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
The Departed
The Stooges Lyrics
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Yesterday's a door opening for the departed
The life of the party's gone
The guests are still remained,
Know they'll stay a little longer
Party girls will soon get old,
Both the sexes soon grow cold
And tears caught to their eyes
Serious talks, no fun,
And when the lights go out
You feel like you wanna run
'Cause there's no one here but us,
By the end of the game we all get thrown under the bus
I can't feel nothing real,
My lights are all burned out
I can't feel nothing real
What is the point of friendship?
It's nobody's fault, but this nightlife is just a death trip
You think you're getting hot steel
But in the light of day everything's a dirty deal
And yesterday's a door that's opening for the departed
Yesterday's a door that's opening for the departed
So where is the life we started?
Where is the life we started?
"The Departed" by The Stooges explores the fleeting nature of life and relationships, particularly within the context of a party culture. The lyrics reflect on the temporary nature of enjoyment, emphasizing the transient nature of parties and the people involved. The opening lines, "Where is the life we started? Yesterday's a door opening for the departed," convey a sense of loss and longing for the vibrant life that once existed.
The song highlights the emptiness and disillusionment often associated with the party scene. The life of the party has vanished, leaving behind guests who linger but offer no genuine connection. The references to party girls and boys growing old and becoming jaded suggest that these superficial relationships will eventually lose their spark and hold no deeper meaning.
The lyrics also touch on the contrast between the excitement of the night and the harsh reality of the day. There is a sense that the glamour and fantasy of the night dissipate when exposed to the light of day, revealing the emptiness and deceit that pervade the party lifestyle. The final lines, "And yesterday's a door that's opening for the departed, so where is the life we started?" express a yearning for a more meaningful existence and question the purpose of such shallow connections.
Overall, "The Departed" serves as a reflection on the impermanence of pleasure and the superficiality of party culture. It encourages the listener to consider the hollowness of temporary enjoyment and the search for something more substantial.
Line by Line Meaning
Where is the life we started?
What has happened to the life we began?
Yesterday's a door opening for the departed
The past is the gateway for those who have left
The life of the party's gone
The lively and vibrant atmosphere of the party has vanished
The guests are still remained
The attendees are still present
Know they'll stay a little longer
They will continue to stay for some more time
Party girls will soon get old
The young and carefree girls will soon age
Party boys will lie them
The young and carefree boys will deceive them
Both the sexes soon grow cold
Both genders eventually become dispassionate
And tears caught to their eyes
Tears well up in their eyes
Serious talks, no fun
Conversations become serious, losing the joy
And when the lights go out
When darkness sets in
You feel like you wanna run
You have an urge to escape
'Cause there's no one here but us
Because we are the only ones here
By the end of the game we all get thrown under the bus
In the end, everyone gets betrayed or abandoned
I can't feel nothing real
I cannot experience anything genuine
My lights are all burned out
My passion and enthusiasm have diminished
What is the point of friendship?
What purpose does friendship serve?
It's nobody's fault, but this nightlife is just a death trip
No one is to blame, but this nightlife is ultimately destructive
You think you're getting hot steel
You believe you are obtaining something valuable
But in the light of day everything's a dirty deal
But in reality, everything is deceitful and unfair
And yesterday's a door that's opening for the departed
And the past is a passage for those who have left
Yesterday's a door that's opening for the departed
The past is a gateway for the deceased
So where is the life we started?
So, what has become of the life we began?
Where is the life we started?
Where has the life we initiated gone?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IGGY POP, JAMES ROBERT WILLIAMSON, SCOTT ASHETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Eagle Junction
This made my heart melt, RIP Ron and Scott. Truly amazing musicians.
GrandPunkTrainwreck
Sadly also appropriate for Scott Asheton as well as Ron now, too. Rock Action left truly left his mark in many ways, an innovator of immense talent in a band whose influence will continue to be felt far and wide throughout REAL rock & roll. Both Ron and Scott Asheton are very sorely missed, but very well remembered.
Edson Luís Rosa
Ron Asheton deserves this tribute, and much more! I still remember the first time I've heard his fantastic wah-wah distorted guitar on the first Stooges album in the 70's. He's one of my heroes!!
haltmusic
A very reverent video of this song of tribute to Ron Ashton. Iggy's heartfelt lyrics coupled with James Williamson's perfectly sublime instrumentation, and Scott Ashton's fittingly understated drumming. This is what a classic is made of.
Lisa Marie Greene
This was really awesome. Good job!!!
A Useful Idiot
great job and a fitting tribute.
LEON MATUS MUSICA
Oh man... this is so deep. I can´t breathe. Thank you so much. From Argentina.
zeez3000
Brilliant! Thank you!
antipax
Pretty good, man.
Stuart Inman
RIP Scott Asheton