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
I'm Fried
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It matters in size and that you'll admit
I don't wanna work
I don't wanna smile
I don't even wanna read Sunday Styles
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
Hey baby I don't wanna pay
Can I come back?
I'll give away a day
Is this a bad attitude
Crossed with a negative mood
Deep-fried,
Re-fried,
Stir-fried
I'm fried
I'm chasin' the buck, I'm runnin' on luck
My work ain't my wife so I'm useless for life
I'm outta my mind
From dealin' with swine
When they say I'm great
I feel like hate
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fuckin' fried
Hey baby I don't wanna pay
Can I come back?
I'll give away a day
Is this a bad attitude
Crossed with a negative mood
Deep-fried,
Re-fried,
Creep-fried
I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm really fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm really fried
Baby I'm fried
Maybe I'll die
Baby I'm fucking fried
The lyrics of The Stooges’ song “I’m Fried” can be interpreted to be about the concept of burnout. Iggy Pop, the lead vocalist of the band, paints a picture of a person who has grown completely disenchanted with life. The singer wakes up feeling indifferent and uninterested in doing anything. Even the things that they would typically enjoy, like reading the Sunday Styles section of the newspaper, do not spark any joy. The feeling of being “fried” pervades the song - a state where one is completely mentally and physically exhausted.
The lyrics suggest that the singer may have been working too hard, constantly chasing the “buck” and running on “luck”. The singer is also fed up with dealing with unpleasant people, who they refer to as “swine”. Despite being called “great”, the singer still feels a deep sense of hate. In essence, the song delves into the idea that no matter what this person does, they will always feel burned out.
The chorus repeats the phrase “I’m fried” nine times, almost to emphasize just how much the singer feels burnt out. Even the food analogies used (“deep-fried”, “re-fried”, “stir-fried”, and “creep-fried”) suggest the feelings of being overcooked, overused, and simply done with it all. The final line “Baby I’m fucking fried, maybe I'll die” seems to take the burnout to its extreme - where death feels a better option than continuing to suffer.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up today, I don't wanna do shit
Despite waking up this morning, I have no motivation to do anything productive.
It matters in size and that you'll admit
The importance of an issue varies from person to person and it's something that one should confess to themselves.
I don't wanna work
I do not have the desire to engage in any form of labor or activity that will lead to exertion.
I don't wanna smile
I do not want any reason to be happy or display signs of joy through the act of smiling.
I don't even wanna read Sunday Styles
I don't even have an interest in leisurely activities like reading the fashion magazine, Sunday Styles.
I'm fried, I'm fried, I'm fried
I am completely burnt out, emotionally distressed, and mentally exhausted.
Hey baby I don't wanna pay
My statement, 'hey baby I don't wanna pay' is a request to be exempted from paying for something.
Can I come back?
I am seeking permission to return to a place or state that I once knew or was comfortable with.
I'll give away a day
I can sacrifice a day of my time or offer some form of compensation in order to achieve my desired state.
Is this a bad attitude
I am aware of my perceived negative outlook or behavior and want to question if it's justified.
Crossed with a negative mood
My negative attitude is being fueled by my bad disposition or mental state.
Deep-fried,
I am not only fried, but also completely and utterly burnt to a crisp like deep-fried food.
Re-fried,
I am not only fried, but feel like my situation may be regressing or getting worse.
Stir-fried
I am not only fried, but like being cooked rapidly at high temperatures like some Asian dishes.
I'm chasin' the buck, I'm runnin' on luck
I am busy chasing after money, and feeling as if my success depends on fate.
My work ain't my wife so I'm useless for life
My work does not have a significant importance in my life, so I am feeling purposeless or inadequate.
I'm outta my mind
I am unable to process what's happening around me or losing control of my thoughts.
From dealin' with swine
I am distressed from dealing with people that are ungracious or irritating.
When they say I'm great
When people compliment me, or praise me excessively,
I feel like hate
it can make me experience anger or negative feelings towards myself and others.
Creep-fried
I am not only fried, but it feels like my situation might become worse in a creepy way.
Baby I'm fried
I am emphasizing or defending my claim of being completely burnt-out, emotionally drained or stressed.
Maybe I'll die
It's possible that my exhaustion or distress will result in my premature death.
Baby I'm fucking fried
I am emphasizing or defending my claim of being completely burnt-out, but with added emphasis through use of explicit language.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: IGGY POP, RON ASHETON, SCOTT ASHETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind