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
Beyond The Law
The Stooges Lyrics
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I ride through the city's backsides
I see the stars come out of the sky
Yeah, the bright and hollow sky
You know it looks so good tonight
I am the passenger, I stay under glass
I look through my window so bright
I see the bright and hollow sky
Over the city's ripped backsides
And everything looks good tonight
Singing, la la la
Get into the car
We'll be the passenger
We'll ride through the city tonight
We'll see the city's ripped backsides
We'll see the bright and hollow sky
We'll see the stars that shine so bright
Stars made for us tonight
Oh, the passenger
How, how he rides
Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He looks through his window
What does he see?
He sees the sign and hollow sky
He sees the stars come out tonight
He sees the city's ripped backsides
He sees the winding ocean drive
And everything was made for you and me
All of it was made for you and me
'Cause it just belongs to you and me
So let's take a ride and see what's mine
Singing, la la la
Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He sees things from under glass
He looks through his window side
He sees the things that he knows are his
He sees the bright and hollow sky
He sees the city sleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight
And all of it is yours and mine
And all of it is yours and mine
So let's ride and ride and ride and ride
Singing, la la la
The Stooges's song, "The Passenger," is a poetic exploration of urban anonymity, the wonder of night-time wandering, and the freedom of being a passenger in a car. The song's opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song: "I am the passenger and I ride and I ride / I ride through the city's backsides / I see the stars come out of the sky / Yeah, the bright and hollow sky / You know it looks so good tonight." The singer is observing the city from the comfort and safety of a car, taking in the view of the city's "ripped backsides" and the "bright and hollow sky," and marveling at how good it all looks.
The chorus states, "Get into the car / We'll be the passenger / We'll ride through the city tonight," emphasizing the idea of freedom and exploration through the eyes of a passenger. The song's bridge adds the element of ownership and choice: "And everything was made for you and me / All of it was made for you and me / 'Cause it just belongs to you and me / So let's take a ride and see what's mine." This brings a sense of entitlement to the passenger's experience, highlighting the idea that the world is there for us to explore and enjoy.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the passenger and I ride and I ride
I am a passenger in a car and I ride through the city.
I ride through the city's backsides
I drive through the less glamorous parts of the city.
I see the stars come out of the sky
I witness the stars appearing in the sky during the evening.
Yeah, the bright and hollow sky
You know it looks so good tonight
The beautiful and empty sky appears flawless tonight.
I stay under glass
I look through my window so bright
I remain inside the car and observe the city through the car window.
Over the city's ripped backsides
And everything looks good tonight
Even the less attractive areas of the city appear beautiful tonight.
Get into the car
We'll be the passenger
We'll ride through the city tonight
Join me in the car to ride through the city together tonight.
We'll see the city's ripped backsides
We'll see the bright and hollow sky
We'll see the stars that shine so bright
Stars made for us tonight
While riding, we will view the unpolished parts of the city, the starry sky, and the bright stars that were meant for us tonight.
Oh, the passenger
How, how he rides
The passenger, how he travels so effortlessly.
He sees the sign and hollow sky
He sees the stars come out tonight
He sees the city's ripped backsides
He sees the winding ocean drive
The passenger observes the signs and the clear, empty sky with the stars, the unattractive parts of the city, as well as the winding ocean drive.
And everything was made for you and me
All of it was made for you and me
'Cause it just belongs to you and me
So let's take a ride and see what's mine
The city and everything in it was meant for us, so we should ride and explore it together.
He sees things from under glass
He looks through his window side
He sees the things that he knows are his
Through the car window, the passenger observes items that he believes are his.
He sees the city sleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight
While the city is quiet, the passenger witnesses the stars shining brightly in the sky.
And all of it is yours and mine
So let's ride and ride and ride and ride
The city and everything in it belong to us, therefore we should ride and explore as much as we can.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: IGGY POP, J. OSTERBERG, J. WILLIAMSON, JAMES WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind