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
Beat That Guy
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One you realize you're really alone
Tired as the light in a dull sky
But I gotta find a way to beat that guy,
I got to find a way
Feel I got a bite if I'm gonna bark,
Can't think about slinking off in the dark
I better find a way,
I got to find a way to beat that guy
Running out of space, I've run out of time,
I'm running out of reasons, though I don't know why
Feel I've got to push, feel I've got to shove,
I got to find a way to get that love,
Got to find a way to beat that guy
The Stooges' song Beat That Guy highlights the feelings of loneliness, desperation, and the need for human connection. The song begins with a sense of hopelessness with the line, "Burning charge of heart drops like a stone, one you realize you're really alone." It's a reflection of the pain that comes with being alone and realizing that you don't have anyone to share your feelings. The lyrics express a desire to find a way to overcome that loneliness, to "beat that guy."
The song also speaks to the struggles of self-confidence and the need to assert oneself in the face of adversity. Iggy Pop, the lead singer of the Stooges, suggests that in order to overcome these struggles, one must not "slip off in the dark." The lyrics imply the importance of standing firm, fighting fear, and facing the challenge head-on.
The chorus of the song suggests the desperation of the situation with the line "I got to find a way" repeated multiple times. It conveys a sense of urgency, emphasizing the importance of finding a way to beat one's inner demons and find love and human connection.
Overall, The Stooges' Beat That Guy is a powerful song about the search for love and connection, the struggles of self-confidence, and the need to overcome fear and self-doubt to move forward in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Burning charge of heart drops like a stone
The intense feeling of passion suddenly fades away.
One you realize you're really alone
Feeling isolated and without support.
Tired as the light in a dull sky
Exhausted and drained like a lackluster sky.
But I gotta find a way to beat that guy,
Despite feeling defeated, there's a determination to overcome the challenge.
I got to find a way
The feeling of urgency to find a solution.
Feel I got a bite if I'm gonna bark,
A sense of aggression and readiness to take on a fight.
Can't think about slinking off in the dark
Can't give up without a fight or retreat cowardly.
You lay down the lot or lay down to die
The need to win everything or perish in the attempt to win.
I better find a way,
The sense of pressure to succeed.
I got to find a way to beat that guy
The need to outdo someone in a competition or overcome a difficult situation.
Running out of space, I've run out of time,
The feeling of being limited and running out of opportunities.
I'm running out of reasons, though I don't know why
The sense of being aimless and unsure of what's driving you.
Feel I've got to push, feel I've got to shove,
The need to use force or assert oneself to achieve an objective.
I got to find a way to get that love,
The need to win over someone's affection.
Got to find a way to beat that guy
Reiterating the determination to come out on top in the situation presented.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IGGY POP, JAMES ROBERT WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind