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
Head On
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey!
See me comin'
See me comin'
See me comin' baby, on the bend
See me comin'
Head on, around the bend
You gotta see your man
Comin' baby, 'round the bend
Yeah
You gotta see your man
Comin' around the bend
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
See me comin'
See me comin'
See your man comin' 'round that bend
Head on baby
Head on baby
Head on the curve and then
See your man a-comin'
'Round the bend
You gotta see your man comin'
Around the bend
Now bring it up loud!
I been a lover since I was born
Champagne, woman, and I need me some more
See your man a-comin'
'Round the bend
You gotta see your man comin'
'Round the bend
Alright!
See your man comin'
See your man a-comin'
C'mon Bob!
Yeah C'mon'
He'll be comin'
Yeah you'll see him come-come-a-comin'
See him
See him
You'll see him comin'
Comin'
Comin'
Come
Come
Yeah come
Yeah!
Now do it again, hey!
You gotta see him comin'
You gotta see him comin'
You gotta see him comin'
You gotta see him comin'
You gotta!
The Stooges' song Head On is a straightforward ode to the excitement and anticipation of meeting with a lover. The entirety of the song is focused on the idea of "comin' 'round the bend," a phrase repeated multiple times throughout the track. The repeated use of the phrase is a nod to the idea of "coming home," something that is reinforced by the lyrics "see your man comin'" – suggesting a reunion of sorts.
The opening lines of "See me comin', see me comin', see me comin' baby, on the bend" creates a sense of urgency and anticipation for the arrival of the lover. Later, Iggy Pop sings "I been a lover since I was born, champagne, woman, and I need me some more," further emphasizing the idea of seeking pleasure and excitement. The fast-paced tempo and wild guitar riffs reflect the excitement of this anticipated encounter.
Overall, Head On is a fairly simple song that emphasizes primal desires for physical pleasure and companionship. The emphasis on movement towards the lover, along with the fast tempo and driving guitar, creates a feeling of a journey coming to a resounding conclusion – the arrival of the lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah man, yeah
Expressing excitement or agreement
Hey!
An attention-grabbing exclamation
See me comin'
Notice my approach
See me comin'
Notice my approach
See me comin' baby, on the bend
See me approaching on the curve in the road, baby
See me comin'
Notice my approach
See me comin'
Notice my approach
Head on, around the bend
Approaching straight ahead, going around the curve
You gotta see your man
You need to notice your man
Comin' baby, 'round the bend
Coming around the curve in the road, baby
Yeah
An exclamation showing agreement or excitement
You gotta see your man
You need to notice your man
Comin' around the bend
Approaching from around the curve in the road
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetitive exclamation signifying excitement or agreement
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetitive exclamation signifying excitement or agreement
Yeah, yeah
Repetitive exclamation signifying excitement or agreement
See me comin'
Notice my approach
See me comin'
Notice my approach
See your man comin' 'round that bend
Notice your man approaching around the curve in the road
Head on baby
Approaching straight ahead, baby
Head on baby
Approaching straight ahead, baby
Head on the curve and then
Approaching straight ahead on the curve in the road, and then continuing on
See your man a-comin'
Notice your man approaching
'Round the bend
Around the curve in the road
You gotta see your man comin'
You need to notice your man approaching
Around the bend
Coming around the curve in the road
Now bring it up loud!
An exclamation to increase the volume
I been a lover since I was born
I have had a love for life since birth
Champagne, woman, and I need me some more
Desiring more of life's luxuries, including women and champagne
See your man a-comin'
Notice your man approaching
'Round the bend
Around the curve in the road
You gotta see your man comin'
You need to notice your man approaching
'Round the bend
Around the curve in the road
Alright!
An exclamation signifying agreement or approval
See your man comin'
Notice your man approaching
See your man a-comin'
Notice your man approaching
C'mon Bob!
An exclamation of encouragement or excitement directed at someone named Bob
Yeah c'mon'
An exclamation of encouragement or excitement
He'll be comin'
He will be approaching
Yeah you'll see him come-come-a-comin'
An expression signifying that you will definitely see him coming
See him
Notice him
See him
Notice him
You'll see him comin'
You will notice him approaching
Comin'
Approaching
Comin'
Approaching
Come
Approaching
Come
Approaching
Yeah come
An exclamation signifying excitement or encouragement for him to approach
Now do it again, hey!
An encouragement to repeat the action or performance
You gotta see him comin'
You need to notice him approaching
You gotta see him comin'
You need to notice him approaching
You gotta see him comin'
You need to notice him approaching
You gotta see him comin'
You need to notice him approaching
You gotta!
An exhortation to definitely notice him approaching
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES OSTERBERG, JAMES WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind