Iggy Pop, a pioneer of American punk with the Stooges, he teamed up with Bowie in 1977 when both were at faily low points of their careers. The result was two albums "The Idiot" with Iggy in full on depressed mode and "Lust for Life" which saw Iggy bounce back in a far more positive mode to produce a gem of album that largely went unnoticed. Iggy wrote the lyrics and Bowie wrote most of the music, although the best track "Passenger" was co-written with Ricky Gardiner. Bowie later tried to rip off three of these tracks for his "Tonight" album and failed dismally. Iggy has a great resonant voice that rides wonderfully over the top of the tight music the band lays down.
Album Tracks
- Lust For Life
- Simple chords. A great pounding drum/bass/guitar beat with Iggy's voice booming positively over the top. Great lyrics, a wonderful opener.
- Sixteen
- Simple but great riff(see tab), great beat and Iggy going crazy over leather boots.
- Some Weird Sin
- Iggy's had his problems in the past and this is a view from the outside trying to break in. Another great rock track with good lyrics.
- The Passenger
- A classic, one of Iggy's best ever songs. A superb swinging rhythm led by Ricky Gardiner's guitar repeating 4 chords and Iggy's great voice. Superb lyrics with Iggy looking at life as the "passenger". A track to listened to again and again.
- Tonight
- Iggy does a much better version than Bowie, who after riding high on his success with "China Girl" off "The Idiot" decided to use this a his title track in duet with Tina Turner. Hopefully it brought in a lot money for Iggy
- Success
- A very clever track with every line Iggy sings mimicked by the band. Sounds like they're all having a lot of fun. Ricky Gardiner does a superb solo in the middle.
- Turn Blue
- A slow, deep song with Iggy doing some vocal gymnastics. Not as accessible as the other tracks because of the morbid lyric. Does anybody know what Iggy says after
How come the blacks, how come they copy you so good?
They get off on you, so ????- Neighborhood Threat
- Another fast rock track with great lyrics and vocals from Iggy.
- Fall in Love With Me
- A long track that slowly builds. Driven along with a good beat and keyboard work and incessant vocals from Iggy wanting someone to fall in love with him.
Other Albums
- "The Idiot"
- Not as well mixed/produced as "Lust for Life" and a lot tracks don't reach their full potential. Bowie showed what could be done with "China Girl"(the only good cover he did). Other good tracks "Dum Dum Boys" is worth a listen and "Nightclubbing" (covered by Grace Jones) is a good track.
- "Blah Blah Blah"
- Another collaboration with Bowie. This album has a great cover of Johnny O'Keefe's "Real Wild Child"(a successful single), "Cry For Love" is brilliant and the title track is innovative rock. The rest are standard Iggy pop songs.
- "Caesar"
- has a brilliant version of "Louie Louie" and the single "Wild America" is ok. There are a few other great moments and good melodies, but the whole thing doesn't seem to work as an album.