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
Gimme Some Skin
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gimme some skin
Oh baby gimme some skin
Try to gimme some skin
Damn
Damn
Time for man
She uses me whatever I am
She uses me and takes what is grand
But I don't mind
If your mind is gone
If you want my body
You gotta gimme skin all day long
Gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Better believe I ain't no fool
I'll be choosing if I think it's cool
Show them my rights
Baby baby baby gonna have mine
Oh man if you like my band
If you want my body
You just gotta gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Oh baby gimme some skin
Gotta gimme some skin
Should!
Can't fuck that up
Time for man
She got some
Live it all out, live it all in
Gotta come here honey gimme some skin
But I don't mind
If your mind is gone
If you want my body
You gotta gimme skin all night long
Gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Honey gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Gotta gimme some skin
Gimme some skin
Gotta gimme
Hey
The Stooges’ song "Gimme Some Skin" is a wild and raucous call for physical contact, with the phrase "gimme some skin" being used as a slang term for a handshake or high five. The song's opening verse is a plea for physical contact, with the repetition of "gimme some skin" reinforcing the importance of touch. The second verse seems to address a woman who is using the singer for his body, but he doesn’t mind as long as she gives him skin. The third verse is a celebration of the power and freedom that comes with giving and receiving physical affection.
One interpretation of the song is that it is an expression of the band's desire for some form of human connection or validation. Iggy Pop's signature howls and screams in the chorus are a raw expression of this primal need. While the lyrics can be interpreted as crude or even misogynistic, they can also be seen as an honest expression of a very human desire for connection.
The music itself is a distorted and raw expression of punk rock, with slashing guitars, pounding drums, and Pop's wild vocals all combining to create a frenzied wall of noise. This sound is indicative of The Stooges' larger musical aesthetic, which was characterized by their embrace of noise and chaos in their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Gimme some skin
Physical contact and connection is desired.
Gimme some skin
Request for skin-to-skin contact to satisfy physical needs.
Oh baby gimme some skin
Affectionate plea for physical contact.
Try to gimme some skin
Request for the other person to initiate physical contact.
Damn
Expression of frustration for lack of physical contact.
Time for man
It's time to fulfill physical and sexual desires.
She got some
The other person is sexually desirable.
She uses me whatever I am
The other person takes advantage of the singer's physical availability.
She uses me and takes what is grand
The other person only takes what they consider valuable from the singer's physicality.
But I don't mind
The singer is willing to be used for the sake of physical pleasure.
If your mind is gone
It's okay if the other person is not emotionally invested.
If you want my body
If the other person wants sex, they need to give physical contact in return.
You gotta gimme skin all day long
Reiterating the need for consistent physical intimacy.
Better believe I ain't no fool
The singer is not naive and understands the value of physical contact.
I'll be choosing if I think it's cool
The singer reserves the right to choose if they want to give or receive physical contact.
Show them my rights
Asserting the importance of having control over one's body and sexuality.
Baby baby baby gonna have mine
Affirmation that the singer is willing to engage in physical intimacy.
Oh man if you like my band
If the other person is interested in the singer and their music, they need to reciprocate physically.
You just gotta gimme some skin
Physical contact is required for the singer to engage in sexual activities.
Live it all out, live it all in
The singer wants to experience every aspect of physical intimacy.
Gotta come here honey gimme some skin
Demand for physical contact and intimacy.
Honey gimme some skin
Affectionate plea for physical contact.
Gimme some skin
Request for physical contact and intimacy.
Gotta gimme some skin
Emphasis on the need for physical intimacy.
Hey
Exclamation to grab attention and demand physical contact.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IGGY POP, JAMES WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind