Raw Power
Iggy & The Stooges
Raw Power by Iggy & The Stooges was released in 1973. I remember buying this album, along with the New York Dolls album, on the same day at Woolworth’s, that used to be in downtown Boston on Washington Street.
I, also, probably purchased some chicken wings from the “food area” at Woolworth’s, eating them while standing up and leaning against the partition they had set up for such activity. And I’m sure it was a Saturday afternoon, one of my days off from work and my usual Saturday ritual. Buy some albums and eat a few chicken wings. Devour the music later.
Not that big on chicken wings nowadays, soon after, my taste veered toward Mexican and more ethnic foods.
But my musical tastes were formed and sealed right there, I guess. It was the first time I heard Iggy Pop.
I believe Iggy is the best stage performer of all time and the most underrated artist of the twentieth century. No one deserves the title “Godfather Of Punk” more than Iggy. During a time where every punk band hated every rock band that had existed before them, Iggy was supremely loved. Countless punk bands covered his songs- Richard Hell, The Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Dictators even Blondie- he was considered the real thing and rightly so.
A big point of discussion is whether this album or “Fun House” is the best Stooges album. That’s a tough one, I think I might choose Fun House but I know that this one meant the most to me.
Slimedog- Is Raw Power the first Stooges record you owned?
Andy- Yes, I’m pretty sure I bought it after hearing “Search & Destroy.” The first version of it I heard was by The Dictators.
Slimedog- It was my first album by them, also. So The Dictators actually led you to Iggy?
Andy- I guess that’s right. But I remember we used to talk about The Stooges and you had already had their first three albums which led me to get their first and second as well.
Slimedog- I take it you were impressed with the album as much as I was?
Andy- Yes the whole album has a good rockin’ vibe. The combination of Iggy’s low, scratchy vocals and the continuous, squealing guitars of Williamson makes for an awesome sound.
Slimedog- And folks might be unaware how loved Iggy was by the punk crowd at the time.
Andy- It’s interesting. When I listen to The Stooges they seem like the illegitimate child of The Stones and Bowie with some early rock like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis thrown in. But then you can hear a more aggressive style emerging that I believe would be a preview of things to come.
Slimedog- That sounds pretty accurate. To me, Iggy is the most essential proto-punk, the quintessential punk.
Andy- Agreed. I think Iggy maybe wanted to follow in Bowie’s footsteps, but because of his style created a whole new genre.
Slimedog- Though, Bowie was first a fan of Iggy. You mentioned “Search & Destroy”, it’s the first song on this record and one of the best songs ever made!
Andy- A definite classic. Even Audi has adopted it for their new car commercials. Covered by so many artists. One of my favorite songs for sure.
Slimedog- When you think about what punk vocals came to be and here Iggy’s almost whispering at times- it’s really something. But he goes from that to near hysteria by the end of the song.
Andy- He’s a very unique vocalist.
Slimedog- And if I examine James Williamson’s guitar playing, I’d say- terrible tone, too brittle, too many notes and perfect in every way for the songs on this album.
Andy- It’s kind of funny. The bass and drums are a lot of times throwing out a kind of honky-tonk rhythm while the guitar is sending out a constant, insane solo.
Slimedog- Great lyrics, too. Iggy said he was inspired by an article in NewsWeek about the Vietnam War, about “search and destroy missions.” “I am the world’s forgotten boy, the one who searches and destroys.” And rhyming apology with technology- “Somebody’s got to save my soul.”
Andy- Yes, I think their lyrics exude punky-ness as well. As we’ll see more blatantly with “Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell.”
Slimedog- With a title like that I like to think of it as the first punk song ever created.
Andy- Yeah it sort of comes at you like a Stones tune on steroids. And then Iggy gets excited and the guitars get excited and then we all get excited.
Slimedog- And then we all have to change our pants. Lots of folks don’t know that Iggy first played drums in blues bands and that low voice he uses at times is inspired by old blues musicians like John Lee Hooker.
Andy- I’m not sure anyone could get as low as Iggy.
Slimedog- He gets lower than the morals of the TNB staff. Favorite line: “I tell you honey it’s no lie, I need a lover with an alibi.” How about “Gimme Danger.”
Andy- “Gimme Danger” is a slower, more methodical tune that shows a bit more of Iggy’s range. It sort of feels like a Bowie tune to me. Another one of my favorites from the album.
Slimedog- The sound and feel was unique at the time. Now, you hear it in countless goth and indi tunes. This one has great lines like, “There’s nothing left to life but a pair of glassy eyes…There’s nothing in my dreams just some ugly memories.” A decadent, disturbing song with viola-like guitar licks.
Andy- Yeah, cool song.
Slimedog- Now my favorite all-time Stooges song is “Death Trip.”
Andy- Yeah “Death Trip” is arguably the best tune on the album. It’s like one long scream from both Iggy and the guitar from beginning to end.
Slimedog- Not only is there no other Stooges song like it, there’s no other song like it. The beat is some odd “stop and go rhythm.” And lyrically with, “Baby want to take you with me, come along on my death trip.” suggests a murder suicide. It’s primal, scary, passionate and strange.
Andy- Yeah, it definitely feels like a death trip both musically and lyrically. A very fun tune.
Slimedog- It’s much more fun than a happy Beach Boys tune. “Baby whip me in the heat, turn me loose on you.” Amazing guitar and at one point when the screaming vocals become completely hysterical, you feel like your driving over a cliff with your car on fire and a smile on your face.
Andy- Great stuff.
Slimedog- They asked Iggy about this record and he said he knew it wouldn’t sell at the time, it was too raw and too powerful. But he knew it was so good, the best rock music at the time, that he just had to record it.
Andy- He was right on all accounts. Also The Stooges first and second albums, for ’69 and ’70, are awesome as well.
Slimedog- Next time you get to pick and, I must say, your choice of Phish’s “Can We Go To Sleep Now” is inspired.
