Iggy Pop, the Godfather of Punk, has a career spanning decades and has defined genres like punk, hard rock, and art-pop. Here are the ten most essential tracks from his impressive solo career.
10. Gardenia
Taken from the acclaimed 2016 album Post Pop Depression. Together with Josh Homme, Iggy found a modern sound that harks back to his Berlin period. It is a sultry, stylish track that proves he remains relevant in his later years.
9. Real Wild Child (Wild One)
An energetic cover of an old rock-‘n-roll classic that gave Iggy a major hit in the eighties. It captures his rebellious character in an accessible, poppy way without losing his sharp edge.
8. Nightclubbing
With its mechanical beat and understated vocals, this is one of the highlights of The Idiot. The song breathes the atmosphere of the nightlife in 1970s Berlin and later became famous through Grace Jones’ cover.
7. China Girl
Although David Bowie later scored a global hit with it, Iggy’s original version is rawer and darker. It deals with desire and the dangers of cultural obsession, wrapped in an unforgettable melody.
6. I’m Sick of You
A raw track that bridges the gap between The Stooges and his solo work. It is Iggy at his most frustrated and intense, a precursor to the punk movement that would soon take over the world.
5. Some Weird Sin
A powerful rock song from the album Lust for Life. It explores themes like guilt and identity, driven by a strong riff and Iggy’s characteristic baritone. It is one of his most underrated classics.
4. The Passenger
Inspired by rides on the Berlin S-Bahn, this is a timeless classic. The iconic “la-la-la” backing vocals and the driving rhythm make it one of the most recognizable songs in rock history.
3. Candy
A beautiful duet with Kate Pierson of the B-52’s. It showcases a vulnerable, melodic side of Iggy that contrasts with his wild stage persona. One of his greatest commercial successes.
2. Lust for Life
The drumbeat alone is legendary. This song bursts with vitality and optimism, despite the sometimes dark textual references. It is inseparably linked to the film Trainspotting and remains an absolute dancefloor filler.
1. I Wanna Be Your Dog
Although this is technically a song by The Stooges, it is so fundamental to Iggy Pop’s identity that it cannot be omitted. It is the blueprint for punk: simple, hypnotic, and dangerous. No song captures his essence better.
