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
Cry for Me
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once I found out they never dared
To seize the world and
Shake it upside down
And every stinking bum
Should wear a crown
Sayin' I
Till all the plates are broken
Cry for love
Until my eyes are soakin'
Yeah I
Cried for love
On every sammy morning
yeah i
cry for love
'Cause imitation's boring
Cry for love
Bad TV that insults me freely
Still I know what
I'm dying to see
In searching for a meaningful embrace
Sometimes my self respect took second place
And I
Cried for love
I did what my heart told me
Cried for love
Can't stand it
When they scold me
Yeah I
Cried for love
On every sammy morning
Yeah I
Cry for love
'Cause imitation's boring
Cry for love
Surfers ride for love
And wipe out when it hits 'em
Soldiers kill for love
And nobody admits it
If you're cryin' for love
Well, that's O.K
Don't sweat it
If you're cryin' for love
Then there's still a chance
You'll get it
Cry for love
The Stooges's "Cry For Me" song explores the universal human desire to be loved and valued. The lyrics suggest that the singer is tired of the phoniness and superficiality of people who seek status, and instead, yearns for genuine love and affection. The first stanza is a condemnation of materialism and status obsession. The singer is asserting that these individuals lack the courage to seize the world and shake it down, which is a metaphor for taking risks and living passionately. The lines "And every stinking bum / Should wear a crown" implies that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of social status.
The chorus begins with the repeated phrase "Cry for love," which is an expression of the singer's desperation for love. The lines "Till all the plates are broken / Until my eyes are soakin'" portray a sense of emotional turmoil, suggesting that the singer is willing to go to any lengths to achieve love. The fourth stanza is a reflection on the paradox of wanting to be loved while sacrificing one's self-respect. The singer acknowledges that they have compromised their values in the past to find love, which has resulted in their being insulted by the "bad TV" that surrounds them.
In the final stanza, the singer expands the theme of the song to include all kinds of people who desire and cry for love, such as surfers who get wiped out, soldiers who kill, and anyone who is crying for love. The ending couplet, "If you're cryin' for love / Then there's still a chance / You'll get it," provides a glimmer of hope to the listener, suggesting that no matter how bleak things may seem, there's always a possibility of finding love.
Line by Line Meaning
Status seekers I never cared
I never cared about people who are only concerned with their social standing
Once I found out they never dared
Once I realized they were not brave enough to take risks and make things happen
To seize the world and
To take control of the world and make things happen
Shake it upside down
To radically change the world
And every stinking bum
And every worthless person
Should wear a crown
Should be treated as royalty despite their flaws
Sayin' I
Saying that I
Cry for love
I am desperately seeking love
Till all the plates are broken
I will keep crying for love until I am emotionally shattered
Cry for love
I am still crying out for love
Until my eyes are soakin'
Until my eyes are flooded with tears
Yeah I
Yes, I
Cried for love
I have already cried for love
On every sammy morning
Every single morning without exception
yeah i
Yes, I
cry for love
I am still crying out for love
'Cause imitation's boring
Because pretending to be someone else is uninteresting
Bad TV that insults me freely
TV programs that mock or humiliate me without consequence
Still I know what
But I am aware of what
I'm dying to see
I really want to see
In searching for a meaningful embrace
While looking for a genuine hug or affectionate gesture
Sometimes my self respect took second place
I sometimes neglected my own self-worth in my pursuit of love
And I
And I
Did what my heart told me
Followed my heart's desires
Can't stand it
Being scolded or criticized is unbearable
When they scold me
When I am being lectured for my actions
Surfers ride for love
Surfers experience a captivating love when they are riding the waves
And wipe out when it hits 'em
But they often fall off their surfboards when they get caught up in the moment
Soldiers kill for love
Soldiers commit brutal acts of violence in the name of love for their country or ideology
And nobody admits it
But no one wants to acknowledge this harsh reality
If you're cryin' for love
If you are desperately seeking love
Well, that's O.K
That is perfectly acceptable
Don't sweat it
Don't worry or stress about it
Then there's still a chance
There is still hope
You'll get it
That you will find love eventually
Cry for love
Keep crying out for love
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: IGGY POP, STEVE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind