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
Little Doll
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smoking on a cigarette
In my life a real queen
Prettiest thing I ever seen
Uh-huh
You're the one who makes me sing
Bring happiness and everything
A real way to have some fun
Uh-huh
But I don't know, you little doll
But I don't know, you little doll
Come on, shake
Come on, shake
Come on, shake, you little doll
Shake, you little doll
Come on, shake
Come on, shake
Come on, shake
You little doll
The Stooges' song Little Doll is a love song that unapologetically objectifies the object of the singer's affection, referring to her as a "little doll" and commenting on her beauty and how she makes him feel. The song is simple in its structure and lyrics, focusing on the repetition of the phrase "little doll" and encouraging the subject of the song to shake and move. This creates a sense of dynamic tension between the singer and his desired partner, tangoing both verbally and rhythmically with each other.
Although the lyrics may seem superficial and simplistic, they actually subtly reflect the common societal gender roles and expectations of the era. In the song, the woman is portrayed as an object of desire and a source of pleasure for the male singer. Additionally, the sexual overtones of the song and the repeated urge for the woman to move and shake can be seen as objectifying and potentially problematic. However, the lyrics also show that the woman has a degree of agency and power, with the singer stating that she is the only real one and the prettiest thing he's ever seen. This cements her as a symbol of beauty and power, rather than a mere objectification.
Line by Line Meaning
Little doll I can't forget
You are the small figure that I cannot forget about in my life.
Smoking on a cigarette
You look absolutely stunning when you are smoking a cigarette.
In my life a real queen
You are truly the queen of my life.
Prettiest thing I ever seen
You are the most beautiful thing that I have ever laid my eyes upon.
Uh-huh
That is correct.
You're the one who makes me sing
You are the person who brings joy to my life and makes me sing.
Bring happiness and everything
You bring me happiness and so much more.
You're the only real one
You are the only person who is genuine in my life.
A real way to have some fun
You are the real way to have some fun in my life.
But I don't know, you little doll
But I do not know anything about you, my little doll.
Come on, shake
Come on, start to shake and move!
Shake, you little doll
Move, my little doll!
Come on, shake
Come on, start to shake and move!
Come on, shake
Come on, start to shake and move!
You little doll
You, my little doll.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ALEXANDER, JAMES OSTERBERG, RONALD ASHETON, SCOTT ASHETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind