Iggy Pop is one of rock and roll’s all-time road warriors. The dude has been touring like a mad man for decades and if we were guessing that’s what this tune is about, traveling over the road looking out the windows of buses, trains, and whatever other means of conveyance Pop was using during the time this song came out. 1977 was the year of The Passenger‘s release. The song has a super recognizable guitar riff that drives its way right into your brain. The chorus of “la-la-las” is backed up by David Bowie, whose music ranks about as low as it can go on our personal “like” chart, but in this tune he’s the right guy to be paired up with Iggy.
This song has lived a long and successful life for Pop because not only did it do well for him in 1977, it keeps jumping back into the pool for use in advertisements and stuff by major companies. The song actually went back into rotation on rock stations around 2010 because of that very reason and the fact that Pop went on yet another big tour and he re-released the ditty.
Sure it lack cool lyrics about muscle cars, burnouts, racing, and stuff of that nature, but we’ve all been where this guy is. Looking out the window and watching the world pass as we whiz by.
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO HEAR IGGY POP JAM OUT HIS 1977 ODE TO TRAVELIN’ – THE PASSENGER
I agree, Bowie is too hit and miss, I think I could make one album out of his entire discography that I would put into my personal rotation. Great as the Goblin King though.
Now Now ! Lets all play nice about Mr Bowie . After all if were not for Bowie’s efforts the likes of Scott Walker , Iggy Pop and Lou Reed would of been relegated to the ‘ Has Been ‘ and cutouts bin long ago . Like him – Love him or Leave him Bowie along with Brian Eno have been responsible for maintaining the careers of several of rocks legends . For me …. I go back and forth on Bowie’s albums . Some I like . A couple I love . And more than a few I can leave behind . And as an actor Bowie was killer in the original onstage play production of ” The Elephant Man “
Having seen Iggy and Bowie several times over the decades, I have to say they both Rock in their own ways, but if you don’t like Bowie’s music, perhaps you haven’t heard some of his earlier releases?
Three early ones worth checking out are:
The Man Who Sold the World
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Aladdin Sane (A Lad Insane, eh?)
These records influenced many a musician, and Mick Ronson’s guitar work is just stellar, especially on Ziggy, give them a listen straight through a couple of times and hear for yourself, Bowie Rocks.