The Stooges (also known as Iggy and the Stooges) were an American rock grou… Read Full Bio ↴The Stooges (also known as Iggy and the Stooges) were an American rock group that was formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States in 1967. Featuring a bombastic proto-punk sound, they released three studio albums before breaking up in 1974. Despite picking up little to no chart or radio success, the band has proved to be one of the most influential rock groups of the past several decades, inspiring many artists such as the Ramones. The band reunited in 2003, released two further record in 2007 and 2013, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. The band split again in 2016. Their best known lineup consisted of Iggy Pop (vocals), Ron Asheton (guitar), Dave Alexander (bass), and Scott Asheton (drums).

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

Scene Of The Crime
The Stooges Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Out in the suburbs
I met my true found love
Out in the suburbs
I met my true found love

She gave me money
Gave me head
Gave me everything and she laid my bet

And that ain't all

She was fine but now
She's gettin' old
She was fast but now
She's gettin' slow

I can't go back to you
I can't go back to you

Can't go back
Sick and tired
Never return
To the scene of the crime

I need an alibi
I need an alibi
I need an alibi
Just to live my life

I need everything
I need everything
I need everything
In this whole world

All the money and all the girls
All the scenes and all the fun
Everything and everyone

I won't live in an ordinary world
No I won't have an ordinary girl

Can't come back
A second time
Gotta get away from the scene of the crime
Scene of the crime

I need an alibi
I need an alibi

Overall Meaning

The Stooges's song "Scene of the Crime" tells a story of a man who falls in love with a woman in the suburbs. It is said that she gave him everything he wanted: money, sexual pleasure, and even laid his bets. However, the lyrics also insinuate that the woman is aging and her once-swift pace has slowed down. Despite the many things she gave him, the singer doesn't want to go back to her because of the scene of the crime, where he presumably did something wrong that he regrets.

The singer repeatedly states that he needs an alibi to live his life. This could mean that he wants to escape the guilt of his past actions or is simply seeking social acceptance. He wants everything in this world, from money to girls, scenes, and experiences, but he can't return to the suburbs where he met his true love. The allusion to an alibi further emphasizes his desperation and need to distance himself from his past.

Overall, "Scene of the Crime" is a reflective portrayal of how our past actions can influence our future choices. The singer is trying to break free from a past mistake, but it is unclear whether he will ever find the escape he seeks.

Line by Line Meaning

Out in the suburbs
In a place far from the center of the city

I met my true found love
I found my real love in this place

She gave me money
She provided me with financial assistance

Gave me head
She performed oral sex on me

Gave me everything and she laid my bet
She gave me everything I needed and even helped me win a bet

And that ain't all
That's not the only thing

She was fine but now
She used to be attractive but now

She's gettin' old
She's aging

She was fast but now
She used to be quick but now

She's gettin' slow
She's becoming slower and less lively

I can't go back to you
I'm not able to return to you