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
Search and Destroy
The Stooges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb
I am a world's forgotten boy
The one who searches and destroys
Honey, gotta help me, please
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby, detonate for me, ow
Look out, honey, 'cause I'm using technology
Ain't got time to make no apology
Solar radiation in the dead of night
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Honey, gotta strike me blind
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby, penetrate my mind
And I'm the world's forgotten boy
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
And, honey, I'm the world's forgotten boy
The one who's searchin' only to destroy, hey
Hey, hey
Hey, hey
Look out, honey, 'cause I'm using technology
Ain't got time to make no apology
Solar radiation in the dead of night
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Honey, gotta strike me blind
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby, penetrate my mind
And I'm the world's forgotten boy
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
And, honey, I'm the world's forgotten boy
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
Forgotten boy, forgotten boy
Forgotten boy said, uh
Hey, forgotten boy, said
Hey, hey, hey, hey
The lyrics of "Search and Destroy" by The Stooges are an intense and frenetic proclamation of a person who is searching and destroying at the same time. The song's protagonist describes himself as a "street-walking cheetah" who has a "heart full of napalm." He also calls himself a "runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb" and "the world's forgotten boy." According to the lyrics, this character is somebody who is on the edge of sanity, looking for someone to "save his soul" and "penetrate his mind." He is desperate, aggressive, and ready to explode, both literally and figuratively.
The lyrics also convey a sense of urgency, danger, and rebellion. The singer is not asking for permission or forgiveness; he is demanding attention, action, and change. He is not interested in making apologies or compromises; he is using technology and solar radiation to fuel his desires and passions. The love he seeks is not a peaceful or romantic one; it is in the middle of a fire fight. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "the one who's searching, searching to destroy" several times, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of the character's mission.
"Search and Destroy" is not only a powerful and iconic rock song from the 1970s; it is also a cultural artifact and a testament to the artistic and social movements of its time. The song was written and performed by Iggy Pop and his band, The Stooges, in 1973. Iggy Pop, whose real name is James Osterberg, was known for his outrageous stage antics, raw energy, and rebellious attitude. The Stooges were a Michigan-based band that pioneered the punk, garage, and hard rock genres, influencing bands such as Nirvana, The Ramones, and Sonic Youth. "Search and Destroy" was part of The Stooges' third album, "Raw Power," which was produced by David Bowie and mixed by Iggy Pop himself. The song became one of The Stooges' most popular and recognizable songs, although it did not chart well at the time of its release.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a street-walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm
I am a wild, dangerous person with feelings of extreme anger and aggression.
I'm a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb
I am a product of the destructive effects of nuclear weapons and radiation.
I am a world's forgotten boy
I am a person who has been abandoned and ignored by society.
The one who searches and destroys
I am a person who seeks out and destroys anything that stands in my way.
Honey, gotta help me, please
I need someone to save me from myself and my destructive tendencies.
Somebody gotta save my soul
I need someone to rescue me from the darkness and emptiness inside of me.
Baby, detonate for me, ow
I want someone to explode with intensity and passion for me.
Look out, honey, 'cause I'm using technology
I am capable of using advanced tools and weapons to accomplish my destructive goals.
Ain't got time to make no apology
I have no regrets for my actions and will not apologize for them.
Solar radiation in the dead of night
There is a dangerous energy radiating from me that is present even in the darkest of times.
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Even in the midst of chaos and destruction, love and passion thrive.
Honey, gotta strike me blind
I want someone to consume me with pleasure and take away my ability to see reality.
Baby, penetrate my mind
I desire someone to enter my mind and take control of my thoughts and actions.
And I'm the world's forgotten boy
I am the archetype of the forgotten and ignored members of society.
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
I am constantly searching for things to destroy and bring down.
And, honey, I'm the world's forgotten boy
I am a reminder of the many overlooked and discarded people in our world.
Forgotten boy, forgotten boy
I am forever marked by my past and will be forgotten by society.
Hey, forgotten boy, said
I am a symbol of society's neglect and rejection of those who do not fit in.
Hey, hey, hey, hey
I am a cry for help that is often unheard and ignored.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Osterberg, James Williamson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim wright
Im nearly 60 and still love listening to this one of the greatest rock albums ever
Pleasant Valley Picker CA
One of the greatest rock songs ever!!!!
Unmitigated Claustrophobia
*punk rock also
Vincent pele
@Unmitigated Claustrophobia The ...
matthew farris
@Vincent pele wat....
Eric Carlson
Iggy didn't like the term punk rock, but this is punk as fuck.
dj
True
Jonathon Kennedy
It’s so good!! 50 years later
rawrxp3
holy, i just realized its been that long
José CA
great job! i think this is my favorite mix/version of the album. Thank you for the upload