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
Johanna
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alright, come on Ron
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I've been a dreamer
I've been a dreamer
I've been a dreamer
For my long lost love
Johanna, Johanna, I hate you baby
Cause you don't wanna love, love, love
You don't wanna love
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I've been a mean one and
I've been unclean
I've been a, and I know it too
Johanna, Johanna, I wanna come right
Come right back to you you you
Come back to you you you
Oh yeah, alright, oh yeah
James come on
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Let's take It down we can do about it
Really take It down in, okay
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I've been alone and
I've been alone and
I've been alone and
I've been a blow
Johanna, Johanna
I wanna come wanna come right back to you
Back you, back to you, back to you, yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Kiss me, kiss me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Johanna, Johanna, Johanna yeah yeah yeah yeah
I want to right now, I want you right now now
Johanna, Johanna, oh yeah, Johanna, Johanna
I need, I need, I need, I
Kiss, kiss, kiss
The lyrics to The Stooges' song Johanna are a raw expression of longing and desperation. The repetition of "oh yeah" and "yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah" create a sense of urgency and intensity, while the verses reveal the singer's inner turmoil. He describes himself as a dreamer and a mean one, suggesting a conflicted and tormented persona. The object of his desire is a woman named Johanna, who he both loves and hates. He hates her for not reciprocating his love, yet he wants to come back to her with a desperate plea.
There is a sense of self-awareness and honesty in the lyrics, as the singer acknowledges his flaws and faults. He admits to being unclean and alone, and even calls himself a blow. Despite all this, he still yearns for Johanna's love and kisses. The repetition of her name throughout the song emphasizes the intensity of his desire.
The Stooges' Johanna is a powerful and emotive song that captures the raw emotions of love and desire. The singer's honesty and self-awareness make the lyrics relatable and impactful, while the urgency of the music adds to the sense of desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Expressing excitement and readiness for what's to come
Alright, come on Ron
Encouraging Ron to join in and get ready for what's to come
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Continued excitement for the upcoming events
I've been a dreamer
The artist has a tendency to fantasize and imagine things
For my long lost love
The artist has been dreaming about a love that was lost in the past
Johanna, Johanna, I hate you baby
The singer has negative feelings towards Johanna
Cause you don't wanna love, love, love
Johanna refuses to reciprocate the singer's feelings of love
You don't wanna love
Reiterating Johanna's refusal to love the artist
I've been a mean one and
The artist has acted cruelly towards others
I've been unclean
The artist has done things that go against societal norms and values
I've been a, and I know it too
The singer is aware of their past actions and acknowledges their wrongdoing
Johanna, Johanna, I wanna come right
The artist desires a chance to be with Johanna
Come right back to you you you
The singer wants to be with Johanna again
Oh yeah, alright, oh yeah
Excitement and readiness persists
James come on
Encouraging James to join in and get ready for what's to come
Let's take it down we can do about it
Suggesting that they calm down and contemplate their situation
Really take it down in, okay
Further emphasizing the need to calm down and take things slower
I've been alone and
The singer has been by themselves for a while
I've been alone and
Reiterating the singer's solitary state
I've been alone and
Continued emphasis on the artist's loneliness
I've been a blow
The artist has caused harm to others
Johanna, Johanna
Reintroducing the love interest
I wanna come wanna come right back to you
Desiring a second chance with Johanna
Back you, back to you, back to you, yeah
Desire to go back to Johanna
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm for the idea of being with Johanna again
Kiss me, kiss me
The singer desires a physical expression of love from Johanna
Johanna, Johanna, Johanna yeah yeah yeah yeah
Reiterating the desire for Johanna
I want to right now, I want you right now now
The artist's desire for Johanna is immediate and intense
Johanna, Johanna, oh yeah, Johanna, Johanna
Continued emphasis on the love interest
I need, I need, I need, I
Reiterating the singer's intense desire for Johanna
Kiss, kiss, kiss
Reiterating the desire for physical affection from Johanna
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IGGY POP, J. OSTERBERG, J. WILLIAMSON, JAMES WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind