70's ....
@Pride317
Lyrics
[Intro]
Well, alright
[Chorus]
Well, it's 1969, okay?
All across the USA
It's another year for me and you
Another year with nothing to do
[Verse]
Now, last year I was twenty-one
I didn't have a lot of fun
And now I'm gonna be twenty-two
I say "Oh my" and a, a "Boohoo"
And now I'm gonna be twenty-two
A "Oh my" and a, a "Boohoo"
[Chorus]
Well, it's 1969, okay?
All across the USA
It's another year for me and you
Another year with nothing to do
Another year with nothing to do
[Post-Chorus]
Well, it's 1969
Well, it's 1969
Well, it's 1969, baby
Well, it's 1969, baby
Well, it's 1969
Well, it's 1969
Well, it's 1969
Well, it's 1969
Well, it's 1969, baby
Well, it's 1969, baby
Well, it's 1969, baby
Baby
@Goatchild90
R.I.P. Ron Asheton who killed it on guitar
@PRHowe-homemaderecordings
I was born in 1969, and unfortunately for me, this track has stood the test of time a lot better than I have!!!
@sawtoothiandi
last year i was 51
but now im gonna be 52
@sawtoothiandi
just ignore the decades
decades are for
squares
@sawtoothiandi
its all just the flow of time
poindexter's be all
cuttin' it up
into chunks..
@cubechan1938
(Guitar riff plays in the background)
@Beatles0223
47 here and I feel the same!
@APAL880
Some of the best guitar playing I've ever heard. The tone and everything...
@khaymanib
Ron Asheton, pretty good guy from Ann Harbor, MI. He can RIP man
@sandyrobertson
When FunHouse came out one UK publication said Ron Asheton's guitar playing "sounds like he has broken fingers". Surely right up there as one of the most misguided statements in rock criticism.
I remember seeing Ron in a movie about giant flying insects, btw.